GO Wide: GO F-24 Small Format UV Flatbed Printer

Is flatbed bed size important? 

At 24-inches by 18-inches, the bed of the GO F-24 UV flatbed printer offers one of the largest sizes of any professional flatbed printer under 24-inches. For the purposes of comparison, the image shows the full size of the F-24 vs. the Mimaki UJF-6042, the Roland LEF-20, the DCS 1024UV. As you will note, the F-24 offers 432 sq. inches, the UJF offers 396 sq. inches, the LEF-20 offers 260 sq. inches and the 1024UV offers 240 sq inches. 

We started off by asking, "is size important?" The answer is yes. Having a larger size means more products can be imaged at one time. GO's F-24 small format UV printer is the clear leader with the size metric. For added information about the GO 24 UV, please go to: http://goo.gl/9nhELx. 

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Metalnox QuickLook Book Catalog Now Available

Graphics One is pleased to release its latest QuickLook Book covering the Metalnox line of industrial heat presses, calendars and ancillary products. The catalog is 20 pages and contains information covering Metalnox and dye sub / transfer technology. The QuickLook Book can be accessed at: Metalnox QuickLook PDF (PDF version) or Metalnox QuickLook Catalog (for online catalog). 

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Sawgrass's ChromaBlast-R Cotton Transfer System / Ink a Threat to DTG?

Several weeks ago Sawgrass announced the release of a new cotton transfer ink for Ricoh Printers called ChromaBlast-R. This announcement is a really interesting twist to the world of DTG and to the world of transfers. Of course Sawgrass had previously announced a solution for specific EPSON printers, but the inclusion of pigement ink for RICOH print engines gives them a strategic advantage. The reason for this is there are so many different brands of EPSON based DTG printers coming from Asia it is a challenge to understand which printers really work. Certainly from a channel perspective Sawgrass has a much better opportunity with the RICOH print engine, and we expect a more precise marketing message. 

The announcement offers some real advantages against DTG offerings and it will be interesting to follow Sawgrass as they migrate this product into their traditional sales channel.  Our overall impression is they should do well with the product and here's why (all based on reading, no actual usage):

Here are some product details on the ChromaBlast R printer, ink and paper. 

• RICOH Printer with one set of ChromaBlast R Ink $1,639 (from Sign Warehouse)
• 100 sheets of ChromaBlast Transfer Media $75
• 60 mil ChromaBlast Pigment Ink $90

An overview of how the ChromaBlast R product compares to other DTG products is as follows:

PROs

• Print engine costs substantially less than other DTG printers
• Only offering of desktop RICOH inkjet printers which makes for a better integrated solution
• Full solution including printer, ink and paper
• Ink costs seem to be less, although this metric is a bit misleading
• Speed is superior 
• Hand is good after garment is washed
• Longevity of transfer is good

CONs

• No white ink solution at this time
• Imaging is not direct; print to paper and then transfer
• Must factor both transfer paper and ink into cost per shirt calculations
• Must wash garment because paper transfer leaves a polymer coating

Sawgrass ChromaBlast R vs EPSON SureColor F2000
How does the new offering from Sawgrass compete with the "Big E's" new SureColor F2000? We think Sawgrass offers a better value.  Here's a quick rundown of the F2000 and a simple cost comparison:

• EPSON SureColor F2000 Printer-$19,995
• 600 ml Ink Cartridges $229.50
• EPSON Pre-treatment Solution (20 Liter Bottle) $679.95
• Printhead Cleaning Kit (Every 1000 Images) $94.95 

As you will note above, the cost of entry for the RICOH system from Sawgrass is much lower by a factor of ten times. Whereas the everyday running costs of the RICOH may be a bit higher than the EPSON system, when all is taken into consideration the daily costs seem to be similar. With both systems there is no mention of printhead replacement costs. 

Our overall impression of the new product from Sawgrass, as compared to DTG is positive. We will address how the product compares to transfer printers, such as the GO UNO and OKI 920WT in a later post. 

