Mutoh Tomahawk, the new Albatros.

Mutoh Tomahawk is a new name for the old Mutoh Albatros, a solvent ink printer. Mutoh itself labels this as the Mutoh PJ-1304NX in Europe and Asia. The purpose of solvent inks (and oil-based inks) is that you can print on untreated substrates which are less expensive than the coated media needed for normal inkjet printers.

As soon as we obtain information on the new Mutoh Tomahawk we will report everything that we find. Mutoh itself rarely exhibits at trade shows. Their web site lacks adequate information. Thus until we find a sign shop that has this printer in use, or until we see it at a trade show, we can offer the comprehensive FLAAR report on solvent-based ink printers (in the list below).

At long last I found a Mutoh solvent inkjet model at a trade show, in Mumbai, India (Feb. 2001). Quality was unimpressive, as typical of printers with Xaar piezo printheads. Similar to output of Gerber Orion. Hopefully the Mutoh is faster, since the Gerber Orion is the slowest printer of its class. Then at CeBIT trade show in Germany (March 2001) there was another Mutoh PJ-1304NX. Banding terribly. Also, since solvent ink printers are now (at last) banned in Europe unless they have filters to get rid of the poison fumes, you have to buy the air system which probably costs a bundle. Thus we recommend the Gretag RasterGraphics Arizona Digital Screen Press. Much nicer image, plus the Arizona is licensed for use in Europe. The Arizona is an enclosed solvent ink system. Won't produce as many fumes that are a hazard to the health of everyone in the same building.

For additional information and for help making your decision, ask for the "FLAAR report on signs, posters, banners" (specify whether for indoor signs or outdoor signs in the rain and sun) or for the FLAAR report on "Piezo vs Thermal printheads, fact vs fiction, pros and cons of each kind of inkjet printhead." You can also ask for the report on "Media and Inks for Photo-Realistic and Fine Art Giclee," or "Media and Inks for Sign Printing with Large Format Inkjet."

If this will be your first printer, then we have a special report that holds your hand and leads you through all the basic questions that will assist a first-time buyer of a large format printer. Purchase the FLAAR report on "RIP + Help." This explains what RIP software is, why this is useful, and includes tips, warnings, information, and help for a wide range of matters for a newbie. Here you will really appreciate that FLAAR is based at a university; Professor Hellmuth has plenty of experience writing in a manner that explains what you need, and why.

Most recently updated August 02, 2001.