Consumables

Robert Horne Group has announced the exclusive availability of Grafik, a high quality range of cost-competitive foam-centred boards.  Ideal for point of sale, displays, graphics or photo mounting where print quality and visual impact are critical, Grafik is available in three finishes - Grafik Line, Grafik Mount and Grafik Fix.

Suitable for both screen and flat bed digital printing, key features across the range include a bright white liner that ensures punchier prints for maximum impact, a white foam core for improved aesthetics and excellent stay flat properties, with low compressibility. The range is also free from CFC gases.

Grafik Line is laminated on both sides with a bright white, ultra smooth coated paper. The board offers high rigidity and excellent dimensional stability and is ideal for applications where print quality and visual impact are key.

Robust and lightweight, Grafik Mount is designed for mounting and lamination, offering increased stability and rigidity, provided by a lacquered aluminium foil to both sides.

In addition, Grafik Fix has a self adhesive film on one side for mounting, markings on the backing sheet that assist measuring and cutting and an easy release liner, preventing tearing, even at low temperatures.

“This new and exclusive product offers digital printers, signmakers and exhibition display producers a genuine alternative high quality foam centred board, at an attractive price point,” says Robert Horne category manager, Mike Summers.

[photo shows Grafik swatch book]

Since its launch at the start of 2012, Sihl Direct UK has gone from strength to strength.  The company held its official UK press launch earlier this month which was hosted by senior executives from both Sihl GmbH and the recently established UK business unit.

During the event, Sihl Direct UK announced the launch of its new website – www.sihl-direct.co.uk – where customers can review and compare Sihl products online.  The company also discussed its plans for the UK marketplace.

Heiner Kayser, managing director of Sihl GmbH, explained the reasoning behind the establishment of Sihl Direct UK as follows: “We have grown steadily and solidly and now provide media for most of the major printer manufacturers throughout the world. However, most of this work is under OEM agreements and in order to continue growing the company as we would like to, we needed to establish the Sihl brand to a wide consumer audience.”

Ian Turnbull, Sihl Direct’s UK operations director, added, “Our objective is to supply Sihl manufactured and branded media, in a timely and cost effective manner, through both selected partners and directly to the end user.” 

At present, the UK office is unable to stock all of Sihl’s product range, so Turnbull is focusing on stocking the top sellers in the product range – equating to 80% of the UK turnover – in its Altrincham warehouse and sourcing additional media from Sihl’s other European manufacturing sites as required. 

On ensuring that he has the right stock available, Ian explained, “We know that end users - and even some resellers - don’t want to be tying up much needed capital by stocking media. We will work with customers to ensure we hold what they need and can get it to them as soon as they need it.”

With regards to new additions and improvements to the existing Sihl product line, Kayser Heiner commented, “We manufacture the widest range of media to be found anywhere in the world and have an in-house research and development operation that is second to none. We are continuously working on enhancing existing products as well as bringing new products to market.”

Turnbull added, “The key to our business is that Sihl makes fantastic products that - time after time - work straight out of the box. There is no doubt about this and there are not many media manufacturers anywhere in the world that can make this claim with the same confidence.”

For more information, please visit www.sihl-direct.co.uk

[photo shows Sihl Direct UK's operations director, Ian Turnbull (L) and Sihl GmbH's managing director, Heiner Kayser (R)]

Colourgen has announced that it is now supplying Seiko I Infotech’s EG-Outdoor LX inks for HP DesignJet 9000 & 10000 wide format printers. Colourgen also has access to spare parts for these printers and so can now offer a complete repair service to end users.

The EG-Outdoor LX ink is the perfect replacement for the HP-790 ink, particularly as the user does not need to change colour profiles or flush the ink lines. The inks provide the same printer reliability and outdoor durability and use the same cleaning fluids.

Melanie Enser, product marketing manager for Colourgen says, “Seiko I infotech’s quality and consistency means there are absolutely no switchover costs or concerns because the EG-Outdoor LX ink is an exact chemical and colour match to the original HP inks.   We wanted to take the opportunity to offer these, as well as a maintenance and repair service for HP DesignJet 9000 & 10000 end users at a reasonable price.” 

