Printer Review: 3M Printer 2500UV
By Stephen Douglass, SS Graphics Inc.
Nothing
gets your blood flowing like new equipment, especially when that equipment
is based on new technology. We ordered our 3M 2500UV at last fall’s
SGIA show in St. Louis.
The decision to purchase the printer was easy to make. Many of our customers have asked about printing direct. The need to be competitive on runs of 25 and 50 was also a factor. Also, producing double-faced graphics is much easier and the printer has given us the ability to print 96" banners and textiles.
SS Graphics opened in May 1993 in the basement of my house. Today we have a 19,000 square foot facility. We have six HP 5000s, one 3M 2500UV, one 3M SP 2000, four GBC laminators, one 5x10' CNC router, and one 5x10' screen press.
We took delivery of the 2500UV last March. After a few a days, a few late nights, and some hair pulling our machine was successfully installed. 3M sent two certified technicians to handle the installation and to provide us with a "get ready" list.
From electrical needs to space considerations, 3M gave us much to think about. The unit requires a tremendous amount of power, as evidenced by its own 460v transformer.
The first impression one gets when viewing the 2500 is “Wow!” The size is impressive at 18' wide, 12' deep, 8' high, and a whopping 10,000 pounds. This unit will not fit in your extra closet space. It has an on-board computer system, touch screen monitor, video bridge which displays video images from interior mounted cameras, and a chiller for the UV lamps.
| At
A Glance: 3M Printer 2500UV • Manufactured in cooperation with Leggett & Platt Digital Technologies • UV-curable, high-productivity piezo inkjet technology • Maximum printing width: 98" • Maximum printing length: unlimited • Maximum material thickness: 3" • Resolution: 600 dpi, six-color • Media: Flexible (roll-to-roll), rigid substrates, or textiles • Scotchprint Graphic Maker Software 5.1 • Inks: 3M Piezo Ink Jet Ink Series 2500UV |
Under the hood is where the 2500 is beefy. It is equipped with a 36-head, six-color printhead. It prints direct to substrate and roll-to-roll. Rigids we have successfully printed on include Fomecore, Ultraboard, Sintra, acrylic, aluminum, cardboard, Gatorboard, ceiling tiles, ceramic tiles, doors, wood, shutters, PETG, Coroplast, and styrene. Fabrics have also printed beautifully as well as pressure sensitive vinyls and banner materials.
We’ve found that adhesion issues occur with materials that have a high content of plasticizers, but our experience with UV screen printing has prepared us well. As far as adhesion, materials need to be tested. Sometimes the solution is as simple as increasing the UV exposure for more cure; other times it requires cleaning surfaces with different alcohols. As with screen printing, corona treating is another great solution, but unfortunately it is very expensive.
When it comes to quality and color vibrancy the 2500 shines. The one area that 3M is working to upgrade is speed. In roll-to-roll mode, printing speed is around 600 square feet per hour. Rigids come in at 200-300 square feet per hour, depending on the quality mode.
The front end is PC based and runs 3M Graphic Maker software which is easy to use. The files are prepped in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Freehand and we apply ICC profiles to images and calibrate all our media. We also check and update periodically as things do shift.
Right now, we are waiting for the new ink set from 3M. The new ink will give us five years outdoor longevity and will be flexible enough for fleet graphics. This will change everything.
With the ability to print 96"-wide and unlimited lengths, no job is too big. 3M and L&P Digital have offered fantastic service. Issues have been taken care of promptly and the technicians haven’t been in a hurry to leave. As with all new technology, there is a learning curve. All in all, things have gone well and our customers are embracing the new technology.
SS Graphics, Marietta, GA, will also be exhibiting at the SGIA show. Instead of printing pictures of what they do, SSG has designed and produced a booth with what they do. From floor to ceiling, SSG has put its different print technologies and capabilities on display. Visit them at booth #723.
For more information about 3M 2500UV Printer, please contact:
3M Commercial Graphics Division
3M Center, Building 0220-06-W-06
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 USA
Phone: 800/328-3908 in the US; 651/737-3136 outside the US
Fax: 651/736-4233
E-mail: (http://cms.3m.com/cms/US/en/2-173/cezrcFA/view.jhtml)
Web sites:
United States Graphics Arts Solutions: www.3M.com/us/graphicarts/index.jhtml
Worldwide Scotchprint® Graphics: www.scotchprintgraphics.com
RSS Feeds
