GO MaxCut Automatic Contour Cutters Include 24-, 48- and 64-inch Sizes

GO's MaxCut Automatic Contour Cutters have been upgraded to include 48- and 64-inch sizes. Starting with the 24-inch MaxCut, this new family of cutters feature the same operational characteristics along with the same software drivers for ease-of-use and ease-of-migration between the different sizes. All of these units feature Automatic Recognition System (ARS) which is similar to (ARMs--Automatic Registration Mark Sensor) for easily setting up the cutter for cutting .List pricing for the three units is as follows:

• 24-inch $1,495
• 48-inch $1,995
• 64-inch $2,995

The units are shipping immediately and include FlexiSTARTER Cloud Edition Software along with the ability to purchase an option driver for Wasatch SoftRIP for doing professional print and cut systems.

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GO MaxCut Automatic Contour Cutters Include 24-, 48- and 64-inch Sizes

GO's MaxCut Automatic Contour Cutters have been upgraded to include 48- and 64-inch sizes. Starting with the 24-inch MaxCut, this new family of cutters feature the same operational characterstics along with the same software drivers for ease-of-use and ease-of-migration between the different sizes. All of these units feature Automatic Recognition System (ARS) which is similar to (ARMs--Automatic Registration Mark Sensor) for easily setting up the cutter for cutting .List pricing for the three units is as follows:

• 24-inch $1,495
• 48-inch $1,995
• 64-inch $2,995

The units are shipping immediately and include FlexiSTARTER Cloud Edition Software along with the ability to purchase an option driver for Wasatch SoftRIP for doing professional print and cut systems.

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Mega-mouth UV Printer is Here: GO F-24XL 24"x79"x10" Yields 18,960 Cubic Inches of Printable Space

GO's new F-24XL UV Flatbed Printer offers an incredible 18,960 cubic square inches of printable space, truly a mega-mouth printer. How? With a depth of 10-inches, a width of 24-inches and a length of 79-inches (with optional extensions) we have this incredible capability. 

GO's new X-24XL comes standard with a 24-inch by 47-inch table, and of course 10-inch depth, make this unit the leader in printable space. What does this mean for you? It means that many unique objects which were not printable before can now be printed using the XL print engine. Further the XL print engine is scalable up to a full 79-inch length. 

There are a number of firsts with the GO F-24XL UV flatbed printer. Not only is the length impressive, but the manner in which the substrate is handled is unique in that the XL has a conveyor system which is more capable than other methods used by other manufacturers. Additionally, the new liquid cooled dual UV LED lamps enhance the overall imaging and also substantially enhance the life of the lamps. 

F-24XL UV Comparison
How does the GO F-24XL compare to others in the industry? The standard XL unit offers an amazing 11,280 and the unit with the 79-inch extended table offers 18,990 cubic inches of space. Our closest competitor offers 2,336 as you will note in the following small format UV flatbed inkjet table chart:

Brand	Table Size	Depth	Total Area
GO F-24XL	24"x47	10"	11,280"
GO F-24XL	24"x79	10"	18,960"
DCS 1024	10"x24"	6"	1,440"
Inkcups X2	20"x24"	3"	1,440"
Mimaki UJF-6042	16.5"x24"	5.9"	2,336"
Mutoh VJ426UF	19"x13"	2.75"	679"
Roland LEF-20	20"x13"	4"	1,040"

With either 11,280 or 18,960 cubic inches of possible printing space the GO F-24XL is truly a mega-mouth printer. The GO F-24XL 24-inches x47-inches unit lists for $43,995 and with the extension to a full 79-inches lists for $48,995. 

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GO Releases New F-24XL UV Flatbed Printer--New Larger Format

The GO F-24XL UV, a new small format UV flatbed inkjet printer with a standard table size of 24-inches by 47-inches and scalable up to 79-inches, was officially released today by Graphics One. With virtually the same performance characteristics as the orginal F-24, the XL version has a larger table size. Additionally, the unit features a new conveyor system for moving the images and also a new liquid cooled dual UV lamp system. The base version of the GO F-24XL UV is $43,995. If a user wants to have the unit with 79-inches of imaging space, the list price is $48,995. 