The Seiko I Infotech EG-Outdoor LX inks are available immediately from authorised Colourgen Business Partners.

MACtac Graphic Products expands its line of sustainable digital print media with IMAGin Verde VM2229P and VM3209R. Both new wide-format UV-printable media are 100 percent chlorine-, phthalate-, and PVC-free film, designed for applications where a greener, durable media is desired.

New IMAGin Verde VM2229P gloss white media is intended for use in a variety of applications including indoor and outdoor signage, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, product identification labels, bumper stickers, short-term OEM decals and window graphics.

New IMAGin Verde VM3209R is a scratch resistant media with an optically clear removable adhesive, and is ideal for removable window POP signage as well as no-label look decals.

Both VM2229P and VM3209R can be used with MACtac's PERMACOLOR Verde VL1000 series laminates to protect the printed graphics.

"The new IMAGin Verde media reflect MACtac's commitment to providing environmentally friendly products to our customers," said Mary Ann Kucera, marketing manager, MACtac Graphic Products. "These products offer greener alternatives for wide-format UV printing while meeting stringent performance requirements."

MACtac's IMAGin Verde VM2229P is a 4-mil gloss white, top coated polyolefin film. It has a clear permanent acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and is intended for wide-format, UV-cured inkjet printing. The unprinted outdoor durability of VM2229P is two years.

IMAGin Verde VM3209R is a 2-mil optically clear, scratch resistant polyester film, top coated for wide-format UV printing. With an optically clear removable adhesive, VM3209R is ideal for removable window POP signage as well as no-label look decals. The unprinted outdoor durability of VM3209R is two years.

For more information on MACtac products or graphic solutions, please visit www.MACtac.com/Graphics and www.TheApplicationNation.com.

Fisher Textiles has introduced DD 8600 Twilite (FR) and DD 7849 EZ Stretch to its line of fabrics for direct disperse printing. This fabric line is compatible with d-Gen Teleios, Dupont™ Artistri™, Durst Rhotex 320, Jeti 3324 AquaJet, Mimaki JV5-320DS, Mimaki DS-1600, Mimaki DS-1800, Mutoh Viper TX, Roland HeatWave and Roland Hi-Fi Express printers.

DD 8600 Twilite (FR) is Fisher’s newest backlit fabric that works well in grooved box lit applications by presenting excellent color volume and resolution.
It is 7.8 oz/yd2, 119 inches wide, flame retardant and passes the NFPA 701 test. Other uses for DD 8600 Twilite include banners and trade show exhibits.

DD 7849 EZ Stretch is an 8.2 oz. knit that is 100% polyester and totally wrinkle free. It does not contain spandex so it is easier to match the whiteness of our other popular knit styles. The fabric is 120 inches wide and has stretch in both directions, with slightly less stretch in the length to allow more ease in tension control and print registration. It gives a decent amount of opacity and great definition on all colors.  Applications include geometric displays, photographic back drops and trade show exhibits.

For more information, please visit www.fishertextiles.com

Antalis McNaughton has confirmed that it will be exhibiting at the InStore Show being held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre on 27th/28th June.  At the event, the company will be showcasing its wide range of media solutions including paper, canvas, polyester and vinyl, suitable for a host of printing applications.

Regardless of the application, Antalis McNaughton supplies all the necessary materials to create eye-catching POS stands, hanging signage, advertising displays, floor graphics, external signage, vehicle graphics and more.

Alongside a host of well-known brand names, the company will be exhibiting Coala; its new range of commodity, speciality and environmentally-friendly large format printing solutions.  The collection contains substrates for both indoor and outdoor applications and includes a broad range of papers, self-adhesives, banners, textiles, wallpapers and speciality media.

In addition the company will also be displaying a selection of environmental and innovative materials including Antacote Lite – a unique 100% recyclable hanging signage board, combining stability with an environmentally-friendly edge.  Another creative solution on show will be Stafix; a 100% recyclable static cling which adheres quickly to any clean and dry surface, without leaving any residue or damage to the surface.

James Jarvis, Product Marketing Director at Antalis McNaughton comments, “We’re excited to be exhibiting at the InStore show and showcasing our range of materials that will help retail marketers and brand managers create innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions to their signage and display needs.”