ISM International Sign Magazine

InkTec has appointed Atech Ltd sole distributor for the UK and Ireland for its new Jetrix range of wide format printers.
InkTec was apparently impressed by the work Atech has done with leading manufacturers of other digital textile printing products such as Grapo, Roland and Keundo. Atech md Allan Ashman says,’ We can offer InkTec a solid service as we have invested heavily over the years in knowledgeable sales staff, excellent service and technical team and a marketing agency which will ensure that the Jetrix brand is recognised and the information is readily available.’
The new Jetrix was launched at FESPA 2009 in Amsterdam. It has dual capacity as it features a roll-to-roll and flatbed printer on the same chassis. Using Q Class Spectra print head technology it produces exceptional print quality whilst also offering the option of using white ink. InkTec says the machine’s quality is on a par with its competitors yet has a retail value of around GBP150,000. With its bulk ink system, production costs can also be kept to a minimum.

FESPA Digital brought 9,682 visitors to the Amsterdam RAI over three days in May, reflecting an ‘overriding optimism of the wide-format sector’, and ‘printers’ long-term vision of how product and service innovation and investment in technology will sustain their business growth’ according to its organisers.
The increase of almost 25% in visitors compared with the last FESPA Digital 2008 in Geneva points to printers’ ongoing need to take advantage of the continued technical innovation in digital wide format printing, as well as their clear focus on exploring new applications and business models to fuel commercial success. The fact that 73% of visitors came from outside the Netherlands spoke for itself in terms of proving the international appeal of the event.
FESPA md Frazer Chesterman says: ‘To increase the visitor audience of a business-to-business exhibition year on year is remarkable in any circumstances, but especially so in light of the prevailing economic conditions, which are impacting severely on so many events. Pre-registrations to FESPA Digital 2009 were exceptionally high, but the fact that nearly 10,000 individual printers acted on this interest and made a firm commitment to invest time attending the event is the real achievement.’
Visitors to the event discovered more than 300 exhibitors showing a vast array of new or enhanced products and solutions, among them more than 50 new wide format printers. Over one third of visitors to the show returned for a second day to maximise the value of their visit, many of them taking the opportunity to attend seminar sessions in FESPA’s Digital Revolutionary Theatre and the topical live debates on FESPA’s own stand. More than 80 delegates attended FESPA’s Digital Textile conference to explore the trends and opportunities in fabric applications.

Sign & Digital UK went ahead despite a broadening economic downturn in the business world. But, as visitor numbers grew across the three day show, it soon became clear that the event had successfully met the challenge and exhibitor faith had been rewarded.
Event marketing manager Alan Caddick says: ‘The quality of visitors at this year’s show was unquestionable. From all the information, data and feedback we have received the main point that has kept on cropping up is that the quality of the visitors with money in their pocket was excellent’.
Organiser Faversham House says its subject-to-audit ABC certificate shows a total visitor attendance of 6,127 which does not include repeat visits, and a total overall attendance, including press and exhibitor personnel, of 7,111.
Caddick says: ‘For us, it is really important to go for an ABC audit. It very much fits in with our open and honest approach which is the way we like to work. ABC is a trusted impartial service that gives us a true result of our attendance at our exhibition. This adds value to our business and event and gives us real credibility and integrity when talking to the market place about our attendance figures.’
Exhibitors ISM spoke with were unanimous in their positivity: Sarah Thompson, sales administrator at Touch Systems Ltd said the show had: ‘always been a must-attend exhibition for Touch Systems, and this year’s show was no exception. The quality of leads was particularly high this year.’
Brett Newman, Head of Product Development with Roland DG (UK) reported that: ‘We took orders from the very first day and I think within a couple of hours of the show opening, which is great!’
Allan Ashman, Atech’s md said: ‘We were delighted when our first client walked on the stand and signed the order form for two products straight away.’
Dean Carpenter, a director with Laserite confirmed that: ‘Sign & Digital UK has delivered to us a significant number of high quality leads, several of which have already turned into sales.’
Planning for next year’s show is well underway. More information is available at the event’s website: www.signanddigitaluk.com

Californian technology business Pro-Lite has developed Digi-Brite – an LED petrol price changing system in sizes from 8-36”.
Petrol retailing today involves the time-intensive task of changing plastic price pieces manually, in all weather conditions, says Pro-Lite. The new product changes gas prices instantly and wirelessly. Digi-Brite features Taiwan Opto Electronics red and high-rated green LEDs and meets IP52 standards. It was designed for -40F to +170F operations, is UL listed, and features an aluminum extrusion frame snap/screw. The system is wireless, password-protected and has waterproof connectors, UL class II industrial power supplies, and wrongful DC connection protection. The system also offers surge power protection, has 16 levels of photo sensors, a 40-degree vertical/140 degree horizontal viewing angle, and is rated over 5000 NIT at its brightest level.

One Solution’s first Vega 32000 UV flatbed printing system has been delivered at Gruppo Masserdotti’s Brescia facility in northern Italy. The machine has been configured to achieve the highest level of quality with maximum productivity, says its manufacturer. In the first two weeks after installation, in excess of 4000m2 of work was successfully printed and dispatched.
Gruppo Masserdotti has a reputation in the digital printing market for its great sense of innovation and outstanding quality. Accordingly, it has grown into a worldwide reference for digital printing especially in the fashion industry, and counts famous brands like Prada, Benetton and Ferragamo among its customers. The company produces a wide range of applications, from building wrap to vehicle graphics and banners, and has recently started working in the area of interior decoration.

In the first event of its kind in Europe, the European Wrap Star competitiion will take centre stage at Viscom 2009 – the interntional trade fair for visual communication being held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre between October 1-3.
Sixty-four of the most skilful vehicle wrappers and advertising technicians from all over Europe will demonstrate their expertise at the fair. Their aim will be to take home the coveted European Wrap Star trophy. Four identical Hummer H2 SUVs have been lined up to be wrapped live at a special area in hall 8a.
Prizes with a total value of more than Euro200,000 are up for grabs in the competition which will begin on Thursday, October 1.

In a move designed to open new wide format markets, Dutch graphics firm Fair-Play BV has been amongst the first to invest in a HP Scitex FB7500 Printer, capable, says HP, of printing rigid substrates at speeds up to 500m2/hr (5380ft2/hr).
Fair-play had the system installed just prior to this year’s FESPA Digital event and gave the industry press a preview just before the show opened at the nearby Rai venue.
Established in 1979 by Ruud van Duist, as an exhibition stand builder, the company took a decision to move graphic production in house in 1998 when it installed its first roll-to-roll digital printer.
Since 2003, when the company merged with Sketchline, owned by Mans Limburg, it has developed a strong point of purchase/point of sale (POS/POP) business and added other HP digital printers; including two HP Scitex FB6100 Printers and an HP Scitex XP2700 Printer for roll-to-roll production and the option for rigid substrate printing. The company's new HP Scitex FB7500 Printer was installed in April and plans are already in place to maximise its capabilities.

Organisers say the ninth Sign Scandinavia event for signage, outdoor advertising and digital signage has sold over 90% of its exhibition space. Over 80 companies within signage and large format will come together at the Kistamässan conference and exhibition centre in the middle of Stockholm.
Sign Scandinavia will take place between November 4-6. In three days the exhibitors will have the opportunity to strengthen their brands and show new products, meet industry colleagues as well as meet new potential clients.
With partners including AGI, Sveriges Expoförbund, Ljusreklamförbundet, Svenska screentryckarföreningen and Screen & Marknaden, organisers claim to create the most outstanding meeting point for the signage and large format industries in all of Scandinavia.
A new area, the Digital Signage Village, will enable hardware suppliers and producers of digital solutions to interact with end users. The focus within this feature will be customer benefits – interactivity and user friendly interfaces. In parallel with the exhibition visitors will also be able to see a range of other activities and seminars.

Japanese manufacturer KIP has purchased E2S, a distributor specialising in wide format printing solutions. The acquisition gives KIP the opportunity to take more than 30% market share in France, position itself as an alternative in the French market and help the firm reinforce its own European development.
Paris-based E2S was created 25 years ago and is a wide format printing distributor for XEROX, HP, Canon, Epson and Seiko, providing complete solutions for the aec and graphical arts markets. The business has 80 employees, with some 40 technicians spread throughout France. The company turned over Euro16m last year.
The strategic alliance is designed to penetrate the French and European markets with both companies having complementary activities. For the French market, KIP brings a solid manufacturing base and wide product range. E2S brings its commercial and technical structures and its experience in engineering and graphical arts. For Europe, E2S’s skills and versatility will allow KIP to reinforce its technical support, helping the development of its subsidiaries and distribution network in Europe in order to reach its goal of 20% market share.
KIP’s growth will be driven by its revolutionary generation of laser colour printers, starting with the KIP Color 80. This product specifically addresses the growing need in large format printing where inkjet solutions are slower and less profitable.
The official merger will take place in the next few months, with both entities based in the E2S Paris premises. Since the two companies have complementary activities, there will be no redundancies, which is crucial in this period of economic crisis.
The strategy of KIP’s commercial development will remain the same: a balance between direct sales and sales through channel partners. The new commercial and technical services will be reorganised in order to help the growth and the channel network’s follow up.
KIP Says the large format market in France has been waiting for a manufacturer able to offer a full product range and nationwide after-sales quality services.

Coated film specialist Madico Graphic Films has introduced a range of outdoor film that avoids blistering and delamination problems caused by outgassing in plastic moulded engineering components.
The film’s properties make it suitable for applied graphics requirements on acrylic, ABS or polycarbonate surfaces in industrial and specific automotive applications, such as construction vehicles. In addition, says Madico, the film resists problems that accentuate the effects of outgassing, such as elevated temperature, humidity and UV light exposure.
‘Our new anti-outgassing film has been designed for use on plastic mouldings that cover or protect something that can be exposed to elevated temperatures,’ says Gary Flavell at Madico. ‘In addition to plant vehicles, this includes numerous other areas within the construction and engineering and industries, such as compressors and generators.’
A cavitated layer on the reverse of the new film means outgassed air from plastic mouldings is free to escape through the sides of the graphic, rather than building up on its underside to induce blistering or bubbles. Madico has already successfully demonstrated the capability of its anti-outgassing film, having fulfilled a specific application need for a leading manufacturer of construction equipment. ‘In this case, the customer had been unable to find a suitable anti-outgassing material for branding requirements on the sides of its construction vehicles’ engine covers,’ Flavell says.
‘Elevated temperature exposure accelerates outgassing in plastics. and the problem is further exacerbated for construction vehicles in hotter climates, where as well as a hot engine behind the ABS moulding, the graphics are exposed to high outdoor temperatures and sunlight,’ says Flavell. ‘Having supplied our film, the customer has completely eradicated their previous blistering and delamination problems, which were becoming detrimental to its brand image.
Designed for screen-printed and/or cut-vinyl graphics, Madico says its new film is automotive approved for resistance to associated chemicals.

Offering both flatbed and UV roll-to-roll capabilities on one printer, Gandinnovations’ Flat-To-Roll (FTR) system has been released worldwide.
The firm says the FTR was designed specifically for its 1224 NanoJet2, and is expected to reduce production time for FTR owners who need a durable hybrid printer. The FTR is a factory installed option which fits onto the front and back of the NanoJet2 and syncs perfectly with the print stepping for reliable flatbed and UVRTR production. Moving from the flatbed to the roll-to-roll option requires only small adjustments to the vacuum settings.
The FTR prints rolled materials up to 8’ wide using bevelled hydraulic pinch rollers that keep flexible materials stable and centered on both the feed and the rewind for seamless roll-to-roll printing. Rigid materials are held in place on the 1.5m x 2.4m (4’x8’) linear printing table with a sectional vacuum throughout the bed. The head carriage system allows for 100% accurate dot placement while printing both flexible and rigid materials.
The FTR allows for production printing on most flexible or rigid material, up to 2” thick. Gandinnovations is currently helping its clients by qualifying materials for the entire line of Jeti printers and reporting objective facts at Gandinnovations.com. Over 154 rigid and flexible materials are currently qualified for the FTR. ‘We listened to our customers and designed a product to help increase their productivity,’ says Cory Brock at Gandinnovations. ‘We came up with a solution that would work well in conjunction with the NanoJet2, rather than just adding a fold out or detachable table.’
The FTR can be added at the time of purchase to the NanoJet2 and is not a retro-fitted option for any other Jeti printers.
The NanoJet2 uses 20 fourth-generation Ricoh Grayscale Piezoelectric print heads that produce the highest resolution images available on any flatbed or UVRTR printer in the industry, says Gandinnovations.

Seiko Epson Corporation says it has established inkjet technology that enables the uniform deposition of organic material in the production of large-screen organic light-emitting diode (OLED) televisions.
The new technology represents a major step toward the realization of 37” and larger full-HD OLED TVs by resolving the uneven layering that had previously been an issue with the inkjet method.
OLED televisions are favorite to supplant current technologies as the next generation display. Offering outstanding viewing characteristics, including high contrast, wide viewing angle and fast response time, OLED TVs are also lightweight, ultra-thin, and have low power requirements. A major roadblock preventing mass production of large-screen OLED TVs has been the lack of a technology capable of reliably forming uniform organic layers on large substrates. Vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE), currently the most widely used method of depositing organic materials, is surrounded by technical hurdles that have prevented it from solving the layer uniformity issue and making the jump to mass production of large panels. An inkjet process that deposits organic material in liquid form has long been viewed as the ideal alternative.
Epson has recently developed the long-awaited solution in the form of an OLED display fabrication process that leverages the company's proprietary Micro Piezo inkjet technology to achieve markedly greater accuracy in organic material deposition than the conventional technology. Epson says its technology dramatically improves both quality and throughput and brings the advent of large-screen OLED TV a significant step closer to realisation.
‘Large-screen OLED TVs are the future of displays, and Epson is committed to contributing to the transition to volume production through research and development projects involving inkjet fabrication technologies,’ says Satoru Miyashita, General Manager of Epson’s OLED Development Center.

A specialist manufacturer of corporate signage for the retail sector, Image Technique says it has dramatically increased its levels of speed, accuracy and quality of output since installing two 6010 CNC routers supplied by AXYZ International.
According to the company’s production manager Gavin Yapp: ‘Installation of these machines has made a huge difference to what we can now offer our customers in all three of these key areas and this has led to a commensurate increase in growth and profitability. We specialise in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of signs for major high street and retail park outlets such as B&Q, Ernest Jones, Harrods, Pizza Hut, Homebase, Halfords, Hamley’s, Debenhams and The Body Shop – all of which require the highest standards of signage and therefore access to the latest and most technically advanced manufacturing processes.’
Established in 1997 by Gavin Smith and Des Kenehan, Image Technique employs around 40 skilled personnel operating from a 15,000ft2 facility that includes a full metal and acrylic fabrication service, digital printing, vinyl materials application and finishing. A key element of the fabrication capabilities has been the two AXYZ routers that are used primarily to cut and form sheet aluminium, acrylic and both foamed and medium-density fibreboard.
The routers installed at Image Technique are part of the AXYZ 6000 series that is renowned for its robust construction and the speed and accuracy with which it handles large sheets of material under continuous operation. They have a processing area of 3,048 x 2,095mm and can be configured to include a host of additional machining options such as the automatic tool change (ATC) facility. The routers will also handle other mainstream sign making materials like stainless steel, aluminium composite material (ACM), brass and other alloys.
The routers operate in conjunction with Delcam’s ArtCAM sign design and production software that is now supplied by AXYZ International as an alternative option to its own-brand and multi-faceted ToolPath program. According to Gavin Yapp: ‘the decision to purchase AXYZ routers was based on their reputation for speed and quality, attractive pricing and because they were particularly suited to Image Technique’s production facilities and skills base. Both routers have performed to expectations and this in turn has helped increase our production capacity and capabilities through the addition of new and improved technical specifications.’