An overview of the F-24XL base system is as follows: 

•XL for Extra Length

•New Dual Liquid Cooled UV Lamp System

•Table  24”x 47” with Conveyor System

•11,280 Cubic Inches of Printing Space

•Depth 10” with Reinforced Supports

•Same Performance Characteristics of Standard F-24

•Optional Extension to 79” in Length

•XL List Price $43,995

•XL List Price for Extension $6,995

•XL List Price for Printer and Extension $48,995
•Shipping September, 2014

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How Does GO X-24 Printer Compare to 24-inch and Under Ecosolvent Printers?

The GO X-24P (printer only version) is now shipping and we have had a number of customers ask about the differences between the X-24P and printers available from other manufacturers. As you will note in the chart, the only other strictly printer model in the market is the new Mutoh ValueJet VJ-628 ecosolvent unit being sold by Sign Warehouse as the PrismJET VJ24 24" Ecosolvent Printer. SignWarehouse offers very good bundles on their other products and no doubt they will do the same with the ValueJet VJ-628 ecosolvent printer. 
The Facts
-The GO X-24P all inclusive price, including ink and stand, is $7,195. Mutoh's VJ-628 is $7,644 including ink and stand. 

-The GO X-24 is on the only 24-inch printer in the market that can be upgraded to a fully integrated all-in-one printer / cutter. Buy the printer and upgrade to include the integrated cutter later. 

-If upgrading the X-24 to fully integrated Printer / Cutter, the total price, including ink and stand, is $7,995. Upgrading the Mutoh ValueJet VJ-628 to include the Mutoh ValueCut 24-inch cutter totals $10,139. In comparison the Mimaki CJV-130 is listed at $12,995 and the Roland BN-20 at $9,346, substantially higher pricing.  

-GO's EcoColor ecosolvent ink is priced at $45 per 220 ml cassette, whereas Mutoh's ink is $69 as is Roland for 220 ml cassettes. With Mimaki at $129 for 440 ml cassettes, GO offers a substantial savings in daily operational costs. 

Conclusion
The GO X-24 offers tremendous operating value and is the first printer offered which has the capability to be upgraded to an integrated all-in-one printer / cutter. 

For more information please click on: GO X-24 Info

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GO's "Big Mouth" UV Printer Offers 4320 Cubic Inches--GO F-24 Small Format UV LED Printer

GO's "Big Mouth" F-24 Small Format UV LED Printer does it again by setting a new standard for the most usable printing area of a UV flatbed printer 24-inches and under. With a width of 24-inches by 18-inches and a depth of 10-inches, the GO F-24 is truly a "Big Mouth" and the only UV printer of this size actually able to print on four fully inflated basketballs at once. There are many requirements for printing unusual and thick objects of more than three or four inches thick. As a result the  GO  F-24 is quickly becoming the standard for small format UV printing due to its unique capabilities.  

Cubic Printing Space Comparison
When looking at the printable space of the GO F-24 Small Format UV LED Printer, the printable size dwarfs other units in its class. It is a fact only one competitive printer offers even half the space offered by the F-24. An overview of how the F-24 ranks in usable cubic printing size is as follows:

• GO F-24--4320 Cubic Inches
• DCS 1024UV--1440 Cubic Inches
• Inkcups X2--1440 Cubic Inches
• Mimaki UJF-6042--2336 Cubic Inches
• Mutoh ValueJet-426UF--679 Cubic Inches
• Roland LEF 20--679 Cubic Inches

As you will note, the F-24 offers 4320 cubic inches with largest size and the Mutoh ValueJet-426UF and the Roland LEF-20 being on the low end at 679 cubic inches. The F-24 offers over 600% more volume for printing as compared to the Mutoh and Roland units. 

For more information about the GO F-24 Big Mouth please click: GO F-24 Info.

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Free FLAAR Reports by Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth

Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth and his FLAAR team do a great job of covering the many facets of the digital imaging market. In fact, it is our feeling that not only does FLAAR cover more trade shows, but also provide far more in-depth coverage than any other resource in our market space. FLAAR is now offering free overview reports on the largest and most important digital imaging shows in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, US, Latin America. Additionally FLAAR offers overviews of vertical markets and in-depth product information not offered by others in our market.

