Rephrasing 'Entry-level'
When anybody mentions the phrase ‘entry-level’ you naturally assume the quality of the product could be compromised by the fact that you’re not getting the best technology that money can buy. In practise, however, with modern equipment, the phrase ‘entry-level’ quite possibly has a new meaning and more aspects than you first think.
In this day and age, it may be more relevant to consider entry-level as more focused on production volumes than cost. With advances being made across a number of different platforms, the thinking that today entry-level means the equipment will not be either as functionally useful or that quality may be affected is incorrect. Rather, it means more that the equipment is focused on the nature of the business and not specifically around the equipment itself.
Fujifilm has a range of printers under its ApeosPro C Series which it classes as an entry-level range, but mindful of the attributes of equipment produced by Fujifilm you would never consider these solutions anything other than the highest quality.
The reason this series of printers is categorised by Fujifilm as entry-level is because the manufacturer feels it has a specific place within a certain type of company or printer. The ApeosPro C Series has been directed at companies which are generally smaller-scale in make-up and for in-house or agency design departments that may wish to produce mock-ups or prototypes which then go on to full large-scale production products.
The scope of the ApeosPro C Series is vast and varied such that it can produce flyers, brochures, catalogues, and many other forms of marketing material which even includes a banner measuring up to 1.3 metres long. Not only do the machines have scope for a wide range of products, they also can cope with a range of substrates such as lightweight cardstock envelopes and even embossed and finished featured papers.
LED Technology
Within the ApeosPro C Series there are three machines: the C810, the C750, and the C650.
At the heart of all three machines is new technology which Fujifilm claims is the first LED printhead with resolution of 2,400 by 2,400dpi. The LED printhead uses dry electrophotographic toner and with the new technology the LED light emitting unit produces extremely clear images when matched against conventional printheads producing the same resolution.
The technology of the new LED printhead exposure means the actual light source has a much finer line which is the core reason for much more defined print and having no drive to the head itself, removes vibration which is another reason the image can be kept so detailed. Further to the quality improvements the new LED printheads bring with them, as with any LED product, the power usage is greatly reduced from that of standard printheads.
LED printheads can produce a line far finer than that of conventional heads meaning the image produced
is significantly enhanced”
The ApeosPro C Series of printers all benefit from the use of Fujifilm’s Super EA Eco toners which can be found in a lot of the other printers of higher specification. From seeing this further application of technology, the meaning of entry-level has been reformatted.
The combination of the LED printheads and toner mean the quality of the print from these printers is of unquestionable quality concerning the sharpness of the dots or lines, smooth gradiations, or vibrancy of colour. Just to add even further benefit, the ApeosPro C Series printers can add a gloss finish to images giving them a photo style effect.
The ApeosPro C Series of machines may be focused on smaller-run, less production-centred companies, but this is no reason for the consistency of print to be diminished. All three of the printers come with a simple-to-use system which can ensure print quality is assured, copy after copy.
The Fujifilm system for quality is called Simple Image Quality Adjustment (SIQA) and this scans charts to automatically calculate the depth of colour and corresponding toner required and any changes needed for registration on either side of the sheet. The system itself is complex and a leader in its field, but it requires minimal input from the operator which makes their jobs easier and also greatly improves the utilisation of the equipment itself.
The control of the print quality via the deployment of toner is only one aspect of maintaining quality. The experience of most printers would be that the substrate is the other part of the puzzle that needs careful consideration or care.
Handling the Stock
Fujifilm has not avoided tackling this aspect in the ApeosPro C Series either. All the printers can handle a wide range of papers, card, and even envelopes, but coupled with this are the mechanisms and systems that are used to ensure a flat sheet is presented to the printhead itself.
There are sensors within the machine that keep the substrate in the correct place, each and every time and make corrections to anything they find on the run, at high speed. The printers are able to adjust the feed force to the substrates meaning regardless of the stock thickness, the presentation remains stable.
One problem that continues to frustrate printers can be the curl and deformation between stacks or even individual sheets. This is overcome in the ApeosPro C range of printers by the use of de-curlers which can detect and adjust in real time.
Moving on from the standard functions of the printers, the three models can bring different options depending on the core business needs. There are a number of post-processing functions which are all available in-line as options.
Photo booklets with full bleed and trim, creasing functions, square spine products, and most of the standard office applications such as punching, side stitching, and saddle stapling can all be configured in one way or another in the machine specification.
There are several feeding options such as multi-sheet units and high-capacity feeder units which can be incorporated within your printer. Output options come with even more choices including inserter units, high-capacity stackers, crease and trimmers, folding units, and bookletmakers.
Reviewing the phrase ‘entry-level’ after looking in depth over any of the three models in the ApeosPro C Series of printers from Fujifilm, it is clear it does not mean any compromise on quality or productivity.
Statistics
- Colour Full colour (CMYK)
- Resolution 2,400 x 2,400dpi
- Speed C810 C750 C650
- A4 81ppm 75 ppm 65 ppm
- A3 42ppm 37 ppm 34 ppm
- Paper size (max) A3 or A4
- Paper weight 52 to 350 GSM (depending on tray)
- Tray capacity 520 sheets (std)
Brian Sims Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu
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