GO F-24 Compared and Reviewed to DCS UV Printers--What are Pros and Cons?

Click on Chart to See Entire Comparison

This is a first in a series of five articles comparing and reviewing the GO F-24 UF LED Flatbed to other products in the market. In our first article we review the products from Direct Color Systems (DCS). 

DCS has been in the flatbed market with both solvent and UV systems for many years. They have developed printers for different applications along with specialized inks and, according to our sources, have a good installed base of printers. 

The Pros and Cons for Direct Color Systems products are as follows:

Pros:

• Small Footprint
• Braille /  3D Signage
• Product Family

Cons:

• Ink Price
• Printer Price / Performance
• Printing Speed
• Small Table Size
• No CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Single UV Lamp

How does GO's F-24 Compare?
The Pros and Cons for the GO F-24 are as follows:

Pros:

• Printer Price / Performance
• Excellent Table Size Means Lower Time and Cost per Copy
• Deepest Gantry Depth
• High Speed
• Ink Pricing
• Custom Jigs Available
• No Table Needed for Printer--Small Footprint and Easy to Move
• 360-2880 DPI with Excellent Image Clarity
• Able to address 24"x18" Yard Sign Market
• CPSIA Certification for Children's Toys
• Dual UV Lamps

Cons:

• No Family of Products, Yet--New Models Coming

As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info
#gof-24

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Mutoh VJ 628 Full Pricing vs Mimaki, Roland and Graphics One

As mentioned in one of our earlier posts, the new Mutoh VJ 628 is positioned really well in the eco market. Since the unit is a 24-inch eco-solvent unit without cutter, along with its price of $6,495, makes this unit a competitive offering and we expect this product to sell well. Of course, the unit does not ship standard with ink or with stand so we expect users will probably opt for these add-ons. Mutoh's start-up ink kit lists for $850 and includes 8 220 ml Eco-Ultra ink cassettes. Add the print stand for $299 and the complete printer package lists for $7,645. Additionally, we expect Mutoh to do some type of bundle with their ValueCut 24 which lists for $2,495 for a total (no discount included at this time) of $10,140. 

How Does this Compare?
The main competition is from Roland and Mimaki. The Roland BN-20 with ink and stand lists for $9,321 and the Mimaki CJV30-60 lists for $12,995 including a full set of ink and stand. How do the ink costs compare? Mutoh's list for 220 ml cassettes is $70, the same as Roland's standard color pricing. Mimaki sells in 440 ml cassettes at a price of approximately $130.  Of course, GO's X-24's list of $7,995 includes the ink and the stand making it the lowest cost unit in this market segment. GO's EcoColor ink lists for $45 for 220 ml cassettes. 

• Mutoh VJ 628--$9,847 / $7,645 (without cutter)
• Mimaki CJV30-60--$12,995
• Roland BN-20--$9,321
• GO X-24--$7,995

GO X-24 Integrated 24-inch Printer / Cutter
For more information about GO's X-24 please go to: More Info GO X-24

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Mutoh Enters Small Format UV Flatbed Inkjet Market with ValueJet 426UF

Mutoh was extremely active during the recent ISA 2014 show in Orlando where they launched several new blockbuster printers. Among units launched during the show is the new 426UF small format UV flatbed printer. With its sleek tabletop size and its enclosed imaging area, the 19"x13" bed offers respectable size and capabilities. 

Priced at $19,995, the printer ships with Flexi and offers white and clear with CMYK inks and is fairly fast at 82 sq ft / hr. With a gantry depth of 2.75" the unit will probably be limited to thinner promotional items, flatter signage and displays. The unit will start shipping in the June / July time frame. 

How Does the Unit Compare?
In the 24-inch and under market segment the price point offered by the 426UF is extremely competitive. The Roland LEF-12 lists for the same price as the Mutoh offer and has similar capabilities with the exception the LEF-12 has a smaller bed size. In fact their ink prices are identical at $90 per 220 ml cassette, or $0.41 per ml. The DCS 1014 is priced at $26,995, offers a 10"x14" bed and is substantially lower in speed to the Mutoh unit. Other units from Mimaki, Inkcups and Graphics One offer larger table sizes, deeper material thicknesses,  lower ink costs and generally address a more sophisticated customer. 