For your free subscription please go to:  http://flaar-reports-subscriptions.org/

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GO Announces First Printer Upgradable to Integrated Print-and-Cut--GO X-24P

Graphics One is pleased to announce the first eco-solvent printer which can be upgraded to an integrated print and cut system. The GO X-24P (P model) is a 24-inch eco-solvent printer targeted at garment decorators, display makers and those looking to produce cost effective decals. Following on the successful launch of the GO X-24PC (with integrated cutter), the printer only version offers the same capabilities, but without the cutting option.

GO’s X-24P embraces a new technology which allows users to upgrade from a printer-only model to a complete print-and-cut device. According to Christian Sam, GO Marketing, “Many potential customers already have cutters and would like to continue using their own. In this instance, we can provide them with a cost effective eco-solvent printing solution. For those who may need an option to upgrade to an integrated contour cutter at a later time, then this unit is perfect. No one else offers the ability to integrate a contour cutter at a later time. It is really up to the user.”

GO’s X-24P is a 4 color printer offering imaging up to 1440 dpi with DX5 printhead technology and comes complete with the stand, ink and RIP. The GO EcoColor eco-solvent ink produces durable images for both indoor and outdoor applications and is perfect for the targeted applications.

Priced at $7,195, the GO X-24P printer package includes the printer, a heavy duty printer stand, four 220 ml cassettes of GO EcoColor Ink and FlexiSign RIP. The contour cutting upgrade is only $800 for a GO X-24 system for a total of $7,995. Additionally, GO’s EcoColor eco-solvent ink is priced at $45 per 220 ml cassette and is manufactured in the U.S. The GO X-24 printer will begin shipping in late July.

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GO NeoTack Dye Sub Ink Now in 19 Colors--See the Movie

 Graphics One is pleased to announce the addition of three new ultra dense NeoTack dye sub inks. In the next several weeks we will start shipping Super Cyan, Super Magenta and Super Yellow. Of course we have had Super Black for some time now. With the addition of these three colors we now offer 19 different colors, the widest range of any dye sub ink supplier.

The 19 colors are: C,M,Y,K, Lc, Lm, Orange, Green, Violet, Blue, Neon Yellow, Neon Red, Neon Blue, Super Cyan, Super Yellow, Super Black, Light Black, Gray, Light Gray. Remember, the list price is $115. For more information on GO NeoTack, please go to: http://goo.gl/HVn3vL

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Graphics One Announces Agreement for New Digital Flatbed Cutter

Perfect Combo for Packaging and POP Display Markets

Graphics One and Crescent Cardboard are pleased to announce a joint marketing agreement for the Valiani line of flatbed cutters and the GO F-24 UV Small Format Printer. The agreement is reciprocal and Crescent will bundle the F-24 with its cutters and GO will bundle the various flatbed cutters offered through Crescent. The target markets for these systems is packaging and POP graphics.

The Valiani Mat Pro Ultra V flatbed cutter series comes equipped with a camera for crop mark detection to perform contour cutting, creasing, digital die cutting and other advanced capabilities found in flatbed cutters costing far more. At $31,995 list, the Mat Pro Ultra 40” by 60” flatbed cutter comes with V-Studio control software, OptiCrop camera software for precise cutting and M3 Packaging Creator software for packaging prototyping. When combined with the GO F-24 UV the Mat Pro Ultra V cutter is able to take F-24 images and quickly convert the printed images into packaging, POP displays, signage or a variety of other prototypes on cardboard, matboard, chipboard, foam board, gator board and other types of substrates.

Chris Hosey, General Manager North American Operations Crescent / Valiani, said, “we are excited to be able to work with Graphics One with the GO F-24 UV bundle and we believe the Ultra flatbed cutters offer a new capability for packaging prototypes and POP displays not available in the market today. At complete system of flatbed cutter and printer lists for approximately $60,000,  and there is no other solution at this price point like it.”

According to Dan Barefoot, President Graphics One, “the combination of both the Mat Pro Ultra V and GO F-24 UV Flatbed offers a great solution. We expect this bundle to set a new standard for value and ease-of-use. As part of the agreement, GO is now an authorized support and repair center for the Ultra V line and will be providing support for both North and Latin America. Barefoot added, “We are excited to be working with one of the world’s largest producers of paper and board products for the graphics market. We believe this is an ideal situation to be able to utilize the strengths of both companies.”