Vista System’s modern designed signs were recently installed at the City Garden parking lot in Tel Aviv, Israel, as part of a renovation project.
Vista System International, a world leader in modular curved frame technology (MCFT), recently supplied an elegant design to meet the requirements set by Halperin & Sons for their City Garden parking garage project. The City Garden is one of the biggest parking lots in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The customer was looking for a modern design, which is easy to update, as part of the overall renovation project. Halperin & Sons realised that Vista System offered the perfect solution and therefore requested their assistance. Vista’s Israeli desk manager in return provided a computerized 3D mockup and a custom tender catalogue illustrating the signs to be used. The comprehensive mockups and high quality service made it easier for the client to choose Vista System and the project was completed swiftly and both Halperin & Sons and City Garden where satisfied with the high quality products and service.

Roland DG has opened a 1200m2 Creative Center in Willich, Germany where authorised dealers and other interested people can discover new applications, test Roland machines and become inspired.
The facility, located near Düsseldorf, demonstrates the applications of Roland DG’s printing and engraving machines, including signs, personalised wallpaper, snowboards and flags. The centre’s objective is to help clients broaden their perception and aid them in the search for new markets. Eli Keersmaekers, Roland DG Benelux’s ceo, says: ‘The Creative Centre is the fruit of the philosophy of Roland DG [which] has a reputation as leader in outdoor large format printing. The foundations of this success, quality and reliability, are still present today. We don’t rest on the laurels of our past successes, and are looking to the future.’
He pointed out that personalisation and customisation are becoming more important: ‘People are looking for something unique –something that sets them apart or expresses their creativity.
Roland DG was also busy at the recent FESPA Digital event in Amsterdam. The firm introduced an extended warranty system on its Eco-Sol MAX machines to protect against unexpected costs and offer user security. The warranty is for Roland machines that exclusively work with Eco-Sol MAX inks. These inks have already proven their reliability for many years and the combination of a Roland printer or printer/cutter with the MAX inks results in optimal machine use, says Roland DG.
At the trade show, Roland DG also introduced the VPi – a new integrated printer/cutter, and the AJi – an improved version of Roland DG’s grand format printer, the AJ. The company says the AJi’s print quality and productivity are higher than the AJ’s thanks to the addition of Roland Intelligent Pass Control.

Fujifilm has opened its European Inkjet Technical Training Centre (ITTC) at its facility in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, dedicated to the needs of graphic arts and photographic customers.
The centre represents a significant investment, emphasising the strategic importance and further growth opportunities Fujifilm sees for the wide format inkjet business. The ITTC will be Fujifilm’s European venue for first-class technical and commercial training, new product testing and launches and sales support. It will also be used to conduct benchmark testing and after-sales service, and be open to all of Fujifilm’s European subsidiaries and distributors in support of their local wide format inkjet business.
Dirk Waes, sales and marketing manager for Large Format Inkjet Printing at Fujifilm Europe, says the centre shows that: ‘despite the economic crisis Europe and the world are currently experiencing, Fujifilm is continuing to invest in the future. We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over Europe to the centre to provide a dedicated place to train and become familiar with the new products we constantly add to our range.’
The new centre houses devices which are relevant to both the large format printing and the photographic and fine arts markets. These include its water-based product range of the Epson Stylus Pro Series and a wide array of associated professional inkjet media, software and colour management tools. In addition, pertinent to the industrial wide format inkjet printing segment, the company’s Fujifilm Acuity Advance series of high resolution UV flatbed printers will also be on-show, including the recently-launched Acuity Advance X2 with a double sized print bed of 3.05 by 2.5m. This series of printers is available with a roll to roll option and can print on a wide range of unusual substrates of up to 48mm thick. It also incorporates an optional white ink module.
Also in the showroom will be finishing solutions compatible with Fujifilm’s wide format equipment.

The International Sign Association (ISA) called its 2009 Expo a ‘resounding success,’ and its ‘best show ever’, despite difficult economic conditions.
Five hundred exhibitors from 92 countries took 225,000ft2 of exhibit space and nearly 18,000 people converged in Las Vegas to experience the latest in technology, educational offerings and networking opportunities.
‘The sign industry is still strong,’ said ISA’s SVP of Trade Shows Brian McNamara. ‘Our exhibitors have overwhelmingly reported strong business leads, and many saw their sales projections exceeded.’
ISA president and ceo Lori Anderson said, ‘a show of this magnitude in the midst of what has been a monumental economic crisis, speaks volumes [about] a robust and resilient sign industry.’
The association also announced the launch of its International Sign Academy, a program providing year-round education, workforce training and professional development for the sign industry. Nearly 1,900 individuals participated in the expo’s 40 Discovery Seminar Series courses, obtaining the latest information and training on sales and marketing, management, digital imaging, safety issues, digital electronic signage, and graphic arts and design.
The show also presented the inaugural New Product Showcase, featuring the latest in innovative sign technology. Another new event which drew crowds, was the first annual Lowen Certified Wrap-Off. The event saw 48 professional vehicle wrap installers competing to win prizes.

A total of eighty-five HP Designjet L65500 printers have been installed in the EMEA region since its launch at drupa in May 2008 says HP.
The system was specifically designed with the environment in mind. It is the first printer to feature HP Latex Printing Technologies, including HP Latex Inks and HP Wide Scan Printing technology. A range of recyclable substrates is also available, providing additional environmental benefits. The printer enables print service providers (PSPs) to increase their print capacity and grow their business whilst also reducing environmental impact.
Compliant with industry-leading certification, Nordic Swan, HP Latex Inks do not produce ozone emissions during printing and contain no hazardous air pollutants, says the firm. The printer allows PSPs to offer printing solutions to a range of customers that they could not previously service, including the medical and food industries.
‘Its low environmental impact and high printing quality were key criteria in our choice. We were looking for a unique and productive solution that would be a way for RLD to offer a true added-value service with regards to the competition,’ said Jean Bernard Deligat, director of Groupe RLD, based in Paris, France. ‘The system, in combination with our ISO 14001 certification, means that we are now ready to conquer new markets and to participate in business pitches where the environmental aspect is crucial.
‘We’re pleased that HP’s ongoing efforts to address the environmental impact of the graphic arts market have been recognised with these prestigious awards,’ said François Martin, marketing director of HP’s Graphic Solutions Business, Imaging and Printing Group EMEA: ‘As environmental considerations continue to rise up the agenda for PSPs and brand owners, HP is committed to providing the best solutions both for our customers and for the planet.’
Such durability was essential to the 2009 World Winter Games’ plans for it high quality signage after the event. In an effort to reuse as much of the signage as possible, many of the signs were to be passed on to local Special Olympics programmes. Some of the signage that couldn’t be reused was recycled.
‘The ultimate goal is to get a print that meets the client’s standard for high quality, and then to have the ability to put that print into the recycling bin when the client is done with it. The L65500 gets us closer than ever to this goal,’ said David Payne, principal at Splash!Events, the PSP tasked with the Games’ print needs.
‘Sustainability hadn’t been factored into previous Games. With the help of HP technology, we’ve taken proactive steps to make this year’s event as environmentally responsible as possible,’ said Heather Hill, vice president of marketing 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
PSPs who have installed the printer have been taking advantage of its flexibility and speed and are using it to produce a wide variety of applications.

Océ has received two Poznan International Fair (PIF) Gold Medals for its Arizona 350 GT UV curable flatbed printer and ColorWave 600 wide format printer.
The PIF Gold Medal is awarded to a product that meets criteria including quality and innovation, and that has been produced using the best technology available. The awards were presented at the Euro-Reklama Outdoor Expo 2009 in Poland.
The 350 GT UV curable flatbed printer uses Océ VariaDot imaging technology to deliver near-photographic image quality for nearly any application. It can print on a wide variety of rigid substrates and features a roll media option for printing onto flexible media. A white ink option is available to enable under-printing on coloured media or objects, over-printing for backlit applications on transparent media, and/or printing white as a spot colour. Océ says it is ideal for producing a variety of applications including event graphics, point-of-purchase displays, limited-term signage, banners, backlit and reflective rigid displays, transit advertising, and directional signage.
The ColorWave 600 uses Océ CrystalPoint technology – Océ TonerPearls solid colour toner for high quality, robust and water-fast prints on a range of media including plain and recycled paper. It can produce an A0 (E-size) sheet in about 30 seconds and can accommodate up to six, 42” wide media rolls. The printer ensures a healthy working environment as the solid toner produces no fine dust, no odour and minimal waste disposal. It is ideal for producing CAD plots, GIS documents and disposable POP displays, says Océ.

At the recent In-Store event in London, 3M demonstrated a futuristic POS application using its Vikuiti Rear Projection Film technology to create a virtual life size mannequin.
3M says the medium can be used to communicate promotions and raise brand awareness in any retail environment. It can take on any shape to reflect a human body, cartoon character or other imaginative forms. In an in-store environment, a video of a salesperson is recorded and the film is cut to the exact shape and size of their upper body. The film is then applied to acrylic and cut to the body shape. Static graphics are applied to the lower half of the body which is then placed on a stand. A rear mounted projector delivers the video to the mannequin and synchronises with built-in speakers.

Organisers of Ipex 2010 are rolling out a marketing campaign designed to position the exhibition as the ‘must attend’ event in 2010 which will offer business opportunities for anyone working in the print, publishing and media industry.
The creative concept, designed to appeal to visitors worldwide, features a 3D light bulb image supported by the strap line ‘Think, Print, Experience’, chosen to reflect the creative, rich and dynamic nature of the graphic arts industry as well as giving greater emphasis to the value-added opportunities for show visitors.
‘From extensive database cleaning, sourcing new data through our global association programme, list swaps and rentals to far-reaching global visitor research and revamping our website, we’ve invested a lot of time and resources to ensure that our marketing campaign will be extremely targeted and fits the high expectations of our visitors and exhibitors alike,’ says Nick Craig Waller, the event’s marketing director.
‘In addition to our international media relations campaign and direct marketing strategies, we’ve been working closer than ever with our exhibitors. Our research shows that exhibitors who invite their customers directly to their stands before an event, meet three times more new prospects at the show than the exhibitors that do not. As a result, we’ve recently launched an extensive co-marketing programme which consists of numerous free marketing tools that our exhibitors can use to invite visitors directly to their stands. Industry response to this has been incredibly positive.’

At FESPA Digital, image finishing systems specialist SEAL Graphics demonstrated its new AquaSEAL610,
a water-based gloss liquid laminate specially developed to meet the demands of eco-solvent and UV-ink printed graphics.
SEAL says the solution provides a durable coating that enhances and protects both indoor and outdoor displays produced on a variety of substrates. The single component formulation offers protection against abrasion, UV, water and chemical damage for up to five years. Applications include fleet graphics, truck-side curtains, outdoor signage, vinyl banners, billboards and backlit displays that are all subject to harsh environmental and physical conditions.
In addition to eco-solvent and UV-curable inks, AS610 is also suitable for use with full solvent and some dye-based inks. SEAL offers a five-year warranty for the AS610 Gloss when used with its solvent wallpapers and both premier and cast vinyls. The company has also added a new Sandtex finish to its range of ‘UV Sol Lam’ laminates for digital print media. These durable, pressure-sensitive, solvent-based PVC lamination films provides excellent protection and enhances the finish of the output of all digital print technologies, especially those produced using UV-cured inks, says its manufacturer.
The laminate has a sand-textured surface designed to provide protection and provide a non-reflective finish for display graphics. It bonds to all media including UV-printed panels that often have a low energy surface due to ink characteristics. This film contains UV-protection in the form of UV absorbers to protect against damage and fade caused by UVA and UVB-exposure outdoors. These enable SEAL Graphics to claim a life of up to three years for outdoor installations and five years indoors.
All finishes utilise a release liner which is a silicone-coated, yellow glassine and they are available in roll sizes from 1040 to 1540mm wide by 50 or 100m lengths.

For 12 days this December, Copenhagen will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference, attended by ministers and officials from the 192 UN member states, and other representatives.
To raise awareness of the importance of the conference – and of the issue of climate change in general – international pressure group Greenpeace invited LED media design company LED Artist to be its artistic partner in establishing an iconic countdown clock, to be displayed in various public areas in Hong Kong in the run-up to the conference.
The clock is designed to serve as a reminder to both the Hong Kong government and general public of the ongoing race against time to combat climate change. It comprises one of LED Artist’s iconic Multimedia Information Systems Tower (MIST) systems, depicted emerging from a three-dimensional model of an iceberg. Designed by LED Artist chief vision officer Teddy Lo and fully supported by LED screen manufacturer Lighthouse Technologies, the award-winning MIST is a versatile ‘beacon’ featuring cutting edge Lighthouse 6mm LED display technology (R6). It can project static and moving multimedia information, applications and network facilities.
The R6 panels provide exceptional clarity, even when viewed at very close range, and have a wide viewing angle to maximise the display’s impact, says LED Artist.
LED Artist is a global LED lighting design company with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York. Its services include general LED design and consultancy, exterior and interior lighting design, interactive design and LED art.
‘We are committed to leading the way in innovative and creative lighting design,’ says the business, ‘pushing the envelope for LED applications, we believe in communication through lights and colours using comprehensive design solutions and state-of-the-art technology.’

ISM’s latest striking cover image reflects the very real evolution of our industry. With digital technology pervading and beginning to dominate [see market report on page 38], those choosing to ignore these seismic changes will get left behind and ultimately die.
Even now the name of printers is being rebranded. They’re now regarded as print service providers. And their function is evolving into that of marketeers – visionaries who are taking technology to their customers and demonstrating new concepts and techniques to meet the voracious appetite for innovative methods of communicating with graphics.
The project featured on our cover, Maya, was an exhibition of Guatemalan archeology at the Historical Museum of Stockholm in Sweden, produced by Andreas Skantze and his team at Big Image. The substrate used was transparent vinyl. This was unusual for Big Image, as about 90% of its work is with textiles. The printer was a Big Image BopJet 500 – one of many such printers Skantze says his company develops and builds internally.
The system used to produce the exhibition incorporates a 5m-wide drum with a circumference of 6.5m, and uses inkjet technology with Spectra heads.
“We constantly strive to exceed customer expectations by investing in innovation and engaging and challenging them with inspirational ideas,” Skantze tells ISM.
“This approach has resulted in great financial results meaning that we’re in a strong position to ride out the economic downturn”.