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OKI Data Americas Announces Line of Transfer Media for Use with pro920WT and 711WT Digital Color Printers

Earlier this year OKI Data Americas announced the availability of a new and broader range of transfer media offerings approved for use with the OKIpro920WT and 711WT digital color printers – the GO FlipIt 2.0 line and the GO UNO line. These two lines of transfer papers were thoroughly vetted and selected based on their ease of use, exceptional print quality and ability to deliver bright white transfers, together with the elasticity, durability and soft hand of the finished product. All media is available through Graphics One – an authorized reseller and national distribution partner for both OKI printers (Press Release is located at: http://goo.gl/OVRR6c). 

For added information regarding this line of media please see: 

-GO UNO--http://goo.gl/lZgXOh
-GO FlipIt 2.0--http://goo.gl/dBlMDh

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GO Metalnox EL 600 Swingaway Heat Press: The Movie

GO's Metalnox EL 600 Swingaway Heat Press has quickly become a standard for garment decorating with the OKI and GO UNO LED transfer printers for t-shirt and garment printing applications. In the video below you will see a very good overview of why a user should choose a swingaway heat press over a clam heat press. 

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GO's F-24 Small Format UV Printer: Go Wide. Go Deep. Go Fast. See the Movie.

GO's new F-24 UV LED Small Format Printer was on full display during the recent SGIA Show in Orlando Florida as you will see in this video. As we say Go Wide, Go Deep, Go Fast for the best value in small format UV industrial printing. An overview is:

• Go Wide: 24"x18"
• Go Deep: 10" deep gantry 
• Go Fast: Up to 100 square per hour

More information is available at: goo.gl/PJHo21. 

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EPSON SureColor SC F2000 Ink and Other Consumable Pricing

Seems that EPSON has now published North American list pricing for the EPSON SureColor F2000 Ink and other consumables. The initial indication is the 600 ml ink cartridges are priced $229.50 each (CMYKW). The EPSON Pre-treatment solution has a list price of $679.95 and comes in a 20 liter bottle (mixed 1-1) for a total of 40 liters. A white ink cleaning cartridge is $19.95 and the special Print Head Cleaning Kit is $94.95 and must be used every 1000 images.

List pricing for the toner cartridges for the GO UNO, OKI 711WT and OKI pro920WT are as follows:

• GO UNO--Black $150 CMY $195
• OKI 711WT--White $559 CMY $263
• OKI 920WT--White $455 CMY $153

We hope to have cost per copy information for the EPSON F2000 shortly. 

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How Does the EPSON SureColor F2000 Compare to OKI Transfer Printers?

Oki Epsonf2000 Ci (1) by dantoots

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GO's Business Goes to the Dog (s)

Graphics One announces a new mascot and part time guard dog, Bugsy Badalyan. Bugsy whose owner is David Badlayan, GO's West Coast Sales Manager, has been coming to GO's office since he was a baby. During that time we have started using Bugsy in our product reviews and have also used him as a part time guard dog, when he's not sleeping. According to David Badalyan," Bugsy is an English Bull Dog who has been training everyone at GO on how to best work with dogs and we are now saying for sure the business has gone to the dog (s)."

Bugsy came on board full time as of November 1, 2013. 

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Wider, Deeper and Faster: GO F-24 Small Format UV Flatbed Printer

We will show the GO F-24 and have already enhanced the overall capabilities of this unit. An overview is:

Wider

-The F-24 bed size is actually 24-inches x 17.77-inches which means you can print up to the edge of 18-inches.

Deeper

-The gantry depth is 10-inches which means our gantry is the deepest of any UV flatbed under 24-inches in width.

Faster

-The F-24 images at over 100 sq feet per hour.

Applications--Promo and Signage

-Our focus at SGIA will be on the promotional market where we will show jigs holding golf balls, bottle openers and triangular highlighter with three different colors of highlighters. Our manufacturing partner is providing us with customizable jigs (which you will be able to order) for the promotional markets. When these jigs are combined with the rapid printing speed of the F-24, the unit offers the strongest value proposition of any UV printers under 24-inches in width.

-The other market which we will focus is the yardage sign market. The standard sizes in the US are: 12”x18”, 12”x24”, 18”x24”, 24”x24” and 24”x36”. Most of the market in the US is focused on 18”x24” which of course we can do with the F-24.

-For added information please review the competitive information on other flatbeds at: http://goo.gl/dzLYT7. The F-24 offers:

• Faster speed
• Wider size
• Deeper gantry
• Customizable  jigs
• Standard sign size (only one that can print 24”x18”)
• Best ink price

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