Consumables

HP has announced that, in conjunction with the HP authorised UK reseller channel, it is running a free sample roll programme on selected media to encourage users of the HP Designjet Latex Printer to try HP's latest media.  Full-width sample rolls of 10m in length will be available while supplies last.

“This initiative gives our customers the chance to explore new applications made possible by different types of HP media,  such as wallpaper, soft-signage or window graphics,” says Phil Oakley, UK & Ireland country manager, Designjet & Commercial Sign & Display at HP. “Our resellers can advise customers on the best media to test for the applications they may want to add to their portfolio.”

Existing HP Latex Technology users may contact their HP authorised reseller and request the desired media, limited to one roll of media per type and a maximum of five rolls in a three-month period.

Sample media currently available include:

• CR687A-S    HDPE Reinforced Banner - 36in
• CG419A-S    Photo-Realistic Poster Paper - 36in
• CG423A-S    Permanent Gloss Adhesive Vinyl - 42in
• CR661A-S    Backlit Polyester Film - 42in
• CG435A-S    Heavy Textile Banner - 38in
• CG445A-S    Dupont Tyvek Banner - 42in
• CG453A-S    Permanent Matte Adhesive Vinyl - 42in
• CH004A-S    One-view Perforated Adhesive Window Vinyl - 42in
• CH006A-S    Light Textile Display Banner - 42in
• CH010A-S    White Satin Poster Paper - 42in
• Q8838AE-S  Satin Canvas - 36in
• CG935A-S    Air Release Adhesive Gloss Cast Vinyl - 54in
• CH098A-S    PVC-free Wallpaper - 42in
• CR691A-S    Double-sided HDPE Reinforced Banner - 36in
• CH037A-S    Clear Gloss Cast Over Laminate - 54in

Colorific, the high quality, alternative ink supplier, has announced a new ink that enables wide format printer owners to convert their existing solvent printers to a greener UV solution.  Branded Colorific UV Light, the ink will be demonstrated at a number of upcoming international events - including EcoPrint Show, the Viscom events and SGIA - and will be commercially available from November 2012.

Compatible with any Mimaki, Mutoh and Roland wide format machine that use Epson Piezo DX4 and DX5 print head technologies, Colorific UV Light is a hybrid solution which combines the reliability of an eco solvent ink with the print performance of a UV ink.

With the same basic chemical formulation as a standard eco-solvent ink, Colorific UV Light offers superb media adhesion and stunning durability.  However, it has a significantly lower carbon footprint than eco-solvent inks and contains no VOCs.

Shaun Holdom, Business Manager for Colorific, comments, “I believe that Colorific UV Light inks are the next generation in UV ink technology for the wide format market.  They allow print service providers to meet all their customers’ sign and graphics needs.  Plus, as there is no need for secondary lamination or coating, they can also save time and money on every print job.”  

He continues, “The printed output is dry, robust and highly abrasion-resistant, yet has the glossy photographic finish achieved with standard solvent printing.”

Colorific’s new Smart UV Lightbar System is critical to the hybrid technology.  The system comprises an external, stand-alone lamp kit which fixes to the front of any compatible wide format printer.  During the printing process, the pigment is fixed to the ink-receiving layer on the media and then a secondary cure – using the new system – fixes the droplet and provides an immediate cure and cross link on the media. 

The printer requires no other modification and the inks are installed like any other ink, requiring a simple flush then a standard ink fill.

Colorific UV Light is available in CMYK, LC, LM as a standard set up for most machines and supplied in 440ml compatible cartridges and the relevant chip.  The ink system is a complete clean hands procedure and requires no additional maintenance other than documented when using the original ink from the machine manufacturer.

Colorific is actively seeking international resellers and partners to promote this ground-breaking new ink to the industry, with Shaun Holdom commenting, “We genuinely believe this ink will create an exciting new after-market for resellers, and a much more attractive price point for users looking to add UV class printing to their print production offering.”

For more information, please visit www.colorificink.com

Colourgen has announced the immediate availability of new fluorescent ink for the ColorPainter W-54S and 64S mild solvent wide format printers.  The two new colours are NEON YELLOW and NEON PINK, which have been optimised to work with Seiko’s ColorPainter GX inkset. They are the world´s first* mild solvent fluorescent inks.

The new colours can be used as spot colours or as part of the traditional CMYK process. By mixing the fluorescent colours with the standard process colours, the finished output takes on a fluorescent effect. A variety of other fluorescent colours can also be created using this method.

Melanie Enser, product marketing manager for Colourgen, says, “These new fluorescent inks provide brilliant eye catching colour under normal lighting conditions. They produce spectacular results, particularly for short-term POS applications, special events and trade show decorations.  Seiko’s NEON inks create signs and graphics that stand out in dark environments such as amusement arcades, night clubs, casinos, pubs, bowling alleys, indoor amusement parks, indoor cart tracks, discotheques and much more.”

