IDEAlliance, Alexandria, Va., a non-profit member-based organization that advances core technology to develop standards and best practices, announces that the results of its IDEAlliance Inkjet RoundUP study are now available. The report is an independent technical evaluation of leading commercial roll-to-roll and flatbed, wide and grand format inkjet printing systems for the display graphics and signage industries.

In the report 24 wide and grand format inkjet systems from 11 companies are evaluated for color control, ink consumption, repeatability, print speed, cost and other factors. The report does not make recommendations on individual proprietary systems, but provides independent, un-biased, technical data on system performance and capabilities. IDEAlliance recommends the report be used to evaluate systems’ relevance to specific business requirements and priorities.

Devices studied used light or eco solvent inks, UV-curable inks or latex ink. Media used ranged from card stock to cast or calendared vinyl to rigid media, including Coroplast. Viewing distances for these products range from point-of-purchase to greater distances for street signs, banners and billboards.

Participating printer manufacturers include Agfa Graphics, CGS, Durst US, Electronics for Imaging (EFI), EPSON America, FUJIFILM, Hewlett Packard, Mimaki USA, Mutoh America, Océ (now Canon) and Seiko Instruments USA.