VUTEk GS3200 Super-wide Format Printer - IT Enquirer

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the need for mounting and lamination of
flexible materials for rigid applications.
Print quality can be expressed in different
parameters. Three of them define
the VUTEk GS3200:
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Resolution
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Colour accuracy
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Creative capabilities.
To test resolution and colour accuracy, we
used two methods: a visual assessment of
the quality of a photo shot and the evaluation
of an Altona chart with and without
ICC profile loaded.
To further test the printer’s minimal colour
gamut, we measured its standard ICC colour
profile. Creative possibilities were tested
with the help of an experienced operator
who has a degree in graphic design and
who has worked in the graphical/printing
industry.
Resolution is independent of the colour
mode the printer is in, i.e. in 4-colour mode
(actually, 5-colour mode, white included,
which is why VUTEk calls this “Fast-5”) the
GS3200 can still print at 1000 dpi or 600
dpi.
The highest resolution prints that we saw
coming out of the VUTEk GS3200 were
photo quality resolution prints with smooth
gradients and skin tones. We feel the resolution
and colour capabilities of the GS3200
are very close to making this printer fit for
art reproduction.
The VUTEk GS3200 prints on any medium
and on some the ink must be dried quickly
in order to create a good bonding between
ink and medium. A test photo of a Chinese
gate was printed in 1000 and 600 dpi
modes. Even at the highest possible speed
— when the operator can make the printer
fire solid streaks of the image with no
feathering in-between onto the medium —
we never saw any banding occur at all.
Resolution
The VUTEk GS3200 can handle 1000 dpi
output by setting the ink droplet size to
12pL — a setting which can be changed at
the control panel in software. At 12pL/1000
dpi, the GS3200 is capable of printing at a
4-point character size.
The printer will use the smallest droplet to
print with a vertical resolution of 1000 dpi
and a horizontal resolution of 720dpi. The
bigger droplet will be used with a vertical
resolution of 600 dpi and a horizontal resolution
of 360 dpi.
The horizontal resolution is defined by the
linear encoder and the vertical resolution is
defined by the jetpack.
Colour Accuracy
To visually evaluate the GS3200’s colour accuracy,
we printed an Altona 1.2a chart.
Without its standard ICC colour profile loaded,
the Altona chart showed discernable
colour banding on he gradient discs, as well
as a clearly visible colour shift in the skin
tones and the yellow to red colour range.
However, printed with the default ICC colour
profile turned on, the GS3200 printed
the Altona chart with all colour shifts corrected.
Gradient banding had gone and skin
tones were beautifully rendered, with good
detail in skin tone gradients.
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