The Players & Solutions
Buhrs manufacturers the VariaStream VS4 and Variajet VJ4 inkjet addressing solutions, which can be operated as standalone or inline solutions. The VS4 is a label applicator capable of applying up to 30,000 labels per hour, depending on the system configuration and product dimensions. The VJ4 is an inkjet addressing system suitable for work with inkjet printheads from makes such as Domino, Imagje, Scitex, or Videojet. VJ4 prints anywhere on the product with a maximum speed of 42,000 products per hour.

Buskro Ltd. offers a variety of inkjetting products, which include the Apollo, Apollo 4C, Atlas, Aurora, Elite, and Hyperion. These products differ on features such as drop size, ink chemistry, ink unit volume, and frequency response.

The company’s Apollo inkjet printhead solution uses Hewlett-Packard (HP) pigmented, water-based inks to produce dark and crisp images on a variety of compatible substrates. For high production environments, Buskro offers a pumped bulk ink delivery system. When color is needed, Buskro Apollo 4C inkjet printheads help draw attention. The system prints variable data in single-pass process color at speeds of up to 10,000 pieces per hour.

Atlas is a true production system that allows users to enjoy low operating costs and high production speeds for addresses, barcodes, logos, graphics, and marketing messages on sheet or web applications. The inkjet printhead uses piezoelectric solvent-based inks.

Aurora produces crisp, vibrant, high-quality images and text on a wide range of substrates. The system uses Renoir, piezoelectric UV-curable inks and is compatible with substrates ranging from coated paper and plastics to metal—all at up to 1,300 feet per minute (fpm).

Elite is Buskro’s instant dry inkjet solution. Using piezoelectric wax-based inks, the system offers instant drying for excellent print results on flats, magazines, catalogs, books, inserts, and folded mailing pieces.

Hyperion offers a wide page swath and high resolution with water-based inks. Featuring small droplet sizes, the system uses HP pigmented inks. A pumped bulk ink delivery system works with on-the-fly replacement to ensure continuous production in high-volume environments.

Document Data Solutions, LLC. offers its iDataPrint inkjet system. The solution prints individually specific variable data, logos, and pictures on envelopes that pass under the printhead. Static logos, pictures, text, permit mail indicia, return address, and one-to-one marketing messaging are also offered. iDataPrint prints up to 22,000 envelopes per hour of continuous throughput. Its small footprint is built for high-volume use. The system features proven HP inkjet technology, easy printhead and color replacement, integrated controller, and inline or offline configurations.

Domino provides its JetArray printer, which uses the company’s proven inkjet technology, to produce up to eight lines of text and variable data for high-speed production to the mailing, bindery, and finishing industries. JetArray prints up to 30 meters per minute, allows for variable fonts and print heights, prints postal barcodes, and supports any printhead orientation.

Domino’s solutions print addresses, barcodes, and numbers onto products primarily in the binding and finishing, plastic card, and newspaper industries. Core technologies include binary, thermal inkjet, continuous inkjet, and drop on demand (DOD) printing. These printing solutions add value to customers’ businesses, opening new markets and creating new opportunities.

For inline address, marketing message, and logo printing, Gunther offers inline printing capabilities. The company’s inline printing solution integrates into any inserter, eliminating the need for a separate printing system. The inc.jet Imagers mount above the conveyor on a ten by 13-inch or higher transport belt. An inc.jet runway is used in folded applications. When the barcode dictates, a message or logo sprays onto the envelope as it passes underneath.

Hasler offers a variety of address printers, including the HJ3640 production workhorse. The device produces up to 40,000 addresses per hour and up to 12 printheads with a six-inch adjustable print area. The solution is Intelligent Mail Barcode ready and handles spot color printing for versatile messaging.

Kirk-Rudy specializes in cutting-edge technology and modular design for its addressing and variable data systems. Its range of products include the WideJet, WaveJet, NetJet, KR 215 labeling system, KR 219N inline addressing system, and the KR 319N mailing system.

The WideJet variable data printing system utilizes HP thermal inkjet technology for up to 1,200 dpi resolution and 4.25-inch print swath, which is expandable to 17 inches. It prints at speeds of up to 600 fpm. Kirk Rudy’s WaveJet inkjet addressing system is compatible with most coated stocks, including aqueous. The NextJet inkjet addressing system combines HP thermal inkjet technology with a Windows-based user interface for printing variable text and graphics.

The KR 215 labeling system attaches paper address labels to an array of media. The KR 219N inline addressing system is built without a shuttle feeder so it can be used inline with inserters, folders, or other paper handling systems where addressing is required. The KR 319N mailing system combines the power of the NetJet addressing system with the KR feed system for a throughput that exceeds 20,000 pages per hour.

FP Mailing Solutions offers FP address printing systems that target many mailing environments, beginning at entry-level. Its fastest models, the FP AJ-36600/FP AJ-3800, and FP IB-9000 offer speeds of up to 36,000 pieces per hour, with varying print widths and printheads. The FP AJ-3600/FP AJ-3800 are inline vacuum printers that feature solid steel construction and are available without a feeder for use offline with folder, inserters, and other mailing equipment, or with friction or a vacuum shuttle feeder. The FP IB-9000 imager series offers either six or eight printheads, handling 20# bond up to one-and-a-quarter-inch thickness and a three-or-four-inch print area in one pass. The compact modular printer is easily installed on Buskro, Kirk Rudy, Prism, Scitex, Videojet, and similar bases. It also accommodates after-market bulk ink systems for long runs.