Overall we believe Mutoh has done a great job of addressing the desktop UV market for those just entering the UV printer market. We expect them to do well with this product. 

GO F-24 UV Small Format UV Flatbed Inkjet
How does the F-24 compare to the Mutoh unit? As many are aware we say: "GO Wide. GO Deep. GO Fast. All with GO Value." Here's an overview:

GO Wide: 24"x18"
GO Deep: 10"
GO Fast: Up to 100 sq ft / hr
GO Value: $60 for 250 mls, $200 for one liter--$0.18 per ml

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info

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GO UV-m Digital UV Ink for F-24 Small Format UV Printer--Six Questions

Does GO's UV-m Ink contain HAPs or VOCs? 

No. UV-m does not use solvent for viscosity reduction so we do not have any HAPs or VOCs. 

Does UV-m Ink meet US Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements for children's products? 

Yes. GO's UV-m Ink meets the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)  for lead and phthalates for children's products. This is an important standard and In our market segment we are not aware of any other company having this certification. 

What is the expectation for outdoor UV stability for UV-m? 

We have a very specific statement about the outdoor UV stability of UV-m Ink, but generally one can say the ink will last for two years outdoors without seeing any degradation. This is of course dependent upon the conditions and the imaged substrate. 

How well does GO UV-m ink adhere to uncoated substrates? 

With few exceptions the adherence to uncoated substrates is very strong and generally no primer of any type is needed. Additionally with the GO F-24's two UV lamps, UV-m cures much faster and offers much better adhesion. Our suggestion is prior to purchasing a printer is to forward any substrates to Graphics One for testing.  

Does GO offer a primer? 

Yes. GO will offer primer specifically for specialty non-porous substrates such as glass or specialty metals, but generally no primer is needed.

How do the GO's UV-m costs compare to competitive UV ink prices? 

For more information on the GO F-24 please click: GO F-24 Info

For Further information please click on: GO F-24 Info

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Mutoh Launches New VJ-628 Eco-solvent Printer at ISA--$6,495

During the ISA show in Orlando, Florida in April, 2014, Mutoh announced the release of its new VJ-628 24-inch eco-solvent printer. Priced at $6,495 this new unit offers an aggressive price point which should be of great interest to the targeted markets. In fact, we are not aware of another 24-inch printer like this in the market.  (In the past GO's Eco-max 24-inch printer and cutter using SEPIAX ink was offered in this market segment, but has been discontinued and replaced by the GO X-24.)

The Offering
The VJ-628 includes a special version of FlexiSign and features the ability to use eco-solvent ink in 4, 6 or 8 color configuration. The stand is optional and it is unclear as to whether the ink will be included with the unit. Mutoh's 220 ml Eco-ultra ink is about $70 each and 8 of these will cost an added $560. Other Mutoh VJ printers do not include ink with their shipments so it is safe to assume the VJ-628 will not include the ink (we will come back on this question).  It is expected Mutoh or Sign Warehouse will offer cutter bundles with this unit to make it a print and cut bundle. The ValueCut 24-inch unit lists for $2,495 in the U.S. and when ink is added the list price could be as high $9,550 (does not include stand) . We doubt the price will be this high as we know that Sign Warehouse, the master distributor for this unit in the US, offer very aggressive print and cut bundles and we would expect them to do the same with this unit. 

Competition
Roland's BN-20 is the prime competitor with their combo printer/cutter unit listing at $8,495, but it is only 20-inches wide. Like Mutoh, Roland does not include ink nor a stand. As an 8 color unit, the standard 220 ml eco-solvent inks total approximately $560 and the stand is $305 for a total of $9,321 for the Roland BN-20. Mimaki's CJV30-60 lists at $12,995 including ink, stand and a take-up system and is a full 24-inch width. GO's X-24 Printer/Cutter is also 24-inches wide and now lists for $8,795 including ink, stand and software.

