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PrintoLUX® system comparison

Process comparison

CO2 laser

The CO2 laser process is the easy form of laser cutting and laser engraving. While it has good values in terms of durability, the process has deficits in terms of design options and reproduction qualities. The fact that it is necessary to stock all basic colours, its restrictions in graphic and photorealistic illustrations as well as environmental pollution are further weak points. The entry price of approx. € 8,000 for one workstation is relatively high.

PrintoLUX®

Compared with the CO2 laser method, the thermosetting digital printing process by PrintoLUX® can be used on considerably more materials. Its design variety (defined colour tones in conjunction with the PrintoLUX® colour profile and photorealistic reproduction) and the low entry price are further advantages.

Comparison CO2 laser PrintoLUX® process

Material

    

Type of material

    
Acrylic   yes, verso
Aluminium, anodized coloured, AL    
Aluminium, white matt, AS    
Aluminium, anodized natural, AL    
Aluminium dibond, DB    
Glass, matt or pretreated   yes, verso
Adhesive foil, polyester (white, silver, transparent) PK    
PrintoLUX® aluminium, AE    
PrintoLUX® stainless steel, VE    
PrintoLUX® brass, ME    
Laminated board (formica-like), RP    
Plastic plates, polyester, PY    
Keyboard foils, PD    

Resistance (material-dependent)

    

UV

    
at least 1 year    
at least 3 years    
at least 8 years    

Chemical

    
Alcohol/ethanol    
Oils    
Cold cleaner    
Acetone material-dependent  
Acid material-dependent  
Toluene    

Physical

    
Fingernail test    
Tape test    
Flying sparks test    
High pressure cleaning/Dry ice cleaning    

Design

    

Colours

    
Monochrome    
Polychrome (RAL and Pantone) not available  
Infinitely variable colour transitions not available very good
Photo quality not available very good

Printing mode

    
Reproduction text files    
Reproduction graphic files    
Reproduction photo files    
Reproduction barcode files    
Changes between texts, charts, barcodes    

Resolution

    
Resolution (300 to 5.760 dpi) monochrome high (up to 2.880 dpi) photorealistic (5.760 dpi)

Specialist knowledge

    

Software

    
Windows printer driver    
Macintosh printer driver yes  
No special software required    
Training requirements Intensive training Basic training

Production

    

Operation and serial printing

    
Single piece production    
In-line/Integration    
Direct printing    
Special preparation required none Pretreatment

Workplace savety

    
Workplace safety Noisy (air filter system) Office (noiseless)
Impairments (in-office use) Sound Slight odour
Notes on workplace safety Sound none

Cost

    

Investment for industrial workstation

    
Expenditure 8.000 € upwards from 3.540 €