Eindhoven-based wide format printer Dereumaux XL has become the first company in Europe to beta test the HP Scitex FB7500 printer. Since installing the system the Dutch company says it has experienced an increase in its digital capacity; reducing turnaround time on jobs and lowering the cost of production per page.
HP says the FB7500 is designed to target the screen market, and is highly efficient, featuring three-quarter automated loading which reduces loading time between sheets. The printer maximises uptime using HP Scitex X2 piezoelectric printheads that are easily accessible and can be replaced and calibrated quickly, without the need for a service call. With these features and print speeds of up to 500m2 per hour the printer delivers the highest productivity of digital flatbed printers in its price class, says HP, ensuring that it is ideal for print service providers in fast paced production environments such as Dereumaux.
With its ability to produce longer runs of work cost-effectively, the system has lowered the crossover point between screen and offset printing and digital production, allowing Dereumaux to migrate more jobs to its digital printer and giving its customers the option of variable data printing on longer runs. “Dereumaux differentiates itself from other companies by fulfilling our customers’ orders within very short production times,” says Dereumaux’s general manager Marc Schoenmakers. “I am always on the lookout for even faster production opportunities that will allow us to fulfil our customers’ requirements quickly while helping us lower the cost of production per page. Now that we have installed the new FB7500, we can achieve these aims and offer customers extended services including longer runs and variable data work in addition to the production of unique single items.”
The HP Scitex FB7500 Printer uses UV-curable inks to achieve vibrant colours with two years outdoor durability, says HP. For maximum versatility it can print on a wide range of flexible and rigid materials and offers users media versatility comparable to that of screen printing equipment.
“We have spent a long time looking for a digital solution to print on rigid materials,” says Schoenmakers. “Our new HP printing equipment can print on substrates including rigid media such as forex, styrene, and polycarbonate as well as on flexible media such as paper and banner material.
“The HP Scitex FB7500 Printer fits the bill perfectly and we can now use the same machine to print a large variety of jobs, including point of purchase and point of sale items, signage, exhibition graphics, backlit display pieces, bus shelters and posters.”

Techno CNC Routers has introduced its Pro Series CNC Router to its range of CNC machining solutions.
The new series features precision ball screw drives on all three axes, THK rails and bearings, high-speed closed-loop servomotor and drives – all designed to deliver minimal maintenance, machine longevity and superior performance, says Techno.
The systems are available in a variety of standard sizes, ranging from 4x8’ to 6x20’. “We welcome special sizes and customisation requests because we understand that size and usage between businesses,” says Techno’s Roy Valentine. “This series can be equipped with a variety of spindle options including automatic tool changer, collet spindles, drill banks, or multi-spindle setup. And multiple zone vacuum table, reverse engineering lasers, and 4th axis rotary tables are just some of the additional accessories available.”
Additionally, the machines feature a CNC Servo G-Code Windows-based interface that Techno says is easy to learn and operate. It includes features such as toolpath preview with viewing tools and adjustable screens, built in G-Code editor, machine speed and spindle rpm override, X/Y axis orientation swapping, built in basic nesting, and production logging.

Océ has expanded its Arizona family of digital flatbed printers with the introduction of the Arizona 350 XT.
This latest model can, says Océ, produce rigid prints up to 2.50 x 3.05m (98.4 x 120”). A white ink option and a roll media option are also available. The printer made its worldwide debut in Paris in February and will also feature at FESPA Digital in Amsterdam, this May.
The extra width enables the printer to be used in a continuous imaging mode for rigid media up to 125 x 250cm (a standard 4’ x 8’ board). Two rigid boards of this size can be mounted on separate vacuum areas of the flatbed table. While one board is being printed, the other can be changed by the operator. Since the printer never has to stop printing for a media change, users can significantly increase their net print production on boards this size.
With the Roll Media Option installed, users can print onto flexible media up to 2.2m (87”) wide. The media roll can be unloaded at any time without interrupting rigid printing, and there is no down time to reconfigure the system to change from one print mode to the other. The 350 XT features production print speeds up to 23m2 (248ft2) per hour on rigid media and up to 17.5m2 (188ft2) per hour using the Roll Media Option. This enables users to print nearly sixty 125 x 250cm (4’ x 8’) boards in a single eight-hour shift, or more than 150m2 (1615ft2) of flexible media.
Joining the world’s best-selling UV curable, flatbed printer line, the new, larger Océ Arizona 350 XT supports all the upgrades and options available for the Océ Arizona Series including the white ink option, Roll Media Option and Static Suppression Option. When fully equipped it can image on almost any rigid or flexible media used in the display graphics market in brilliant CMYK colour, plus white. It can produce a variety of visual communications from banners to backlits and foam-board to furniture.
The 350 XT includes a white ink option that can be added at the factory or in the field. This enables under-printing for non-white media or objects, over-printing for backlit applications on transparent media and/or printing white as a spot colour. Under-printing white ink provides a base for non-white surfaces upon which colour can be added, giving users the ability to expand their range of offerings to include specialty applications. Over-printing white ink provides a diffusion layer for backlit applications that will be viewed from the unprinted side, enabling users to produce high quality backlit images for point-of-purchase applications. The ability to also print white ink as a spot colour enables white features of images to be highlighted for greater effect.
The flatbed table on the Océ Arizona 350 XT is so big, users can print on oversized items such as garage doors. It can also print on irregularly shaped or non-square items, heavy substrates such as glass, or materials that have an uneven surface such as wood. This is an advantage over competitive rigid-capable printers that use belt or friction-based media feed systems, as they can only print on square-cornered, lightweight materials of uniform thickness. The Océ printer with the white ink option, opens the printing possibilities to more exotic applications that command premium prices.
Océ says the Arizona 350 XT is ideal for producing a wide variety of display graphics such as event graphics, point-of-purchase displays, limited-term signage, banners, backlit and reflective rigid displays, transit advertising, and directional signage. But because of its ability to print on a range of materials not predetermined simply by ‘square, flat and thin’ and its support of white ink, the system can produce applications beyond the norm including custom furniture, glasswork, fixture enhancement or fine art.

After their successful 2008 event, the organisers of Viscom Visual Communication Italia are already preparing for the next show, which will take place November 5-7 in the Milan Trade Fair Centre at Rho.
“Viscom Visual Communication is the ideal crossroads for ideas and technique to meet, to show the latest novelties in the sector of large format digital print, digital communication and logos,” says exhibition director Brigitte Hunt. “The value of a trade fair exhibition as an effective marketing tool can be assessed with reference to its capacity to interpret and guide the market. This is exactly what Viscom Visual Communication 2008 managed to do, by renewing after each edition and maintaining its innovative drive in time.”
In a changing global context marked by the economic crisis, Viscom Visual Communication 2009 will, says its organisers, provide a unique occasion for a qualified dialogue between the operators and the market.

In what it claims is a world-first, image and print finishing systems specialist SEAL Graphics has released AquaSEAL 610 – a water-based gloss liquid laminate specially developed for eco-solvent and UV-ink printed graphic projects.
SEAL says the AS 610 solution provides a durable coating that enhances and protects both indoor and outdoor displays produced on a variety of substrates. The single component formulation offers protection against abrasion, UV, water and chemical damage for up to five years.
As such, it is considered to be ideal for a range of applications including fleet graphics, truck-side curtains, outdoor signage, vinyl banners, billboards and backlit displays that are all subject to harsh environmental and physical conditions.
In addition to eco-solvent and UV-curable inks, AS610 is also suitable for use with full solvent and some dye-based inks.
Marketing manager Veronique Rossieau says “After four years in development, we are thrilled to be able to bring AS610 to market. It will answer the clamour for a gloss liquid laminate that provides a high standard of finish with these increasingly popular types of ink. A matte finish is also under development.”

Modular sign specialist Vista System International has supplied pylons to Milliken Industries for installation at a Cape Town, South Africa development.
The development’s architects wanted an illuminated pylon with clean lines and a modern, elegant aesthetic, without being intrusive. The Vista Light Pylon was chosen for its elegant basic colours of silver and black and for its strong, clean vertical lines, softened by the horizontal curves.
Once Milliken had finalised the artwork, it received the pylon from Red Hand Sign Supplies, Vista System’s agency and applied the reverse cut out black vinyl to the white opal insert sheet provided. Fluorescent lighting was installed using the internal horizontal struts as supports and the sign was delivered to site and bolted onto the concrete stub wall, over the pre-laid power cable, enabling electrical conection. The process was remarkably quick, and all involved were pleased with the end result.
Vista System International’s range seeks to fill a gap between fabricated sign and modular sign systems. The firm says MCFT (Modular Curved Frame Technology) offers advantages of a modular system with the ability to provide a customisable solution for each sign project.

Digital printing and signmaking industry solutions business Spandex has extended its ImagePerfect materials portfolio with the new PerfectApply range.
ImagePerfect PerfectApply is a range of cast and polymeric films suitable for large-format inkjet printing using solvent, eco-solvent and UV-cured inks. The products correspond to existing ‘standard’ ImagePerfect equivalents, but incorporate an innovative air-egress adhesive system that utilises embossing patterns on the release liner. This delivers an ultra-smooth print surface that eradicates bubbles and wrinkles during vinyl applications, ensuring vibrant, high-quality graphics at any viewing distance, says Spandex.
Sign and printed graphics providers are also set to benefit from faster and easier application thanks to the user-friendliness of PerfectApply. This reduces the time spent on rework, while significantly increasing overall workflow efficiency and productivity. Further quality and efficiency benefits are afforded by PerfectApply’s air-egress adhesive, which makes wet application redundant and allows for easy removal and reapplication of vinyl graphics.
“In the world of vinyl application, alongside superior visual quality, sign and large format print providers are constantly looking for efficiencies,”,says Roland Keller at Spandex. “In particular, these include speed and application process security, which together equate to more installations and increased profits for the signmaker. As a high quality, easy-apply and repositionable media, the PerfectApply range delivers on these fundamental user requirements and significantly extends the options available to sign and graphics businesses when fulfilling customer needs.”
While the new products incorporate a different release liner to their standard ImagePerfect equivalents, the face film and adhesive system are identical. This means that fire-rating certificates and print profiles applicable to standard ImagePerfect products also relate to the new film variants.

Roland DG continues to innovate and refine with its launch of the VersaCAMM i series of integrated printer/cutters, featuring the 54”-wide VP-540i and 30”-wide VP-300i.
The Japanese manufacturer says its VersaCAMM VPi offers outstanding image quality, accelerated print speeds and optimal ease of use, thus allowing both professionals and entry level users to produce high-quality promotional materials.
The series allows even novices to produce professional-quality prints. Businesses that previously outsourced their graphics can save time and money by ‘insourcing’: in-house production of professional decals, labels, posters, POP displays, vehicle wraps, heat transfers for apparel decoration and other promotional items. The VPi printer/cutters produce durable indoor and outdoor graphics in any size or shape. The machines offer a cost effective solution, even for short production runs, says Roland DG.
The VPi features the Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology, which ensures smooth gradations and flawless solid colours, even in high speed modes. It also boosts the productivity – important in today’s competitive marketplace – by increasing throughput up to 80% in standard print mode on banner media and more than 50% on vinyl. Production speeds have been increased to 9.4m2/hr on banner and 8 m2/h on vinyl, compared to 5.2m2/hr on banner and vinyl without Roland Intelligent Pass Control. Roland DG points out that the overall speed of any job will be dependent upon on the type of media that is employed.
And there is a wide choice of such media – the systems support a wide variety, including adhesive-back vinyl, banner, paper, film, tarpaulin and heat transfer paper. ECO-SOL Max inks are packaged in easy-handling sealed cartridges and are virtually odour free.
The VersaCAMM i series is bundled with VersaWorks, Roland’s own RIP software. The package includes advanced features such as the Roland Color System, which enables users to accurately reproduce spot colors using Roland Color charts and swatch books. Variable Data Printing makes it easy to create a series of individualised prints based on one template, with each print featuring its own photos, messages, numbers and names. Users can also update the software automatically through the Internet. VersaWorks is based on the genuine Adobe CPSI3018 PostScript engine and supports Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 and later versions of the Windows operating system.

Enterprising Dutch design agency Boost Products and technology company 3M recently introduced a new concept in in-store marketing at a supermarket in the Netherlands.
By using a Vikuiti Rear Projection Screen from 3M cut in the shape of a human body and projecting 2D characters on to its surface, Boost has created a virtual shop assistant capable of communicating promotions to passing shoppers. ‘Boost works a lot with supermarket sales promotion teams to translate media campaigns to the retail floor,’ says Raymond Lentz, managing director of Boost Products. ‘In this particular case, we brought virtual promotion teams to the floor by projecting them on to Vikuiti Screens, something we believe helps to increase sales and convey strong, compelling brands.’
‘This is a fantastic new application for Vikuiti Rear Projection Screen,’ says Lloyd Cole, at 3M Optical Systems. “The ability to cut it to any shape or size is the key to the whole solution and the creative possibilities are endless.
Any media agency interested in point-of-sale now has an opportunity to create something novel and to consider how they can put together a total package that includes screen, projector and content and promote the idea to end users.”
The Boost Products team was convinced of the Vikuiti Screen quality after visiting a tradeshow in Utrecht.

Available in edge lit and chips on board formats in both white and vivid colour options, Lumex says its QuantumBrite line of LED backlight technologies provide more than twice the intensity of traditional backlights.
In particular, the white QuantumBrite LEDs provide high-intensity brightness of up to 10,000 nits allowing for full daylight visibility and is, says Lumex, ideal for sign applications such as interior lights, billboards and architectural design.
“Whereas many LED backlight providers often require a 50,000 or 100,000 piece minimum order for customised LED backlight solutions, ours can be completed for orders as small as 5,000 pieces, making this an ideal product and service for high-value, small volume applications such as signs,” says Yasoob Ahmed at Lumex. “In addition to high-intensity light performance, what differentiates [this] technology is the fact that our team is available to provide expert system advice integrating a customer’s specifications for size, power and heat-management requirements, mounting needs, brightness targets and colour selection to create a solution that is custom tailored to meet specific application needs.”
The QuantumBrite edge lit LED backlights are available in both with- and without-reflector formats. The reflector format captures more light than the without-reflector format, and can enhance light output up to 20%.
LED backlights have several advantages over alternative backlight technologies, such as CCFL backlights. Unlike CCFL technologies, LED backlights are available in any colour including tunable RGB, or even custom colours like pink, purple and turquoise because of the inherent nature of LEDs. Backlights are able to withstand both shock and vibration in some of the most demanding applications, and have an average lifespan of 100,000 hours – compared to the average CCFL lifespan of only 20,000 hours. LED backlights can also be produced in much smaller packaging than CCFLs, and are more environmentally friendly than CCFLs, which contain hazardous materials such as mercury.
The RoHS compliant QuantumBrite LED backlights range in size from 1x1” to10x10”.

