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Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in News & Trends, Technology & Products
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Canon Introduces Five New iPFX400 Large-Format Inkjet Printers

New wide format inkjet printers from CanonCanon U.S.A. Inc. announced this morning the introduction of five new imagePROGRAF large-format printers: the iPF9400, iPF9400S, iPF8400, iPF6450 and iPF6400. The new printers are expected to be available at LexJet this month, and stay tuned for in-depth videos on the features of the new printers here at the LexJet Blog.

Designed for use by photographers, artists, proofers and print-for-pay users, the imagePROGRAF models include a variety of enhancements made to both quality and speed. According to Canon, users will experience increased productivity, while benefitting from the built-in tools that make managing large-format printing convenient and cost-effective.

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9400 (12-color, 60-inch, MSRP $11,995), iPF8400 (12-color, 44-inch, MSRP $5,995), iPF6450 (12-color, 24-inch, MSRP $3,695), iPF6400 (12-color, 24-inch, MSRP $2,995) and iPF9400S (8-color, 60-inch, MSRP $9,995) printers offer improved color stability designed for precise, ultra high-quality print performance with increased speed and productivity.

All of these models utilize Canon’s LUCIA EX pigment ink set, an enhanced multi-sensor and advanced printing technologies specifically developed to produce prints with an enhanced color range and improved durability.

The imagePROGRAF iPF9400S and iPF9400 printers can now handle 60-inch borderless printing and now have a more affordable price when compared to previous models as well. Each of the imagePROGRAF models has been upgraded in comparison to previous generations by integrating several new features and functionalities to help customers achieve the ultimate in color consistency. These tools include:

  • Multi-Sensor: A new, enhanced multi-sensor has been incorporated for improved density accuracy and stability over previous models. The sensor, along with the included software, helps to achieve color consistency across all new imagePROGRAF 12-color models.
  • Color Calibration Management Console: Using the calibration function equipped in the new line of imagePROGRAF devices, it is possible to execute and monitor the calibration status of multiple printers on a network from one PC.
  • Media Configuration Tool: This software allows the user to update and customize the printer and drivers with new Canon and custom media information.

Adding to the versatility of the imagePROGRAF printers is a sub-ink tank system which minimizes waste. The ink cartridges can also be replaced while the printer is running allowing for the print job to continue, which helps to improve the workflow of the end-user. This system is further enhanced for the imagePROGRAF iPF6450 and iPF6400 printers with a new 300ml tank size that will provide increased cost-savings.

Canon has also worked to help increase overall usability of each printer with a variety of new software features, including:

  • Gallery Wrap feature: Allows users to easily create gallery wrap prints for framing along with creative options that expand the output possibilities
  • Adjustment Pattern Setting: Users can print multiple versions of an image with different color setting in order to choose the color that most matches what is needed
  • Tint and Tone Adjustments: Controls the four monochromatic shades allowing a user to create even more expressive blacks with smooth gradations, especially in darker areas

The 12-color, 24-inch Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6450 printer has the option to add an onboard spectrophotometer for advanced color management including the ability to obtain color consistency across multiple iPFX400 series printers.

The optional SU-21 Spectrophotometer, which retails for $1,795, also helps reduce operating costs by automating color management and is highly adaptable to user system environments.

The spectrophotometer device includes:

  • A fully automated mobile unit for the spectrophotometer for a wide range of media of various thicknesses to be loaded and used with the device
  • A specialized backing plate that has black and white strips on it and is user switchable
  • User-switchable UV blocking filter that can be turned on and off according to paper type
  • A scan speed of 10 inches per second
  • Expandable workflow options due to the ability to perform color calibration with third party media
  • 2010 XRGA measurement standard compliance

For more information about the new Canon printers and to pre-order a unit, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Tips & Tricks
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How to Create Custom Shopping Lists for Quick Repeat Ordering at lexjet.com

Create custom shopping lists at an online store

The Shop By My List feature on LexJet.com allows you to create personal shopping lists for items you buy repeatedly. It can be tailored for inks, application solutions (such as LexJet Clear and Backer) or even for different purchasing agents in the same company.

As one LexJet customer put it at Reseller Ratings: “I have always been impressed with LexJet’s customer service, and ordering online with the Shop By My List feature is a breeze.”

To set up a list, start with the desired product and click Add to My List (see Figure 1):

Online shopping lists
Figure 1

After the product is selected, you can create a new list or add the product to a current list (see Figure 2):

Create custom shopping lists online
Figure 2

Once the lists are compiled, you should choose the SHOP BY MY LIST option for easy product selection.  As an example, if you have both an Epson and a Canon printer, you can set up ink lists for each printer and, with the touch of a button, place the inks in your shopping cart.

