Inkjet & Digital Printing
Top quality digital printing in aluminium with new DuraSeal printer
Wednesday 27. May 2009 - During the most recent edition of VISCOM 2008 in Frankfurt, Polychromal from Alkmaar very successfully introduced the latest innovation in the field of printing in anodised aluminium: the DuraSeal Printer for digital production of signs, name, text and front plates.
This unique printer not only provides extremely high print quality, it also offers all the advantages of digital printing. From now on, the production of anywhere from one to several hundred copies will be faster, easier and much more inexpensive. This proved highly appealing to many VISCOM visitors.
Faster and cleaner stunning quality
Using the DuraSeal plates and DuraColour inks developed by Polychromal, this new aluminium printer can provide unprecedented image quality. Bright, true-to-life colours are standard, but uniform surfaces and smooth colour gradations are no problem at all either. The frequent occurrence of pixilation (dithering) and stripes (banding) in blue skies or shadow effects are now a thing of the past. The procedure to be followed is clean and easy: place a DuraSeal plate on the vacuum table, give the print command and seal the plate after printing. No more films and dirty hands. This technology is expected to bring about a shift in the market.
Polychromal, CST and Colorgate collaboration
For more than a year, there has been worked on the development of the hardware and software to make this application possible. Eric Hensen, Commercial Director of Polychromal: In 2007, we came into contact with CST in Germany and discussed our ideas about digital printing in aluminium. Using our knowledge, CST was then able to develop the DuraSeal printer. The printer is controlled by special RIP software from Colorgate. They modified their software using profiles written for our DuraSeal plates and DuraColour inks. As the expertise of specialists was used for all components, we can now offer an unprecedented level of quality. As a result, the interest at VISCOM was tremendous. We are very enthusiastic about this.
Print-ready set-up
Two models of the DuraSeal aluminium printer are available. The DS-200 can handle printing areas up to 2000 mm x 1000 mm and the DS-100 areas up to 1000 mm x 1000 mm. Both models are supplied with a PC and the associated RIP software. An additional fee is charged for installation and training, plus a starter kit with DuraSeal aluminium plates and DuraColour inks.
DuraSeal plates
DuraSeal plates are available in Silver Matt, Silver Satin and Silver Glossy. The plates are highly durable, thanks to the thicker anodising layer of 23 to 25 microns. At the end of this year, these plates will be tested for durability by a test laboratory in Germany. The test reports are expected to be available in February.
Availability and production orders
The DuraSeal aluminium printers are both supplied by Polychromal and by CST. DuraSeal plates and DuraColour inks are available from Polychromal. By now, Polychromal is in full production with two DuraSeal printers for its industrial name, text and front plates division and for RapidSign, the signing division. Anyone who wishes to see how it works or who prefers to outsource orders first is more than welcome at Polychromal in Alkmaar.