Lake Image Systems offers its IntegraJET family of inline inkjet printing solutions, which print matching addresses, personalized messages, and variable graphics inline with production equipment. Available in thermal, solvent, UV, and combination printhead technologies, IntegraJET combines an accurate range of verification solutions with inline printing capabilities. Supported by a nationwide service team, IntegraJET provides fast print speeds, lower consumables cost, and multi-zone asynchronous piece tracking across a wide range of document processing equipment including inserters, stitchers, polywrappers, and card attachers.

MCS offers its Array and Eagle inkjet systems for inline numbering, variable data printing, and barcoding. The high-volume inkjet technology works inline with a conventional printing process.

The MCS Array Imaging System offers a low-cost, high-quality flexible imaging system. Using printheads of one half to ten inches, the MCS array image can drive up to 16 inches of print area with one controller. No other inkjet technology offers more useable ink solutions including spot colors.

The MCS Eagle is a 4.25-inch inkjet printer system for the industrial market. It offers solid printheads of 4.25 inches and modular 4.25-inch printheads, featuring up to 17 inches total with four heads to one MCS PC controller. The native resolution is 600 dpi.

Neopost USA, Inc.—a company that recently acquired both RENA Systems and Hasler—offers a variety of inkjet addressing solutions targeting the low to production volume segment. For production, the AS-3630 and AS 3640 are recommended.

The AS-3630 and 3640 maintain high output speeds of up to 40,000 mailable documents per hour. The solutions are capable of working inline with other document processing equipment such as folder/inserters as well as in a standalone operation. The AS-3630 utilizes six—two banks of three—automatically adjustable fixed printheads and a versatile three by 20-inch print area for addresses, USPS barcodes, return addresses, logos, indicia, and personalized teaser messages, which can print in a single pass. The AS-3640 features a true vacuum-feed base and print area up to six by 20 inches. The device is configurable to as little as an one-and-a-half inch print area with increased increments of up to six inches. This is possible with the addition of print banks with three cartridges based on the application.

Pitney Bowes offers its AddressRight series of addressing systems. With several models, the fastest version can print up to 30,000 mail pieces per hour. The DA95f fixed-head printer includes an optional Integrated Conveyor Stacker and high-output ink dryer that pauses when an error is detected, if the printer runs out of material, or when the stacker is full. Every Pitney Bowes AddressRight Addressing System works in tandem with its mail management software as a total solution. SmartMailer 7 or AddressRight Pro software helps cleanse address lists, ensure delivery to target customers, and optimize pre-sort discounts.

Rena Systems, Inc. provides a number of tabletop inkjet address printers. Categorized as a high-end product on the company’s Web site, the Envelope Imager 2XP offer a production-level printer with an affordable price. The split 3+3 printhead configuration allows print addressing of return addresses, and indicia. The solution prints up to 37,500 addresses per hour on four-by-six inch postcards, address postcards, envelopes, self-mailers, flats, and booklets up to 3/8 inches thick.

Secap provides its QuickJet addressing and imaging system for high-volume production. Processing up to 30,000 pieces per hour, the QuickJet System features a fully synchronized system with the feeder, base, and conveyor working seamlessly together. Customization options are available, including a heavy-duty vacuum transport base in 36- or 56-inch lengths; three-, 4.5-, or six-inch prints; a six- or nine-foot UltraFeed feeder for handling up to 4,500 simultaneously; and Seacap Ink Management System for significant reduction in ink costs and increased print production.

Videojet addressing systems offer a wide range of products that respond to a variety of requirements. The G4100 or the BX6000 series are graphical systems that are used to apply images onto direct mail advertising and mailshots. The Cheshire 7000/7050 transport system offers an effective basis for marking with numerous Videojet inkjet printers at high speeds. Other systems are particularly suitable for administrative institutions such as educational establishments and public authorities, and offer a modular design and simple operation.

The Videojet 4210 inkjet addressing system prints addresses, personalized messages, bar codes, and serialized numbers. The solution uses inkjet technology with solvent- and water-based inks and delivers a typical throughput of 20,000 pieces per hour. It prints any combination of fixed text, variable texts, numbering up to four independent counters, select barcodes, and multiple date/time formats. The 4210 allows for six lines of print from a single printer that utilizes two printheads, which can expand to include up to four printers for a total of 24 lines of print.

Videojet’s 4320 incorporates HP inkjet cartridges, which feature the printhead and ink together in a disposable cartridge. The flexible inkjet addressing and imaging solution offer an adjustable print resolution of 150, 200, 300, or 600 dpi and expandable printhead configurations from two to eight inches in two or four increments. The 4320 produces promotional messages, coupons, graphics, and spot color, as well as basic eight-line addresses.

The BX6000 series offers high flexibility with two printheads. Videojet’s high-speed binary array printing system of the BX6000 series is suitable for printing on a wide variety of materials. Two printheads enable high-speed printing in two colors at a maximum speed for 300 meters per minute.

In Conclusion
Although digital print allows for complete variable runs, the envelope is the first impression. In addition, static offset work requires inkjet addressing and barcode printing to ensure mailability. When it comes to address printing, it is all about inkjet, printheads, and speed. dps