Our overall impression is the VJ-628 is well positioned and should do very well in the targeted markets. 

GO X-24 Integrated 24-inch Printer / Cutter
For more information about GO's X-24 please go to: More Info GO X-24

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GO Metalnox Calandra CMD 1800 Rotary Calendar Video Now Showing on YouTube

Graphics One is pleased to advise we have a new YouTube video in the Graphics One section of YouTube. The video is located at: http://goo.gl/0cXeYR

This new video provides an overview of the Metalnox CMD 1800 Calandra Calendar roll-to-roll rotary system. The CMD 1800 is a 71-inch 3-in-1 professional and industrial grade calendar heat transfer system offering dye sublimation, direct-to-transfer and cut sheet transferring capabilities. Additionally, this unit is the first to address the use of old transfer paper instead of tissue paper and does not need an air compressor to operate. 

For added information about the GO Metalnox CMD 1800 Calandra Calendar rotary system, please go to: http://goo.gl/5ieYQb. 

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New GO QuickLook Book Released Featuring 48 Pages of Product Info

Graphics One is pleased to release its latest QuickLook Book 2014 Spring in time for the upcoming ISA 2014 show in Orlando, Florida. Featuring 48 pages of product information, readers will find a review of:

• New 24-inch Integrated Printer/Cutter
• New Roll-to-roll UV 64-inch Printer
• Information and Comparison of 7 Different 24-inch UV Printers
• 12 Reasons to Consider GO Large Format Dye Sublimation Systems
• Comparison of DTG, Dye Sub and Transfer Solutions
• New Large Format Dye Sublimation Bundles 
• Desktop Heat Presses to 71-inch Calendars All Made in the Americas
• Information Covering the Hotronix Fusion Heat Press
• Pricing on NeoPro Dye Sub Paper

A copy of the QuickLook Book in PDF format is at: http://goo.gl/Kb7iO2 and a copy in magazine format is at: http://goo.gl/02BgL5. 

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New GO X-24 Integrated Desktop Printer/Cutter Launched at ISA

During the upcoming ISA show in Orlando, Florida Graphics One will launch its X-24 print and cut unit. Small enough to be on a desktop, or mounted on the floor stand, the feature set of the X-24 is robust and offers the best operating value with our GO EcoColor eco-solvent ink at $45 per 220cc cartridge. 

An overview of the features is as follows:

• Integrated 24-inch eco-solvent printer/cutter device
• Uses standard sized off-the-shelf media
• Integrated and accurate automated contour cutter
• High resolution imaging up to 1440 dpi
• Fast printing speeds up to 60 sq ft per hour
• Available in 4-colors with DX5 piezo printheads
• Cutting speed up to 12-inches per second with cutting force up to 800 GF
• Uses GO EcoColor ink--offers brilliant, saturated colors with pricing 50% less than competitor
• Connects using Hi-USB 2.0/3.0 for fast and reliable data transmission
• Perfect for print and cut applications such as garment transfers, stickers, vinyl lettering, POP, posters and more
• Includes FlexiSign 10.5 software

The list price for the GO X-24 is $7,995 and the cost for the eco-solvent ink is $45 per 220cc cartridge. 

For further information please go to: http://www.graphicsone.com/go-x-24.html

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GO F-24 UV Ink Costs--How does GO's UV-m Compare to Others?

The most important factor for any digital printer is its overall running costs. Of course the main factors for measuring costs when using digital printing equipment, assuming that normal overhead costs are not included, are the ink and the substrates.

With substrates, UV printers offer a tremendous operational advantage over other inks such as eco-solvent, latex and pigment because UV ink generally does not need a pre-coating on the substrate. This means all types of material can be imaged on without any special coating. This is not the case with other inks.