Both the Valiani Mat Pro Ultra V and the GO F-24 UV Small Format Flatbed Inkjet printer are shipping. Both products will be available through the Crescent Cardboard and the Graphics One respective distribution channels.

To see a video of the Mat Pro Ultra V in action, please go to: GO / Valiani Ultra Mat Pro Ultra V

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We Have the Balls--120 of Them in 35 Seconds--See the Movie

GO's F-24 UV LED Flatbed Inkjet Printer is wickedly fast. Check out this video of the unit printing 120 golfballs in 35 seconds. Really? Yes, it is a fact.

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Heat Presses for Transfers--Swing Away or Clam Shell

One of the major factors impacting successful paper transfers is the type of heat press being used. There are two main types of heat press for garments transfers:  swing away and clam shell.

Clam Shell Not Recommended

We find that many of our users have already purchased clam shell heat presses and expect to be able to use them with garment transfer. The explanation for this is clam shell presses tend to be lower cost. Clam shell units also take up less space generally than swing away heat presses. How do clam shell presses work for transfers? We have found over the past few years that using clam shell presses for transfer applications is problematic and we do not recommend them. Our first question when a user is having transfer issues is, “what style of heat press are you using?” In many cases we can tie the issue back to the use of clam shell presses.

Swingaways Best for Transfers

Graphics One recommends swing away heat presses for doing heat transfers, especially for garment transfers.  This is especially important for use with the the GO UNO or the OKI 920WT or 711WT printers. The reason for this has to do with where and how the pressure is controlled, along with heat consistency. The swing aways generally use pressure from the center of the platen ensuring that a user has consistent pressure across the platen. In addition we find that swing aways, because of their price points, usually have better heat control and offer consistent heat not offered by clam shell presses.

Which Brand?

Graphics One offers the Metalnox EL600 listed at $1,595. There are other units as well from very reputable companies including Insta Graphics and Hotronix. Hotronix offers one of the best swingaways called the Air Fusion. This unit is highly recommended for doing transfers and is priced at $3,500 and above, depending on the configuration. 

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GO F-24 UV Flatbed Review--Small Format UV Printer Comparison with Pros and Cons

Click on Chart to View Complete Comparison

The following Review and Comparison of Small Format UV Printers is a compendium of five previous articles covering the major providers of these printers. We have reviewed two printers from Direct Color Systems, one printer from Inkcups, two printers from Mimaki, one printer from Mutoh, two printers from Roland, and of course, the GO F-24 Small Format UV LED Flatbed Printer. Although we go into a bit more detail the following is an overview of the Pros and Cons of each printer and company providing these units with the first unit being the GO F-24. 

What are the Pros and Cons of the F-24?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size Means Lower Time and Cost per Copy
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• Largest Cubic Printing Space of Any 24-inch UV Printer
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed for Printer--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• Able to address 24"x18" Yard Sign Market
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.20 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

The Pros and Cons for Direct Color Systems units are as follows:

Pros:

• Small Footprint
• Braille /  3D Signage
• Product Family

Cons:

• High Ink Price
• Printer Price / Performance
• Printing Speed
• Small Table Size
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

The Pros and Cons for the Inkcups X2 unit are as follows:

Pros:

• Ricoh Printheads
• Ink Price
• Speed
• Table Size

Cons:

• High Price
• Limited Gantry Depth
• Lower Printhead Resolution
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

The Pros and Cons for the Mimaki units are as follows:

Pros:

• Company Reputation
• Good Printing Speed
• Competitive Ink Pricing
• Ricoh Printheads
• Product Family

Cons:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Lower Printhead Resolution
• Smaller Table Size
• Limited Gantry Depth
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

The Pros and Cons for the Mutoh unit are as follows:

Pros:

• Company Reputation
• Aggressive Price
• Imaging Speed

Cons:

• Smaller Table Size
• Limited Gantry Depth
• Higher Ink Pricing
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

The Pros and Cons for the Roland units, the VersaUV LEF-12 and VersaUV LEF-20 are as follows:

Pros:

• Company Reputation
• First in Market
• Product Family

Cons:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Smaller Table Size
• Limited Gantry Depth
• Higher Ink Pricing
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

What are the Pros and Cons of the F-24?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size Means Lower Time and Cost per Copy
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• Largest Cubic Printing Space of Any 24-inch UV Printer
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed for Printer--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• Able to address 24"x18" Yard Sign Market
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

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GO F-24 Compared and Reviewed to Roland Small Format Flatbeds--What are the Pros and Cons?