Digital grand format innovator Gandinnovations has launched two Enhanced Support Programs for its service portfolio.
The company already provides its customers with on-site technical support and training during the installation of Jeti printers, but has added these new programs, JETiWORX and JETI EDGE to add greater insight and make the most of the printers’ capabilities.
“We developed these programs to help our customers grow their skill sets and business,” says Hary Gandy, president of Gandinnovations. “Our customers make a significant investment in grand format inkjet systems and we want to protect their investments by ensuring that their printers are running at maximum potential.
By understanding the operation and maintenance of their new printer, they are more likely to avoid production delays that could result in significant downtime and ineffective use. Our goal is to keep our customers in production and avoid costly delays due to improper maintenance.’
An annual discounted full service maintenance agreement and a two-day preventive maintenance visit along with unlimited telephone support and a 50% discount on printheads are some of the benefits of these new product offerings.

Bart Fret has joined production software specialist ColorGATE’s business development team.
Fret will be in charge of Strategic Partner Development and will also act as regional sales manager for Benelux and France. He has gained extensive experience in the field of colour management, printing and proofing. At PerfectProof, he developed roles in technical departments, product management, sales and company strategy.
ColorGATE md Thomas Kirschner says Fret is: “certain to be an excellent addition to our team. With his experience and success in the areas of large format production, inkjet film creation and proofing, he will be in charge of developing our joint business activities with strategic partners and sales channels.”

Najjar Printing in Syria says it has significantly improved its in-house laminating facilities since the installation of an Autobond Mini 52 TP.
“Najjar Printing is a commercial sheet-fed printer that is part of Al Taliaa, a family-run business that also includes a packaging company,’ says owner Mohamad Al Najjar. ‘We had been using a locally made cold glue laminator but virtually all of the print we produce at the commercial site is laminated and so we needed to improve our efficiency.
“The Mini 52 TP is straightforward to operate, particularly as it uses thermal film, and it offers very high production speeds plus first class quality of lamination,” says Al Najjir. ‘As this Autobond model is a perfecting machine we can laminate both sides of a sheet in one pass, which also increases output.’
The Mini 52 TP will handle stock up to 52x74cm and weights from 90-650 gsm.
Its solid construction means that as much as six metric tonnes can be applied in the nip rollers, enabling lamination of work printed using litho or digital methods.
“The installation was smooth and the subsequent training was comprehensive,” says Al Najjar. “It has allowed us to offer an important added value service to our customers that we believe will bring in additional business.”

A leading supplier of aluminium extrusions and related products to the UK sign industry, Universal Aluminium Systems says it now has access to a valuable and powerful resource for a wide range of components through its associate company INDENCO.
Based in Evesham, UK, the company is a major manufacturer of precisely engineered metal components, in both ferrous and non-ferrous materials, which it supplies to many of the UK’s sign manufacturers and aluminium system firms.
Through INDENCO, Universal can access all of the components required in the manufacture of the various sign systems it supplies, via a single point of access. This has created immediate benefits for both Universal by eliminating the need for third-party suppliers, and resulted in faster and more reliable delivery and keener pricing. The huge 75-tonne machine capability at INDENCO derives from 18 power presses offering a six to 30-tonne capacity and eight power presses providing a 30-75-tonne capacity. There are also two fully automatic saws for the production of cut parts from aluminium extrusions and 10 drilling and tapping machines. The range of surface treatments available includes powder-coating, zinc plating, painting and hardening, while special finishes can also be accommodated. The company also provides a design facility covering the tooling and hand production of prototypes and can produce bespoke designs as required.

Dutch company SETeMa B.V. (Scientifically Engineered Textile Machines) is a specialist in the design and manufacture of textile machinery and will be exhibiting at FESPA Digital on stand M18.
SETeMa’s expertise lies in the areas of textile finishing and printing processes including dyestuff fixation, washing, padding/coating and drying.
Low energy and water consumption has always been a high priority in the development of all its products, says the firm. Steam and water recycling and the re-use of heat energy from the used steam, the waste water and the used air and
good isolation reduce the energy and heat loss enabling users to get the lowest possible energy costs, water usage and waste water amounts.
The firm offers a range of modular finishing equipment, including its newly-developed Porta-Wash line for the washing-off of digital printed textile, which will be shown in Amsterdam. To obtain the highest energy efficiency each Porta-Wash module is equipped with a counter-flow heat exchanger and a newly developed vacuum system removes polluted water from the cloth containing the excess of dyestuff and coatings. The Porta-Wash line use recycled and a calculated fresh soft water amount with a minimum of only 2.5 l/min (at 2.5m width), based on the (dye) pollution in the washer for an optimal washing result with a minimum of water usage.
The Porta-Wash follows on a range of textile machinery which began with the introduction of the Portafix Universal, in 2003, a steam/air fixation unit with an integrated steam generator for the fixation of textile dyestuffs. As one of the first producers of finishing equipment for the digital market, SETeMa produces all of its products in three cloth widths: 1.85m, 2.50m and 3.40m.

UK-based DYSS/Planet digital has made two new key appointments
in the shape of Julian Mildner and Peter Barton.
They follow the earlier appointment of Gary Dare and will provide increased back up for the DYSS range of products now being marketed in the UK and throughout the EMEA region.
All three bring a wealth of knowledge and market experience to Planet Digital in its developing partnership with Korea-based DYSS, a specialist manufacturer of screen-printing, direct-to-media UV digital printing and cutting/routing solutions. Formerly service manager at AIT and technical director of the UK agent for ARISTO cutters, Mildner will lend support in particular to the DYSS X7 range of digital die-cutting systems that are now arriving in the UK.
Formerly business manager for Océ UK, Barton is the new international channel manager with a special responsibility for increasing the DYSS/Planet Digital network of distributors and business partners. A joint venture company offering affordable but high-end print-and-cut solutions, DYSS/Planet Digital says it is set to take a healthy share of what the industry experts predict will be a 22% growth in this sector of the digital graphics market.

3M Touch Systems, a division of technology company 3M, has launched a new surface capacitive touch solution featuring a new sensor design.
The company says the MicroTouch System SCT7650EX offers an economic, user-safe, easy to seal, robust touch solution for unattended or vandal-prone, heavy-use environments such as ATMs, kiosks, and vending machines.
“We have listened and reacted to the voice-of-the-customer with our next-generation rugged touch system,” says 3M’s Paolo Pedrazzoli. “3M remains committed to the touch industry and is investing in new product development that meets the needs of our customers despite the challenging economic times. By combining a new sensor design with manufacturing efficiencies, the SCT7650EX system enables high durability in environments where glass breakage and user safety are important concerns.”
The system uses a conductive, adhesive-bonded flexible circuit tail in place of the traditional solder connections and wire leads. This enhancement facilitates a superior liquid and dust seal between the touch sensor and display bezel. The system is, says its manufacturer, competitively priced against similar products, and has an optically-clear laminated glass-on-glass construction, which provides superior impact resistance and 86.5% light transmission for brighter, crisper display images.
The MicroTouch Sensor’s laminated construction withstands the EN/UL 60950-1 impact resistance test and provides the necessary surface durability for most unattended, public-access environments. If surface breakage does occur, the lamination helps isolate the glass shards between the touch surface and LCD to protect the user. In addition to providing high impact strength, the construction can also include Vikuiti Advanced Light Control Film (ALCF) from 3M, which increases application security by restricting the display viewing angle and helping keep sensitive data private.
3M Touch Systems provides innovative touch technology products to customers worldwide under the MicroTouch brand. Popular interactive applications include retail point-of-sale (POS) and large-format digital signage.

Specialist German media manufacturer SIHL is set to showcase four new polypropylene films for both indoor and outdoor advertising display, alongside a new weather and water-resistant quality poster paper, at FESPA 2009 in Amsterdam.
Two of the films; SyntiTec PP Light 150 (3390) and SyntiTec PP Greyback 180 (3391) will be launched under the company’s new SyntiTec brand for water-based ink products. SIHL’S Sam Iliaifar, says: “Polypropylene is a perfect carrier for tear-resistant inkjet media and these new products underline our pledge to consistently develop this range for our customers. SyntiTec PP Light 150 and SyntiTec PP Greyback 180 both give excellent printing results with the standard printing systems of market leaders HP, Epson and Canon.
“3390 is a thinner 145µm thick, matt-coated film for water-based inks which can be offered at a lower price compared to the standard product, whilst its physical properties remain virtually the same. “SyntiSOL PP Heavy 260 satin 3393 for solvent inks is the robust alternative with satin coating for displays and applications that need greater tear-resistance and rigidity.”
New SyntiSOL PP Greyback 170 (3392) and SyntiSOL PP Heavy 260 (3393) have been optimised for standard solvent printing systems. All PP films from SIHL are ideal for hot or cold lamination and all products offer effective water-resistance for temporary outdoor use without additional protection. The standard water-based films 3390 and 3391 are available on 30m reels and in widths of 914mm (36”), 1067mm (42”), 1372mm (54”) and 1524mm (60”). The solvent films 3392 and 3393 are supplied to customers on 30m or 40m reels in widths of 914mm (36”), 1067mm (42”), 1372mm (54”) and 1524mm (60”).
Also at FESPA, SIHL will show its new weather and water resistant, multi-layer coated bright white TriSolv Prime Art Paper blueback SA 210 (3683) which has a permanent adhesive on the back.
This media is covered with a removable silicone paper and adheres to almost all smooth, clean surfaces. 3683 is designed specifically for solvent or UV-hardening printer inks. Says Iliaifar: “The special surface on this paper offers a high level of scratch resistance and it can therefore also be used for short-term indoor advertising applications without lamination. It’s a brilliant high quality poster paper which produces bright colours and effectively covers backgrounds while helping save up to 30% in ink costs thanks to its high colour saturation.”
He added: “The reduction both in the amount of individual ink and the total quantity of ink used also has a positive effect on drying properties and increases productivity. We are also seeing great results with eco-solvent inks.”
Sihl offers 3683 in reels with widths of 1372mm (54”) and a length of 50m.

Materials specialist Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Products has promoted Elizabeth Park to the new position of Strategic Business Leader for its Fleet Graphics Division.
Based in Hazerwoude, Park will lead a global initiative in the vehicle graphics end-use markets for self-adhesive films. She will target key end-users and related parties to identify unmet needs; define and implement the most effective market approach; and develop end-user-driven products and services.
Park was previously Market Development Manager within Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Products' European strategic marketing team.

Banque Libano-Française (BLF) is the latest financial institution to benefit from Vikuiti Rear Projection Screen and Film technology from 3M.
BLF has installed Vikuiti screens inside seven of its branches and Vikuiti film in four branch windows. The screens entertain BLF customers as they queue waiting to be served, and the in-window displays engage with passers-by with the bank’s tailored messages. “By introducing powerful digital signage technology, BLF continues to embrace new technology advancements to help drive product sales and enhance branch image,” says BLF’s Michel Wakil.
“We wanted a display solution that would communicate the bank’s wide range of products and services in an effective and dynamic manner. Vikuiti Rear Projection technology was selected for its ability to offer flexibility in size and high-quality image clarity. The combined support of 3M and its local authorised distributor for projection business, Fattal-Tevega, made the project even more appealing.”
The in-branch Vikuiti screens range between 60 and 80-inches in size and are powered by a 3M DX70 DLP projector suspended from the ceiling. The screens were installed using a projection throw calculation tool recommended by 3M.
Content design, creation, customisation, scheduling and management are controlled centrally by BLF’s communications division. The playlist includes a welcome message, BLF TV commercials, RSS news and weather feeds, time and date, and a live financial information feed from the stock exchange.

Remote access digital signage vendor Minicom Advanced Systems has formed a dedicated international unit to be known as the Digital Signage Division.
This new division, run by ceo Ronni Guggenheim, will be headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, have a sales office in North America and an R&D centre in Israel.
It will serve the emerging digital signage market with solutions designed to enhance the delivery and distribution of multimedia content and improve return on investment in the marketplace.
‘We have expanded our business into an independent division with global responsibility,’ says Micom ceo Eli Sasson. ‘We recently enjoyed significant growth and success in both our market segments. It is the ideal time for a strategic move to proactively increase our investment in both the IT and digital signage markets despite the tough economic conditions.’

Despite being postponed by terrorist attacks in the city last year, FESPA’s first Digital India Show went ahead in Mumbai at the end of February and attracted nearly 3,000 visitors.
The show audience was primarily from India, though printers from Europe, North America, the Middle East and other Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also attended the show. FESPA md Frazer Chesterman says: “We had an excellent visitor turnout to our first digital Indian show, despite the postponement. This is testament to the region’s buoyant and fast-growing digital market, Indian printers’ enthusiasm to explore the latest innovations in the sector and FESPA’s reputation to provide high calibre, value-driven events.
Exhibitors were confident that they met serious buyers and several have already confirmed their interest in booking FESPA World Expo India 2009 taking place in New Delhi this December.”

At an open house for trade press and invited guests held in in Wittenbach, Switzerland, in February, WP Digital launched its new 5m roll-to-roll UV printer – the Virtu RR50.
The new UV digital large-format printer prints on a wide variety of flexible substrates with a width of up to five meters and in any length. Other design features include increased substrate transport, high printing speed, the ability to process reels up to 750kg, and minimal material wear during reel change.
Thanks to the optional reel lift, the Virtu RR50 can easily be integrated into existing logistics processes. Thus, the machine can be operated and loaded from either the front or the back. This simplifies the logistics processes and saves space, says WP. And with its printing width of five metres new application possibilities are opened – in indoor and outdoor advertising, or for building fronts and interiors.
Whether textiles, mesh, vinyl, adhesive foil or PVC tarps – the Virtu RR50 delivers best-in-class print quality with highest cost-effectiveness. WP says it constantly works with manufacturers to expand the range of printable substrates.
The digital large-format printer is available in various different versions, with 36 or 48 printing modules, with either 30pl or 80pl. In addition, WP Digital offers a large range of options, from a mesh function for interleaving materials via a center support for center winds for automatic diameter adjustment, to a batch winder or slitting assembly and cross cutter. The machine uses Piezo drop-on-demand inkjet technology and its printheads use 36 or 48 printing modules (128 lines/printing module). The system is bi-directional or uni-directional, and carries four colours, six colours or six colours and white. Its speed depends on the overall combination of format, substrate, printing ink, printing mode and file format.

Print finishing systems specialist SEAL Graphics has announced a strategic alliance with WP Digital – the combined businesses of the Wifag-Polytype Group and the former digital printing unit of Spühl.
The two will collaborate in the field of large format UV-printing and UV-coating. As leading providers in the large format market, the the companies are uniting their competencies to provide UV printing companies with innovative, high quality solutions. Within its sales and marketing activities for its UV printers, WP Digital will integrate the AquaSEAL 80UV Pro coater and offer it as a complete package.

