Wide Format Imaging

Océ has launched a fundamentally new printing technology called Océ CrystalPoint. The first product based on this new technology is the Océ ColorWave 600, also unveiled today in The Netherlands and being debuted in the US at the IRgA 2008 Annual Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV, May 13-15.

Océ CrystalPoint technology changes the way wide-format prints are made by combining the best of both toner and inkjet printing. The Océ CrystalPoint process converts color Océ TonerPearls toner into a gel. This tonergel is then jetted and crystallized onto any type of paper, producing crisp, water fast high quality images with extremely accurate dot placement.

The first printing system to utilize Océ CrystalPoint technology is the Océ ColorWave 600. With the Océ ColorWave 600, customers can print both color and black & white on lower cost untreated and recycled paper. Most existing color wide format products require specially coated inkjet paper. The Océ ColorWave 600 also prints an E-size sheet (12 square feet) in half a minute, which enables wide format customers to print at least twice as fast as conventional inkjet systems used by competitors. Prints dry instantly so they can be handled immediately. Furthermore, there is no longer a significant difference between color and black & white output with regard to productivity and print quality. Color output enables construction and engineering projects to move more quickly through regulatory and approval processes, cutting costs and saving time.

"With the introduction of Océ CrystalPoint technology, we are unleashing an important wave of innovation that’s changing the face of the wide format printing industry," said Rokus van Iperen, CEO of Océ N.V. "We will deliver high quality color on plain paper and recycled paper. Since the mid-90s, we have been developing this groundbreaking technology. Océ has invested approximately Euro 150 million in developing this technology and anticipates for the coming 15 to 20 years it will be fundamental for developing new generations of Océ color printing systems. Océ CrystalPoint technology represents a major milestone for our company in a market segment we have led since the 1920s. Customer trials with the Océ ColorWave 600 began in March of 2008. Based on these trials, market demand for the product is already very high."

"Océ CrystalPoint technology creates an impressive new category that appears uniquely and competitively to address the dynamic digital printing markets in both the Wide Format Technical and Wide Format Graphics segments," said Tim Greene, Director Wide Format & Jetting Technologies at InfoTrends. "Because this new Océ platform is designed to significantly address overall running costs, reduce environmental impact and improve both productivity and workflow, we think it will have a serious and provocative impact on the wide format printing industry."