Since the last drupa exhibition in 2008, the global economy has seen a number of downturns including, more recently, the European debt crisis. The print industry tends to be directly influenced by the status of the worldwide economy and this influence is greater now than it has ever been. These challenges, along with ever shortening product life cycles, the re-distribution of advertising spend, and the introduction of smart phones and tablet computers, have increased the focus on short-run print and the ability to meet tighter production deadlines. The demand for high speed digital presses to meet these needs for a wider range of print applications is therefore growing at an accelerated rate.

During the development and commercialisation of the Jet Press 720, Fujifilm explored the potential of applying some of these core technologies to other print applications. As a result of this work, Fujifilm will be demonstrating a new B2 inkjet digital press designed for short-run folding carton package printing applications at drupa 2012. Although this new press utilises some of the core components pioneered within the Jet Press 720, particularly the Sambatm printhead, Fujifilm has developed a new UV inkjet ink to meet the particular performance requirements of folding carton applications. This new UV ink, called Vividia, will have the dual benefit of not only being able to reproduce ultra-high quality images, but will also be better suited to handle the thicker paper and different post press operations that this market demands.

At drupa 2012, Fujifilm will be showcasing both of these two single-pass inkjet digital systems running live, demonstrating how the company’s leading-edge inkjet technologies can meet the growing need for quick turnaround, high quality short-run print for an even wider variety of applications. During this period of digital press commercialisation, Fujifilm is responding to the diverse demands of print buyers in each business sector and giving its customers the power to succeed.