With UV ink, the ink composition means the amount of UV ink used is less than other types of ink, such as eco-solvent. Since there is less ink used, and the cost of GO's UV ink low, the value proposition for GO's F-24 is one of the best in the industry. For a comparison of GO's UV-m ink costs, please review the comparison chart where you will note GO's actual ink costs are the lowest of any of the major providers of small format UV flatbed providers.

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GO F-24 Small Format UV Flatbed Inkjet Comparison

How does the GO F-24 Small Format UV Flatbed Inkjet Compare to units manufactured by DCS, Inkcups, Mimaki and Roland? 

As we say with the F-24, GO Wide, GO Deep and GO Fast:

• GO Wide--24-inches by 18-inches
• GO Deep--Material height of up to 10-inches
• GO Fast--Up to 100 sq ft / hour

For more info check out: http://goo.gl/6uPB9o

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GO Deep: F-24 UV Flatbed Inkjet Material Height Ten Inches

The application possibilities with the GO F-24 UV Flatbed Inkjet printer are virtually unlimited. One of the questions which comes often is what about thicker materials or substrates? This is a great question and the F-24 offers a great answer. 

With UV printers at 24-inch width and under, the F-24 offers the deepest material height at 10-inches. In fact, the F-24 offers 4-inches more height than its nearest competitor. How do competitive printers fair against the F-24's 10-inch material height, here's an overview from lowest to highest:

Mimaki UJF-3042--1.8 inch
Roland LEF 12/20--4-inches
Direct Color Systems 1014--4-inches
Mimaki UJF-6042--5.9-inches
Direct Color Systems 1024--6-inches

Graphics One F-24--10-inches

For more information go to: http://goo.gl/Rh7BH4
#gof-24

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Graphics One Shows GO F-24XL UV LED Inkjet Printer for First Time at IPEX London

The first showing of the F-24 XL (extra long) UV inkjet flatbed printer occurred in London during the IPEX 2014 show. Expected to list for less than $45K, the F-24XL offers a bed size of 24"x48" with an optional media / board loading system. Pricing on the loading system has not been established yet. Shipment of the unit is expected in the third quarter of 2014. The target market for this unit is the promotional market and the signage market. 

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Is the EPSON SureColor F2000 Standard CMYK Unit Too Expensive?

With the "Big E" launching their new SureColor F2000 direct-to-garment (DTG) printers earlier this year many in the industry have questioned whether the standard CMYK unit price at $19,995 is a reasonable price. Of course the answer to that question is, "depends." 

Depends

There are a large number of competitive standard CMYK DTG printers in the market. The reliability of these newer units is much higher than users have experienced in the past with other DTG units. The competition is really tight in this market space and for sure the price level is much less than EPSON's $19,995 price.  

Of course there is no doubt first time entrants / users into this market space will pay the added cost for the support and reliability of the "Big E's" Standard DTG unit. If a user has been in the market for some time it is highly likely this user will opt for other less expensive units with less expensive ink. This makes sense. 

GO UNO: a $2,195 Alternative

There is a viable alternative to the "Big E" F2000 Standard CMYK unit. 

Graphics One launched the GO UNO LED Professional Transfer Printer several years ago into the t-shirt transfer market. The UNO has quickly become the most cost effective solution for imaging of garments and t-shirts. The reason? Check out these specifications:

• First Tabloid Color Printer Specifically Made for Transfers for T-shirts and Garments

• Very Easy to Use--Just Like Desktop Printer

• Prints An Image Every Two Seconds

• Virtually No Maintenance--Leave Unit for Several Months and It Works Right Away

• Denser Imaging than Traditional LED Printer - A Perfect Match for Transfers

• Engineered Specifically for Use with GO's UNO Transfer Paper

• Full Transfer and Tabloid Printing—GO Extended Edge Technology Allows for Three More Inches of Printing On Bottom

• GO eColor Transfer Technology; UNO Color Toners Enhanced for Transfer - Sharp Detail and Rich, Dramatic Color

