Konica Minolta announced on 15 July 2019 that it has become the world’s first press manufacturer to achieve the ‘robust’ (wide gamut-ICC profile) Fogra 53 profile certification. Achieved by the AccurioJet KM-1 B2 UV LED digital inkjet sheetfed press after exhaustive testing, its stability, versatility and color accuracy have all been recognized in the award. Konica Minolta says this wide color gamut cannot be consistently achieved by any standard 4-color offset press.
Dr Marco Mattuschka, Fogra prepress expert says, “Congratulations to Konica Minolta! For the first time ever, the AccurioJet KM-1 has achieved the FograCert Validation Printing System certification (ISO 12647-8) with the new characterization Fogra53, as well as Fogra characterization 39, 47, 51 and 52. In addition, another check was successfully carried out for the AccurioJet KM-1: a ‘combi-certification’ that establishes FograCert VPS from testing single-copy prints only to testing the printing stability of an entire run according to Fogra Standard PSD (ProcessStandard Digital). In accordance with available print condition references we further proved that the AccurioJet KM-1 meets all requirements for another two certification standards, GRACoL Coated and Uncoated (IDEAlliance) and Japan Color (Japan Printing Machinery Association). It is thus set for a very wide range of international print jobs. Testing and certifying three internationally renowned standards in one run was a premiere for Fogra and will expand the established testing regime of FograCert in the future.”
The AccurioJet KM-1 can print up to 3,000 single-sided B2 sheets per hour at up to 1,200 dpi. This allows moving short-run offset to digital inkjet and the ability to integrate the press into existing B2 offset workflow for hybrid printing. The AccurioJet KM-1 is capable of handling larger sheet sizes and packaging board as well as duplex printing. It can also print on lightweight paper and textured stock.
The press also benefits from what Konica Minolta calls ‘Dot Freeze Technology’, which has overcome one of the fundamental challenges of inkjet printing – uncontrolled ink dot movement that reduces print quality and workable materials. (Other manufacturers who have also overcome this problem call it ‘pinning.’) KM claims its DFT uniquely self-freezes ink drops immediately upon contact with the material. A rapid change in temperature turns high-flowing inks from a printhead nozzle into a low-flowing, immobile ink droplet when it hits the material so the challenge of mottling of colors and of printing on to porous materials is eliminated.
With its customer-centric approach, Konica Minolta has developed special pantone books to show customers the wide range of colors that can be produced on the KM-1, which has already been recognized as the ‘Best Cut-Sheet Colour B2+ Printer’ by the European Digital Press Association (EDP).
Colin Osborne MBE, head of Colour Management, Konica Minolta Marketing Services says, “The robust Fogra certification demonstrates the incredible stability, versatility and color management of the AccurioJet KM-1 and has been achieved after an exhaustive testing program. The comprehensive color gamut of the KM-1 ensures that any CMYK ICC profile can be achieved, including the wide gamut International Colour Consortium (ICC) Profile Fogra53. A standard four-color lithographic press would not be able to print to such a wide color gamut. The AccurioJet KM-1 has achieved Fogra certification for ICC Profiles: Fogra 39, 47, 51, 52, 53, Japan Color and GracoL Coated and Uncoated. This clearly demonstrates the press is a true global press, which can manage global brands. It also demonstrates color accuracy and consistency no matter what market the printing is produced in.”
