Signage fights back...

Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions continue to organise professional workshops for signmakers, digital printers, and application teams at the European Graphics Centre in Alphen aan de Rijn, The Netherlands.  This autumn, the schedule focuses on vehicle wrapping – including a special masterclass on ‘how to create the perfect design for the perfect wrap’ -- and graphics application.

Vehicle wrapping
The one-day masterclass on design for vehicle wraps – given in English -- is scheduled for 20th October. Three expert two-day courses on advanced vehicle wrapping techniques are scheduled – for 1st and 2nd September, 13th-14th October,  and 17th and 18th November.   Places for these well-established and popular English-language workshops are limited, so early booking is advised. 

For newcomers to the art of vehicle wrapping, a one-day beginners’ course is scheduled for 28th October.

Graphics application
The basic, core techniques of self-adhesive graphics application, along with the ‘tips and tricks’ that differentiate the professional from the beginner, are addressed in two Dutch-language one-day workshops, taking place on 28th October and 9th November.

All the workshops involve hands-on experience with Avery Graphics films and a variety of substrates, and participants receive a certificate at the end of their training.
Fees and course availability are available via the website, www.europe.averygraphics.com, where online registration is also possible.

Information on ‘offsite’ workshops additionally organised around Europe is available on request from Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions sales and customer service teams.

Exhibiting for the first time at 100% Design (22 – 25 September, Earls Court, London), Lintec Graphic Films, supplier of innovative, bespoke printable window graphics, will give visitors to its stand (F110) a wide overview of the premium films it sells to a range of customers around the globe.

The newest addition to its range of unique films, Vitroflip™, will be shown for the first time. Vitroflip™ maximises the opportunity to create an eye-catching image, enabling the user to create a ‘moving’ image, text or colours.

Lintec Graphic Film’s newest vignette effect film, Dot-on-dot™, which is perfect for office partitions, allows for a contemporary edge with the ability to print the pattern in two different colours, thereby creating completely different ambiences. For example, the outfacing image can be printed in a neutral, calm colour to fit in with the rest of the office decor, while the reverse image can be printed in a bright, lively colour. Alongside Dot-on-dot™, Lintec Graphic Films will also display a white vignette, which enables designers and architects to combine privacy with decorative printed images.

Vitrocolour™, an ultra-clear polyester film for transforming glass into vibrant advertising, design and corporate identity opportunities, is proving very popular with designers. The non-PVC film offers excellent see-through vision and allows for images of photographic quality to be printed in vibrant colours. Most importantly, Vitrocolour™ removes in one piece, which allows for quick changeovers when rebranding is required.

100% Design visitors will also be able to view the versatile Lumisty® window film, which has a unique ability to control what can and cannot be seen by changing from translucent to transparent depending on the viewing angle. It has already captured the imagination of leading interior designers, architects and retail branding specialists, and has successfully been used in a number of architectural campaigns, including practical applications to create privacy.

Contra Vision® ORS, an innovative one-way window film, will also be available on the stand. It allows for two customised images, both right reading, to be viewed from either side while continuing to enable see-through vision.

“We are seeing more and more interest in our glazing enhancement films from architects, designers and branding specialists, so believe 100% Design is the perfect platform for us to show it to the rest of this industry,” says Andy Voss, Managing Director of Lintec Graphic Films. “Visitors who are looking for new innovative, high quality applications will not be disappointed when they visit our stand.”

Soft signage has seen something of a revolution. With demand continuing to gather pace, Robert Horne, the materials expert has introduced some exciting new products to help customers diversify into new markets and increase their range of applications, using existing wide format machines.

Robert Horne offers Mediatex fabrics for solvent and UV inkjet printing. A range of water and dirt repellent fire rated fabrics for canvas, point of sale and tension frame graphics. Premium quality fabric Presto gives wrinkle free graphics for POS and tension systems; Bermuda is a unique fabric ideal for the retail arena; Light Box gives superior print quality for tension framed backlit boxes and Air is a canvas, perfect for wrapped display frames and artwork.

Wall coverings for interior spaces within the commercial or domestic marketplace are an area of growth, which is why Robert Horne has added PVC free, high quality, Erfurt Smooth and Textured Wallpapers. Personalised wallpaper that is fundamentally easy to use, the covering can be hung by the wall pasting technique or with a pasting machine. When it comes to redecorating, ERFURT Digital non woven can be simply stripped dry from the wall. In addition there is Solvent Event Fleece, which comes with removable self-adhesive, ideal for exhibitions and temporary interiors.

Linear Vector is also a new addition to Robert Horne’s portfolio; these double-sided freestanding displays are perfect for branding messages or creating stunning interiors, backdrops and screening, making them ideal for a wide range of applications. Constructed from frameless aluminium components, for seamless graphics, they are suitable for lightweight fabric or rigid substrates. The Vector kits are modular so they can be reconfigured and added to as required. As the graphics are front fixing, they can be applied in situ and changed regularly.

Roland DGA Corp. has expanded its Eco-SOL MAX certified media line to include Solvent Glossy Paper with Adhesive (ESM-SGPA).   Tested and profiled for performance with the company's eco-solvent printers and printer/cutters, the new media is an alternative to vinyl for decals and mounting.  It is available for use with Roland's newly launched VersaStudio BN-20, as well as VersaCAMM, VersaArt and SOLJET models.

"Our newest paper media is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to PVC-based products for signs, POP, photographic reproductions, trade show graphics or any other application where mounting is required," said Fernando Catania, product manager for Roland DGA Corp.  "In addition to producing flawless print-only graphics, it performs well with Roland printer/cutters to create labels, decals and other contour cut images of virtually any shape."
   
With an exceptional white point and gloss level, Solvent Glossy Paper with Adhesive produces sharp details and bold, saturated colours while minimising ink usage and associated costs. This 8 mil glossy media is multicoated for water resistance and optimum durability, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor displays. Additionally, the permanent water-based acrylic adhesive is backed with a silicone-treated liner for easy release and handling throughout the finishing process. 

Competitively priced, Solvent Glossy Media with Adhesive comes in 30- and 54-inch roll widths for VersaCAMM, VersaArt and SOLJET models, with a 20-inch roll width offered for the VersaStudio BN-20. 

Roland DGA certified media products can be purchased throughout North and South America (except Brazil) at www.rolanddgastore.com and through Roland Authorised Dealers. 

Fisher Textiles, one of the leading suppliers of fabrics for digital printing, has added its Crazy 8 Billiard Cloth with a new and improved coating back to its line of fabrics for dye sublimation and UV printing. 

Crazy 8 produces excellent print quality and is ideal for custom-printed pool tables.  The fabric’s stain resistant coating helps protect from unwanted stains.  Crazy 8 is 9.1 oz/yd2 and 65” wide.  Also available unbacked, Crazy Cloth, 6.6 oz/yd2, is excellent for Poker Tables, Black Jack Tables, Craps Tables, Texas Hold’em Tables and other gaming tables.

[Printed Crazy 8 image provided by Pimp My Table in MountVernon, IL]