And, if he have both solvent and aqueous printers, you can set up media lists based on media that is compatible with each machine (see Figure 3):

Online shopping lists
Figure 3

You can have as many lists as you deem necessary and those lists can be modified at anytime. If you’re unsure about how to set up a list, a LexJet customer specialist can either create one and “clone” it to you or walk you through the process. This feature helps reduce the risk of accidentally ordering the incorrect product.

For more information, or if you need any help setting up lists at the Shop By My List feature, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Promotions & Rebates
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New HP Designjet Z6200 Printer and Ink Value Bundle Starts August 1

HP inkjet printer promotionHP announced its new HP Designjet Z6200 Photo Printer and HP ink bundle promotion, which officially starts on Wednesday, Aug. 1 and runs through Sept. 30: trade in an eligible old large-format printer (see list below) and purchase a full set of inks for a new Z6200 printer and you’ll get $3,500 cash back for the 60-inch Z6200 and $2,250 cash back for the 42-inch Z6200.

If you’re not trading in an old printer you can still get cash back when you purchase a full set of ink with a new Z6200: $1,500 cash back for the 42-inch Z6200 and $2,000 cash back for the 60-inch Z6200.

Large-format printers eligible for trade-in include…

  • HP Designjet 2000cp/2500cp series printer
  • HP Designjet 3000cp/3500cp series printer
  • HP Designjet 4000/4500 series printer
  • HP Designjet 4020/4520 series printer
  • HP Designjet 4520MFP series printer
  • HP Designjet 5000/5500 series printer
  • HP Designjet Z6100 Photo series printer
  • Any Canon, ENCAD, Epson, KIP, OCE or Xerox 36-inch or larger graphics or LED printer

When you upgrade to the HP Designjet Z6200 Photo Printer series you’ll see dramatic improvements in print speeds and image quality, as well as features like multiple loading options and remote printer monitoring.

For more information and to take advantage of the Value Bundle, which starts on Aug. 1, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Technology & Products
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Epson Introduces Two New Low-Solvent S-Series Printers Due in Q4 2012

Low solvent printers for signs, vehicles and banners
The EPSON SureColor S70670, one of three new 64"-wide low-solvent printers from Epson, is an eight-color printer with optional white and metallic inks.

Epson America today introduced the latest printers in its 64-inch-wide low-solvent line: The EPSON SureColor S50670 and S70670. Both the EPSON SureColor S50670 and S70670 are expected to be available in the fall of 2012 at LexJet for a list price of $25,995 each.

To see a review of the first printer in the S-Series, the SureColor S30670, click here. The difference between the three printers is basically in the ink sets and the number of printheads, which also affects price, speed and print quality.

The SureColor S30670 is a four-color (CMYK) printer with one printhead with a draft speed of 620 square feet per hour that lists for $16,995. The SureColor S50670 has dual CMYK with an optional white and two printheads with a draft speed of 980 square feet per hour. The SureColor S70670 features CMYK, Lc, Lm, Lk and Or, plus an optional white and metallic ink with two printheads and a draft speed of 550 square feet per hour.

The new printers incorporate Epson’s latest technology and use the EPSON MicroPiezo TFP printheads to deliver extremely small droplet sizes and four times the nozzles of Epson’s previous solvent printer for extremely fast print speeds.

According to Epson, the printheads have been under development for over 20 years, and is the first time the dual array printhead is being used with a solvent ink technology. To match the capabilities of this new printhead, Epson developed new solvent-based inks. Featured on the SureColor S50670, EPSON UltraChrome GS2 ink delivers up to five colors with a new high density White ink to accommodate a broad range of indoor and outdoor signage applications.

The new EPSON UltraChrome GSX ink, featured on the SureColor S70670, delivers up to ten colors (a first for solvent printers, according to Epson), including an optional White and Silver Metallic, as well as a standard Light Black for improved grayscale and reduced metamerism.

The SureColor S-Series is built on an all new print engine and includes three new models offering varying performance and feature sets to accommodate a range of signage, vehicle graphics and fine art solvent printing needs.

Each model in the SureColor S-Series integrates an entirely new print engine and introduces new convenience features that help automate previously time-consuming processes such as nozzles checks, media feed adjustments and tensioning, and complicated media and printhead alignments. Additional features include:

Take-Up Reel System: Efficient take-up reel for unattended production of large print runs supporting both wind-in or wind-out; standard heavy roll support in rear for up to 90 pound roll with motorized take-in; optional high-capacity roll support for rolls up to 150 pounds.

Roll Media Loading: All new spindle-less design with manual Epson LiftAssist allows for easy loading and unloading of heavy roll media.

