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PrintDriver
07-13-2006, 11:35 AM
I'm looking for a print process that I think may fall into the 4-color category.
Every once in a while we get a job where the client wants approx 30" x 40" posters made on card stock with a gloss finish.
The quantities range from 4 to 150 single prints (one-offs). Occasionally there will be multiples (but only something like 4 each of 10 different files or something like that). If I do this on an inkjet to heavy stock and overlam it, it costs too much $$$ so they take it elsewhere but I'm not sure where this work is going.
Is there a digital option to gloss stock that works for one-offs at this size or smaller?
:confused:
jimking
07-13-2006, 12:51 PM
PrintDriver, I'm not aware of a 40" digital press. Even if there was, printing on coated paper I think still would not give it that glossy look because of the ink laid down. Unless the ink has a glossy look to it perhaps. Offset would be expensive too with the short counts. There are offset presses that image plates on the cylinder but still there's make ready time and such. Maybe they're farming it out to China or Mexico. :confused:
there's a process I came across last year, photo- or picto- something, involves almost "developing" on the surface of the stock which is pretreated with an emulsion. Colour and gradient reproduction were immaculate, and it was cheap as hell too, i'll see if I can dig up the company that do it and get the name of the process for you.
nyc_skater
07-13-2006, 01:59 PM
when we have things like that printed, we either have it done on matte paper, then mount and laminate, I too looked for something more cost effecient but couldn't find anything.
There are those printers that print directly to a substrate but I always thought those were much more expensive prints.
I have an epson 9600 and a company just contacted me saying they have glossy sheets I can run through this thing but they were hecka pricey...I think more than laminating and mounting.
PrintDriver
07-13-2006, 02:01 PM
I'm pretty sure they are staying in the States and most likely NYC somewhere.
DTS printing is too pricey Skater. So is mounting, let alone the lam.
Bear, I'm interested if you can find it.
Thanks.
:)
not what I was thinking, but would this be of interest? 60" Flatbed printing
http://www.gspinc.com/products/printers/solara.asp
PrintDriver
07-13-2006, 04:49 PM
Yeah Bear, I know about those. I outsource a lot of that DST stuff on Vutek and Rho flatbeds (80"-ers). Too expensive most of the time and they don't do small text very well. Great for longer term BIG stuff but what I'm looking for is tradeshow throwaways. Wayfinding, Breakout listings, tour schedules, that kind of thing. They're up for a weekend then tossed. I'm trying to find out where the client goes. The stuff is nicely printed wherever it is. Postcard image quality and overall feel of material (but I didn't see a line screen) and good clean text (almost too clean for an inkjet but punchier than con-tone). Maddening.
SharkFinStudios
07-13-2006, 05:01 PM
PrintDriver,
I used to work for a commercial printer and my main area was digital printing. I know there are many different options for going about printing posters. The overlam sounds like the best way, but there are always improvements being made. Shoot me a PM if you'd like and I'll give you the info on the company. Let me know what the pricing was and maybe I can help you get a better deal. The company is located in Western, NY... but they do good work, fast.
Cheers,
Al
uncle carbunkle
07-13-2006, 08:14 PM
OLLIEEEEE!!!
um, hi.
:D
patkennedy78
07-13-2006, 08:28 PM
I'm trying to find out where the client goes. The stuff is nicely printed wherever it is.
Can you ask them? Not trying to be a smart a$$ or anything. But saying something in the way of "...we appreciate your business...we want to stay competitive...always look out for new technology...what other vendors do you use for your printing or graphic needs..."
Just a thought, I don't know where this falls in the way of design or business ethics, but I've had salesmen ask me what other printers and vendor I use, and I usually tell them.
The stuff is nicely printed wherever it is. Postcard image quality and overall feel of material (but I didn't see a line screen) and good clean text (almost too clean for an inkjet but punchier than con-tone).
Damnit, it sounds so close to this stuff we got done. I'll definately find those printers tomorrow PD.
vtwin_gary
07-13-2006, 10:37 PM
could it be lightjet?
i've done a little with this co. here is the info about lightjet clicky (http://www.portlandcolor.com/pages/lg_format_lightjet.html)
the results that i got were awesome. we had regular digital pix from like a 4mp camera & had them blown up to 50" with almost NO quality loss
i thought the price was great also.
good luck & keep us informed.
PrintDriver
07-13-2006, 10:47 PM
I was afraid of that Bear.
I know the Lightjets. Same as the Lambdas.
One can hope the client softens up eventually. I'll let you know.
printmonger
07-14-2006, 01:53 PM
Great for longer term BIG stuff but what I'm looking for is tradeshow throwaways.
I had a tradeshow where the client wanted to use graphics once and throw them away afterwards. The booth was printed at FastSigns (http://www.fastsigns.com/) and on FoamCor/GatorCor , but the quality was really very good, it was inexpensive [compared to producing a [i]real booth, and it had that postcard feel to it; could this be where their getting this produced?
printmonger
07-14-2006, 02:22 PM
PrintDriver,
Where is a good place to begin learning about large-format printing and printers [equipment]? I don't do much large-scale kind of work right now, except tradeshow booths and banners, but I'd certainly like to.
Books, trade pubs, mags, websites? Any direction would be greatly appreciated
Thx
carter the artist
07-17-2006, 05:48 AM
we use a mutoh and our media is up to 64". maybe I'm reading this wrong, but we do these jobs all the time, we print on gloss and use adhesive to put on substrate.
Exodus
07-31-2006, 10:51 PM
We use Scitex (Now HP) TurboJets, print on Self-Adhesive and mount. They print 64" as well.
PrintDriver
07-31-2006, 11:07 PM
Anything that involves an overlam is too expensive.
These were not naked waterbase HP's. They may have been some type of solvent process on vinyl mounted to bristol board but I'm not sure. The mounts were too clean. It looked and felt an awful lot like glossy card stock - and probably gang run and machine chopped. The print resolution was wicked high though. It had to be at least 1200. It wasn't 600, I can spot those without a loupe.
I'm still waiting for the opportunity to ask the client where he got em.
Exodus
08-01-2006, 04:40 PM
Man, I haven't heard of anything like that. If/When you find out, let me know. My curiosity is running on high now.
carter the artist
08-02-2006, 12:59 AM
maybe flat bed? Our new flat bed prints pretty big with great detail.
PrintDriver
08-02-2006, 10:58 AM
Flatbeds don't have the resolution yet for type under oh, say, 18 points. And you can see the ink dotlets from 3 feet. Well, I can anyway.
I have to wait for the designer to pay us a visit. Could be a while. I'm still thinking cheap gang run somewhere in NYC or Florida though.
Samakimoto Graphics
08-02-2006, 11:45 AM
PrintDriver, I'm not aware of a 40" digital press. Even if there was, printing on coated paper I think still would not give it that glossy look because of the ink laid down. Unless the ink has a glossy look to it perhaps. Offset would be expensive too with the short counts. There are offset presses that image plates on the cylinder but still there's make ready time and such. Maybe they're farming it out to China or Mexico. :confused:
Or to India or Dubai.
We do a lot of our printing in Dubai (from Africa, would you believe?). And recently a friend of mine took art work for invites to his wedding to be printed in India. Much cheaper.