Major digital print innovator EFI has released two new models into its VUTEk family of superwide format UV printers – a 3.2m hybrid VUTEk GS3200 with speeds up to 2,400ft2 (222.9m2) per hour, and the 5m roll-to-roll VUTEk GS5000r which, EFI says, combines Point of Purchase (POP) quality capability with billboard production speeds up to 3,100ft2 (288m2) per hour.
“For 20 years, VUTEk has been the leader in superwide format digital inkjet printers, and the new superwide UV printers represent unprecedented industry leading capabilities in speed, print quality and value,” says EFI VUTEk’s Chuck Dourlet. “The GS3200 revolutionises superwide format printing with superior photorealistic image quality at speeds previously unattainable from a superwide UV digital printer. The GS5000r redefines the 5m roll-to-roll segment, providing exceptional POP-quality graphics and billboard speed, without compromise. These printers extend the range of applications that can be produced with superwide format and enable our customers to be more competitive as they further differentiate themselves. In this economic landscape, businesses are looking for new opportunities, and EFI continues to provide the tools that help our customers profitably expand into new premium-margin markets that will grow their businesses.”
The GS3200 delivers category-defining, photorealistic quality and expands the reach of superwide printing into new industries and applications. VUTEk’s Dual-Resolution Capability enables true 600 dpi and true 1000 dpi output with selectable 24pl or 12pl drop sizes. The GS3200 is ideal for beautiful fine art replication, detailed photography, and stunning high-definition POP displays, as well as traditional 3.2m banner and signage applications. Reach higher profit margins and set new quality standards with the GS3200.
The GS3200 produces eye-catching, photorealistic graphics in 8-colour (plus white) mode at speeds up to 1200ft (111.5m) per hour. In its exclusive, 4-colour plus white, Fast-5 mode, with incredible speeds up to 2400ft2 (222.9m2) per hour, the GS3200 easily competes with high-volume commercial production printers. With such impressive throughput, same day Order-to-Delivery is a reality. Unlike wide-format printers that sacrifice speed for high-quality imagery, or grand-format printers that compromise quality to deliver speed, the GS3200 delivers exceptional photographic quality at high-production speeds.
The GS3200 hybrid UV printer exemplifies flexible, versatile production with its ability to transition from rigid to roll-to-roll under one minute, and its capacity to print on a broad range of substrates. It delivers true, in-line, three-layer white-printing capability, allowing access to a whole new range of creative, high-value applications. The printer is the perfect replacement for a wide range of wide-format and superwide printers in one shop, and has a much smaller footprint. With easy switching from 8-colour (plus white) to Fast-5 colour mode, increased media handling capabilities, and Dual Resolution (600 or 1000 dpi selectable), the GS3200 is perfect for long runs or short runs in high quality and high speeds, says EFI.
The GS5000r has VUTEk Dual-Resolution Capability enabling true 600dpi and true 1000dpi output with selectable 24pl or 12pl drop sizes. The GS5000r enables users to differentiate on quality, beat the competition and expand profitability by tapping into those premium-margin applications that demand POP-quality graphics. With 1000 dpi, 8-colour printing, it produces backlit and display graphics with good image detail and crisp four-point text in addition to applications such as billboards and building wraps.
The GS5000r prints an extensive range of high-quality applications in 8-colour mode at speeds of 1600ft2 (148.6m2) per hour, and also produces billboard and signage-quality four-colour graphics at 3100ft2 (288m2) per hour in Fast-4 mode. With unparalleled quick-turn capability that reduces inventory, increases customer satisfaction by eliminating lengthy lead-times, and accommodates last-minute changes, the GS5000r meets the needs of every business. Unlike traditional, low-resolution, 5m printers that focus only on speed, the GS5000r offers high-quality modes that address POP and display markets without compromising the speeds necessary for traditional billboard markets.
The GS5000r was specifically designed for mid- to high-volume print service providers and commercial printers who want to grow their businesses and differentiate themselves from the competition by extending their range of applications and capabilities. This is the only 5-meter printer that not only meets the speed requirements to produce high-quality billboards, building wraps and large banners, but also the precision output necessary for POP, exhibition and display graphics. Dual Resolution modes, eight-colour to Fast-4 switchable, and media handling that can accommodate a single 5m roll or 3-up 60” rolls are some of the features that extend the versatility of the GS5000r beyond that of typical 5m printers.

Ink specialist Sun Chemical has joined the ‘Two Sides’ initiative, created to address environmental issues within the print and paper industry.
‘The initiative matches our sustainability policy and our commitment to the environment,’ says David Meldram, Sun Chemical Europe’s president. ‘Sun Chemical leads the industry in developing and producing products which minimise our impact – and our customers’ impact – on the environment, and strives to maximise the use of renewable resources.’
Martyn Eustace, heading ‘Two Sides’ says the firm’s involvement: ‘demonstrates that we are meeting our objective of uniting all companies involved in the graphic communication sector to raise the profile of print and paper as an environmentally sustainable communication medium.’

EskoArtwork will hold its first worldwide customer conference on May 19-20 in Orlando, Florida. It will focus on implementing new technologies and sharing best practices, as well as providing a forum for users in the graphics, packaging, sign and display sectors. The event will give hands-on demonstrations to users and decision-makers, as well as concentrating on the customer-supplier relationship.
‘This conference is particularly important to EskoArtwork,’ says ceo Carsten Knudsen. ‘It provides a unique platform for us to share product developments and future plans with our users and to listen carefully to their feedback. Face-to-face contact is always an effective format of meeting this objective. Users can return home with ideas that can add value to their operations.’

Avery Dennison has created a comprehensive catalogue of Avery Graphics products including its entire range of self-adhesive films and ancillary products.
The resource which is available from all European distributors, is aimed at those involved in the design, specification, conversion, and application of signs. Products are classified by market segments: signage, digital print, screen print, banners, and ancillaries, plus application-specific specialties. Readers can compare durability and special capabilities, and see the roll widths and lengths available. The catalogue is available on the firm’s website where visitors can also see workshops for the self-adhesive graphics industry, and an industry glossary.
Avery has also launched two new film and colour selector swatches covering over 600 self-coloured films and specialty products.

Screenprint Productions has installed an EskoArtwork Kongsberg i-XL44 cutting table at its factory in Yorkshire, UK. The company specialises in large format POS and POP material for retail outlets and supermarkets as well as sign and displays for exhibitions and events.
The company recently moved into digital production whilst maintaining screen printing, its core competency, to maximise business opportunities and manage the growing demand for short run creative work. The company has been able to reduce overheads on outsourcing contract work. Up to now, the company used die-cutting to produce free standing displays in a variety of materials. The table has enabled shorter run work to be produced more economically.
Screenprint boss Chris White says: ‘Digital printing has become a growing part of our business and the new table fits our needs perfectly. The tool functions offer numerous milling and creasing possibilities on a diversity of substrates such as corrugated board, plastics, acrylics and wood.’

The Kongsberg XP range of digital cutting tables has recently been launched in sizes of 1680 x 3200mm, 2210 x 3200mm and 2210 x 4800mm. The range is aimed at screen and digital printers producing point of purchase, producers of folding cartons, free standing display units, merchandising and permanent in-store product displays.
This series of digital flatbed cutting machines is the first to be specifically designed to operate continuously in a 24/7 production environment. The machines are specially aimed at handling the combination of corrugated board and other rigid materials.

EFI-Rastek, formerly known as Raster Printers Inc. based in California, recently launched its H700 mid-range UV flatbed printer.
Mark Dempsey, sales director at Raster Printers UK says, ‘The H700 is aimed at producers of point of purchase, exhibition stands and signmakers looking for great quality at speeds of up to 30m2 per hour and who do not have £100,000 to spend.’
The system is a 1830mm wide conveyor-driven UV flatbed using greyscale variable drop print heads with a maximum resolution of 1200dpi. White ink is available as an option.

Graphics specialist Mönch Medien + Print has become the first company in Germany to install a GBC 7580 lamination system. It is already proving cost effective, as the company can now produce its own high-quality finishes rather than turning to costly third parties.
The firm’s customers include leading cosmetics companies, banks and insurance companies. It chose the GBC system because of its enhanced performance and equipment options. In addition to its simple and intuitive operation, the company was also impressed by the new MABEG feeder and the pneumatically-controlled separator features, which ensure sheets are passed accurately through the commercial finishing process and deliver a high quality end product.
‘Our customers invariably need promotional material with a high-quality finish,’ says boss Oliver Mönch: ‘With this model, we can respond rapidly and deliver runs of between 100 and 5,000 prints at short notice – without compromising on quality.’

Clear Channel Outdoor, a UK market leader in outdoor advertising, has reduced its energy consumption by over 65% using Luminanz Manufacturing’s patented QuarterLite technology.
Conventional strip lights in 20 advertising boxes were replaced with QuarterLite low-energy lighting for illuminated signs in a pilot scheme in London and Liverpool, UK. The trial showed that the new light emitting diode (LED) technology lit the boxes more effectively, and energy-consumption calculations demonstrated major cost and energy savings.
‘We are very pleased with the technology,’ says Graham Norris at Clear Channel Outdoor. ‘We replace about 70,000 tubes a year and the cost of disposal is almost as much as the purchase cost. We are now showing the trial boxes to our customers, who like the energy reduction benefits and the even lighting.’
The system was simple to install and will provide maintenance-free lighting for over 10 years. The quality of the illumination is greater too. QuarterLites produce an even white light for adverts that stands out in brightly lit city centre environments, does not corrupt skin-tone images, and does not produce the light and dark streaks associated with some traditional lighting systems.

Organisers of Ipex 2010 are hosting international roadshows this year to promote their major print industry event. The marketing initiative commences in Utrecht, the Netherlands, on March 11, followed by visits to Italy (in March during Grafitalia), Germany (April), Japan (May), China (May during China Print 09), France (June during Graphitec), USA (September during Print 09) and India (October during Ipex South Asia).
Exhibitors can learn more about visitor and event initiatives as well as free marketing tools to help attract visitors to their stands. Presentations will include a case study from an existing exhibitor addressing logistics questions around travel and accommodation as well as sponsorship and promotion opportunities.
‘The tours are free to attend and will provide networking opportunities and hopefully stimulate the imagination of exhibitors,’ says Ipex’s Nick Craig Waller. Ricoh has become the latest business to sign up for the 2010 event, having secured over 1400m2 of floor space.

WP Digital has recently created an online resource to promote its Virtu large-format digital UV printers. The website explains more fully the system’s technology and details maintenance service and training offers.
The units are available for individual test runs – WP Digital runs a demo room in Wittenbach, Switzerland, where visitors can experience digital printing on the substrates of their choice and see immediate, live results.
The company has also recently installed a demo room at Polytype America Corp, New Jersey, USA. Its Asian presence will also be strengthened with a facility in Thailand due to open in the second half of 2009, and further investment in local support infrastructure.

Coated media supplier Sappi has acquired the coated graphic paper business of M-real, a Finnish board and paper manufacturer, for Euro 750 million.
Included in the deal are M-real’s coated graphic paper business, its brands, knowledge and four paper mills at Kirkniemi and Kangas in Finland, Stockstadt in Germany and Biberist in Switzerland. All have now been absorbed into the Sappi Fine Paper Europe operation.
The acquisition enhances Sappi’s position in the coated fine paper sector in Europe and globally. It will increase the firm’s European graphic paper capacity from 2.6m tons/annum to 4.5m tons/annum.
‘Sappi is now even better positioned to serve the European and global markets,’ says boss Ralph Boëttger. ‘We have a comprehensive range of products and brands, an expanded sales force, increased capacity and the benefits of scale, allowing Sappi to use its global strength to be the local supplier of choice.’

UK exhibition display specialist Splash!Events has expanded its event signage production capability with a new HP Designjet L65500 printer featuring HP Latex Printing Technology.
By integrating the printer into its workflow, Splash intends to offer ‘green’ solutions across all three disciplines that it services – trade show exhibits, corporate and retail environments, and branding of large corporate events.
The firm will be able to grow business ‘by offering customers an environmentally sustainable option for printing indoor and outdoor signage,’ says HP’s Santiago Morera. ‘At HP, we are dedicated to continued innovation to provide solutions that help our customers expand their offerings and, ultimately, grow their bottom line.’
Recently, Splash used the L65500 to produce marketing collateral and signage for the Nike women's marathon in San Francisco. In 2008, Nike began a multi-year process to make its events greener and the Nike women's marathon was the first event to incorporate better printing and recycling methodologies for race course signage, marketing collateral and expo tents.

The Union of Czech Zoos includes 15 Czech and four Slovak zoological gardens which co-operate in the breeding and rearing of species native to Central Europe and participate in international programmes to preserve endangered species.
In a recent campaign, the union used special graphics on a locomotive to heighten public awareness of their activities.
Previously train graphics were painted and only small areas of cut vinyl or digital printing were applied, but having employed Safex, the official partner of Kay Premium Marking Films in the Czech Republic, the union achieved the first full wrapping exercise of its kind undertaken in the country.
KPMF provided technical support and all the films for the project. Safex was consulted on the methodology and materials and co-ordinated the complete application, which took a team of four people nine days, working in an average temperature of 5 degrees.

Operacija Trijumf is one of Serbia’s most popular television shows, combining a singing talent contest with behind-the-scenes footage of the contestants in their shared house. In the show’s first season, Lighthouse R10i/o 10mm LED panels have been used within a stage backdrop.
Production company, Emotion Production purchased 66 panels, which together formed four screens on the stage: a pair of portrait format screens flanking a central rear screen, with the remaining panels used to face a three dimensional staircase.‘We chose the panels partly on recommendation and partly because the only other LED screens in the region are 19mm pixel pitch,’ says Emotion’s Aleksandar Miljus.
‘We want to offer more versatile LED panels and, after this application we will be able to use the 10mm panels on a wide range of indoor and outdoor events. We will be the first company in the region to offer such flexible LED screen options.’

EskoArwork is to reduce its worldwide workforce by approximately 10% and overall operational spending in the current economic climate, despite profitable growth last year.
‘The year 2008 continued an unbroken five year record of growth in our bottom line,’ says ceo Carsten Knudsen. ‘We cannot ignore the current economic conditions, nor the outlook for 2009. In the coming year we will concentrate our efforts on servicing our large current customer base and our strategic developments while acting in a more conservative manner in other areas. By proactively addressing our cost structure, we can assure EskoArtwork customers and partners of a continued profitable performance, while simultaneously safeguarding our long term strategic goals.’

Vista System International has supplied triangular pylons to direct the visitors of the exhibition: Raffaello – ‘La Madonna del Cardellino ritrovata’, at the Medici Riccardi Palace in Florence.
Installed by Contemporanea Progetti, the signs’ main function is wayfinding. The architect was looking for an elegant sign, in harmony with the architecture of the palace housing the exhibition. Vista’s system was chosen for its elegance and because it is visible from many directions. Delivery was completed within eight days of the quote.
Vista’s triangular freestanding pylon system is available in various widths and heights and in three standard finishes: brushed aluminium, gold, and black.

