A lot goes into your digital inkjet printer decision. So be sure you’re getting the real facts when it comes to inkjet printer productivity comparisons.

1. THE REAL TRUTH
Inkjet Printer Productivity:
Know the facts. Then you decide.

2. Always (we mean always)
compare print modes
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3. Don’t be distracted
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• Marketing materials and sale pitches often
reference “up to” print production speeds
• These modes are sometimes express or
draft modes that may not be used often

4. It’s speed/quality that matters
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• Always ask yourself what image quality do
my customers expect?
• Then, compare speeds to print quality
• Make sure your speeds include:
– Time between boards
– Set up time, such as masking off the table

5. Defining quality print modes
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Quality Mode
Express / Draft: Not usually used or a sellable print mode
Distant View / Outdoor: No visible artifacts from a viewing distance of 10
feet (3 meters) or more
Production: No visible artifacts from a viewing distance of 6 feet
(1.8 meters) or more
POP Quality: No visible artifacts from a viewing distance of 3 feet (1 meter)
or more
High Quality: No visible artifacts from a viewing distance of 1 foot
(30 centimeters) or more
Ultra Quality: No visible artifacts from a viewing distance of less than 1 foot
(30 centimeters)

6. Do an apples-to-apples comparison
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Method 1:
• Determine the image quality your customer’s
expect
• Match it to the printer’s production sweet spot
• Do they match?

7. Do an apples-to-money comparison
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Method 2:
• Pin down the quality levels that are your
“money” modes
• Determine if the printer’s productivity at
that quality level is a fit for your business

8. Run test files
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• Run the same test
file(s) on each printer
• Use the worksheet on
the next slide to record
your results

9. Quality print mode worksheet
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Manufacturer 1 Manufacturer 2
Quality Mode Time Productivity Time Productivity
Express/Draft 1:17
min
Sample:
4 color, 600 dpi
xxxx ft2 (xxx m2)
per hour
xx boards per hour
Distant View/Outdoor
Production
POP Quality
High Quality
Ultra Quality

10. Other productivity factors to consider
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11. Print width or bed size
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• Consider the printer’s maximum print width or
bed size
• Are you restricted to a certain size media or
board?
• Larger print widths and beds allow you to feed
larger boards landscape vs. portrait for greater
productivity
5 ft
10 ft

12. Ink and curing technology
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• It’s possible to print faster using LED ink than
with aqueous and solvent inks, for example
– Instant on: No waiting for lamps to heat up
– Less set up time: No searching for the right cure level
– Consistent color: No over/under cooking of the inks
– Fewer head crashes: No overheating of substrates
• Particularly important for high-production
applications
• LED lamps are instant on/off and require less
maintenance, maximizing utilization, productivity
and uptime

13. Media handling and automation
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• Hybrid platforms support both rigid and flexible media and
switch from one to the other quickly without sacrificing
production speeds
• Consider a platform that offers productivity boosting features,
such as continuous print, minimizing non-print time when
producing a job.
– Does this feature come standard or is it an option?
– Do you need to purchase automation in order to get this feature
– Does the printer support multi-up applications that allow you to
take advantage of the full width of the printer when printing on
smaller materials?
• Are their other media handling options available, such as
jumbo roll winders or automated loading and unloading, as
your volumes and business grow?

14. The Real
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A lot goes into your digital inkjet printer decision.
So be sure you’re getting the real facts when it
comes to productivity comparisons.
We want you to make the best decision –
whatever printer you choose.
And that’s the truth.
www.efi.com • 800-875-7117