The September 2018 edition of Printing Press: What’s Happening includes equipment ranging from a new Noritsu inkjet photo lab and a compact digital color printer from Primera to large-format Canon printers.
Noritsu Debuts QSS Green IV Inkjet Photo Lab
Noritsu introduced the newest model in its Green series of photo inkjet printers. “The QSS Green IV adds versatility, creates labor savings, lowers maintenance costs and is backed by Noritsu’s industry leading support,” the company announced. The QSS Green IV has dual-roll capability using both internal and dual-roll external paper magazines. It boasts a 12-inch roll capacity and the ability to print up to 69.2 inches.
In addition, workflow with multiple paper sizes is “simple and efficient.”
A combination of paper sizes or surfaces to match production needs can be kept on board to ease labor and get prints out more quickly. Print sizes range from wallets to panoramas up to 12×69 inches.
The QSS Green IV also employs the Green print engine, which supports RAW files without the need for conversion. It also prints up to 1,440×1,440-dpi resolution. And it does so in under a 5-square-foot space. Another feature is automatic print sorting and presorting of orders and enlargements.
Moreover, the lab solution comes with the Noritsu EZ-Controller software suite. AccuSmart imaging software lets users network their equipment, set up a workflow and run production with the level of automation they choose. With EZ-Controller, operators can automatically or manually control input from various sources and output to their QSS systems or other supported printers. The lab will also print from phones, and operators can print from any Windows/Mac desktop application with Noritsu’s QSS Printer Driver.
Pakor Now Authorized Reseller of Canon Large-Format Printers
A supplier of photographic equipment, supplies and distribution services, Pakor expanded its portfolio by becoming an authorized reseller of Canon imagePrograf printers. Pakor carries the complete lineup of high-speed Canon large-format inkjet printers, media and ink.
Headlining Pakor’s new offerings is Canon’s imagePrograf Pro printer series. “With its Media Configuration Tool, the imagePrograf Pro has the unique ability to handle a wide selection of media, including vinyl, banner and backlit media” for signage applications, the companies announced. 
The printer also can print on fine art and canvas media for specialty printing applications. In addition, it works with satin, semigloss and glossy photographic papers in numerous weights for photographic prints, as well as textiles and plain paper.
Canon imagePrograf Pro large-format printers use the company’s latest technology. This includes the newly developed Lucia Pro pigment ink set for broader color gamuts, saturated color, a spectrum of colors and clarity.
“We are excited to partner with Canon,” said Rich Mast, vice president of Sales and Marketing, Pakor. “Our new status as an authorized reseller of Canon large-format printers paves the way for us to provide even greater value to our customers. With over 150 new Canon products added to our website, this expansion helps us meet the diverse needs of our customers. In addition, it opens up enormous new printing opportunities for our customers who are currently limited to offering prints in fixed market segments and applications.”
Fujifilm Hosts Print Life Photo Exhibition & Sweepstakes
Fujifilm North America launched the Fujifilm Print Life Photo Exhibition & Sweepstakes. The company recently held a nationwide photo exhibition call for entries. Fujifilm will display submitted pictures in its 2018 Photo Exhibition. The exhibit will be at New York City’s Grand Central Terminal in Vanderbilt Hall October 17–19, 2018.
“We are very excited to bring this initiative to the United States once again. Fujifilm believes photography enriches people’s lives, and we’re dedicated to reinvigorating the desire to print pictures,” said Ken Sugiyama, president of Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation and president/CEO of Fujifilm North America Corporation. “Approximately 750,000 people a day pass through the iconic Grand Central Terminal. The Fujifilm Print Life Photo Exhibition & Sweepstakes is an opportunity for participants to showcase their photos in this historic and elegant setting, all while recapturing the joy of print photography.”
Consumers could visit printlifesweepstakes.com from any mobile device or desktop, select the image to upload and provide a brief caption. They could submit 10 entries. Entrants will receive an 8×10-inch print of the selected image. They also will have their photos on display at Grand Central Terminal. All eligible entrants also have an opportunity to win one of 20 Instax prize bundles. The bundles include an Instax Share SP-3 printer and two packs of Instax Square film valued at $234.
DNP Hot Folder Print Utility Supports Mac OS v10.12.X
DNP Imagingcomm America Corporation released the Hot Folder Print (HFP) Utility for Mac OS v10.12 and higher operating systems. The release provides Mac users with the ability to print, monitor printer status and receive immediate notifications of printer status. They can also automatically update firmware.
As an intuitive, stand-alone print application, DNP’s HFP new utility enables printing on DNP’s range of dye-sublimation printers, including the DS620A, DS820A, DS40, DS80, DS-RX1HS and DS80DX. 
The HFP utility automatically resizes images for printing with an option to add borders or logos. It also detects image files and queues the setup by print size. In addition, it combines them with an enabled border and automatically sends the images to a DNP printer. Moreover, the HFP utility files images in an archived folder for future use. Other capabilities include a custom border import, photo editing, as well as color adjustment.
“Complementing our industry-leading dye-sublimation print technology with comprehensive and easy-to-use software is critical for any professional photographer. Making our Hot Folder Print Utility available to Mac users reaffirms our commitment to delivering the best value and ease-of-use to the broadest array of users,” said Shinichi Yamashita, president of DNP IAM.
The new HFP for Mac OS V10.12.X is available for download via: http://dnpphoto.com/en-us/Utility-Apps.
Primera Impressa IP60 Digital Color Photo Printer
Primera Technology, a manufacturer of digital color printers, is displaying its Impressa IP60 digital color photo printer at photokina 2018. Weighing 8 pounds, the IP60 is a professional-grade color printer for heavy-duty use. It is specifically for such applications as retail photofinishing as well as photo booths and event photography. It can also be used by photo studios, cruise ships, tourist attractions, amusement parks, family entertainment centers, location-based entertainment venues and nightclubs. 
Using inkjet technology, the IP60 prints 4×6-inch photos in 7 seconds each. A single 2×6-inch photo strip prints in 3.5 seconds. The printer also offers a low cost per print. The company announced that 4×6 photos, including ink and paper, have an average cost of $0.12 each.
The IP60 prints at 1,200×4,800-dpi resolution and works with various substrates, including gloss, luster, linen, repositionable adhesive papers and postcards. Operators can print any length up to 24 inches without changing out supplies. Print sizes include 2×6, 4×6, 6×6, 6×8, 6×12 inches or any other length up to 24 inches.
To load ink, operators remove the all-in-one printhead with integrated ink tanks and snap in a new one. In addition, the printer uses either dye or pigment inks. Dye ink produces more vibrant colors in photo booth and retail applications. Pigment inks print more accurate color renditions. They result in archival-grade performance in applications such as wedding and portrait photos.
Built in the U.S., Primera’s IP60 sells for $899.99.
