double CMYK vs +LcLmLk

[reQ]

I am thinking about adding new printer to the shop this xmas. Would be choosing between RF640 vs VSi640. Wondering if +LcLmLk set up is the best way to go? Or maybe its does not make THAT much of the difference and go with the speed of double CMYK?

 

[rjssigns]

I am thinking about adding new printer to the shop this xmas. Would be choosing between RF640 vs VSi640. Wondering if +LcLmLk set up is the best way to go? Or maybe its does not make THAT much of the difference and go with the speed of double CMYK?

Depends on how your market drives your shop.

For our market speed is more important than gamut or being able to hit a perfect gray. Been printing for about 10 years and I don't get asked too often to hit PMS or other colors.

 

[reQ]

Same here, its why i was wondering if getting LcLmLk will give WOW factor when printing lol. Also wondering how much faster RF640 prints over SP540i. I know on paper it shows 2x speed but is it like that in real world?

 

[Andy D]

I switched two of my older printers from CMYK LC LM to CMYK and I never
noticed a loss in print quality and it seems to easier to make minor color corrections on the fly.
I would go with the double CMYK

 

[Solventinkjet]

Double CMYK all the way. The LK helps with gray scale images but the LC and LM do not widen the gamut at all, which is a common misconception. So by adding LC and LM you slow the printer down so that your skin tones and gradients look, maybe, a little better. I'm sure the people who came up with the idea had a reason for creating it, but to the naked eye, most people can't even tell a CMYKx2 print from a CMYKLMC print.

 

[Andy D]

I'm sure the people who came up with the idea had a reason for creating it, but to the naked eye, most people can't even tell a CMYKx2 print from a CMYKLMC print.

Yeah, a sells gimmick to get us to buy their printer instead of the less expensive CMYK printer

 

[Gene@mpls]

We bought a RF which, as far as I have been able to research, is a VS without the cut function- and is only available in 2x cmyk.
As stated above a lot depends on what work you do or intend to do- we do no wholesale printing, only our inhouse needs. I am
very satisfied with the RF. With 2x cmyk you have 2 carts of each color, it will suck one dry and switch to the other which seems
like a excellent way to function- you are not worried about running out of a color mid-print (and maybe replacing a low cart to be
sure that you don't run out. I scan the carts in the morning and if any are blinking replace them- they are truly empty. Gamut is
great and we struggle with a color maybe every other month... probably less. I 'think' VS profiles are more available in the US-
RF seems more popular (or was available first) overseas and has not been a problem in the last 4 months. I started with a SP
and would expect twice the production by the RF- we had a well tuned VP in between and the speed is about +25% with better
prints.

Other thoughts- 440 carts do not last long (we have always had bulk before and will be moving back to bulk as soon as possible
as Roland 440s seem to be about $115 (have never bought one) and a liter of ink is $140 or less.
Cleaning is even less than the minimal required by the SP or VP- once a month I pull out the wiper station for a good cleaning
(it has never gotten to the point of poor print quality and we run over 10 rolls a month) which takes half an hour- the head
cleaning by the machine is great- once a month I run one dobber around the head and that is done.

If you have other questions about the RF let me know- this sucker just prints and prints all day and makes money. I am now
retired (officially) and have worked out a very profitable workflow around it.