Gerber Presents the Elan Inkjet Printer

After years of offering a variety of signmaking equipment”?from plotters and routers, to software and wide-format thermal-transfer printers”?Gerber has now jumped into the world of large-format inkjet with its ELAN line of printers.

A 64-in. unit, the Elan printer boasts Epson variable- drop size printheads matched with untreated media and Gerber's new nontoxic, organic solvent inks. The Elan XL offers 2xCMYK colors using the Elan XL Solvent inks; these inks require no special handling and are resistant to chemicals and abrasion without lamination. Replacement ink prices are approximately $80 for a 220-ml cartridge or about $360/liter. The upcoming 48 and 62-in. Elan models will offer 6-color printing”? CMYKcm”?using Elan Eco Solvent inks.

The Epson variable-drop printheads adjust the size of the ink droplets to produce finer detail and crisp colors. It prints up to 375 sq ft/hr in draft mode and offers resolutions that range from 360 to 1440 dpi. In highest quality mode, the Elan XL prints 135 sq ft/hr at 720 x 720 dpi.

By being able to print on untreated media, print providers can utilize an extensive range of low-cost media for a wide variety of applications, including indoor/outdoor signs, banners, and vehicle graphics. Printing on approved untreated media with the Gerber inks carries a 3-year outdoor print durability.

The Gerber Elan XL is driven by ImageRIP Pro and Plus software from Onyx. In addition, the Elan XL features a four-stage heater/drying system for faster print speeds. The Elan XL sells for $33,995.(Gerber Scientific Products: www.gspinc.com)