Large Format Review - Business News

Agfa Graphics announced today that Dambach Print+Service GmbH, the well-known screen printing house near Karlsruhe in Germany, purchased its first :M-Press Leopard digital press. Dambach Print+Service is the first printer in the world to use Agfa’s versatile : M-Press Leopard for high-quality printing on various substrates, primarily intended for point of sales applications. The purchase was finalised at Fespa Digital 2011.

Dambach Print+Service GmbH is one of the leading screen printers in Germany. Dambach builds on a long standing tradition in the industry and a highly respected know-how, to guarantee the highest production standards.

"With :M-Press Leopard we optimise our current production portfolio, in particular to complete with our 5 colour screen print line from Thieme", said Mr. Bachmann, Owner of the Dambach-Bachmann Group. "We see a huge potential to grow in our market because of the versatility and flexibility the :M-Press Leopard will offer us. We are really exited that we can take this next leap now."

The :M-Press Leopard, brings its advanced ink-jet technology to display producers who want versatility and high quality at a considerably lower investment point and with the same very low :M-Press Tiger variable production cost. Thanks to the new design, :M-Press Leopard allows for new applications that require more manual handling

Josero has made a significant investment in its new premises in Cambridge to accommodate a range of new printers, carry additional stock of Triangle inks and expand its demonstration and training facilities. Triangle professional ink sales in the UK and Ireland have grown so rapidly in the past two years that this move has been essential. The new premises are easily accessible and boast 2500 sq/ft of space for storage, technical training, a demonstration suite, staff offices and to house some of Josero’s new printers.

Staff, dealers and customers will use the demonstration and training facilities. Potential customers will be able to visit the premises to see just how easy the switchover to Triangle Inks is and how it will save them money without any reduction in reliability and quality. Josero’s dealers throughout the UK and Ireland will be regular visitors to the new premises, receiving updates and training on new products from the technical team at Josero. 

By having the facilities to hold a large amount of stock in the UK which can either be shipped directly to customers or to one of its many dealers, Josero can guarantee their customers will receive excellent service and swift deliveries for their full range of inks and spare parts.

Paolo Capano, INX Digital Vice President EMEA, from Triangle’s European Head Office in Italy, officially opened the new premises. Paolo commented, “The team at Triangle are delighted with the impact Josero has made on the UK inkjet market. Within a few years Triangle inks have become one of the market leading professional ink suppliers in the UK. The investment Josero has made in these new premises shows their commitment and determination to further grow Triangle inks.”

Many companies in the UK and Ireland, ranging from small printing houses to large public sector bodies have moved to Triangle inks, including Signarama in Edinburgh, Dublin City Council, Signs and Imaging in Maidstone, Fastsigns in Peterborough and 24-7 in Warrington, to name but a few. Triangle inks is one of the fastest growing professional ink manufacturers in the world, and has an extensive product portfolio which means Josero can supply professional inks for virtually every model of wide and superwide format printer across the whole spectrum of ink technologies - traditional solvent, Eco & Mild Solvent, Water based, Bio, UV curable and Textile inks.

Josero is also expanding its product portfolio by adding two new printers to the existing product range.

The new Redjet super wide 3.2m solvent or bio printer 

This 3.2m solvent printer for Banner, Flex and Paper is capable of 720 dpi and up to 75 square metres per hour. The printer is easily maintainable with low ink costs, plus a full parts and labour manufacturer’s warranty. This printer is bundled with high quality Triangle VUV NR inks and the famous swiss RIP Ergosoft - Posterprint 14.

The new Neo UV1600 Cold Cure hybrid printer

The NEO UV-LED is a new affordable UV printer which has all the advantages of high quality "green" printing without requiring a big investment. This 1.6m hybrid printer is for a wide range of coated and uncoated materials, including glass, mirror, wood, bamboo, metal, plastic, ceramics, MDF, and laminate flooring. It has unique low temperature UV curing and long life lamps, plus super high resolution with up to 1440 dpi.

Canon UK, a world leader in imaging solutions, announces that the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8300 has been awarded the accolade of ‘Best Photographic Printer of the Year 2011’ by the European Digital Press Association (EDP) at a ceremony at FESPA Digital today. Comprising publishers of leading European magazines devoted to digital printing, the EDP Association represents a readership of over one million graphic arts professionals across 18 countries.

The EDP commended the iPF8300 for its 12-colour inkset and improved colour gamut, as well as the printer’s “use as an all-round commercial printer that gives the user more options”.

“We’re delighted that the imagePROGRAF iPF8300, which has been growing in popularity in the photographic, proofing and production markets since its launch, has won this award,” comments Gill Mussell, LFP Product Manager, Canon UK. “The innovative digital imaging and ink technologies in this printer deliver large format prints of outstanding quality and with the broadest available colour gamut, allowing professional users to take full advantage of the growing business opportunities in large format.”

Designed to deliver the highest quality output achievable in today’s aqueous large format printing market, the imagePROGRAF iPF8300 features Canon’s 12-colour LUCIA EX pigment ink system and innovative printing technology to produce prints with increased accuracy and an extended colour gamut to fulfil professional users' demands for more sophisticated print quality.