Click on Chart to See Entire Comparison

This is a fifth in a series of five articles comparing and reviewing the GO F-24 Small Format UV LED Flatbed  Printer to other products in the market. In articles we reviewed products from Direct Color Systems (DCS), Inkcups', Mimaki, Mutoh and now Roland. 

Roland as a company has an excellent reputation and in fact are probably the best at product marketing and applications in this business. They target products very effectively, as they have done with their two flatbeds. Even though the table size is small and printing speed slow, they have been able to penetrate this market with their focus on applications and by leveraging their brand recognition.   

The Pros and Cons for the Roland units, the VersaUV LEF-12 and VersaUV LEF-20 are as follows:

Pros:

• Company Reputation
• First in Market
• Product Family

Cons:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Smaller Table Size
• Limited Gantry Depth
• Higher Ink Pricing
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

How does GO's F-24 Compare?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size Means Lower Time and Cost per Copy
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed for Printer--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• Able to address 24"x18" Yard Sign Market
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps 

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

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GO F-24 Compared and Reviewed to Mutoh ValueJet 426UF Small Format Flatbed--What are the Pros and Cons?

Click on Chart to See Entire Comparison

This is the fourth in a series of five articles comparing and reviewing the GO F-24 Small Format UV LED Flatbed  Printer to other small format flatbed products in the market. We have reviewed DCS. Inkcups, Mimaki and now the Mutoh ValueJet 426UF small format UV flatbed. 

Mutoh surprised many in the industry with their launch of the VJ 628 24-inch eco-solvent printer and the 426UF small format UV flatbed printer during the recent ISA show. Both units fit into a specific market niche and should do well in those market segments. 

The new 426UF flatbed is expected to ship in July, 2014 and is targeted at first time users of UV flatbed printers. The feature set is competitive, especially with their aggressive pricing, but the table size is small meaning it will be limited to those who do not need to image large quantities of promo items or any type of signage. 

The Pros and Cons for the Mutoh unit is as follows:

Pros:

• Company Reputation
• Aggressive Price
• Imaging Speed

Cons:

• Smaller Table Size
• Limited Gantry Depth
• Higher Ink Pricing
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

How does GO's F-24 Compare?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size Means Lower Time and Cost per Copy
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed for Printer--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• Able to address 24"x18" Yard Sign Market
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.20 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

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GO F-24 Compared and Reviewed to Mimaki Small Format Flatbeds--What are the Pros and Cons?

Click on Chart to See Entire Comparison

This is a third in a series of five articles comparing and reviewing the GO F-24 Small Format UV LED Flatbed  Printer to other products in the market. In our first article we reviewed the products from Direct Color Systems (DCS), the second was a comparison to Inkcups' printer to the GO F-24, and the third is to Mimaki's desktop UV units. 

Mimaki's units have been the market leader in the industrial segment of small format UV printing. The Mimaki units feature Ricoh printheads and have a wider variety of inks available for different applications. Additionally, Mimaki as a company is known for their innovative printers and generally are ahead of the other Japanese manufacturers with new printing ideas. Their small format UV flatbeds are no different--they do offer some interesting ideas and features. 

The Pros and Cons for the Mimaki units are as follows:

Pros:

• Company Reputation
• Good Printing Speed
• Competitive Ink Pricing
• Ricoh Printheads
• Product Family

Cons:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Lower Printhead Resolution
• Smaller Table Size
• Limited Gantry Depth
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

How does GO's F-24 Compare?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

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GO F-24 Compared and Reviewed to Inkcups X2 Flatbed--What are the Pros and Cons?

