OKI Enters Graphics Arts/Light-Production Market
January 28, 2010 - OKI Data Americas is entering the graphic-arts/light-production market with the launch of a new Graphic Arts & Production business unit that will market new color imaging systems, the OKI proColor Series, for the graphic-arts and production markets. Leading the new division will be Randy Rickert, who recently served as general manager of Mutoh America Inc., a manufacturer of large-format commercial ink-jet printers. 
The new pro810 (left) and pro9000 Digital Color Press (right).
The proColor series ranges from desktop color tabloid printers, to a digital color web press, all based on OKI's LED, toner-based imaging technology, with several systems driven by Electronic for Imaging (EFI) Fiery controllers and providing Pantone color-calibration. Details on each system are as follows:
pro810 Series - OKI positions the pro810 Series, which lists at $3,248, as an "affordable complement to costly AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) plotters." The printer is rated at 32 (black)/30 (color) ppm, and supports media sizes from 4" x 6" up to 11.6" x 52" banner sheets, and up to 80 lb. cover stock. Maximum paper capacity is 1,460 sheets, and maximum monthly volume is 75,000 pages. Ethernet network connectivity and automatic duplexing are standard. Maximum monthly duty cylce is up to 150,000 pages.
pro910 - List price is $5,960 for this tabloid/A3 (11"x17" capable) color printer, which is positioned as an entry-level printer for short-run color printing. External RIP software enables users to utilize existing color assets. Media handling includes the ability to print on card stock, magnetic media and static clings, and paper up to 330 gsm. Rated print speed is 36 (black)/31 (color) ppm. The printer supports up to 190 lb. index stock, media sizes from 3"x5" to 12"x18", and can produce banner-size output from 12.9" x 47.24". It also supports printing on cling film and magnetic media. Maximum monthly duty cylce is up to 150,000 pages, and Ethernet network connectivity and automatic duplexing are standard.
pro930 - List price is $10,230 for this tabloid/A3 printer that features an embedded EFI Fiery System 8e controller with SmartRIP, as well as Pantone color calibration. OKI is positioning the systems as an alternative for high-quality, short-run color printing and variable data printing (VDP), with support for XMPie. The pro930 also supports a wide range of media substrates, including up to 190 lb. index stock, 12"x18" output, banners up to 12.9"x47.24", cling film, and magnetic media.
pro900DP - The pro900DP lists at $26,500, and is a "digital envelope color press" according to OKI, and is ideal for short-run, on-demand print jobs. It features variable data printing, including the ability to produce full-color envelopes. It incorporates an Embedded EFI Fiery System 8e controller with SmartRIP and features Pantone color calibration. Standard paper capacity is 4,000 sheets (20 lb. bond paper), and it supports the same media-handling as the pro930.
pro510DW - This digital color web press lists at $36,200. It provides continuous web printing at up to 30 feet/minute (5.1" per second slew rate), and full-color cut-sheet printing at up to 36 ppm, and can handle a 2,500-foot roll of stock. It supports printing on paper, labels and various tag stocks, and includes automatic cut and reload between print jobs to eliminate operator intervention.
OKI will be marketing the proColor series through a "select group of partners serving the graphic arts and production market." The pro810 Series, pro910 and pro930 will be available in February 2010, while the pro900DP and pro510DW will be available in March 2010. All of the new systems are backed by a two-year onsite warranty.
Newly appointed Randy Rickert, who will lead the new Graphic Arts & Production unit, says the proColor is a breakthrough in short-run color production, "The OKI proColor Series is a breakthrough in color technology for this market because it gives customers the power to perform short-run jobs faster and more cost-effectively than they ever could before -- such as 200 envelopes with variable data in minutes. Print shops will now have the ability to compete in new spaces and in-house production shops will have access to unprecedented quality output from a more conducive footprint."