Supplied in 500ml cartridges, the new ink can be used with the ColorPainter W-64s and W-54s running SII’s ColorPainter GX inkset. The fluorescent ink is easily exchanged with the light colours, Light Cyan and Light Magenta in the ColorPainter W-Series printers.

Pricing and availability

The Seiko II ColorPainter W-Series and neon inks are available immediately from Colourgen authorised Channel Partners. 500ml neon ink cartridge: £225 SRP (ex VAT).

For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/REFvqP.

Drytac Europe has launched Viziprint® - a clear, UV-printable, self-adhesive polyester window film that can be installed by anyone.

ViziPrint utilises a specially designed, embossed release liner that imparts micro grooves in the adhesive allowing for air evacuation using just a felt burnishing pad. The proprietary adhesive is removable and repositionable, making installation simple and eliminating professional installation costs.

“ViziPrint opens up a lot of possibilities for retail window applications,” comments Steve Broad, Drytac Europe's sales director.  “It applies smoothly and imparts a high end look unlike static cling.”

ViziPrint is printable on most UV flatbed printers.  For opaque window graphics, it can be printed with white inks or backed with Drytac® Spectrum, a white printable vinyl with clear adhesive.

For more information, please visit www.drytac.com

The creative, high quality and sustainable paper production capabilities of Sappi’s Germany-based Alfeld Mill have received leading industry recognition with a number of nominations for the PPI Awards 2012.  Both Algro® Nature and Fusion® were named as finalists for the awards event scheduled for November 12 in Brussels.

Algro Nature, a unique home compostable one-side-coated grade, was nominated in the Advances in Innovation in Sustainable Packaging category.  As end users become more aware of the availability of environmentally sustainable paper, it has become increasingly important for mills to continue to improve the sustainability position of their products, and Sappi has dedicated significant resources to this effort. Sappi and its Algro Nature has teamed up with Innovia Films and its NatureFlex™ range to demonstrate the potential of laminate structures suitable for end users in the food, confectionery and beverage industries.  The results of this effort is a product that is technically functional and utilizing renewable resources that enhance compostability.

Fusion, the premium white topliner made from virgin fibres and designed for lamination onto corrugated board, was nominated in a new category this year - Advances in Innovation in Specialty Papers. This new category recognizes the growth in speciality papers as pulp and paper companies seek to set themselves apart and add value. Fusion is especially attractive for brand owners requiring high shelf impact for applications from displays to packaging for consumer electronics, bag in box and pet food...

Papermaking at Alfeld Mill, ISO 9001 and 14001 certified and Eco Management Audit Scheme (EMAS) registered, dates back to 1706. It is an integrated mill that produces both pulp and paper on site. Up to 48% of the primary energy it uses comes from renewable sources.

“We are delighted that Sappi’s creativity and commitment to developing grades that meet the performance and sustainable demands of the packaging and graphics arts markets are being recognised by such highly respected nominations,” comments Kerstin Dietze Sappi’s Marketing Manager New Business Speciality Papers. “Our customers have already found out for themselves how these products deliver high quality print and packaging, but this recognition will help us spread the word to an even broader audience.”

Sappi’s nomination success also includes Sappi Fine Paper Europe’s Jaz Silk, digital paper chosen as an Innovative Product of the Year (Graphic Paper). In the Promotional Campaign of the Year, Sappi Fine Paper Europe and Sappi Fine Paper North America were respectively highlighted for Houston, the digital universe of paper and printing knowledge and USA- eQ Journal 004: Taking the Guilt out of Paper?

A new element of ‘cool’ for vehicle wraps has been added to the Avery Supreme Wrapping Film range from Avery Dennison:  limited edition colours and finishes.   The time-limited colours reflect the fact that vehicle wrapping – particularly where ‘personalised’ car wraps are concerned – is very much a fashion market.  The 14 new limited edition colours are a real reflection of the current colour palette.

A matt finish is a popular choice for cars today, and Avery Supreme Wrapping Film now comes in chic matt orange and beige.   "And at the other end of the scale," says Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions Product Manager Rachel Oakley, "coloured metallics are very much a current fashion feature.   We’ve added a number of choices here – again featuring a matt finish for added sophistication.   There’s matt pink, cherry pink, copper, green, silver, anthracite, and grey to choose from.   There’s also a brushed chrome finish and, finally, ambulance yellow for real conspicuity!"

The new Avery Supreme Wrapping Film limited editions colours join the standard range of 33 colourways in ultra-conformable cast vinyl films featuring Avery Easy Apply RS™ adhesive technology for fast, bubble-free application.   Long-term removability is also a feature of the products – which, says Rachel Oakley, ‘can be an important factor in the fashion car wrap market’.

‘Additionally’, says Rachel, ‘we continue to offer custom colour matching on these premium products for low minimum order quantities, so unique wrap personalisation is also possible, for single cars or for corporate vehicle fleets.’

Full details and special sample swatches of the new Avery Supreme Wrapping Film limited editions colours are available via the website, www.perfectwrap.eu, or from Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions distributors throughout Europe.