Click on Chart to See Entire Comparison

This is a second in a series of five articles comparing and reviewing the GO F-24 Small Format UV LED Flatbed to other products in the market. In our first article we reviewed the products from Direct Color Systems (DCS) and in this article we compare the Inkcups' printer to the GO F-24. 

Inkcups is a long time distributor and provider of screen printing and pad printing equipment. Of all the companies on our list, they probably understand screen printing the best. Based on this we believe their X2 is a solid product, but definitely pricey. The unit is manufactured in China by Amica and features Ricoh printheads. 

The Pros and Cons for the X2 unit are as follows:

Pros:

• Ricoh Printheads
• Ink Price
• Speed
• Table Size

Cons:

• High Price
• Limited Gantry Depth
• Lower Printhead Resolution
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

How does GO's F-24 Compare?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size Means Lower Time and Cost per Copy
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed for Printer--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• Able to address 24"x18" Yard Sign Market
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

• GO Wide: 24"x18"
• GO Deep: 10"
• GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
• GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

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GO F-24 Compared and Reviewed to DCS UV Printers--What are Pros and Cons?

Click on Chart to See Entire Comparison

This is a first in a series of five articles comparing and reviewing the GO F-24 UF LED Flatbed to other products in the market. In our first article we review the products from Direct Color Systems (DCS). 

DCS has been in the flatbed market with both solvent and UV systems for many years. They have developed printers for different applications along with specialized inks and, according to our sources, have a good installed base of printers. 

The Pros and Cons for Direct Color Systems products are as follows:

Pros:

• Small Footprint
• Braille /  3D Signage
• Product Family

Cons:

• Ink Price
• Printer Price / Performance
• Printing Speed
• Small Table Size
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

How does GO's F-24 Compare?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size Means Lower Time and Cost per Copy
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed for Printer--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• Able to address 24"x18" Yard Sign Market
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

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Mutoh VJ 628 Full Pricing vs Mimaki, Roland and Graphics One

As mentioned in one of our earlier posts, the new Mutoh VJ 628 is positioned really well in the eco market. Since the unit is a 24-inch eco-solvent unit without cutter, along with its price of $6,495, makes this unit a competitive offering and we expect this product to sell well. Of course, the unit does not ship standard with ink or with stand so we expect users will probably opt for these add-ons. Mutoh's start-up ink kit lists for $850 and includes 8 220 ml Eco-Ultra ink cassettes. Add the print stand for $299 and the complete printer package lists for $7,645. Additionally, we expect Mutoh to do some type of bundle with their ValueCut 24 which lists for $2,495 for a total (no discount included at this time) of $10,140. 

How Does this Compare?
The main competition is from Roland and Mimaki. The Roland BN-20 with ink and stand lists for $9,321 and the Mimaki CJV30-60 lists for $12,995 including a full set of ink and stand. How do the ink costs compare? Mutoh's list for 220 ml cassettes is $70, the same as Roland's standard color pricing. Mimaki sells in 440 ml cassettes at a price of approximately $130.  Of course, GO's X-24's list of $7,995 includes the ink and the stand making it the lowest cost unit in this market segment. GO's EcoColor ink lists for $45 for 220 ml cassettes. 

• Mutoh VJ 628--$9,847 / $7,645 (without cutter)
• Mimaki CJV30-60--$12,995
• Roland BN-20--$9,321
• GO X-24--$7,995

GO X-24 Integrated 24-inch Printer / Cutter
For more information about GO's X-24 please go to: More Info GO X-24

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Mutoh Enters Small Format UV Flatbed Inkjet Market with ValueJet 426UF

Mutoh was extremely active during the recent ISA 2014 show in Orlando where they launched several new blockbuster printers. Among units launched during the show is the new 426UF small format UV flatbed printer. With its sleek tabletop size and its enclosed imaging area, the 19"x13" bed offers respectable size and capabilities. 

Priced at $19,995, the printer ships with Flexi and offers white and clear with CMYK inks and is fairly fast at 82 sq ft / hr. With a gantry depth of 2.75" the unit will probably be limited to thinner promotional items, flatter signage and displays. The unit will start shipping in the June / July time frame. 