• 1200 x 600 dpi Resolution for Crisp, Clear Output

• Media Handling from 3” x 5” to 11.6” x 52” Transfers and Banners—The Only Tabloid Printer to Handle Sheets of that Length

• Fast Print Speeds: Color Output at up to 30 ppm; Monochrome at up to 32 ppm

• 1 Year Limited Warranty on Printer; 5 Year Limited Warranty on LED Array

EPSON F2000 vs GO UNO Operational Costs

Seems that EPSON has now published North American list pricing for the F2000 Ink and other consumables. The initial indication is the 600 ml ink cartridges are priced $229.50 each (CMYKW). The EPSON Pre-treatment solution has a list price of $679.95 and comes in a 20 liter bottle (mixed 1-1) for a total of 40 liters. A white ink cleaning cartridge is $19.95 and the special Print Head Cleaning Kit is $94.95 and must be used every 1000 images.

How does the list pricing for the GO UNO toner cartridges compare? The GO UNO consumable prices are below (please remember there are no extraneous maintenance costs):

GO UNO--Black $150 CMY $195

On a per copy basis the GO UNO offers much lower costs. 

How Does the UNO Compare to the F2000?

If you seek ease-of-use, low operational cost, speed,  image versatility and the much lower price of $2,195 vs $19,995, then there is no doubt the GO UNO is the preferred choice. (By the way, the F2000 is not shipping yet, so there is no competition.)

For added information on the GO UNO please click: GO UNO Info

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GO Launches American Made e-UV System

Following on the launch of the GO e-UV System several months ago, Graphics One has brought the manufacturing of this product back to the US following a trend of "reshoring" products which used to be made offshore. The GO e-UV system was originally manufactured offshore and is now manufactured in a high tech facility in the midwestern part of the US.

The new US made LampBar system includes the lamp assembly, dual power supply and lamp itself. This new system is shipping immediately with a list price of $4,995 and is available exclusively through the GO Distribution Channel.

For more information please click here: http://www.graphicsone.com/go-e-uv-lampbar-system.html

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Fruit of the Loom, OKI and Graphics One Give Away GO UNO T-shirt System at ISS

The response during the ISS Long Beach show held in January, 2014 for the Fruit of the Loom, OKI Data and Graphics One give away was a resounding success. Hundreds of attendees visited the Fruit of the Loom and Graphics One booths to see and hear about Fruit of the Loom's sports apparel and to also see and hear about the GO UNO T-shirt system. Indira Mehta of Crazy Design in Chatsworth, California was the winner of the GO T-shirt system which included t-shirts from Fruit of the Loom, GO UNO LED transfer printer for garments, Metalnox Heat Press, GO UNO paper and a variety of add-on products. Additionally, all of the LED transfer printers offered by GO are developed and manufactured by OKI Data, including the GO UNO.

As Indira said, "I am delighted to have won such a professional system. It will go to great use in our Crazy Design studio."

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Fruit of the Loom, OKI and GO to Give Away Free T-shirt System at ISS

Graphics One, Fruit of the Loom and OKI will give away a FREE T-shirt System at ISS valued at over $3,000. Please see the following and if you are attending ISS in Long Beach, California please stop by and visit Graphics One at 559 and Fruit of the Loom at 1801.

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GO Wide: GO F-24 Small Format UV Flatbed Printer

Is flatbed bed size important? 

At 24-inches by 18-inches, the bed of the GO F-24 UV flatbed printer offers one of the largest sizes of any professional flatbed printer under 24-inches. For the purposes of comparison, the image shows the full size of the F-24 vs. the Mimaki UJF-6042, the Roland LEF-20, the DCS 1024UV. As you will note, the F-24 offers 432 sq. inches, the UJF offers 396 sq. inches, the LEF-20 offers 260 sq. inches and the 1024UV offers 240 sq inches. 

We started off by asking, "is size important?" The answer is yes. Having a larger size means more products can be imaged at one time. GO's F-24 small format UV printer is the clear leader with the size metric. For added information about the GO 24 UV, please go to: http://goo.gl/9nhELx. 

