EFI (efi.com) has introduced two new UV printers: the 3.2-meter hybrid Vutek GS3200 and the 5-meter roll-to-roll Vutek GS5000r. Both printers are due to ship in Q2 2009, the company reports.

The hybrid GS3200 is an 8-color (CMYKcmyk)+white machine that is switchable to 4-color (CMYK)+white–what EFI is referring to as “Fast-5”–for optimized throughput. In Fast-5 mode, it can hit a top speed of 2400 sq ft/hr, while in 8-color mode it can reach speeds of up to 1200 sq ft/hr. The GS3200 offers dual resolution 600 dpi (24pL) or 1000 dpi (12pL) selectable. Its white-printing capabilities allow for printing white in six variations: overprint, underprint, spot, underspot, fill, and overspot).

The machine can transition from rigid materials to roll-to-roll media in less than one minute, the company reports, and it can print upon a wide range of substrates–the GS3200 can accommodate flexible or rigid materials up to 126.5-in. wide and up to 2-in. thick. Its dual-roll capability enables the simultaneous printing of two 60-in. rolls.

Options include: Heavy Duty Unwinder (for heavy roll-to-roll usage); Extension Table with casters (for use attached to printer or as a separate workstation); and Small Depth Extension Table (for use with small boards and panels).

The GS5000r, says EFI, “was specifically designed for mid- to high-volume print service providers and commercial printers who want to grow their businesses and…extend their range of applications and capabilities. [It] not only meets the speed requirements to produce high-quality billboards, building wraps and large banners, but also the precision output necessary for POP, exhibition and display graphics.”

The 8-color (CMYKcmyk) machine is switchable to 4-color (CMYK, aka “Fast-4”), and it can handle flexible substrates, including heavy textiles and mesh, up to 0.125-in. thick and accommodate media up to 198-in. wide. Like the GS3200, the GS5000r offers dual resolution (600/1200 dpi); it can hit 3100 sq ft/hr in Fast-4 mode, and reach 1600 sq ft/hr in 8-color mode. It can simultaneously print on up to three 60-inch rolls.

Both the GS3200 and the GS5000r are optimized for use with EFI's Fiery XF RIP.