Successfully represented in Turkey for many years by Pigment Reklam, UV printing technology specialist swissQprint has launched their first roll to roll printer Karibu, which is the result of 20 years of experience in developing flatbed printers, at FESPA Global Expo 2019 from 14 to 17 May in Munich. High-performance UV-LED roll to roll printer Karibu received full marks from the visitors with its performance throughout the fair. Gathering close interest of printing professionals from global market, Karibu was also the recipient of the “Best Roll to Roll Printer > 320cm” award given by the European Digital Press Association (EDP) at FESPA 2019.
With a maximum print width of 3.4 meters, Karibu can reach a maximum productivity of 212m2 per hour. Karibu can work with rolls up to 200 kg weight and can print CMYK + 5 colour with 9 freely configurable channels. Equipped with several technical innovations, Karibu focuses on high-quality, efficiency, and ease of both use and maintenance in printing of flexible materials.
Petra Fetting; ‘We focus on customer demands’
swissQprint Marketing and Communications Manager Petra Fetting said Karibu is equipped with unique features. Fetting; “swissQprint has become a global player in the midrange UV flatbed market in the past 12 years. Our range is now in the third generation. We constantly monitor market trends and demands, and try to adapt our products to our customers’ needs. Our current models Oryx, Impala and Nyala are perfect for rigid media and all offer a roll to roll option. Our customers are very successful and happy with them. Nevertheless, they kept asking us for a dedicated roll to roll printer for flexible media. Besides, we see a great potential in soft signage. That is why we developed Karibu”.
Underlining that swissQprint now stands as a manufacturer of both flatbed and roll to roll digital printers with the introduction of Karibu, Fetting added that they are specifically targeting the signage market. Fetting reminded that the machine was pre-advertised for a group of 100 people before FESPA 2019, and shared the information that 2 machines have already been sold, one of them to the Asian market.
Fetting continued as follows; “We had 2 beta customers to test the machine in a real printing facility. One of them is German the other is Swiss. We installed the machines and instructed the customers, which took two days in total. Our technicians didn’t have to go back because there were no problems after successful installation. We are talking about a machine that is as reliable as our flatbed printers. The feedbacks we received confirm this fact”.
swissQprint Karibu is ready for tomorrow’s demands with technical equipment
Mr. Serkan Çağlıyan, owner of Pigment Reklam, says Karibu is equipped with innovative technologies that can print on tens of flexible materials for dozens of applications. Çağlıyan explained the technical innovations that provide ease and comfort during the usage and maintenance stages;
“Loading and replacing rolls is faster and easier than ever in Karibu, thanks to the cassette system that allows each user to quickly and professionally adjust jobs. Thanks to the Tip Switch Vacuum system, the print bed vacuum is very easy to adjust. Each of the 136 vacuum channels can be opened and closed at any time with the touch of a finger. No additional masking is required. All 136 vacuum channels open in just 4 seconds.
The Karibu roll to roll printer features a Light Box with 48 LEDs next to the print area. Backlit application prints can be instantly checked and the necessary optimizations can be done. Printers can thus control the print result for the final application at the production stage. With Karibu, a Mesh Kit comes integrated into the print bed for ease of set-up. There is no need for cleaning as this kit absorbs excess ink. All you need to do is occasionally change the full paper rolls, at the earliest after 600 linear metres of production.
Another innovation, Lory, is the cockpit of the Karibu operator. The simplified user interface of the software guides through the printing process and helps in productivity, efficiency and intuitive working. Fully developed by swissQprint, Lory integrates with the end-to-end workflow, realizes the potential of process optimization, and even allows settings that require a new RIP operation”.
Announcing that Karibu prints using UV inks specially developed for roll printing, with a large colour gamut, Serkan Çağlıyan underlined that this ink works on all the flexible materials to be printed and gives a successful result. Çağlıyan; “Karibu was successful in getting the EDP award at the FESPA 2019 fair. As Pigment Reklam, we are proud to present swissQprint’s UV flatbed products; as well as the new roll to roll solution to the Turkish printing industry”.