Roland has debuted its new White Eco-Solvent inks. Initially, the white inks will only be available for use with the company's 54-in. SolJet SC-545EX printer/cutter, introduced in early 2005. In the future, says Roland, the option will be expanded to other machines.

The white-ink option allows the SC-545EX to print white graphics onto a variety of media, including clear films. In addition, the white ink can be printed as an undercoat onto transparent media to increase the opacity and brightness of 4-color printing.

Roland chose the SC-545EX as its initial machine with white ink because “it's unique within the Roland product line–it is the only model to combine both 6-color printing and contour cutting,” says the company. The cutting option is important to white-ink applications such as package comps, labels, and decals. Additionally, the 6-color capabilities of this device are needed to accommodate the addition of white ink.”

The White Ink option will be available beginning in June 2005. Roland reports that it has no plans to offer an upgrade to white for existing SC-545EX owners.

In addition, the company has rolled out its new 104-in. SOLJET SJ-1045 eco-solvent grand format machine–its largest and fastest inkjet printer. This machine replaces the SolJet Pro II SJ-1000EX, which is being phased out.

With a maximum print speed of 484 sq ft/hr at 360 dpi, the SJ-1045 offers a variety of print speeds including Artistic mode–1440 x 1440 dpi. The graphics produced on this machine can be used for a variety of applications including signs, banners, P-O-P displays, and vehicle wraps.

The SJ-1045 uses eco-solvent inks that print onto coated and uncoated substrates; offers water-, scratch-, and UV-resistant graphics; and its output is durable up to 3-yr outdoors. With this printer, Roland offers several ink improvements, including the new IS-1000 ink delivery system, which includes 24 220-ml ink cartridges and an ink-empty warning (cartridges can be replaced without pausing printing). In addition, users can choose to run two different ink configurations: 4-color CCMMYK (for high speeds) or 6-color CMYKcm (for optimum photorealistic reproduction).

The printer incorporates Roland's hardware/software V technology solution. V-technology hardware improvements include the ink-delivery system and the media feeding/take-up system; software improvements include the easy-to-use VersaWorks RIP. Built upon the Adobe Post- Script CPSI 3016 engine, the VersaWorks RIP supports true Adobe PostScript 3 and includes color-management tools, a graphical interface, ICC profiles, layout tools (such as nesting and tiling) and an automatic update feature.

The SJ-1045 also offers three heated areas–preheater, print heaters, and dryer; heavy-duty media feeding and take-up systems; and front loading/unloading.

Price: $59,995; shipping now. (Roland DGA: www.rolanddga.com)