A new Italian hospital located in Bari has had 800 signs supplied and installed by Vista System International.
The client requested an elegant, easy-to-install sign system that could be delivered and installed within a demanding six week schedule. The project incorporated pylons, directories, hanging signs, wall bracket signs and outdoor signs. Assembling the Vista System signage system requires only a screwdriver and it can be dismantled easily for efficient shipping.

HP has launched new inks for its Designjet 8000, 9000 and 10000 low-solvent printers.
The firm says the new formulations provide reliable performance, ease of use, and vivid, durable prints that customers rely on when producing high-impact signage.
‘HP is committed to providing our customers with first-class supplies to meet their specific needs,’ says Santiago Morera at HP. Customers can change to the new HP 781 and HP 791 ink cartridges as the colours of the current HP 780 or HP 790 cartridge ranges run out. Because the new inks are compatible with the old inks, customers can use HP 780 and HP 790 cleaning and maintenance supplies with the new ink cartridges.
Additionally HP’s Designjet L65500 wide format printer is now available in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America, and is expected to be available in Latin America and Asia Pacific in March. The system has had 25 early installations completed. Benefits of this new latex printing technology include exceptional image quality, versatility of media choices, increased productivity and the ability to attract new customers seeking a more environmentally conscious printing process.

ORB, the fully mechanised LED globe, is set to make an impact in the Middle East through AV and exhibition rental business, IBS Decor, which has secured exclusive sales and rental control for the region.
‘Although we only took delivery of the ORB very recently, we quickly arranged for it to be used at the closing ceremony of Dubai Film Festival and at the Shakira concert held in Abu Dhabi on New Year’s Eve,’ says Nick de Fay, at IBS.
‘The fact that it is a spectacular object in itself, with the additional ability to show graphics, text and images, makes renting ORB an attractive proposition to events companies eager to attract sponsorship. Likewise, sponsors are attracted to the opportunity to be seen in such a novel manner.’
‘Our core business has been providing stage sets, props and lighting to the industry. ORB has strong potential in as a promotional tool in shops and malls who use LED products as part of their ambient media. We are also moving towards the area of OOH advertising and believe ORB could play a significant role here too.’

Major British event Sign & Digital UK has sold 90% of its floor space. Companies committed to the April show include Roland DG, Hewlett Packard, Robert Horne Group, Europoint Display, William Smith, Hybrid/Mimaki, Fujifilm Sericol, Grafityp, Durst and Hexis UK.
Also at the show will be Alcan Composites. The firm’s Simon Philpott says: ‘We will be showcasing our lightweight sheet materials with high quality surfaces for display and signage applications. We offer a broad range of products and services including DIBOND aluminium composite panels, FOREX rigid foam plastic sheets, KAPA and FOAM-X lightweight foam boards. Applications include signs and displays, graphic arts materials, direct-to-substrate digital printing, fabrication and mounting.’

Durst Phototechnik Group has acquired the Sign & Display division of Scandinavian imaging specialist Molander & Son.
The company will be a part of The Durst Group and Hans Molander will continue as md and co-owner. Molander & Son previously ran as two separate businesses: Molanders FotoGrafiska, focused on professional photography and archive systems and Molander Sign & Display, focused on equipment and supplies for large format printing.
With 40 Durst Rho UV inkjet systems installed, Molanders and Durst have together established a large presence in large format printing production in Sweden and Norway. The company will continue to trade as Molander Sign & Display AB and remain focused on marketing equipment and supplies for large format printing in Sweden, Norway and Finland.

The Paper Company (PaperCo) is to distribute all 10 machines in Gandinnovations' range of solvent, aqueous and UV grand format technologies.
The agreement extends PaperCo's digital inkjet portfolio, which also includes solvent wide format manufacturer, Roland DG, for the outdoor signage market and Canon's aqueous machines for indoor graphics.
PaperCo's Phil Tomlinson, says the move: ‘Gives us the ability to extend our presence in the high volume, grand format sector and provide printers with leading technologies that can produce large, stunning POP and POS graphics.”
This business will be overseen and developed by UV inkjet specialist, Steve Peet. Gandinnovations’ portfolio includes 3.3m and 5.1m wide solvent roll-to-roll printers, UV roll- to-roll machines, aqueous-based fabric roll-to-roll systems, and UV flatbed printers, including the 3m x 2m JETi 2030 X-2 with 48 Spectra print heads. Gandinnovations’ European showroom is located in Brussels.

Vista System International, a specialist in modular curved frame technology (MCFT), has supplied its double sided pylons to StockSignes, for installation at the Red Cross Therapeutic Center for children at Val D'oise, France.
The client was in need of a prominent sign system to help people find their way in the big park and building complex. Vista System's double sided pylon was chosen for its stylish and easy to modify design. An aluminium sheet covered with a digitally printed leaf was added to the right side of each pylon, fixed in place between the two Vista extrusions. Each building received the same leaf with a different colour. Vista System says its double sided pylon allows for the use of most standard signage substrates.

FESPA’s growing international events programme has suffered a double blow in Thailand and India.
Terror attacks in Mumbai meant that FESPA’s Digital India show had to be cancelled at very short notice. With the support of all involved, says FESPA, it has now been rescheduled to take place between February 28 and March 2 next year, at the same venue in Mumbai.
The federation’s inaugral World Expo Asia-Pacific show in the Thai capital Bangkok did go ahead in November despite the high-profile political demonstrations that resulted in the closure of the city’s main airport only days before.
The event still attracted 5,247 visitors from 35 countries with 94% of visitors coming from the host nation. Over 2000 pre-registered international visitors were unable to travel to Bangkok, having an inevitable impact on the international visitor profile.
Event director Marcus Timson says: “We had a positive experience despite the dramatic events and visitors and exhibitors were very understanding and supportive. The event delivered significant value for the 140 exhibitors. The feedback that we received from them was that the show was worthwhile from a sales perspective, with a strong turnout from the Thai printing community. We know that a number of exhibitors sold machines and generated business opportunities.”

European fine paper manufacturer Arctic Paper has gained approval from the German Bundeskartellamt for the acquisition of Mochenwangen Papier GmbH.
”Our strategy is to grow organically and through acquisition. The purchase of Mochenwangen Papier is a strategic move aimed at fortifying and developing our position in the market”, says Olle Grundberg, CEO of Arctic Paper.
Arctic Paper already operates the Swedish paper mills of Arctic Paper Munkedals AB and Arctic Paper Håfrestöms AB, as well as Arctic Paper Kostrzyn S.A. in Poland.

The Specialty Graphic Imaging Assocation (SGIA) has reported 19,201 registered visitors and 487 exhibitors occupying 225,686 square feet at its recently held annual show at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta.
Visitors were mostly from the US, Canada, Mexico and South Korea but also came from 90 other countries. Next year’s SGIA Expo will be held in New Orleans between October 7-9 at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center. Its platimun sponsors are confirmed as being EFI VUTEk, Gandinnovations and Hewlett Packard. More information is available at www.sgia.org

French software specialist Caldera took the DPI Best Product of the Year Award at SGIA for its RIP product line and new FLOW+ business automation and control workflow solution for the wide format printing market.
This award identifies the pre-eminent products in the digital graphics field, those that clearly provide new definition of the industry technology and recognizes outstanding products that have impacted 2008 and will impact 2009.
From quote to invoice, while managing the production process (printing and finishing), inventory analysis and planning, automation of the RIP, outsourcing, delivery notes, financial statistics and accounting synchronization, FLOW+ is a complete solution.
The product is a combination of an MIS (Management Information System), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and a CRM (Customer Relation Management), and is the first workflow software to interact directly with the RIP spooler, says Caldera.

Printing ink and pigment producer Sun Chemical has named Felipe Mellado chief marketing officer and Bradley Schrader vice president of strategy and business development.
From his Madrid base, Mellado will oversee all of Sun Chemical’s corporate marketing activities and product management including global branding activities, trade show participation, and all other marketing communications.
“Felipe has led our marketing efforts in Europe and knows how to clearly communicate our messages and value propositions to customers,” says Rudi Lenz, Sun Chemical’s CEO.
Schrader becomes vp of strategy and business development having been the company’s cmo for the past two years. “Brad has played a key role in Sun Chemical’s growth, and this new role capitalizes on his strengths in global business strategy,” Lenz says. “Brad will spearhead our strategy for growth, both in our core ink and pigments business, and in new adjacent businesses. He will also lead all merger and acquisitions.”

Digital signage business Minicom Advanced Systems has named Saben as its exclusive representative in Turkey.
Saben’s digital signage company, Digiboard, has worked on projects for advertisement and information in many Turkish locations including airports and shopping malls and delivered projects to third parties companies.
“We have seen some impressive installations of our products by Digiboard and decided to deepen our relationship with them,” says Minicom Europe president Ronni Guggenheim. “This is thanks to their established track record in sales, integration, client service and retention. Their understanding of the Turkish market is excellent and commitment levels are very high.”
“Saben’s belief is that the future of communication will be internet and digital signage,” says Bahar Erduran at Digiboard.

WIFAG Polytype Group has acquired Spuhl`s (Switzerland) Digital Printing activities and L&P Digital Technologies (USA) from Leggett & Platt.
The Swiss-based global graphics group will integrate the businesses as a new division of the WIFAG Polytype Group under the name of WP Digital AG in Switzerland. WP Digital AG will continue the development, sales and service of the former Spuhl digital printers and distribute these products via WP Digital AG worldwide.
With their engineering, process and manufacturing expertise WIFAG and Polytype SA says it will continue to innovate within the graphics and printing industries. WP Digital's Virtu UV large format printer has a hybrid roll and flatbed system enabling it to print on materials up to 3.5m wide. This includes flexible roll goods such as adhesive foil or textiles, and sheet materials such as Dibond, metal or wood. It is an ideal solution for mass production, low-cost small print runs and promotional applications, says the company.

Following clearance from the European Commission at the end of October, Sappi shareholders have approved the acquisition of the coated graphic paper business of M-real – paving the way for consolidation in the European fine paper sector.
Sappi CEO Ralph Boëttger says the move is a “Strong endorsement of our decision to enter into this transaction which should transform the economics of our European paper business. We are confident that the transaction will create significant value for Sappi and our shareholders and is in line with our commitment to improving profitability, returns and cash flow for the group, while strengthening our position as a global market leader in coated fine paper and chemical cellulose.”

Robert Horne is now a UK dealer for the new Mimaki CJV30 solvent inkjet printer/cutter. The system is the first Mimaki machine to combine print and cut in a single machine.
The CJV series enables contour cutting straight after printing, and can carry out print and cut unattended using UISS (uninterrupted ink supply system). It is available in several sizes: 610mm/24”, 1020mm/40.1", 1361mm/53.5", and 1610mm/63.3".
Robert Horne specialises in providing digital hardware and ancillary products and advising customers how a relatively low investment in digital presses can increase print business opportunities. Kevin Wheeler at Robert Horne says his company: “can remain completely independent as a supplier, offer a balanced view of today’s technology,” and help develop “new added-value services and maximise the return on their investment.”

At the recent SGIA Expo event in America, Roland DG’s new VersaUV LEC-300 30" UV inkjet printer/cutter was named DPI product of the year in the output device poster category.
The 30”-wide unit is the industry's first wide-format UV inkjet printer/cutter and uses low-heat LED lamps, says Roland. It prints CMYK, white and clear gloss on a wide range of substrates including foils, metallic and synthetic papers, BOPP, PE, and PET film. The system can be used for both short production runs and pre-press applications such as proofs and prototypes. It generated good interest at the event, says Yohei Shinomura, Roland DG’s Colour Product manager, reflecting strong potential within the digital and screen printing markets: ‘The VersaUV LEC-300 combines a new generation of LED-curable inks with Roland’s print and cut technology for unmatched quality and versatility.’

3M and branding solutions business Creative Graphics International (CGI) have collabotrated to install Volkswagen UK with dynamic wide screen and interactive digital displays using Vikuiti Rear Projection technology.
Located at two of the car company’s retail locations, Volkswagen is using the displays to play vibrant video that captures customer attention and maximises brand assets. A 96-inch 16:9 screen was hung at one of the dealerships, while a ceiling-mounted projector beamed content-rich video designed to educate, entertain and inform customers of the latest Volkswagen offers and information. Positioned above an open atrium on the ground floor, the giant screen is intended to catch the customer’s eye and drive traffic upstairs to peruse cars for sale.
At a separate showroom, a second screen has been installed. Combined with an interactive touch foil, the 40” 4:3 screen allows customers to access and navigate the Volkswagen website to view or configure cars stocked locally and nationally, simply by touching the screen.

Screen Events has updated its website for Europe’s biggest digital signage event next year – Screen Media Expo Europe 2009.
The site contains a comprehensive event overview, exhibitor listings, visitor information, show sponsors and supporters, testimonials and a multi-language press section. New features include an interactive online gallery and a conferences and workshops section linking to joint venture micro sites. The website will be continuously updated with the latest news and downloads in the months approaching the show dates – 7-8 April. The show brochure, floor plan, logos and digital banners are also downloadable.
www.screenevents.co.uk

October’s Viscom event in Frankfurt, Germany attracted 60% more exhibitors, enlarged its exhibition area by 70% and grew visitor numbers by 25% to 9,090, says Reed Exhibitions Deutschland.
A total of 275 exhibitors from 26 countries attended the three-day event. “The new orientation of viscom as the central marketing trade fair in the visual communication sector is increasingly showing results,” said Hans-Joachim Erbel, md at Reed Exhibitions Deutschland who saw: “A significantly higher number of marketing decision-makers and users from advertising agencies, industry and the retail sector”.
The next viscom is set for October 1-3, 2009 at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre.

Specialist digital textile printing solutions provider Multi-Plot introduced two new d.gen textile printing machines at Viscom Germany.
Both the Heracle and S systems were demonstrated on the Multi-Plot booth. They are equipped with dual carriage print technology and printed colorful designs directly on to many different kinds of textiles. The Heracle prints with eight colours. It has a double print head configuration and a maximum 187cm printing width. Its maximum printing speed, says Multi-Plot, is approximately 57m2/per hour. Compared to single print technology, the Heracle prints at twice the speed and is equipped with an adhesive belt for elastic fabrics.
The S printer also offers many creative opportunities. It can print on both-sides of materials simultaneously, with the same, or different designs.

A Vista System sign system was recently installed at Rotulos Gavalda new office complex at Alicante, Spain.
The client requested a good-looking, easy to update and vandal-proof sign system. Four types of signage were required: a central double sided pylon for the main lobby; directory signs for specifying office locations on each floor and events taking place in the events hall; wall and table signs for each office, and suspended signs for general wayfinding.
Ease of updating was especially important for the client as the event hall’s directory sign requires updating on a daily basis. Vista System’s sign frames allow for the use of standard signage substrates such as plastics, metals, and paper. Users simply remove inserts with a Vista Key suction cup, and position new inserts when needed.