 

 

GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end colour management software solutions, announces it has launched a website for its customers in Latin America, www.GMGColorLA.com.. The new site gives customers a direct link to information about GMG's innovative technology in a choice of two languages - Portuguese and Spanish.

"The GMGColorLA.com site confirms our commitment to deliver comprehensive support to our customers in Latin America, one of our fastest growing regions," says Paulo Monteiro, Business Manager, Latin America. "The new site offers a user-friendly place where visitors, with a simple click, can get immediate access to information on GMG colour management solutions."

The "Home of Color" welcome page serves as the visitor's portal to GMG colour management technology, offering instant entree to the company's range of products and solutions. Visitors can click on one of the "Experimentar" tabs to access online information and demos for GMG ColorServer, GMG InkOptimizer, and GMG ColorProof. Unique to GMG's websites, customers are able to test the technology using their own data.

Clicking on the Espanol or Portuguese bar provides additional information on the company, products and markets that GMG covers. The product areas offer downloadable PDF files on GMG's full line of colour proofing, colour management, and colour control technology. Customers interested in learning about GMG's solutions for packaging, offset, wide-format or digital can view animated video presentations and download PDFs. The video animations deliver a user-friendly, instructional and entertaining view of how GMG's colour management solutions work.

The site is already up and running and visitors can also sign up to receive updates and notices. A password-protected area for resellers is also accessible on the site.

 

Avery Dennison recently announced the launch of CarWraps.net, an easy-to-use website that makes it convenient for small business owners and consumers to get information on branding or personalising their car with vinyl graphic media. CarWraps.net also includes an easily searchable database so that individuals can locate a pre-screened and certified installer near them and request a quotation on a vehicle wrap.
 
"Many small- and medium-sized businesses are exploring the idea of having cut or printed graphics applied to their vehicles or fleets as an excellent way to gain exposure for their brands," said Kathleen Hall, North American vice president and general manager for Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions. "Carwraps.net is designed to make this process straightforward and accessible for them as well as for consumers who want to customise their vehicles with their own style.  Our website also helps them execute their ideas by providing easy access to qualified wrap installation professionals."
 
Full-service wrap companies and installers that have been certified by Avery Dennison or the Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA), an independent, industry-leading organisation dedicated to raising the reliability and professionalism of the graphics installation industry, are listed on the website.  Avery Dennison and PDAA Master Certified Installers are experienced with all types of graphic installations, including walls and flat surfaces, glass, curved surfaces, and complex curved surfaces including vehicle wraps.
 
To get listed on carwraps.net, installers must pass the Avery / Mutoh Car Wrap Training Certification exam that is given at a variety of locations throughout the United States this year.  The Avery / Mutoh Car Wrap Training program is taught by Justin Pate, a world-recognized wrap installer.  The course consists of two days of classroom and hands-on training followed by a certification exam on the third day. Installers will learn the techniques necessary to improve their application skills by increasing speed and quality.
 
CarWraps.net has exceptional search engine rankings. It is typically listed in the number one or two position for Google searches of "car wrap" or "car wraps," which are highly used search terms. The website complements the efforts of converters and wrap companies to promote themselves and creates a new lead generation tool for potential customers.
 
Avery MPI 1005 Supercast digital wrap films and DOL Series overlaminates are the combination of choice for both wrap shops and installers. Supercast films give installers an edge by conforming to compound curves, corrugations and rivets easily.  In addition, the Easy Apply RS feature allows the film to slide across the substrate while being properly positioned and reduces the formation of air bubbles.  Customers love the printability of the film, which makes brands and promotional messages stand out on the vehicle.
 
Visit www.carwraps.net for more information on customising a vehicle with vinyl graphics. If you have questions about being listed on CarWraps.net, please email grpd.technicalservice@averydennison.com.

Enfocus is pleased to welcome Straightline as one of the newest authorised resellers in North America. Straightline offers customers Enfocus' powerful Switch automation technology, as well as the company's popular flagship solution. PitStop Pro.

Enfocus Channel Manager Steve Hosford says that Straightline has been a valued partner for years, and is enthusiastic about the company's new authorised reseller status. Says Hosford, "Straightline has extensive history working with production workflows, and understands exactly what customers are looking for."    

Robert Baldwin, Owner, Straightline, says that both Enfocus and Straightline work together to provide customers with products that they are going to use, and not just sit on a shelf.

Baldwin states, "Being a professional in this industry for many years, I constantly work to stay on top of the latest applications that suit customers' needs and help simplify their workflows. 

"Enfocus products like Switch are proving to help customers of all sizes to be competitive. Enfocus technology streamlines processes, allowing more cost- effective job production, which in turns gives customers an advantage during bidding, and greatly helps their bottom line." 

Enfocus Switch and PitStop products are designed for graphic arts professionals to use on a daily basis. Baldwin notes that customers quickly see their return on investment (ROI), and truly get their bang for the buck with Enfocus technology.

"Customers are definitely going to get their ROI with Enfocus, especially with PitStop and Switch," Baldwin says. "Enfocus provides generous new features with each product upgrade; so it is definitely worth choosing Enfocus for streamlined workflow and automation needs. You honestly can't say that about all software."