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Cut Ink Costs by 30%? How Medium-Viscosity Inks and Ink Recovery Save You Thousands

In the competitive world of large-format printing, profits often come down to one word: efficiency. Whether you’re printing fabric banners, retail backlits, or event signage, ink consumption is one of the most significant costs in your operation—and one of the easiest to overlook.

Many print providers accept ink waste as a necessary evil, but what if your printer could reduce ink consumption by up to 30% and recover 95% of ink lost during purging?

That’s exactly what the EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ is built to do.

In this blog, we’ll explore how EFI’s smart ink technology—combined with its recovery system and inline sublimation—translates to thousands of dollars in annual savings, giving your print business the competitive edge it deserves.

7 High-Profit Applications

The Hidden Cost of Ink Waste

Ink is more than a consumable—it’s one of your largest operating expenses. Between purging, maintenance, and oversaturation, a significant percentage of ink never even reaches the fabric. Traditional dye-sublimation systems can waste hundreds of liters of ink per year.

This means:

  • Higher ink reordering costs
  • Increased environmental impact
  • Reduced profit margins on every job

What if you could turn that waste into a win?

The FabriVU 340i+: A Smarter Ink Strategy

Unlike standard printers, the EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ is designed to cut waste at the source.

Here’s how:

1. Medium-Viscosity Inks with Higher Dye Load

Most dye-sub inks on the market are heavily water-based. The problem? More water means longer drying times, higher heat requirements, and increased ink consumption just to reach the desired color density.

EFI’s proprietary medium-viscosity inks contain a higher concentration of dye per liter. That means:

  • Less ink is needed per square foot
  • Drying is faster, even at high speeds
  • Less heat energy is required during fixation
  • You achieve richer colors with less volume

As a result, you’re using up to 30% less ink than with conventional systems—all while delivering vibrant, saturated prints.

2. Ink Recovery System That Saves 95% of Purged Ink

In many dye-sublimation printers, ink purging during maintenance can waste liters of expensive fluid every month. EFI’s ink recovery system is different.

This advanced system:

  • Collects and recycles over 95% of the ink lost during purging
  • Minimizes waste disposal and environmental footprint
  • Ensures consistent printhead performance
  • Cuts ink expenses over time—especially valuable in high-volume operations

Imagine reclaiming nearly every drop of purged ink and putting it back to work.

3. Inline Sublimation Reduces Material Waste

With the FabriVU 340i+, the inline fixation system sublimates ink onto fabric in a single pass—eliminating the need for a separate calendar heat press. This not only saves space and energy but also reduces fabric and ink waste due to misalignments or uneven heating in post-print processing.

EFI’s platen and extraction technology ensures even heat distribution, resulting in:

  • Fewer reprints
  • Less fabric shrinkage or discoloration
  • Less ink migration
  • Uniform color output

For shops working on tight deadlines or limited fabric stock, this reliability is a game-changer.

Let’s Do the Math: How Much Can You Actually Save?

Let’s say your operation prints an average of 10,000 square feet per week.

Here’s what you’re likely spending using traditional inks:

  • Standard ink usage: ~12 ml/sqft
  • Total weekly usage: 120,000 ml (or 120L)
  • Average cost: $90 per liter
  • Weekly ink cost: $10,800
  • Annual cost: $561,600

Now let’s reduce that by 30% with FabriVU’s efficient inks:

  • Reduced usage: ~8.4 ml/sqft
  • Weekly usage: 84L
  • Weekly ink cost: $7,560
  • Annual cost: $393,120
  • Annual savings: $168,480

And that’s before factoring in ink recovery or reduced material waste.

Even on a smaller scale, the savings quickly add up—especially for print shops managing tight margins.

The Sustainability Bonus

Reducing ink waste isn’t just good for your finances—it’s great for the planet too.

With growing pressure for greener print solutions, EFI’s FabriVU 340i+ aligns with sustainability goals:

  • Less water per liter of ink = less drying energy
  • Ink recycling minimizes landfill waste
  • Inline sublimation cuts power consumption and emissions
  • Fabric-based signage is lightweight and reusable, reducing freight fuel and packaging waste

Your clients are increasingly choosing vendors who offer environmentally responsible print options. The FabriVU 340i+ helps you walk that talk—profitably.

Beyond Ink: More Ways the FabriVU 340i+ Delivers ROI

While ink cost is a major consideration, the FabriVU 340i+ adds value in multiple ways:

  • Inline sublimation eliminates need for external heat press (saving both equipment and labor costs)
  • Production speeds up to 5,172 ft²/hr mean more jobs completed in less time
  • Grayscale printing (7pL, 12pL, 18pL drops) improves image quality without over-inking
  • Wide color gamut and rich blacks enable you to command higher prices for premium applications

It’s a system built for profitability, efficiency, and long-term growth.

In Conclusion: Ink Smarter, Earn More

The truth is simple: every drop of ink matters. Whether you’re printing for trade shows, retail displays, or corporate branding, the difference between high profits and shrinking margins often lies in how efficiently you run your print operation.

The EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ isn’t just another printer—it’s a smarter way to print. With 30% lower ink consumption, a 95% ink recovery rate, and a design focused on speed and quality, it empowers your business to do more with less.

Stop accepting waste as the norm. It’s time to upgrade your print economics.

Ready to see how much you could save with the FabriVU 340i+?
Reach out today for a live demo or custom ROI consultation. Let’s optimize your ink, your output—and your profits.

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