Consumables

 

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.

 

 

Agfa Graphics today announced the launch of the UV curable Low Migration Inks for the :Dotrix Modular LM high-speed, single-pass UV inkjet press. The unique :Agorix LM UV inks can be used for digital printing applications on primary and secondary food packaging substrates.

The new :Agorix LM UV inks use advanced photo initiator systems resulting in low odor, low migration and low set-off risks. The inks are formulated using Agfa Graphics patented Complete Cross linking Technology. Agfa manufactures :Agorix LM inks adhering to strict industry standards. As a result, users of :Dotrix Modular LM with the :Agorix LM inks will be compliant with stringent EU & FDA food packaging regulations.

:Dotrix Modular LM users, their customers and the brands that rely on their high-quality printing, will find these new inks provide excellent adhesion on a wide variety of substrates, have excellent light fastness characteristics and feature good converting capabilities.

"These new :Agorix LM UV inkjet inks are available in CMYK and CMYK-OV  sets. The orange and violet color stations considerably extend the color gamut offering up to with 90% reproduction of Pantone colours through the use of :Apogee ColorTune Spot and :Apogee ColorTune CMM. :Agorix LM UV inks are designed to bring cost efficiencies to short and medium run digital printing on a wide range of primary and secondary packaging substrates including multi-layer alu, aluminium, PET, PE, PP, OPP and more. UV curable inks do not contain solvents, are considered "Green Technology" and lower operating expenses by eliminating solvent recovery costs. The new :Agorix LM UV inks have a long shelf life, provide outstanding jetting performance, guaranteeing high productivity and convertibility. " said Guy Fransen, product marketing manager, Industrial Single Pass Inkjet, Agfa Graphics.

Demo samples will be printed on the Agfa stand at IPEX in Birmingham, UK, 18-25 May 2010.

Fujifilm today announces the launch of WonderTack, a solvent printable, white satin gloss polypropylene film, which adheres to smooth, flat surfaces without the use of adhesive. This cost-effective, innovative solution is the latest addition to Fujifilm’s euromedia range of flexible media for large format printing and will be launched at Sign & Digital UK (Stand G10, 13-15th April, NEC, Birmingham).

This environmentally friendly solution is very quick to print, and its ability to stick without adhesive is down to the unique, micro-porous suckers on the adhering side. The lack of adhesive gives it its ‘green’ characteristics, as well as making it reusable on multiple occasions. For example, POS graphics printed on WonderTack can be applied even by inexperienced users as it is easily repositionable and reusable. In addition, the film is also available for UV-curing and water-based systems.

Other euromedia launches

Fujifilm is also announcing the successor to its former euromedia 150g Citylight Paper. This is a transparent, satin matt paper for lightbox applications produced by solvent printing, and ensures crisp, sharp print results with a satin matt finish and perfect, cloud-free light diffusion.

The robust paper produces needle-sharp prints, which are protected from humidity, smearing, scratching and fading. The excellent colour reproduction and outstanding contrast of the printed image make this product the ideal medium for low-cost lightbox applications. Since the material is made of paper, it is also an environmentally friendly alternative to film. Lightbox Paper is available as required in 100, 300 or 600 running metres.

Finally, the euromedia BlockOut Super Heavy FR Genuine B1-certified 800 g/sqm cast banner will be launched at the show. This bulky, heavy banner material, which is used for the production of durable banners using solvent-based printing systems, is made from satin matt material with a white surface and is perfect for double-sided printing. The opaque block-out liner prevents both printed sides from showing through. Although BlockOut Super Heavy FR has all the features of a premium banner, it is available in the basic price range.

“We are delighted to be launching these three new products at Sign & Digital UK,” says Peter Bray, sales manager, euromedia. “We are confident that WonderTack will be an extremely useful and cost-effective product for our customers and their customers, filling a gap in the market. We look forward to talking to visitors at the show and gauging their reaction to these fantastic new products.”

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.

 

Large format piezo inkjet printer manufacturer Mutoh Europe nv announces availability of new water based Direct Disperse inks. This new “zero harmful VOC” four-colour ink set has been specifically tuned for Mutoh’s existing direct to fabric Viper TX and Viper TX Extreme series printers. The fast drying inks offer an excellent colour gamut and nozzle stability. Application possibilities are volume production of soft signage and double sided flags.

Mutoh’s new Direct Disperse inks are an addition to its existing water based dye sublimation inks (transfer paper printing). The new direct disperse inks aim at offering polyester flag and banner printers a direct print alternative to the sublimation process, as they allow direct printing onto polyester fabric without the need for washing.

The new Mutoh Direct Disperse inks are suited for outdoor use, offering excellent washing and perspiration fastness according to applicable ISO standards. The outdoor UV durability is rated up to one year. Similar to dye sublimation inks, the new inks will require fixation via a heat source. No pressure is required to fix the inks. A pressure-free heat fixation system or a calender can be chosen for ink fixation.

Available in 1 litre bottles, the Direct Disperse inks are compatible with Mutoh’s continuous ink supply system for the Viper / Viper Extreme and Viper TX Extreme series printers, called BIS. Mutoh’s BIS has been developed for speed-intensive volume oriented users requiring a high end, high volume ink delivery and refill system offering long unattended printing capabilities along with minimum user intervention. Three models are available, i.e. a 4 bottle system and two 8 bottle systems. Each BIS ink bottle can hold up to 4.3 liters and can be refilled whilst printing.

The new Mutoh direct disperse inks will be marketed by Mutoh Europe all over Europe, the Middle East and Africa through its network of authorised Mutoh resellers.