PrismJET VJ48 Manufacture & Media Myths
August 29The Mutoh-made PrismJET VJ48 color printer, exclusively offered by SignWarehouse, has established itself as a sign industry best-value choice in large format outdoor printing. To answer questions and to continue to get the word out to potential customers about this incredibly affordable, high-speed commercial machine, SignMythBreakers continues its mission of putting to rest any myths or misinformation. Therefore, we present this updated edition.
PrismJET VJ 48" from SignWarehouse
Fact #1: The PrismJET VJ48 incorporates the latest color printing technology and is in current production by Mutoh.
The Mutoh-made PrismJET VJ48 is not a discontinued model or one that is no longer in production. The PrismJET VJ48, available exclusively through SignWarehouse, along with the Mutoh 1304, continues to be a top seller and contains the newest color printing technology – same technology employed in larger Mutoh machines.
SignMythBreakers wants you to know that any manufacturing myths such as:
1) “It’s discontinued,” 2) “Mutoh is no longer making it,” 3) “SignWarehouse has purchased all the remaining inventory,” or 4) “It’s obsolete,” is misinformation. The 48″ Mutoh ValueJET is in production and offered around the world. It is still available in South America and Europe. It is available in North America exclusively through SignWarehouse.com and is offered here as the PrismJET VJ48. The PrismJET VJ48 is a wide-format machine with the same print speed, same reliability and same basic configuration as the Mutoh 54” printer – other than the obvious fact that it’s a 48” machine. Plus, all PrismJET VJ48 machines come with UPGRADED software!*
Fact #2: There are lots of media and ink choices available for the PrismJET VJ48.
The PrismJET VJ48 uses, for example, the same ink and media as the Roland VersaCamm and the same media as the Mimaki JV3. There is a ready supply of eco solvent compatible media in widths less than 54”, perfect for this 48” printer. The large installed base of Mutoh Falcon Outdoor and ValueJET 1204 printers, along with Roland VersaCamms, assure customers purchasing the PrismJET VJ48 that media and ink manufacturers will continue to offer options for a long time.
SignMythBreakers wants you to know that any media or ink myths such as:
1) “You won’t be able to buy media for a 48” printer,” 2) “Your selection is limited,” or 3) “Media and ink manufacturers won’t support it for long,” is not only false, but completely silly. SignWarehouse currently stocks 30 varieties of 48” eco solvent print media plus an additional 75 options in narrower widths from 30” to 42″. In addition, there are more than fifty varieties of holographic and reflective vinyl films which are also suitable for use in solvent or eco solvent printers.
Fact #3: The PrismJET VJ48 is a perfect machine with which to do vehicle wraps.
The proliferation of commercial vehicle wraps is representative of the enormous revenue potential for sign and graphic shops – and the wide-format PrismJET VJ48 color printer is an ideal machine with which to tackle this market. Its 48” printing width is not only adequate for most applications but practical as well.
SignMythBreakers wants you to know that application myths such as:
1) “You can’t possibly wrap a vehicle with a 48” machine,” or 2) “You won’t be able to do enough jobs or grow a business on a machine that size,” is a myth. Many sign shops have started and built successful fleet graphics businesses with 48” (and smaller) printers. One such enterprise in Lumberton, NC, started with a 38” Mutoh Falcon Jr. and built a business so successful it was featured in national advertising campaigns by Mutoh and ORACAL. Today they wrap vehicles exclusively for the Pentagon. The truth is, any large format printer – but especially the PrismJET VJ48 or any ValueJET printer – can be used to create and produce professional quality vehicle wraps and fleet graphics.
History of the PrismJET VJ48: How Color Printing Became Affordable
The PrismJET VJ48 is a version of the Mutoh ValueJET that is now exclusively available from SignWarehouse. The ValueJET came to market in summer of 2006 with its patented intelligent interweave, aka I2 or “wave print” firmware as in the 48” 1204 model. Mutoh’s intelligent interweave breakthrough eliminated visible banding (which had been considered the Achilles heel of piezo electric ink jet printers) and made it much easier to obtain good quality output without excessive tweaking of ICC profiles.
The I2 firmware from Mutoh produced 720 x 720 dpi prints at speeds in excess of 140 square feet/hour, essentially tripling productivity (comparable products from Roland and Mimaki average about 50 -75 square feet/hour at the same resolution). And, because this remarkable output could be generated from a single advanced print head, it eliminated the need for multiple head printers, which are inherently more susceptible to misalignment problems. Due to its elegant simplicity, the ValueJET proved to be twice as reliable in the field as the industry average. Because of its increased productivity, ease of use, and reliability, the ValueJET quickly revolutionized the large format outdoor printing industry.
With the remarkable success of the 48” 1204, Mutoh expanded the product line to include 64” and 100” models. In autumn of 2007, Mutoh and SignWarehouse made an agreement whereby the 48” 1204 model would continue to be produced and sold in the USA exclusively by SignWarehouse. Mutoh added the 54”1304 model as well. Today, most Mutoh dealers offer the Mutoh ValueJET line in 54”, 64”, and 100” models.
SignWarehouse, Mutoh America’s premier dealer, offers all the 54”, 64” and 100” ValueJET models – plus the original ValueJET 1204 as the PrismJET VJ48. In order to handle an exclusive printer model, SignWarehouse made a large commitment to the continued manufacture of the 48” model. This not only kept the original ValueJET available to the buying public but it effectively lowered the price, allowing SignWarehouse to offer the PrismJET VJ48 for thousands less than other ValueJET printer models. This was a major breakthrough in affordability for customers who wanted to get into the color printing marketplace without sacrificing outstanding speed and quality.
* Mutoh ValueJET printers come bundled with FlexiPrint or FlexiPrint SE, a basic starter RIP only software. FlexiPrint is a de-contented version of PhotoPrint SE or DX, which retail for $995 – $1,595.00. PrismJET VJ models come from SignWarehouse with FlexiSign Pro, a fully featured graphic design and RIP product valued at $4,295.00. This bundled software upgrade is one of the few differences between a ValueJET and a PrismJET VJ.