High-Capacity Ink System: Individual ink cartridges up to 700 mL enable users to avoid production downtimes and maximize profitability; the S50670 offers 1400 mL of installed ink per color for maximum productivity.  Each printer in the series is designed exclusively for use with EPSON ink cartridges for greater reliability.

Control Panel: Full color LCD panel provides easy access to menu items and controls.

Included ONYX RIP Software: Epson has partnered with Onyx Graphics, the leading manufacturer of signage RIP software, to include a customized, fully functional version of Onyx’s standard layout RIP, including the full Pantone color library with each S-Series printer. This layout RIP will also include over 100 media profiles for standard media.

Media Heater and High-Speed Dryer: Individually controlled pre, platen and post heaters for optimum media support all controlled via a front control panel or front-end RIP software; additional high-speed dryer (standard on the SureColor S50670 and optional on the S30670 and S70670) provides additional drying for fast print speeds.

The SureColor S-series offer a standard EPSON Preferred Limited Warranty, a one-year program that includes toll-free advanced telephone access Monday through Friday and usually next business-day on-site service in the unlikely event of any hardware failure. Epson Preferred Plus service plans are available that cover both the hardware and software for up to two additional years.

For more information, visit www.proimaging.epson.com, or call a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Promotions & Rebates
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New HP Latex Inkjet Printer Lease Program Available through LexJet

Large format inkjet printer lease programSYNNEX is offering a new lease program for the HP Designjet L26500 latex printer for as little as $579 per month for a 60-month plan, which you can sign up for through LexJet. Shorter lease terms are available at $679 for 36 months and $629 for 48 months.

As part of the lease agreement, you’ll need to buy one set of ink per month, or an equal purchase of HP media if the ink’s not used that month. At the end of the lease term, you can purchase the printer for $3,500 (36-month lease), $2,500 (48-month lease) or $1,500 (60-month lease).

For more information about this lease program, and the HP Designjet L26500 latex printer, contact a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538. And don’t forget to peruse the HP Printers and Workflow playlist at LexJet’s YouTube channel.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles, Marketing & Sales
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Inkjet Printed Trading Card Sports Posters and How Shipping Makes a Difference

Printing sports postersJack Deere, owner of Three Oaks Photography in Wake Forest, N.C., is always on the lookout for new and unique products for his photography studio. One source of inspiration is the LexJet Blog, where others share their experiences and ideas.

“In addition to the great service I’m getting from LexJet, I appreciate the other things LexJet does with tools like the blog. It helps a lot, because I get great ideas from it, like the growth chart printed on Photo Tex,” says Deere. “In fact, we’re testing Photo Tex for different things, like appliqués on windows, wall murals and anything else we can find to do with it; it’s a great material to work with.”

Deere says the studio has been printing its own work for years, and one of the keys to doing it successfully is the confidence he has that he’ll not only get the support he needs, but more importantly that he’ll consistently get the products he needs on time and just in time.

“As a small business, cash flow is king. When an ink cartridge costs more than $100 a pop, even for the small ones, I don’t have to buy one until I absolutely need it. LexJet products get here within one day. I just had an order that arrived from two different distribution points, but they got here at the same time this morning at 10 a.m.,” explains Deere. “LexJet has never missed that deadline so I can order with one day’s notice, and we get quick shipping for that flat rate of $9.99. That’s what I really appreciate – the depth and breadth of how LexJet’s distribution is set up. Sometimes I’ve ordered at 3 in the afternoon and it’s here at 10 the next morning. Hello? That’s why I’m a customer for life; LexJet has saved my bacon every time. And, when I call the 800 number, the phone system is routed so I get my personal rep. I call and I don’t get a voice system, I get, ‘Hey Jack, what’s up?'”

Deere adds that product suggestions from his customer specialist, Michael Clementi, are another plus. One of those suggestions helped lead to a successful product launch that local high schools have embraced called Trading Card Sports Posters.

Deere prints the posters on LexJet TOUGHcoat AquaVinyl PSA (the product Clementi suggested) and applies them to Coroplast. The posters are durable enough to withstand inclement (pun intended) weather when they’re hung up around outdoor venues, like the high school football stadium.

“We only photograph seniors for the posters. We shoot an action shot of them, which I turn into a charcoal pencil drawing in the background, and then add a head shot and a photo of them with the seniors on the team,” explains Deere. “They’re typically used for senior nights at the sports banquets and it’s a gift to the senior from the booster club. Once schools see the posters I get calls from the booster clubs, so I’m in about seven high schools now. We also frame some of them, and when we do that we use LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Self Adhesive Polypropylene.”