Europe’s biggest international visual communication event Viscom Italia attracted 21,038 visitors to Milan in November.
The success coincided with the Milan event’s 20th birthday and Reed Exhibitions Italia was very pleased with the result. Emerging trends and technologies were a big part of the event. A total of 598 exhibitors attended, along with over 21,000 visitors from 76 countries.

Digital ink developer and manufacturer Bordeaux Digital Printink is embarking on a new partnership program, directed at UK distributors and wholesalers of digital ink, industrial printers and consumables for the wide format industry.
The company is looking to form partnerships and alliances with UK-based businesses to provide customer-oriented solutions. Moshe Zachordeaux, CEO at Digital Printink, says the firm is very proud of its recent expansion in the European market and growing exposure to the European signage industry. Its products are used by printing houses in more than sixty countries, reached by a network of dealers and distributors.

Tracey Cook is the new director of education and training at the International Sign Association (ISA).
Cook is already an association professional specialising in developing and managing adult education, training and outreach programs, and has: ‘A strong track record and a deep passion for working with trade associations to develop relevant, engaging education programs,” according to ISA vp of Education and Technical Initiatives, Rich Gottwald. “Her insight and expertise will enhance our team as we continue to re-position ISA as a preeminent provider of educational and training programs for the modern on-premise sign industry.”

Leading UK corporate signage manufacturer Active Signs is expanding into continental Europe. Having previously carried out an extensive external signage programme on behalf of Value Retail at its La Vallee retail outlet near Paris, the firm was awarded a similar re-branding contract for the company’s Ingolstadt Retail Park near Munich.
The project was a complete design and build, encompassing initial conceptualisation, production of all of the signage, transportation and installation by the company’s own engineers.
The 18-month development included main identification and individual signs for all of the 150 retail units, and directional, information and ancillary signs. Special decorative lamppost signs and architectural lighting features were also supplied. Ornate projecting sign brackets were constructed from extruded, powder coated aluminium.

The Robert Horne Group is offering training in how to wrap vehicles and apply vinyl. A series of one-day courses is demonstrating vinyl application techniques, and offering practical, hands-on experience using test panels and actual vehicles.
The demonstrations use Avery 900SC and MPI 1005RS vinyls. The Avery900 Super Cast New Generation has been upgraded to improve conformability in applications using heavy corrugated surfaces, both convex and concave. The 1005 RS vinyl is a premium quality gloss opaque cast film designed for use in fleet marking and corporate identification applications. Avery Dennison says the technology provides reduced wrinkling and air entrapment often encountered in the application of decals and graphics.

ASLAN, a supplier of self-adhesive speciality film products, has added to its range of metal effect films. The six colours in the ASLAN CA 23 line, all have a stainless steel look. The self-adhesive films have a double-sided matt finish, have an exterior durability of at least two years and can be used for a variety of creative applications.
With the same surface effect on both sides, the polyester films in the range produce an eye-catching metallic look for letterings, graphics and emblems.
The range is available in 25m rolls with a maximum width of 1.25 m.

Adhesives and laminates distributor Drytac has launched a new range of magnetic graphic systems. The magnetic substrates, magnet-receptive primers and printable magnet-compatible materials reflect the latest trend for displaying graphics in retail outlets, exhibitions and other short-term graphic applications. They can be combined to create changeable graphic environments or simply used as individual components in a wide range of display applications.
The system works by first preparing the wall with FerroCoat paint, a commercial grade latex that creates a metallic, magnetised surface to which suitable materials will fix. Alternatively, a self-adhesive magnetic sheeting can be applied to a wall, again creating a permanent magnetic surface to which magnet-receptive materials can be applied. Stage two is preparation of the graphic using a range of solutions including magnetic tape, printable magnetic sheeting, or FerroJet, a magnetic compatible printable media.

Increased efficiency and space saving were the two key criteria for a UK customer who has purchased a RollsRoller flatbed applicator from William Smith.
‘Surprisingly, for such a large machine, it takes up less space than our two previous laminators,’ says client Chris Rumney, at Denbighshire County Council’s signage production department. Their new system is now used a variety of applications including road traffic and commercial signage.
‘We have seen significant benefits in productivity and efficiency,’ says Rumney. ‘The RollsRoller has increased the volume of signs we can produce, we can now manufacture larger signs, and less fabrication time is needed. We predicted the system would self-finance within 18 months but we have already recouped half the cost in just six months.’

Fisher Offshore has modernised the exterior signage of its offices in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, using the Flexfast back-lit box system from William Smith.
‘We use Flexfast for such projects as this,’ explains Henry Clark at Lofthus Signs & Engraving, the company which recommended the system to the building architect. ‘In this case because of the size of the two signs required and the height at which they were to be installed on the building. The Flexfast system is significantly better than acrylic faces in terms of both appearance and safety,’ says Clark. ‘It doesn’t expand and there are no joins where wind can get in and blow the face out. The illumination is very good and the quality of graphics from William Smith is excellent.’
Flexfast is a full-face box system, featuring one of the most accurate face tensioning systems currently available to provide a wrinkle-free finish. It can be assembled quickly using standard power tools. Flexfast boxes can be supplied as a finished unit, in ready-to-assemble kit form, or in full lengths of extrusion.

Surrey-based company Digital Factory has installed an Axyz 6010 CNC machine to help create new business opportunities and increase profitability.
Digital Factory provides a range of sign and graphics solutions, primarily to the point-of-sale, exhibition and special event markets, using various production processes, including digital printing, vinyl cutting, lamination and cardboard engineering.
‘We can process much of our work on our digital cutting table,’ explains DF’s Cyrus Norton. ‘Increasingly we’ve been asked to manufacture products involving acrylic, aluminium composite materials like Dibond, medium-density fibreboard, and laminates. We purchased the router incorporating the machine’s optional Automatic Tool Change (ATC) facility to enable us to handle these materials in-house. This also to allows us to switch seamlessly between cutting, V-grooving, bevelling and drilling to precise tolerances.’

Wide-format inkjet printer manufacturer Mutoh Europe has launched a bulk ink system and a new set of CMYK mild solvent inks for its Blizzard series printers. The new inks, called Mild Solvent Plus (MS Plus), are designed to improve performance and cost for print figures.
The new MS Plus inks are available in 1 litre bottles and 440 ml ink cassettes, for use in combination with Mutoh’s continuous ink supply system, or Bulk Ink System (BIS).
The inks have the same colour gamut and UV resistance (up to three years without lamination) as Mutoh’s existing mild solvent inks.
Printing speed on previously compatible media is now up to three times faster thanks to optimized drying characteristics and dot gain control in combination with Mutoh’s new HD 360 Intelligent Interweaving print modes.

Mimaki Engineering has acquired nbn-Electronic, its former distributor in Germany. Based in Herrsching, Germany, nbn focuses on innovative products and offers a complete range of products for the digital printing market.
‘We felt that the time was right for another step in the development of Mimaki Engineering as Germany is one of our main markets,’ says Akira Ikeda, Mimaki’s president. Through the acquisition, ‘we can work directly with the existing dealer network and look forward to long and fruitful relationships. Mimaki will continue its focus on innovation not only in the sign and graphics markets but also in industrial markets. We will also supply German print service providers with unparalleled service and equipment through Mimaki-nbn GmbH.’

Blackburns Metals has installed a large format Tekcel CNC router to enhance its offering to sign and display customers.
The firm has been supplying sheet metals and ancillary products to the sign trade for many years and recently launched a sign and display division to manage this area of its business. In addition to its range of sheet metals, Blackburns also supplies aluminium composite materials (ACM). BM’s Guy Hammond says: ‘We have been supplying composite sheet to the sign industry over the last couple of years and are looking to complement them with products that are more than just sheet, such as boxes and flat panels. Therefore we needed a machine that would cut not only aluminium but also stainless steel and our new line of aluminium composite materials.’
This Tekcel E Series CNC router can handle sheet sizes in excess of 3x2m, has a heavy duty 10hp spindle motor with fully automated tool change for up to 18 tools.

William Smith has added to its production machinery portfolio by becoming a re-seller of both the Mutoh Blizzard and Spitfire ink jet printers.
Following close collaboration between Mutoh and 3M, these printers can incorporate a specially developed inkjet system that makes 3M’s renowned MCS (Matched Component System) warranty an affordable option for a much wider range of users. The five-year warranty means that any graphics produced using the 3M system are covered against UV light fade, shrinking, peeling or cracking.
Both the Blizzard and Spitfire feature Mutoh’s Intelligent Weaving i2 technology, which provides a superior print quality and clarity of image for both photo and sign printing. Because the ink is applied in wave forms, instead of straight lines, banding, mottling and the problems generally associated with spot colour are all eliminated, and a more intense density of image can be achieved.
The machines print at 720dpi and provide the same colour and quality output. The Blizzard, prints at a speed of up to 36m2/hour, whilst the Spitfire prints at up to 22m2/hour. Both are available in 65” and 90” formats.

Bay Area Imaging (BAI), a digital print provider in Houston, USA, has produced banners for STS-120, a space shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Italian Space Agency ordered the banners for the European-built Harmony module.
‘NASA was very specific about the type of fabrics that were allowed on the shuttle and eventually approved Country Cotton FR, a 3P InkJet Textiles product,’ says Walter Bernard, the BAI’S owner. ‘It was helpful for the approval process that 3P publishes detailed specification and test reports.’
The production process of the 100% cotton fabric is environmentally friendly, and the fabric is also biodegradable. ‘The product is flame retardant, and coated to meet international standards for indoor advertising banners and the point of sale market,’ says 3P’s Thomas Pötz.
Country Cotton FR is ideal for use in public buildings such as airports, museums, exhibition centres and theatres. The cotton material produces good printing results with any large format printer using dye or pigmented aqueous inks.

DCP Systems, an independent provider of wide format digital colour printing solutions, recently teamed up with Epson and Colourgen to create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for fine art and photography printing solutions.
As a value-added reseller for the north of England for Colourgen, DCP Systems provides a range of wide format printers, software, consumables and support solutions to the photographic and fine markets. More recently, DCP has become the UK’s largest local reseller for Epson printers.

Colourgen has appointed Julie Mitchell as its new internal sales manager. Mitchell will be responsible for recruiting, training and managing Colourgen’s internal sales team as well as maximising and measuring sales performance to meet the company’s sales objectives. She will also oversee and participate in the co-ordination of sales promotion activities.
‘Julie has extensive experience of managing and working within fast moving and dynamic sales teams,’ says Print Solutions manager Peter Davidson. ‘We believe she be a real asset to our team as we look forward to an exciting period of time for Colourgen. Julie will mainly be working with our reseller accounts sales team to help them support and manage these important relationships.’

Fletcher-Terry, a designer and manufacturer of equipment and hand cutting tools for the sign and graphics markets, is 140 years old.
The firm was founded in 1868 by engineer Samuel Monce. His nephew, Fred S. Fletcher, partnered Monce in his business, and aided by his father-in-law, Franklin Terry, founded the company.
By 2007 the company held over 90 patent grants and expanded into the sign and graphic markets with a variety of leading-edge substrate cutting devices. The Fletcher-Terry Company has remained a family-owned business since its inception and is based in Connecticut, USA. For the last 51 years, the company has been headed by Terry Fletcher, the grandson of Fred Fletcher.

London-based large format printing solutions provider Perfect Colours’ demonstration suite now houses two new flatbed UV printers from HP’s Commercial and Industrial product lines.
The first is the new HP Designjet H45000 printer (formerly the ColorSpan 5400uv series). This printer is for commercial print service providers who want to produce durable outdoor and indoor signs, banners, point-of-purchase (POP) displays and posters with vivid colours on flexible and rigid media. Designed to convert easily from a roll-fed to a flatbed printer, the devices print directly on rigid display boards or flexible media. Available in 4 and 6-colour versions, the system offers print speeds up to 36m2 per hour.
The second machine, the HP Scitex FB910, is aimed at the established printer looking to increase productivity and functionality with higher print volumes across multiple applications. This is a robust flatbed printer for the production of durable outdoor and indoor based applications, such as signs, banners, POP displays, posters, billboards, building wraps, lawn signs and street furniture. Featuring HP Scitex FB240 UV inks, it will print at up to 74.3m2 per hour.

Italian colour measuring innovator Barbieri electronic, has updated its Spectro Swing spectrophotometer. The new system is available in two models: the Spectro Swing R, which measures reflective media only and Spectro Swing RT which is able to measure both reflective and transparent media.
The Spectro Swing R can easily be upgraded to a Spectro Swing RT using software. ‘The Swing R is an entry level model,’ says Barbieri’s Wolfgang Passler. ‘It allows users to upgrade to transparent measurements too, enabling them to get the right colours on transparent media such as backlit, which is becoming increasingly important in the digital imaging marketplace.’
The latest version of the software, Profile-Xpert Gateway, is also available and allows use of the Spectro Swing on Apple Macs. This links the measuring devices with almost every third-party RIP and other profiling software.

Outdoor media contractor Vision Media Group has launched Iconic Pods, creating the UK’s largest portrait-style digital screen shopping mall network.
The new double-sided Iconic Pods will add an extra 200 portrait advertising screens to VMG’s shopping mall network, and bring the total of installed screens to 240. These screens will reach a monthly audience in excess of 50 million consumers at the point-of-purchase.
Deployment of the Iconic Pods will begin in late September 2008 with the first 100 units in shopping malls across the UK ahead of the Christmas period, traditionally one of the biggest spending quarters in the advertising year. The Iconic Pods have touch-screen and video and incorporate incentives such as the dispensing of coupons, loyalty cards recruitment and way-finder services.

Vista System International has supplied its ADA (Braille and tactile) compatible sign system to SB Skiltagerd for installation at the Thorlakshofn sports centre, the first in Iceland to use Braille and tactile signs. As a result, it will most likely introduce a new standard in the country. Vista System’s wall signs and projecting wall brackets were chosen to identify the premises on site such as specific offices, dressing rooms and saunas.

Junkers & Müllers has developed a material specifically to meet the demands made of printed images used in backlit applications.
The fabric has a special coating. While conventional fabrics let the light shine through the material, causing colours to fade, the micro-porous coating of Mediatex Lightbox intensifies them. When light is absorbed and then diffused through the other side, resulting in more brilliant colours, and very dark blacks. The fabric is particularly suitable for department store systems and exhibition stands. The robust, flexible material is easy to process and is available in widths of up to 2m. It can be printed with all solvent and uv inks.

The spectacular opening ceremony at the recent Beijing Olympics owed much to the shining lights of thousands of ancient Chinese musical instruments, and the colourful lights studded around the Olympic circles rising into the night sky. These were provided by Honglitronic LED.

Roland DG has updated its RIP and colour management software VersaWorks. The latest version features a new single-pass white print mode for the XC-540W printer/cutter. VersaWorks 2.7 is available free for Roland users at www.rolanddg.com/download.html.
The white ink printer/cutter can be used for a wide variety of applications, including vehicle wraps, graphics, signs, POP displays, banners, labels, decals and window graphics.

