Seiko Unveils its ColorPainter H-104s

Seiko Infotech has debuted a new ColorPainter wide-format printer-the ColorPainter H-104s-the first solvent printer the company has introduced in several years.

This mid-level 104-in. machine uses mild-solvent inks and is aimed at high-production shops producing professional-quality outdoor graphic at high resolutions. Typical applications include indoor and outdoor signs on a variety of media-especially adhesive vinyl and banners.

Offering true 720 x 720-dpi resolution, the H-104s can hit a top speed of 1000 sq ft/hr at 720 dpi. Its 8 Seiko high-frequency drop on-demand piezo printheads produce variable-size drops-14 to 28 pl-to enhance image smoothness and maximizes ink density. Further, the ColorPainter incorporates Seiko's Smart Pass technology, an interlacing technology used to optimize dot placement and prevent pass-to-pass banding.

Users can choose an 8- or 2 x 4-color inkset: CMYKcm gray, light gray (one color per head) or CMYK x 2 (two heads per color). The 8-color is recommended for maximum image quality, while the 4 x 2 inkset is designed for maximum productivity, with almost double the speed of the 8-color set.

Other features of the ColorPainter H-104s include a built-in heater/drying systems for pre/print/post heating, auto head-height adjustment, and support for rolls up to 265 lb. Ink is sold in 1.5-l bags and sub-tanks allow users to add ink on-the-fly. A RIP is not included, but compatible RIP software includes Onyx, Wasatch, SAi, and Caldera.

The ColorPainter H-104s and the 74-in. version-the H-74S-will make their US debut at SGIA in October. Estimated US selling price is less than $80,000 for H-104S model and less than $50,000 for the H-74S model, the company reports.

SEIKO I INFOTECH
www.seiko-i.com