Roland introduced its Soljet Pro III XC-540MT 54-inch printer/cutter, which has been designed to utilize the company’s new Metallic Silver EcoSol Max ink.

The new silver ink can be combined with CMYK to produce various other metallic colors (using white as an undercoat for the silver enhances the metallic effect), and is compatible with vinyl, PET film, paper, canvas, transparent film, and banner substrates. The ink can be used for outdoor as well as indoor applications.

A 6-color printer (CMYK+W+metallic silver) with a distinctive salmon-colored hood, the XC-540MT produces 720 x 1440 dpi at approximately 23 square feet/hour in metallic-silver-only mode; 720 x 1440 dpi at 17 square feet/hour in CMYK+metallic-silver mode; and CMYK-only mode achieves 1440 x 1440 dpi at 441 square feet/hour. The printer can accommodate media up to 1mm in thickness.

The XC-540MT uses Roland’s VersaWorks 3.3 RIP, with Intelligent Pass Control and now includes a Metallic Color Library featuring 12 metallic colors—including silver, gold, and bronze—that print CMYK+metallic silver. The RIP also allows users to save their own custom-created metallic spot colors.

Other features include:
• Automated ink-circulation system, to prevent the pigments in metallic silver and white ink from settling.
• An integrated tri-heater system and included DU-540 dryer system.
• Advanced media-handling system (supports rolls up to 66 pounds) and an automated take-up system.

Roland states that the metallic ink is less scratch-resistant than CMYK inks but printing with metallic as an undercoat for CMYK will increase its scratch-resistance, as will lamination. Durability will vary with media: On vinyl and banner media, metallic ink offers up to 3 years outdoor, says the company; on transparent PET film, expect less than 1 year without lamination.

Price on the XC-540MT: $39,995; Metallic Silver Eco-Sol Max ink: $229.99 per 220-ml cartridge. Note: A double-white-ink XC-540MT (CMYK+WW) is also available, but once it has been configured at installation it cannot be converted to a different ink configuration, Roland reports.

ROLAND DGA
www.rolanddga.com