Agfa wins four Pinnacle Product Awards

Agfa has announced that it earned four Pinnacle Product Awards, presented by PRINTING United Alliance. The awards celebrate outstanding products that drive advancements in quality, capability, and productivity within the printing industry.  

 “The fact that we can once again take home multiple awards reaffirms Agfa’s position as a technological frontrunner in digital printing. Our inkjet solutions help printing companies worldwide expand their print application scope, increase production efficiency, and lower the cost of manufacturing. Automation and versatility are prioritised in our product development process, as is low ink consumption. These awards pay tribute to the dedication and hard work of our teams. We are extremely honoured to receive this recognition,” says Arnaud Calleja, Vice-President of Digital Printing Solutions at Agfa.  

The winning products are:

The Onset X3 HS: Material handling equipment category

The Onset X3 HS is a heavy-duty page-wide flatbed inkjet printer, running on Agfa inks and driven by Agfa’s Asanti workflow software. It is capable of 24/7 printing on a wide variety of substrates at production speeds of up to 1450  sqm/h (15,600 ft²/h). It features advanced automation options, from semi-automatic loading to full robotic automation. 

The Dual Flex is a unique, fully automatic solution that enables printers to transition seamlessly between lay table loading and dual robot automation. 

Full automation is reached with the dual robots, from pickup to placement on the print bed and stacking of the prints. The dual robots also offer an optional ‘flip to print’ mode for double-sided print requirements without manual intervention. By adding automation to an Onset X printer, companies can significantly boost productivity and cost efficiency. 

Onset 560 UV inks: Digital inks UV category

Incorporating Agfa’s patented Thin Ink Layer technology, Agfa’s UV inks for the Onset printer boast proven ink reduction – up to 30% compared to non-Agfa inks. This offers print service providers significant cost savings given the high-volume output and 24/7 deployment of many Onset X printer series.

In addition, the Onset 560 inks deliver exceptional print quality. A key highlight is the expanded colour gamut, particularly the ability to match popular yet challenging spot colours such as Pantone 485C on standard matte paper in gloss mode – an achievement previously limited to solvent inkjet systems.  

The inks adhere well to a variety of substrates, including materials like polypropylene and acrylics, for both indoor and outdoor applications. Their GREENGUARD Gold certification assures compliance with chemical emission limits and makes them suitable for use in areas with strict air quality regulations, such as schools and healthcare facilities. The certificate underlines Agfa’s commitment to offering printing systems that are safe and environment-friendly.

Jeti Tauro H3300 UHS LED Flex Roll-to-Roll system: Automation equipment category

Print service providers can benefit from increased flexibility with the Flex RTR system for the Jeti Tauro H3300 series. As it doesn’t need undocking when transitioning from rolls to boards or sheets – the input and output tables attach over the roll system – printer uptime is increased. 

The system was developed to match the one-pass printing mode on the Tauro H3300 UHS LED – reaching a printing speed of up to 905 sqm/h (9741 ft²/h). 

The module has a compact footprint and is user-friendly: a single operator can effortlessly load media with the simple push of a button. The Flex RTR can handle single- and dual-roll printing and features an integrated camera system for accurate double-sided printing.  

Avinci CX3200: RTR dye-sublimation on textile (more than $100k) category 

Agfa’s Avinci CX3200 dye-sublimation system is a best-in-class, high-performance textile printer that meets the ever-growing demand for soft signage and printed interior décor applications. At speeds of up to 250 sqm (2691 ft²/h), this 3.2 m printer produces vibrant colours and deep blacks.

Printing directly to textiles and to transfer paper maximises print service providers’ application scope, as the former is perfect, e.g. see-through flags, while the latter is ideal for super-sharp backlit prints and stretchy fabrics. 

The printer sports unique features for convenient single-operator use with efficient media handling and fast changeovers. The Avinci 110 inks have obtained the OEKO-TEX ECO passport, indicating that they are free of any hazardous components and can be utilised for eco-friendly textile manufacturing. 

Since its first submission in 2014, Agfa has won twenty Pinnacle Product Awards.