Press Centre

In August 2002, Printek Engineering was founded in Mandsaur, India, with the aim of producing digital printing solutions for the country’s flourishing advertising industry. In particular, Printek Engineering recognised the growing need for fast, robust solutions for outdoor advertising, such as billboards and signage. To meet this need, Naim Khan, Printek’s Managing Director, and his development team set about developing a wide-format printing solution that would offer speed and vivid colour, high quality print results, as well as the versatility to use various substrates, all at an affordable price.

Having already tracked the rising profile of digital inkjet as a printing solution, Naim Khan identified Xaar as a leader in the field of piezoelectronic inkjet technology, and in the year 2002, approached the company for advice. He comments: “We met with Xaar to discuss our vision for a wide-format printing solution, and conducted detailed discussions to ascertain the kind of printheads that would be suitable. Having tested the XJ128 printhead, designed for the graphics and industrial markets, we quickly realised that this product was ideally suited to our application, meeting all our prerequisites.”

The result was the Printek KGN-4233, a roll/sheet fed solution using either eight or twelve XJ128 printheads to print at a width of 3.2 metres, on various substrates including PVC banner, flex, vinyl, and coating film to name but a few. The printhead clearance is adjustable, ranging from 2mm to 4mm, depending on the choice of substrate. It uses solvent inks, in conjunction with an Automatic Inks Delivery System with an ink level monitor, and an automatic anti-clogging system.

The XJ128 printhead is the ideal entry level piezoelectronic inkjet drop-on-demand product. It has been specifically engineered with a simple electronics interface, which allows quick and easy integration into OEM applications, though not at the expense of power and quality.

The XJ128 can print up to 48 sq. metres pre hour in continuous print mode, at a resolution of up to 360 dpi. Just after a year from conception, at the beginning of 2004, the KGN-4233 was available to our customers, thanks to the ease of implementing the printheads, combined with the development and technical support provided by Xaar. Already, we have sold and installed two KGN-4233s, one at Jaipur and one at Rajkot, we have three orders pending, and are currently negotiating two more,” said Naim Khan.

“The XJ128 printhead was key in enabling us to achieve a fast route-to-market with a superior, powerful and reliable printing solution. As this product has been so well received, we are looking to develop more printing solutions using other printheads in Xaar’s range, such as the XJ500. From our experience developing the KGN-4233, we are even considering extending our business to offer customised solutions, so confident are we in Xaar’s product portfolio. This year, our rate of growth has been 60 per cent, and we expect this to increase further based on our success to date.”

“Printek Engineering’s story represents the essence of the market for digital printing in graphic arts in India – the need for reliable, quality printing solutions which OEMs can bring to market quickly. We very much look forward to continuing to work with Printek Engineering in the future.” comments Hugh Baker-Smith, Xaar’s Group Sales Director.

“Our recently opened office in New Delhi is a sign of the importance that we are placing on the Indian market, and is paramount in fostering the working relationships with local manufacturers and partners that we have always based our business on. Our aim is to bring to India all the benefits of our large international manufacturing, service and R&D network, providing OEMs here with tried-and tested products and expertise that they need.”

The Printek KGN-4233 is available at a highly competive price, making the machine affordable for medium range customers in comparison to the lower end machines now available in the market.   

For more information, please contact:

Alex Challinor, Xaar plc
T: +44 (0)1223 423663
achallinor@xaar.co.uk
www.xaar.co.uk

Laura French
T: +44 (0)1372 464470
lfrench@adcomms.co.uk