Graphics One Shows GO F-24XL UV LED Inkjet Printer for First Time at IPEX London

The first showing of the F-24 XL (extra long) UV inkjet flatbed printer occurred in London during the IPEX 2014 show. Expected to list for less than $45K, the F-24XL offers a bed size of 24"x48" with an optional media / board loading system. Pricing on the loading system has not been established yet. Shipment of the unit is expected in the third quarter of 2014. The target market for this unit is the promotional market and the signage market. 

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Is the EPSON SureColor F2000 Standard CMYK Unit Too Expensive?

With the "Big E" launching their new SureColor F2000 direct-to-garment (DTG) printers earlier this year many in the industry have questioned whether the standard CMYK unit price at $19,995 is a reasonable price. Of course the answer to that question is, "depends." 

Depends

There are a large number of competitive standard CMYK DTG printers in the market. The reliability of these newer units is much higher than users have experienced in the past with other DTG units. The competition is really tight in this market space and for sure the price level is much less than EPSON's $19,995 price.  

Of course there is no doubt first time entrants / users into this market space will pay the added cost for the support and reliability of the "Big E's" Standard DTG unit. If a user has been in the market for some time it is highly likely this user will opt for other less expensive units with less expensive ink. This makes sense. 

GO UNO: a $2,195 Alternative

There is a viable alternative to the "Big E" F2000 Standard CMYK unit. 

Graphics One launched the GO UNO LED Professional Transfer Printer several years ago into the t-shirt transfer market. The UNO has quickly become the most cost effective solution for imaging of garments and t-shirts. The reason? Check out these specifications:

• First Tabloid Color Printer Specifically Made for Transfers for T-shirts and Garments

• Very Easy to Use--Just Like Desktop Printer

• Prints An Image Every Two Seconds

• Virtually No Maintenance--Leave Unit for Several Months and It Works Right Away

• Denser Imaging than Traditional LED Printer - A Perfect Match for Transfers

• Engineered Specifically for Use with GO's UNO Transfer Paper

• Full Transfer and Tabloid Printing—GO Extended Edge Technology Allows for Three More Inches of Printing On Bottom

• GO eColor Transfer Technology; UNO Color Toners Enhanced for Transfer - Sharp Detail and Rich, Dramatic Color

• 1200 x 600 dpi Resolution for Crisp, Clear Output

• Media Handling from 3” x 5” to 11.6” x 52” Transfers and Banners—The Only Tabloid Printer to Handle Sheets of that Length

• Fast Print Speeds: Color Output at up to 30 ppm; Monochrome at up to 32 ppm

• 1 Year Limited Warranty on Printer; 5 Year Limited Warranty on LED Array

EPSON F2000 vs GO UNO Operational Costs

Seems that EPSON has now published North American list pricing for the 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.

How does the list pricing for the GO UNO toner cartridges compare? The GO UNO consumable prices are below (please remember there are no extraneous maintenance costs):

GO UNO--Black $150 CMY $195

On a per copy basis the GO UNO offers much lower costs. 

How Does the UNO Compare to the F2000?

If you seek ease-of-use, low operational cost, speed,  image versatility and the much lower price of $2,195 vs $19,995, then there is no doubt the GO UNO is the preferred choice. (By the way, the F2000 is not shipping yet, so there is no competition.)

For added information on the GO UNO please click: GO UNO Info

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GO Launches American Made e-UV System

Following on the launch of the GO e-UV System several months ago, Graphics One has brought the manufacturing of this product back to the US following a trend of "reshoring" products which used to be made offshore. The GO e-UV system was originally manufactured offshore and is now manufactured in a high tech facility in the midwestern part of the US.

The new US made LampBar system includes the lamp assembly, dual power supply and lamp itself. This new system is shipping immediately with a list price of $4,995 and is available exclusively through the GO Distribution Channel.

For more information please click here: http://www.graphicsone.com/go-e-uv-lampbar-system.html

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Fruit of the Loom, OKI and Graphics One Give Away GO UNO T-shirt System at ISS

The response during the ISS Long Beach show held in January, 2014 for the Fruit of the Loom, OKI Data and Graphics One give away was a resounding success. Hundreds of attendees visited the Fruit of the Loom and Graphics One booths to see and hear about Fruit of the Loom's sports apparel and to also see and hear about the GO UNO T-shirt system. Indira Mehta of Crazy Design in Chatsworth, California was the winner of the GO T-shirt system which included t-shirts from Fruit of the Loom, GO UNO LED transfer printer for garments, Metalnox Heat Press, GO UNO paper and a variety of add-on products. Additionally, all of the LED transfer printers offered by GO are developed and manufactured by OKI Data, including the GO UNO.

As Indira said, "I am delighted to have won such a professional system. It will go to great use in our Crazy Design studio."

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Fruit of the Loom, OKI and GO to Give Away Free T-shirt System at ISS

Graphics One, Fruit of the Loom and OKI will give away a FREE T-shirt System at ISS valued at over $3,000. Please see the following and if you are attending ISS in Long Beach, California please stop by and visit Graphics One at 559 and Fruit of the Loom at 1801.

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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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