Roland SOLJET SJ-1000 EX Grand-Format Inkjet Printer

The Roland SJ-1000 provides flexibility. At the lowest qualitysetting, the printer blazes at 484 sq. ft./hr. If you're printing apiece that will be closely viewed, such as a full-color banner,increase the number of passes, print direction, or both. At 360 x 360dpi, in bi-directional, two-pass mode, the printer attains speeds of355 sq. ft./hr. If you need the best possible quality (720 x 1,440,uni-directional and 14 passes), the speed decreases to 20 sq. ft./hr

The printer can attain 360 x 360-dpi, 360 x 720-dpi and 720 x1,440-dpi resolutions. Remember, the higher the resolution, theslower the print speed. However, a high resolution means better imagequality.

However, this will cut the print speed in half. The number ofpasses determines how many passes are required to produce a full setof dots on a printing line. Higher-quality prints can be achieved byprinting in multiple passes. You can set the SJ-1000 to print animage in one, two, four or 16 passes. Of course, this will alsosignificantly affect the speed.

The printer's eight different print modes provide additionalflexibility. You can vary three different settings: resolution, printdirection and number of passes. The resolution makes sense, but whatabout the other factors? Direction tells the printer whether to printa swath in one direction (right to left) or in both directions.Uni-direction printing is more precise and provides better printquality.

The printer offers eight different printing modes that balancespeed and quality. The fastest setting would probably be used tocreate artwork viewed from a distance. In the fastest mode, the printresolution is 360 x 360 dpi, one pass and bi-directional. At thissetting, the printer will attain a speed of 484 sq. ft./hr., whichamounts to 15, 4 x 8-ft. prints per hour. Of course, the printquality will diminish; however, it will look good from a distance.The dual-ink systems help create a more saturated image, even in thefastest print modes.

The ink configuration is CMYKMC times two. There are sixprintheads, each with a resolution of 360 x 360 dpi. Roland'sprinting technology allows for three variable dot sizes, depending onthe media. Because the heads are vertically aligned, 360 nozzles canfire simultaneously per head, which allows a larger swath to beprinted. The variable-dot control allows for smoother colors in fillsand tones. Overall, this allows the printer to maintain a high printspeed and produce high-quality output.

Like all Roland Soljet printers, the SJ-1000 uses piezoprintheads. Furthermore, the printer uses 12, 220ml ink cartridges --the configuration is unusual, but it contributes to the printer'sspeed, productivity and quality.

Power wise, you'll need 200 to 240V at 50/60Hz, drawing 10 amps.During printing, the system will draw 1800W; while in standby mode,it draws only 55.4W. Environmentally, it requires an operatingtemperature of 68 to 89.6

Grand format encompasses printers whose printing width equals or exceeds 72 in.