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Metalnox QuickLook Book Catalog Now Available

Graphics One is pleased to release its latest QuickLook Book covering the Metalnox line of industrial heat presses, calendars and ancillary products. The catalog is 20 pages and contains information covering Metalnox and dye sub / transfer technology. The QuickLook Book can be accessed at: Metalnox QuickLook PDF (PDF version) or Metalnox QuickLook Catalog (for online catalog). 

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Sawgrass's ChromaBlast-R Cotton Transfer System / Ink a Threat to DTG?

Several weeks ago Sawgrass announced the release of a new cotton transfer ink for Ricoh Printers called ChromaBlast-R. This announcement is a really interesting twist to the world of DTG and to the world of transfers. Of course Sawgrass had previously announced a solution for specific EPSON printers, but the inclusion of pigement ink for RICOH print engines gives them a strategic advantage. The reason for this is there are so many different brands of EPSON based DTG printers coming from Asia it is a challenge to understand which printers really work. Certainly from a channel perspective Sawgrass has a much better opportunity with the RICOH print engine, and we expect a more precise marketing message. 

The announcement offers some real advantages against DTG offerings and it will be interesting to follow Sawgrass as they migrate this product into their traditional sales channel.  Our overall impression is they should do well with the product and here's why (all based on reading, no actual usage):

Here are some product details on the ChromaBlast R printer, ink and paper. 

• RICOH Printer with one set of ChromaBlast R Ink $1,639 (from Sign Warehouse)
• 100 sheets of ChromaBlast Transfer Media $75
• 60 mil ChromaBlast Pigment Ink $90

An overview of how the ChromaBlast R product compares to other DTG products is as follows:

PROs

• Print engine costs substantially less than other DTG printers
• Only offering of desktop RICOH inkjet printers which makes for a better integrated solution
• Full solution including printer, ink and paper
• Ink costs seem to be less, although this metric is a bit misleading
• Speed is superior 
• Hand is good after garment is washed
• Longevity of transfer is good

CONs

• No white ink solution at this time
• Imaging is not direct; print to paper and then transfer
• Must factor both transfer paper and ink into cost per shirt calculations
• Must wash garment because paper transfer leaves a polymer coating

Sawgrass ChromaBlast R vs EPSON SureColor F2000
How does the new offering from Sawgrass compete with the "Big E's" new SureColor F2000? We think Sawgrass offers a better value.  Here's a quick rundown of the F2000 and a simple cost comparison:

• EPSON SureColor F2000 Printer-$19,995
• 600 ml Ink Cartridges $229.50
• EPSON Pre-treatment Solution (20 Liter Bottle) $679.95
• Printhead Cleaning Kit (Every 1000 Images) $94.95 

As you will note above, the cost of entry for the RICOH system from Sawgrass is much lower by a factor of ten times. Whereas the everyday running costs of the RICOH may be a bit higher than the EPSON system, when all is taken into consideration the daily costs seem to be similar. With both systems there is no mention of printhead replacement costs. 

Our overall impression of the new product from Sawgrass, as compared to DTG is positive. We will address how the product compares to transfer printers, such as the GO UNO and OKI 920WT in a later post. 

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OKI Data Americas Announces Line of Transfer Media for Use with pro920WT and 711WT Digital Color Printers

Earlier this year OKI Data Americas announced the availability of a new and broader range of transfer media offerings approved for use with the OKIpro920WT and 711WT digital color printers – the GO FlipIt 2.0 line and the GO UNO line. These two lines of transfer papers were thoroughly vetted and selected based on their ease of use, exceptional print quality and ability to deliver bright white transfers, together with the elasticity, durability and soft hand of the finished product. All media is available through Graphics One – an authorized reseller and national distribution partner for both OKI printers (Press Release is located at: http://goo.gl/OVRR6c). 

For added information regarding this line of media please see: 

-GO UNO--http://goo.gl/lZgXOh
-GO FlipIt 2.0--http://goo.gl/dBlMDh

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