Océ, has acquired Scandinavian reseller Epcot to further expand its distribution power. Epcot, with operations in Sweden and Denmark, focuses on the engineering sector and the graphic arts market. The company supplies professional printing, scanning and copying solutions and employs 35 staff, all of whom are expected to transfer to Océ.
Océ employs 425 people in its Nordic organisation in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. The company is building its position in northern Europe, particularly in wide format printing systems. The acquisition boosts Océ’s position in digital wide format printing, which focuses on banners, signage and posters for different media carriers.

PlotFactory AG, a leading large format print service provider based in Switzerland, has added a Gandinnovations Jeti 3324 Aquajet at its Weisslingen premises.
The installation is Gandinnovations’ first European installation of the new direct-to-fabric digital printer which made its debut at this year’s drupa event.
‘The Aquajet enables us to print, slit, and seal in just one process,’ says PlotFactory boss Rinaldo Fochetti. ‘This is a tremendous advantage as we no longer need a separate sublimation machine. This will save us time and resources and also have a positive impact on the environment.’
PlotFactory prints on a variety of fabrics ranging from backlit material, satin textiles, non-reflective block-out fabrics, canvas to transparent and light banner materials. Its work includes event displays for flags and banners, indoor and outdoor advertising, and exhbitions for museums.

When corporate rebranding meant new signage for its premises in Plymouth, UK, Babcock Marine turned to local specialist Eagle Signs.
The main legacy sign – a 15m wide rectangular logo made from dibond aluminium composite panels – was installed by Eagle in 2005. As the system had performed well in this exposed coastal location, Eagle was commissioned to produce its
replacement.
‘With large signs we use dibond as a matter of course,’ says Eagle’s Mark Carter. ‘Extreme flatness and rigidity, combined with light weight, make it an exceptionally good sign material. Crucially, it’s extremely durable and resistant to weathering. We have tried other grades of ACM, but have had to replace so many signs due to failure or colour variation, we think paying a premium for guaranteed performance and piece of mind is well worth it. Our fitters like working with dibond – other materials often distort at fixing points. Dibond remains flat, making installation simpler and less prone to compromise. In this case, the sign was manufactured from 3mm thick ultramarine blue dibond which provided an excellent match for the client’s corporate colour’.

Wide-format piezo inkjet printer manufacturer Mutoh Europe has launched a bulk ink system and a new set of CMYK mild solvent inks for its Blizzard printers.
The new Mild Solvent Plus (MS Plus) inks will drastically improve both performance and cost for print figures, says Mutoh. They are available in one-litre bottles and 440ml ink cassettes, for use in combination with Mutoh’s continuous ink supply system, or Bulk Ink System (BIS). The inks are free from cyclohexanone and NMP and have the same colour gamut and UV resistance (up to three years without lamination) as Mutoh’s existing mild solvent inks.
The BIS for Blizzard has four ink bottles, each with a capacity of 4.3 litres. The system comes with eight permanent ink supply cartridges, each of which has electronic and mechanical overflow protection. Each ink supply tube has its own filter pump which prevents dust particles from reaching the print head. A constant ink level is maintained inside each cartridge guaranteeing a steady pressure inside the print head, a continuous uniform drop mass and a constant print quality.

3M has expanded its range of digital printing films with the introduction of 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series IJ70.
The material has been developed for general sign and graphics and commercial vehicle livery applications and for use with solvent-based piezo inkjet printers. The 50 micron-thick cast vinyl film is available in a white and transparent format and features either a permanent acrylic pigmented (IJ70-10) or permanent acrylic clear (IJ70-114) adhesive.
The film can be applied to a wide range of commonly used sign and graphics substrates, including glass, acrylic, various metals, polycarbonates, fibreglass and painted surfaces. Where graphics are likely to be exposed to the more severe environmental conditions or frequent power washing involving harsh and potentially damaging chemicals, the use of an appropriate 3M-specified protective laminate is recommended. 3M IJ70 will, however, resist mild acids, alkalis and salts.

Madico Graphic Films has launched a range of environmentally-friendly non-PVC inkjet printable films for indoor and outdoor signage projects.
The Mother Green range of substrates is suitable for many graphic applications, including advertising hoardings, promotional banners, backlits and vehicle liveries.
The 20 films in the range are engineered to match the performance and functional benefits offered by PVC substrates. These include clear and white polyester and polyolefin films for short-term indoor projects, and polyurethane and acrylic based products for long-term outdoor durable requirements.
‘Printers are now required to conform to international legislation governing the use of hazardous substrates and their component materials,’ says Madico’s Andy Voss. ‘However, meeting such prerequisites is often not enough as customers continue to demand environmentally-friendly, non-PVC alternatives for their large format projects.’

Viscom-Sign España 2008 will take place at Madrid’s Trade Fair Institution (Ifema) venue between October 16-18.
Organisers say the show will provide a meeting point for the whole digital printing equipment industry and other visual communication markets. Two hundred and fifty exhibitors and 16,000 visitors are expected.
The show will offer an extensive programme of seminars, conferences and graphic exhibitions, while an extensive ‘sign area’ will showcase companies working in large-scale digital printing, digital textile printing and signage systems and outdoor advertising.

GBC Commercial Laminating Solutions set a new Guinness World Record at drupa 2008 by laminating 102.2m2 of paper (70x100cm) in 40.53 seconds.
The new GBC 8500HS Cyclone laminating system and GBC High Bonding Strength (HBS) film were used in the challenge. Gareth Deaves, an adjudicator from the Guinness Book of World Records, confirmed the time of the lamination run and presented an award to the GBC team.
The Cyclone system is designed for single-sided lamination of high-volume print runs. Running at speeds up to 150m (500ft) per minute, the system can cut production time by one-half or more without sacrificing accuracy, control, and quality, says GBC. Its 112cm (44in) width offers versatility and also lets users run prints landscape-wise, further increasing productivity. A high-precision MABEG feeder controls the feeding and transport of up to 18,000 printed sheets per hour, using suction cups.

Digital offset printing solutions provider Presstek has teamed up with EskoArtwork, a provider of workflow solutions for the packaging and printing industry.
Presstek will offer EskoArtwork’s Odystar workflow solution under the Presstek Latitude brand. Latitude is an automated prepress workflow that streamlines throughput and processing of files.
Presstek will also sell other EskoArtwork products to expand its workflow offerings for medium to large-size printers. ‘As our customers grow their businesses, and as we bring our digital offset solutions into larger printing businesses, it is important to offer a range of workflow alternatives,’ says Presstek’s Jeff Jacobson.

Mimaki Engineering and 3M have developed a new range of UV inks for UV printing.
The two firms have been strategic partners for over 20 years – 3M vinyl print media has long been a supporter of Mimaki’s JV3 and JV33 wide format solvent inkjet printers.
Many independent and franchise sign shops, as well as specialty graphics producers rely on 3M media and the JV series (solvent) products for their daily business.
Both companies anticipate a shift towards UV printing for applications such as POP, print on clear and metallic substrates, textiles and rigid materials, as well as vehicle graphics.
Likewise, 3M has also developed inks which will be employed in Mimaki’s new hybrid UJV-160 UV LED printer. ‘3M is excited to work with Mimaki and is proud to apply our industry-leading UV ink and film technologies to its expanded line of hybrid printers. More importantly, we believe this partnership will enhance UV and graphic solutions for our customers and the graphics industry.’ says Mark Schaeffer at 3M Commercial Graphics.

Sign & Digital UK recorded 7,645 visitors for its April show. ‘We are delighted with the response from both exhibitors and visitors,’ says event director Rudi Blackett. ‘Our promotional campaign managed to generate new visitors as well as many previous visitors to the show and there was a great buzz onsite with record leads taken and many products sold as a result.’
The dates for Sign & Digital UK, Screenprint, and The Digital Signage Showcase have been confirmed for April 28-30 2009 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.
The show’s new marketing manager is Alan Caddick, who joined the management team just prior to this year’s event. He is tasked with building upon the success of the 2008 show and enhancing the visitor experience. Demand for 2009 stand space is at record levels, he says.

EskoArtwork has signed a Letter of Intent regarding the acquisition of Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering (MGE) – the industry reference in vision controlled finishing solutions for cutting tables in the sign-making, screen-printing and digital printing marketplaces.
MGE is the developer of the patented i-cut vision system. Its i-script workflow has become the de facto international standard through its integration into the RIPs of all major digital flatbed presses. MGE also is EskoArtwork’s distributor for the Kongsberg i-XL and i-XE digital converting tables into the US sign and display markets since 2004.
‘EskoArtwork and MGE started their close co-operation in 2004 with the integration of MGE’s i-cut vision system onto our Kongsberg digital converting tables,’ says EskoArtwork boss Carsten Knudsen. ‘The rapid adoption of digital printing devices by the producers of signs and displays is accelerating demand.’
MGE’s operations will become a business unit within EskoArtwork under the leadership of Steen Mikkelsen.

Two of the biggest names in the visual communications sector have teamed up to create the MACtac – Nazdar digital warranty. The scheme is intended to give printers and end-users assurance that finished graphics manufactured by MACtac and printed with Nazdar Lyson inks and overprint products fulfil specific outdoor and indoor durability requirements.
Nazdar’s Phil McGugan says the digital warranty: ‘Will be an important business tool for our customers to produce graphics that meet the demands of today’s marketplace.’
Rick Moore at MACtac, which makes pressure sensitive films, added: ‘With the wide variety of MACtac media and printers using Nazdar Lyson inks that have now been evaluated and certified for compatibility, digital printers are now free to explore their many applications with confidence.’

With the launch of its new Rho 320R UV inkjet printer, Durst says a new quality standard for industrial roll-to-roll printing has been established.
The system features Quadro Array print head technology and a new print carriage concept. Also of note are a high quality white printing option, a light colour option and enhanced software with integrated maintenance program. Durst says the 320R UV will print widths up to 320cm (10.5ft) on a wide range of coated and uncoated media.
The printer also features the environmentally-friendly, low odour Rho Roll Ink which offers a wide colour gamut and high colour density. It enables economic printing of offset quality particularly for large format indoor applications. Demanding and profitable applications such as illuminated posters, window graphics, POP displays and advertising textiles can all be printed with the 320R in a previously unattainable quality. Durst says the system will print up to 130m2 (1400ft2) per hour.

Sign and graphics business Art Digital Technologies has installed an EFI VUTEk QS3200 superwide format UV printer at its third floor Manhattan premises.
At 20’ long, the printer was too big for the freight elevator. Instead, the company had to remove a window while a crane was hired to lift the press into position.
‘It was an amazing operation, but the impact this printer will have on our business will justify the effort,’ said ADT’s Dan Bright. ‘The QS3200’s fast switching between flexible and rigid substrates and its high quality imaging will allow us to migrate existing roll-to-roll business to it while we seek new and innovative direct-to-rigid applications that we were previously unable to produce efficiently.’
The system prints on both rigid and flexible substrates up to 126” (3.2m) wide and up to two inches (5.08cm) thick, with changeover from flexible to rigid substrates in less than a minute.

Canon says it yielded over 16,000 sales leads during drupa, with strong sales across the full range of production devices, including large format printers.
Per Klavsen at Canon says: It was excellent to see so many of our customers thinking about developing future solutions through the Canon Essential Business Builder Program modules. We manufacture some very powerful pieces of machinery but the real key to success is knowing how to unlock that power and harness its full potential.’

This November 13-15, Sign Italia, Europe’s biggest visual communication exhibition, will celebrate its 20 year anniversary with a record number of exhibitors. Over 90% of the exhibition space is already booked.
More than 20,000 graphic producers, designers, advertising agencies and decision makers from all over the world are expected. They will be interacting with 600 suppliers demonstrating the latest technologies and innovations in large format digital printing and imaging, signs and digital signage, billboards and point of purchase solutions, screen printing, engraving and laser solutions and digital communication solutions.

Vista System International, a leader in modular curved frame technology (MCFT), has supplied its elegant and easily updateable directory signage to Trivalent, for installation at the Olymp healthcare centre in Moscow, Russia. MCFT is a modern modular system providing a highly customizable solution that meets the unique requirements for individual sign projects. Vista System stocks all components for this system for fast delivery from strategic locations around the world.

Bangkok is gearing up to host the first ever FESPA World Expo Asia-Pacific 2008 at its International Trade and Exhibition Centre between November 28-30.
Event director Marcus Timson says: ‘We are thrilled to host Asia-Pacific’s first international screen and digital printing exhibition. Bangkok is the perfect location – as a major hub in Southeast Asia, its accessibility and excellent public transport infrastructure were a key consideration. The award-winning venue and its close proximity to the airport, Bangkok’s commercial centres, top-class hotels and restaurants are sure to make the visitor experience comfortable and enjoyable. We are confident they will enjoy the right combination of printing inspiration and relaxation.’

New reseller agreements have been signed by EskoArtwork in order to meet demand in the Eastern European display markets, where the company says its revenues are increasing annually by 30-60%. The company's Kongsberg cutting tables will now be offered by Romanian company Grup Transilvae in Transylvania, and Croatian distributor Fortuna Komers.
The dealers will provide EskoArtwork customers in the region with sales and support services – both are long-standing distributors of HP Designjet and HP Scitex printers, from aqueous- and mild-solvent based products through to wide- and superwide-format UV-curable options. The main customer base for these companies lie within the display and sign-making sectors, and the distributors wanted to add cutting, creasing and folding capabilities to their portfolios.

Digital printing major EFI has completed a strategic investment in Netanya, Israel-based Jettable, an inkjet technology company specialising in digital printing onto ceramic substrates. Jettable’s product portfolio adds to EFI’s inkjet capabilities, including the VUTEk (superwide inkjet for display graphics), and Jetrion (digital inkjet for packaging) products, as well as investments in Kornit (textiles) and Raster Printers midrange wide format). Jettable, founded in 2003, offers a line of ceramic inks and unique ultra-fine ceramic pigments.

Printin major Océ has acquired French company Intersoft – a distributor of printers, scanners and print media in the wide format graphic arts segment.
Amongst other customers, Intersoft assists several large retail chains in the production of their promotional material, and generates annual sales of EUR 21m. Billboards, ceiling banners and other promotional material are made on Intersoft printers and print media. Intersoft also develops and sells workflow software and is a specialist in guaranteeing uniformity in promotional material. Océ will be offering this software to customers outside France as well.
The transaction is fully in line with the Océ strategy to accelerate growth in the wide format graphic arts market. This market is expected to grow at about 6% per year. The part of the wide format graphic arts market that current digital technology can tap is estimated by Océ at EUR 4bn.
Océ offers numerous printing systems in this market: the Arizona 200/250 GT, the ColorWave 600, and the CS2224/CS2236 inkjet printer line. Océ’s TCS300/500 products also have printing applications to handle retail promotional material.