Making headway into the woodworking industry, digital printing offers opportunities for high-speed, high-definition imaging onto a variety of substrates, including solid wood, panel products and decor papers. Another feature of these finishing systems is that large production runs, mass customization and custom runs all can be performed with ease.

Digital printing can be used in a wide range of applications, including flooring, furniture, wall paneling and ceiling products. This method is particularly ideal for trade show exhibits and retail environments, where one-off displays are typically changed with high frequency.

ADVANTAGES

TOTAL DESIGN FLEXIBILITY: Virtually unlimited design options, including: woodgrains, patterns, logos and photographs.

HIGH IMAGE QUALITY: High-quality, high-resolution images can be produced. In some cases, a “photo-like” appearance.

PRODUCTION OR BATCH SIZE ONE: Fast setup on these machines enables woodworkers to print one or one thousand, quickly and easily.

SUBSTRATE VERSATILITY: Images can be printed on a variety of substrates, including: composite panels, veneer, plastics, decor paper, edgebanding and more.

FAST TURNAROUND: Short turnaround times get products to market faster — all while providing design appeal on demand.

LOW LABOR REQUIREMENTS: Unlike older print screen processes, which can be labor intensive, digital printing can be performed with minimal personnel.

ENHANCES LOW-COST MATERIALS: Can give composite panels, plywood or off-spec veneers the look of high-priced or rare veneer species. Low-cost flooring also can be enhanced with printed exotic grains.

NO DOWNTIME: Unlike with many other wood finishing systems, no physical setup or cleanup time is required.

PRODUCTION INTEGRATION: Digital printers can be integrated into existing production lines as a bypass solution to traditional finishing methods.

LARGE COLOR SPECTRUM: CMYK ink systems, UV or water-based systems available.

Source: Hymmen, Durst, Stiles Machinery, Cefla North America, and Dieffenbacher