Media

 

This year’s Sign & Digital UK showcased a new fabric lightbox/ wall configuration from Tecna UK.

Lightweight yet built to the strictest standards for health and safety, the Tecna T3 light wall will illuminate any wall of any shape and any size and what’s more, the graphics can be changed in a matter of minutes, making an image re-vamp or new season change – or even a last minute sale graphic - a breeze.

Utilising a mix of traditional T3 Airframe aluminium extrusions and connectors and incorporating their fabric hanging system – T3 Fabframe – Tecna UK provided all the walls in the reception area for this years Sign & Digital UK. As well as taking a stand which incorporated many of the features described. No other hanging or framing system offers the choice in design without compromising the structural integrity of your stand or display.

At this years show Tecna supplied for the organizers:

• 1 x 10m Fabframe light wall in reception area.
• 1 x 10m airframe wall in reception area.
• 1 x 4m Fabframe wall in reception area.
• 1 x 4m airframe wall in reception area.
• 1 x 4m Fabframe wall in exit area.
• 1 x 4m airframe wall in exit area.

The interchangeable sections are able to hold any kind of substrate – including mirrors, wood, fabric, foamex, metal – you name it, Tecna T3 retail solutions will be able to display whatever you want, wherever you want it.

As the system is so flexible, recessed shelves and product display boxes can also be incorporated into the lightwall, making it the most enterprising and innovative solution into retail interior design.

Of all the innovations in the retail and display industries over the last 20 years, large format graphics have had the greatest impact. T3 Airframe has been designed specifically to fulfill the need for a lightweight framing system capable of carrying many kinds of panels and graphics.

The key components of the system are beams and connectors which join together using a brilliantly simple patented, twist-lock action. No tools are required.

Key benefits to the retail & graphics sector are:

• Load bearing and very stable – T3 Airframe easily supports plasma screens and heavy display items.
• Create doors and other features - flat, curved or sliding doors are easily created out of T3 Airframe and fitted into the structure.
• Immensely versatile - the system can be reconfigured into a vast number of different structures and used over and over again. Ideal for seasonal promotions and store re-structures.
• Temporary displays - Smaller components are perfect for temporary but professional and sturdy retail stalls and displays in malls and shopping centres.

Also being shown in the UK for the first time at Sign UK, the Tecna T3 lightbox-in-a-bag erects in minutes and its seamless textile graphic will not fail to impress. Lightweight, easy to use and transport as it all fits in one bag!

You can now also “wrap” any 4 –sided lightbox structure with printed fabric using the T3 “wraparound” infill to reduce seams and hide edges.

• Lightweight and erects in minutes
• 4-sided lightbox for maximum visibility
• Comes in its own carrybag for ease of transportation
• No more unsightly aluminium uprights, edges or seams
• Versatile - works in conjunction with existing T3 systems
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For further information on Tecna T3 products, visit www.tecnauk.com or call 0208 3456696

 

 

New line of functional media blocks UV rays, contributes to cost and energy saving

Spandex has once again increased the breadth of its extensive materials range with the addition of a brand new portfolio of ImagePerfect Sun Protective Films. Comprising interior films for vehicle glass and interior/exterior options for building glass, the products include a number of tint and mirrored effects which offer an important and effective means of reducing the impact of UV rays and improving personal comfort, as well as contributing to cost savings on energy consumption.

Increasingly popular, window tinting or film protection has been recommended by Skin Cancer Foundations, thanks to the ability to block UV rays. Importantly, the tint and mirror effects of Spandex’s new ImagePerfect Sun Protective Films allow for the relevant absorption and reflection of UV rays, with up to 99% of incoming ultraviolet rays eliminated via their UV filters.

Spandex’s new ImagePerfect Sun Protective Films comprise:

Vehicle Glass Films

Engineered specifically for interior use in vehicles, Spandex’s ImagePerfect 100 Series consists of eleven films, ranging from various shades of grey and black, which incorporate mirrored and transparent effects. Although a vehicle can provide substantial shading, the glass areas do not block UV rays, which can increase the implications for skin and eye problems for some passengers. Spandex’s 100 Series of Sun Protective Films has been designed specifically to overcome this problem and, by doing so, enhance the overall driver and passenger experience.

