DPI Hawk 4C: Full-Color Variable Inkjet at 1200 DPI

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The DPI Hawk 4C is a full-process-color variable inkjet system — four-color CMYK at native 1200 dpi, with every piece able to carry unique graphics, personalized photos, and variable color. This video shows the 4C producing photo-quality color output at production speed, the kind of full-color personalization that toner and monochrome addressing systems can't match.

What this video shows: The Hawk 4C running variable full-color work through its print path — sharp text, smooth gradients, and database-driven color changing piece to piece. Watch coverage and registration across the four Kyocera printheads at production line speed; this demo runs 600 dpi at 250 FPM.

Who buys the Hawk 4C: Direct mail houses running full-color, fully-personalized campaigns instead of pre-printed shells. Membership and loyalty programs producing photo-personalized cards. Brand marketers and packaging converters adding variable color graphics, promotions, and codes. Print operations moving color personalization in-house instead of outsourcing short-run color.

Why full-color variable inkjet: Traditional color mail means pre-printing shells offset, then over-printing black addressing — two passes, two vendors, and no true per-piece color. The Hawk 4C images full CMYK and the variable data in a single variable pass, so every piece can be uniquely colored and personalized. Water-based and UV ink options (including food-safe inks) let the same platform serve mail, labels, and packaging.

Key specs: Native 1200 dpi, four-color process CMYK | Four Kyocera printheads | Speed up to 500 FPM | 4-color water-based or UV ink; food-safe ink options | Standard 4.25" print width, configurable | Database-driven variable color, photos, and graphics | Mail, labels, plastic cards, packaging

For configuration, color-workflow setup, and pricing on a Hawk 4C, contact a Mailtech specialist.

Frequently asked

Does the DPI Hawk 4C print full CMYK color, or just spot color?

Full four-color process (CMYK) at native 1200 dpi, driven by four Kyocera printheads — photographic-quality color with per-piece variable content, not just a single spot color.

Can each mail piece or label have different color graphics?

Yes. The 4C is database-driven, so every piece can carry unique CMYK graphics, a personalized photo, or variable color elements in one production pass — no pre-printed shells required.

Water-based or UV ink — which does the Hawk 4C use?

Both are available. Water-based and UV options let the 4C match the substrate and application, and food-safe inks are available for food-packaging work.