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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