Building Glass Films

The use of Spandex’s ImagePerfect 200 and 300 Series for exterior and interior flat glass applications respectively, offer a number of important comfort and cost-saving benefits in both domestic and commercial environments. This initial line of fourteen films meets the dual requirement of blocking the transmission of UV light, while allowing the required level of visible light. As well as affording skin protection from direct and indirect UVA, Spandex’s 200 and 300 Series serve as a contributory means of protecting both furniture and fabric from fading. In addition, the new films drastically reduce interior temperatures, thereby improving personal comfort and contributing to savings on energy consumption of air conditioning systems. Spandex’s ImagePerfect Sun Protective Films also includes the innovative 500 Series, which consists of speciality indoor films, such as transparent safety film.

“As well as performance films for various decorative and promotional requirements, Spandex is delighted to offer media that delivers highly sought after and recommended functional attributes”, says Roland Keller, Executive Director Aftermarket Product Management, Spandex. “Our established and popular ImagePerfect range is renowned among signmakers and large format business owners as a true revenue-enhancing product portfolio. Based on market feedback, we fully anticipate these latest additions to extend this capability by specifically meeting the practical requirements of customers.”

Spandex’s new ImagePerfect Sun Protective Films complement the company’s existing brand of media and further expands the most comprehensive portfolio of carefully selected digital and signage materials on the market. Comprising a unique selection of exclusive, high-quality yet competitively-priced materials, Spandex’s ImagePerfect range includes environmentally-friendly, non-PVC media; fire-rated options; and the recently introduced PerfectApply line, which features an innovative air-egress adhesive system for an ultra-smooth, bubble free application.

 

 

3M continues to grow its roster of OEM inkjet printer and ink combinations qualified to receive the 3M Performance Guarantee when used with a wide range of approved 3M media. New to the list are the following:

• HP Designjet L25500 Printer with HP 789 Latex inks
• HP Scitex TJ8500 Printer with HP TJ200 UV inks
• Roland AdvancedJET AJ-I Printer with Eco-Xtreme I solvent inks
• EFI VUTEk QS2000, 3200 & 3220 Printers with QS Series 2 UV inks
• EFI VUTEk QS220 Printer with QS 220 UV inks

In addition, the 3M Performance Guarantee continues to cover printer and ink combinations (solvent and UV) from Epson, Gandinnovations, Fujifilm, HP DisplayMaker, HP Designjet, HP Scitex, Mimaki, Mutoh, Oce, Roland, Seiko and EFI VUTEk.

3M's qualified-media portfolio for these OEM printers and inks incorporates a broad range of products including Controltac Graphic Films, Controltac Graphic Films with Comply Adhesive, Scotchcal Graphic Films and Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Films, all from 3M. These products are designed, engineered, developed, tested and manufactured for optimal compatibility and performance.

"3M conducts extensive testing to confirm that our products are reliable and provide consistent results," said Jennifer Greenquist, warranty program manager, 3M Graphics Market Center. "It's a four-month process with 10,000 data points and results several-inches thick."

"Running media in a printer isn't like buying gas," Greenquist continued. "These aren't interchangeable parts. There are so many variables that can change the physical properties of the media." The Performance Guarantee covers tested and qualified OEM printers and inks used with 3M media. Approved 3M media, overlaminates and screen print clears are guaranteed to be free of media-induced artifacts that can cause misprints and are guaranteed to adhere to recommended substrates.

To qualify for the 3M Performance Guarantee, graphics must be installed according to 3M recommendations. The Performance Guarantee covers the replacement cost of 3M materials only and does not warrant image fading, cracking, peeling or any other ink performance issues. The duration of any given Performance Guarantee varies according to the material combinations and applications as detailed in 3M Product Bulletins and available on 3M's website.

 

Neschen has added the first self-adhesive inkjet film with the Color Alliance (CA) coating to its range with the addition of the excitingly-named 'printlux PVC matt CA adh'.

As with all the products in this range, the standardised CA coating ensures a high level of colour accuracy - hence reliability - in production.  As a consequence, print  service providers can save not only material, but also time and costs. The time lost preparing the profile for new printing media is reduced to a minimum; the production costs are also reduced due to the shorter set-up times.

The new Neschen film printlux PVC matt CA adh has a permanent adhesive and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.  To reliably cover varying backgrounds the 80 micon film (without inkjet coating) is coated on the reverse side with a dark (almost black), solvent-free acrylic adhesive. When printed with dye-based and pigmented inks it produces a very good image quality (Neschen recommends the use of pigmented inks for reasons of UV stability).

To ensure environmental considerations are also taken into account, the paper stock for the covering is of FSC and PEFC-certified origin, a sustainable and therefore exemplary forest management system.

