Graphium is the culmination of years of experience in color management, workflow and scanning as well as inkjet knowledge. Described as a “very British made machine,” it was designed by a collection of UK-based companies working together to produce the Graphium. Contributing key technologies are Cambridge located Xaar providing the 1001 print heads, FujiFilm Speciality Ink Systems providing Uvijet Graphium inks made at their Kent facilities and Hampshire based print and converting manufacturer Edale supplying the web transport, based on their FL-3 conventional platform.

Graphium first premiered on the Fujifilm stand at Print ’13 in Chicago in September, followed shortly by a presence at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels.

FFEI approached Edale late 2012. The two businesses set to work, with the Graphium evolving soon after. From the wealth of experience Edale has accumulated in the field of digital print, including work for Agfa and AB Graphic, FFEI says it was confident that Edale would be the ideal partner. “Edale’s expertise, as well as the ability to offer conventional elements and finishing solutions in a single pass, provides the perfect complement to FFEI’s digital product,” the company says.

Peter Walsh, FFEI’s head of sales and marketing for digital print, says, “Edale was a natural choice for FFEI, they had the experience and know-how we needed to make the Graphium project a success. The team at Edale have been a pleasure to work with and have delivered great results at every development stage.”

The Graphium is aimed at those printers and converters looking to produce labels, packaging and specialty print. Supporting up to five digital modules, and six flexo stations, Graphium offers the unique capability from a single vendor of being able to integrate optional flexo and finishing stations inline for conversion in a single pass.

Edale and FFEI hope that this new digital press will have a much broader appeal with the high opacity white facility as well as Edale’s transport system being super versatile and more cost effective. Currently available in 330mm or 410mm web widths, there is also the option of a wider version of the Graphium should there be demand in the future.

Since the launch at Print 13 Chicago, the company has seen six orders placed with a number of strong enquiries currently being followed up from Labelexpo Europe.