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A revolutionary new technology launched by global digital printing pioneer Océ is set to transform the wide format printing industry in a ‘wave of innovation’.

The new colour technology, called Océ CrystalPoint™, combines the best of toner and inkjet printing and has its first public ‘debut’ at Océ’s stand in Hall 6 at drupa in Dusseldorf, Germany, from tomorrow (May 29).  

Océ has invested £150 million over the last 13 years in this innovative and exciting new printing technology that is entirely developed from its own R&D team drawing on years of experience in digital printing.  Océ CrystalPoint technology has more than 100 patents and will form the backbone of a new generation of colour printers. The first product based on this exciting technology is the Océ ColorWave™ 600.

The real difference with Océ CrystalPoint technology is that it’s based on colour toner rather than ink.   The process works on a solid in, solid out basis, converting solid spheres of toner into a gel that is jetted and crystalised onto plain paper. Prints dry immediately so they can be used straight away and unlike older traditional inkjet systems, it offers a water resistant finish.

Prospective buyers now have a real alternative to inkjet for colour printing – and are already expressing ‘huge interest’ in this technology that redefines the way both CAD and poster printing will be done now and in the future

With the Océ ColorWave 600, printing can be done on lower cost plain paper and even recycled paper, whereas most existing colour wide format products require specially coated inkjet paper to ensure high quality results. The print speed of the Océ ColorWave 600 is also impressive - an A0 sheet (one square metre) is completed in 30seconds. This is at least twice as fast as conventional CAD inkjet systems and up to 10 times quicker than some poster printers.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the system offers significant environmental benefits. The solid Oce TonerPearls™ used in tonergel jetting, release no fine powder, odour or ozone, making CrystalPoint technology extremely low in terms of emissions. Furthermore, because it prints an even semi-gloss finish on uncoated paper, the technology reduces the use of paper coatings that impact the environment.

Océ’s world-leading environmental credentials have been further acknowledged through selection as a Climate Action industry partner. Climate Action is produced in partnership with Sustainable Development International (SDI) and the United nations Environment Programme (UNEP) A ‘Climate Leaders’ video interview with Rokus van Iperen, CEO of Océ Group, will be broadcast on http://www.climateactionprogramme.org in support of the UN’s World Environment Day on 5 June, 2008.

The architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) market is one target market for what is a fundamentally new technology that will be developed for other printing systems platforms. These will include heavy users of colour in Computer Aided Design and other high quality applications, such as POS (Point of Sale), reprographics and business graphics markets.

Bron Curley, managing director of Océ UK, said: “Océ CrystalPoint technology represents a major milestone for our company in a market segment we have led since the 1920s. Customer trials and early viewings of the Océ ColorWave 600 have built huge interest within the AEC and commercial print sectors so if you are visiting drupa this year, make sure you visit the Océ stand so you can judge for yourself.”

Exploiting these new market opportunities will further expand Océ’s share of the wide format color market. In first-quarter results in 2008, Océ generated 31% of its wide format sales from the color market, compared to 25% for the corresponding period the previous year. The market value for these printing systems within wide format printing is estimated at more than £2.25billion.

CrystalPoint technology is the future – this is the genesis of colour wide format printing!

More details: www.oce.com/uk