"With printlux PVC matt CA adh we have placed a further CA-certified medium on the market", said Sarah Janes, MD, Neschen UK.  "We now have a very wide and versatile selection of CA media.  As a result print service providers can profit extensively from the advantages of the CA coating on an increasing number of media."

It is also planned to change other printing media to CA certification during the year.

"The aim of the Color Alliance is to make the workflow on all printing systems as efficient as possible with simple, reliable colour management", added André Kapsa, General Manager of the Color Alliance in Vlotho.

Due to the standardised CA coating, the necessary colour profiles can be made available independent of the media manufacturer.  Even for large format digital printing, all that is then required is information on the printer and ink system used.

 

Antalis Printall has been appointed as a distributor for the entire range of products from Alcan Composites. Alcan’s recent decision to switch its UK distribution partners has raised eyebrows in the sign, digital and display market, but for Antalis Printall, Alcan’s decision to appoint them as a supplier of their full product range is just another step closer to the company’s aim of becoming the market’s leading supplier of quality materials and business solutions.

Antalis Printall product manager, Chris Green says: "We are delighted to have been appointed as stockist of this wide range of products from Alcan Composites. It will further strengthen the strong portfolio of products that we offer to our display, sign and digital customers from our local warehouses on a next day delivery basis."

Antalis Printall has always successfully distributed the Kapa family of products but with the new Alcan portfolio the company has a stronger offering for the developing sign and digital markets in addition to the company’s traditional stronghold in the display sector.

Antalis Printall can now distribute the following Alcan items:

ACM

• Dilite
• Dibond Digital
• Dibond
• Hylite

Foam Rigid PVC

• Forex Classic
• Forex Print
• Forex Smart

Foam Centred Display board

• Gatorfoam
• Foam X
• Kapa-Line
• Kapa-Mount
• Kapa-Plast
• Kapa-Fix
• Kapa-Color
• Kapa Tex

“Alcan are an excellent company to deal with and have some fantastic branded products known and respected throughout the industry,” says Mr. Green. “In many ways Alcan have a similar approach to Antalis Printall in so much that they continually strive to give the market quality innovative products with strong environmental credentials. We believe that there will be exciting times ahead which will hopefully lead to the market regarding Antalis Printall are a true viable alternative to their current suppliers.”

Tamper-evident film designed for security labelling applications, available direct from stock

Madico Graphic Films, a leading UK supplier of specialist pressure sensitive, coated film products for durable label applications, has extended its range of tamper evident substrates for security marking requirements with the addition of a satin white destructible PVC film backed with a lay-flat sheet liner. Once applied, the destructible PVC (product ref: 03-126) offers excellent destructibility and instant tamper evidence on a broad range of substrates, even when applied to low energy surfaces. Upon tampering or attempted removal, the material fractures easily, thereby preventing subsequent re-application elsewhere. As such, the film enables printers to effectively serve the automotive, electronic and consumer goods sectors with a deterrent against warranty thefts, false insurance claims and counterfeiting. This makes the new film perfect for an array of applications, such as electronic security seals, fixed information/warning labels and asset tracking stickers.

Delivering consistent satin gloss level and excellent printability via conventional inks, Madico’s 50 micron destructible PVC film is available directly from stock for immediate delivery and can be supplied in sheets for use by screenprinters, as well as rolls for label printers using eco-solvent printing and plotter die cutting.

Madico’s new destructible PVC labelstock also boasts excellent dimensional stability and offers superior UV, humidity and chemical resistance, as well as five year outdoor durability in temperature ranges from -40°C up to +85°C. The film also offers further security measures thanks to a coating of PAT1 high performance acrylic adhesive. Offering good adhesion on a broad range of surfaces, the automotive approved PATI exhibits low adhesive ooze combined with very good chemical and elevated temperature shear resistance.

“Madico firmly recognises the need for printers to sharpen their edge with innovative substrates that meet specific customer requirements and our latest security marking film is another advanced solution for those seeking to extend their capabilities and increase margins”, says Gary Dixon, International Business Manager at Madico Graphic Films Ltd. “Furthermore, this film is available directly from stock, enabling us to ensure rapid delivery to customers.”

Madico’s new satin white destructible PVC film is available from stock in 100 sheet packs 1000mm x 700mm and 1000mm x 50M rolls, but can also be supplied in custom roll and sheet sizes. The release liner is a 130gsm blue polycoated kraft liner, selected for its lay flat and die cutting properties.