The Vutek UltraVu 5300.
The Vutek UltraVu 5300 digital printing system solvent-based inkjet printer is a truly grand format billboard printer for building wrap, vehicle wrap, bus wrap, vehicle graphics, and outdoor signage. This class of solvent ink printer prints on uncoated vinyl which requires no lamination.
Vutek offers a conservative and honest 2 year outdoor warranty. Vutek backs its advertising statement in this instance with a warranty. This is the only type of longevity claim that is believable.
If you already have another inkjet printer then you realize that "high speed" is truly low resolution. Here Vutek again is relatively conservative and at least upfront, by stating low res specifically and further qualifying it with the statement, "for distant viewing, billboard applications." Thus for highways, driving by at 70 mph, you don't notice the traditional grainy pattern and banding. On most printers "high speed" mode is unusable output. This varies by printer, and you will have to judge for yourself whether the output is acceptable to a client. At low speed, however, the output from all current generations of Vutek printers is good for their grand format class.
The Vutek UltraVu 5300 digital printing system will receive a more in-depth product reviews and product comparison as soon as we locate companies that have this equipment in-house so we can drop in and check out how they function in real-life situations. In the meantime, I can certify that this equipment appears well made. It's definitely Made in America, the factory is in New Hampshire. I visited there last year. Very impressive.
If you intend to park heavy-iron such as this giant machine in your facility, better be sure your local electrical wiring can handle the 10,000 watts that the dryer soaks up.
ANSWERS
TO MANY OF YOUR PRINTER QUESTIONS |
Nicholas
Hellmuth's thematic reports on large format printers
for outdoor signage now available |
discussion
of large format printers for outdoor signs, banners,
billboards, building wrap: lists of all the main solvent
ink and oil-based ink printers along with thermal transfer
printers which can be used outdoors with no lamination. |
Reviews
of large format printers most appropriate for signs,
posters, banners including POP, primarily for indoor
signage: HP, Encad, and more |
large
format printers appropriate for use in printing vehicle
graphics, bus wrap and comparable outdoor use. |
Media
and inks for signs, posters, banners (for all printers,
piezo as well as thermal inkjets, media for indoor as
well as outdoor without lamination) |
quick-start
help, list of the best RIPs; hints for what accessories
you need; list of where you can get books and training
on digital imaging. |
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We
do NOT cover: software headaches, obsolete equipment,
color matching or problems caused by prior mistakes.
Our job is to save you from buying the wrong equipment by alerting you to advertising hype and help you avoid as many of the common pitfalls as possible. We even have a pithy report on "what to watch out for....guide for first-time buyers" when you suspect someone is making up claims in the hopes of luring you into buying their printer. Includes frank assessment of exaggerated longevity claims and gives lots of helpful tips and insight. Although we can't save you from negligence, lack using your inherent common sense, or failure to read the instruction book, we can at least prepare you for the reality of basic aspects of large format inkjet printing. We want to help you enjoy this experience and save you from the typical common mistakes of first time buyers. Some of the ads are so misleading that even pros are lured to buy an inadequate printer. So no matter what your experience level, you will find these reports informative. They are written in a humerous style: how else can you review misleading advertisements and delusionary hype? |
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Most recently updated August 02, 2001.
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