Opportunities Abound for Interior Decoration Using Flatbed Digital Printing Technologies

Debbie McKeegan shares the opportunities available on multiple materials using flatbed technologies for interior decoration. These substrates include natural and synthetic substrates.

Flat-bed printing technology is commonplace in the large format signage printing sector, where its application has traditionally been utilised and developed for POS, display, events, boards, packaging, interior graphics, fine-art and photographic applications.

It’s an established technology that has multiple uses. Built with a large platform, the equipment can be used for rigid and flexible materials and can therefore also offer the Interior Decorating Industry an innovative solution for decorative surface prints. Digital cutting technology further supports flatbed applications offering a customised, automated solution that can be harnessed by the creative print specialist.

The large format industry already crosses into retail interior graphics using flatbed machinery, where many specialists, utilise flatbed machines for instore applications. For this reason, we now see many wide format printing specialists exploring commercial opportunities for décor applications.

Opportunities abound. Multiple materials can be printed using flatbed technologies, including both natural and synthetic substrates. As a direct ink jet process, ink is jetted directly onto the substrate. Inks are then cured during the print process to form a durable surface. As a result: wood, paper, metal, acrylic, glass, leather, and many other decorative surfaces can be printed directly using flatbed technology. Additionally, ink can also be used to build 3D texture, an exciting and growing application for flooring, hard surfaces and wallcoverings.

Over the last few years innovations have accelerated with many machinery manufacturers entering this lucrative, expanding market sector.

Fujifilm’s new Acuity Prime flatbed digital printer claims to optimise price and performance. This new flatbed is part of Fujifilm’s strategy to create ‘the new blueprint’ for wide format by resetting expectations relating to price/performance, versatility, value and ease-of-use. For example, it features a high-quality LED curing system which is air-cooled, meaning there is no requirement for an expensive water-cooling system. And the Prime is so power efficient that it only requires a single-phase 25-amp supply, helping to keep running costs to a minimum.

A new ink system – Uvijet HM – has been formulated to provide excellent adhesion to a broad range of substrates while also producing a wide colour gamut. The new ink range is optimised to produce high quality, vibrant images day in day out. Additionally, a new jetting primer improves adhesion still further for particularly challenging substrates. This removes the need for offline pre-treatment of substrates before printing, saving time and money. The machine also features a printable area of 2.54m x 1.27m and can accommodate media up to a thickness of 51mm. The Acuity Prime with Uvijet HM offers the ultimate versatility and value by providing the flexibility for print businesses to customise it to their own needs.

Read more about the Acuity Prime https://www.fujifilmgraphicsystems.co.za/acuity-prime

In summary:

The large format market and the technology specifically developed for its applications are paving the way for new innovations and creative, decorative uses within the décor Industry and FUJIFILM Graphic communication is pioneering innovations in the market to meet current and future trends.

Acuity Prime

The next generation flatbed machine which caters perfectly to the interior design and decorative print market, offers increased print productivity combined with a seemingly reduced ink consumption shows a very promising cost-in-use potential.

Fujifilm has been pioneering UV inkjet innovations for large format printers for over 20 years

Read more about the Acuity Prime https://www.fujifilmgraphicsystems.co.za/acuity-prime and contact us for more information https://www.fujifilmgraphicsystems.co.za/contact