How Does the Unit Compare?
In the 24-inch and under market segment the price point offered by the 426UF is extremely competitive. The Roland LEF-12 lists for the same price as the Mutoh offer and has similar capabilities with the exception the LEF-12 has a smaller bed size. In fact their ink prices are identical at $90 per 220 ml cassette, or $0.41 per ml. The DCS 1014 is priced at $26,995, offers a 10"x14" bed and is substantially lower in speed to the Mutoh unit. Other units from Mimaki, Inkcups and Graphics One offer larger table sizes, deeper material thicknesses,  lower ink costs and generally address a more sophisticated customer. 

Overall we believe Mutoh has done a great job of addressing the desktop UV market for those just entering the UV printer market. We expect them to do well with this product. 

GO F-24 UV Small Format UV Flatbed Inkjet
How does the F-24 compare to the Mutoh unit? As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info

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GO UV-m Digital UV Ink for F-24 Small Format UV Printer--Six Questions

Does GO's UV-m Ink contain HAPs or VOCs? 

No. UV-m does not use solvent for viscosity reduction so we do not have any HAPs or VOCs. 

Does UV-m Ink meet US Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements for children's products? 

Yes. GO's UV-m Ink meets the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)  for lead and phthalates for children's products. This is an important standard and In our market segment we are not aware of any other company having this certification. 

What is the expectation for outdoor UV stability for UV-m? 

We have a very specific statement about the outdoor UV stability of UV-m Ink, but generally one can say the ink will last for two years outdoors without seeing any degradation. This is of course dependent upon the conditions and the imaged substrate. 

How well does GO UV-m ink adhere to uncoated substrates? 

With few exceptions the adherence to uncoated substrates is very strong and generally no primer of any type is needed. Additionally with the GO F-24's two UV lamps, UV-m cures much faster and offers much better adhesion. Our suggestion is prior to purchasing a printer is to forward any substrates to Graphics One for testing.  

Does GO offer a primer? 

Yes. GO will offer primer specifically for specialty non-porous substrates such as glass or specialty metals, but generally no primer is needed.

How do the GO's UV-m costs compare to competitive UV ink prices? 

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info

For Further information please click on: GO F-24 Info

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Mutoh Launches New VJ-628 Eco-solvent Printer at ISA--$6,495

During the ISA show in Orlando, Florida in April, 2014, Mutoh announced the release of its new VJ-628 24-inch eco-solvent printer. Priced at $6,495 this new unit offers an aggressive price point which should be of great interest to the targeted markets. In fact, we are not aware of another 24-inch printer like this in the market.  (In the past GO's Eco-max 24-inch printer and cutter using SEPIAX ink was offered in this market segment, but has been discontinued and replaced by the GO X-24.)

The Offering
The VJ-628 includes a special version of FlexiSign and features the ability to use eco-solvent ink in 4, 6 or 8 color configuration. The stand is optional and it is unclear as to whether the ink will be included with the unit. Mutoh's 220 ml Eco-ultra ink is about $70 each and 8 of these will cost an added $560. Other Mutoh VJ printers do not include ink with their shipments so it is safe to assume the VJ-628 will not include the ink (we will come back on this question).  It is expected Mutoh or Sign Warehouse will offer cutter bundles with this unit to make it a print and cut bundle. The ValueCut 24-inch unit lists for $2,495 in the U.S. and when ink is added the list price could be as high $9,550 (does not include stand) . We doubt the price will be this high as we know that Sign Warehouse, the master distributor for this unit in the US, offer very aggressive print and cut bundles and we would expect them to do the same with this unit. 

Competition
Roland's BN-20 is the prime competitor with their combo printer/cutter unit listing at $8,495, but it is only 20-inches wide. Like Mutoh, Roland does not include ink nor a stand. As an 8 color unit, the standard 220 ml eco-solvent inks total approximately $560 and the stand is $305 for a total of $9,321 for the Roland BN-20. Mimaki's CJV30-60 lists at $12,995 including ink, stand and a take-up system and is a full 24-inch width. GO's X-24 Printer/Cutter is also 24-inches wide and now lists for $8,795 including ink, stand and software.

Our overall impression is the VJ-628 is well positioned and should do very well in the targeted markets. 

GO X-24 Integrated 24-inch Printer / Cutter
For more information about GO's X-24 please go to: More Info GO X-24

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