Consumables

New and improved tool instantly pairs products with project criteria

Choosing the right product solution for an application can be a challenging process, but with MACtac® Graphic Products’ newly enhanced Application Nation Wizard Builder tool, the process is simplified.

Hosted on MACtac’s Application Nation Web site, recent updates and changes to Wizard Builder functionality now make the product-solution search tool robust and easy-to-use. MACtac customers simply select their application criteria – from application type, market, color, facestock, adhesive, print method and more – and they are then presented with a list of recommended application-specific product solutions.

Building on MACtac’s philosophy to offer customers more than product recommendations, Wizard Builder will populate application solutions, even when the project or job is lacking specific details. The user simply needs to choose the application type or category and Wizard Builder instantly recommends the MACtac solutions ideal for that application.

“Not only does the new and improved Wizard Builder deliver product options and application solutions to its users, it also offers instant access to helpful resources, like performance guides, sales literature and samples,” said Jason Yard, marketing application specialist, MACtac Graphic Products. “MACtac is continually updating the Application Nation Web site to make it one of the most educational and beneficial sites for the graphics industry – whether you are a seasoned professional, a novice installer or just someone with a curiosity about the industry.”

In addition to the newly enhanced Wizard Builder, www.TheApplicationNation.com features a number of key functionalities, including quick navigation to MACtac distributors worldwide, an “Ask the Expert” section, an open forum for industry networking, the latest graphic installation news, a project portfolio gallery for uploading and sharing jobs and projects with other members, information, trends, ideas and more.

Sawgrass Technologies Inc. has announced its division into two new business units; Sawgrass Consumer Division and Sawgrass Industrial Division. Sawgrass' division is in response to increased demand and global synergies which have developed within each the Consumer and Industrial market segments. "This realignment of resources enables the individual business units to globally serve each market's unique customer needs. Sawgrass' Consumer Division will focus on turn-key solutions for digitally printing consumer products, while the Industrial Division will focus on commercializing new technologies to for mass customization a wide variety of surfaces," said Nathan Hale, CEO of Sawgrass Technologies.

Darcy Mauro has been promoted from vice president of sales and marketing of Sawgrass Technologies to president of the Sawgrass Technologies Consumer Division. With locations in Mt. Pleasant SC, and Sheffield, England, Sawgrass' new Consumer Division services the global consumer product-decorating industry.

According to Mauro, "Sawgrass' Consumer Division is a based on a high-touch, customer intimacy model serviced by our worldwide dealer channel. Throughout the world, we help our customers create high-quality, high-value consumer products and profitably grow their businesses with our reliable, and easy to use, turn-key digital decorating solutions."

Dr. Mickael Mheidle has been appointed as the president and CEO of Sawgrass Technologies Industrial Division. Sawgrass' Industrial Division has locations in Basel Switzerland and Mt. Pleasant, SC.

"Sawgrass' Industrial Division is based on an innovation model. We emphasize productivity and profitability through the commercialization of new digital printing technologies for mass customization of a wide variety of surfaces. With the introduction of M Technology inks, we are delivering entirely new categories of inks to the marketplace," said Mheidle.

Fujifilm has announced the release of a revolutionary framing system for canvas prints. Wunderbars gives users a new way to create canvas wraps - quickly, easily, without the need for specialist tools and thanks to Wunderbars' exclusive stretcher bars each canvas will retain its tension.

Wunderbars' constant tension stretcher bars are even easier than standard stretchers to construct and stretch canvas prints. Wunderbars are precision machined so there is no need to measure the frame to get it square or constantly hit the frame with a mallet to keep it square during stretching, it will always remain square.

There is no requirement for complicated or overpriced stretching systems, machinery or devices, the only tool necessary is a staple gun. Wunderbars' unique self tensioning corner blocks ensure there's no more sagging canvas, it always stays taught and will contract and expand to the room's temperature and humidity. Each frame features a sprung pin mechanism which automatically stretches the canvas and ensures it remains under constant tension, this means there'll be no more visits from customers complaining of a sagging canvas. No wedges are needed, making for a cleaner finish on the rear of the frame.

A natural progression from traditional stretcher bars and stretching techniques the Wunderbars system has been developed for photographers and framers from the hobbyist right up to the production canvas framer.

The wood used for Wunderbars is Tulip wood which, unlike pine, is a hard wood with a top quality look and feel. It's a heavyweight timber with very little knotting. It helps give the completed frame a top quality professional feel.

In addition to being a great advance on standard canvas wrapping systems, Wunderbars ticks all the environmental boxes too - the wood comes from sustainable sources and it is possible to reset and reuse a frame.

Wunderbars frames come in packs of four in a range of sizes from 8inch to 48inch. Wunderbars is ideal for use with Fujifilm range of canvas inkjet media, or any other manufacturer's canvas media. Full details are available from www.wunderbars.com for further information email greenbox@fuji.co.uk or contact your Fujifilm representative.

InteliCoat Technologies has introduced Magic POS PRO+ 400 at the 2009 SGIA Expo. The most recent addition to InteliCoat’s POS PRO+ product family, the 16.2 mil printable, anti-curl blockout film achieves optimum design for long lasting, durable tradeshow graphics.

"Due to the popularity of the POS PRO+ product line, we are constantly receiving ideas for new and exciting additions," said Jennifer Chagnon, product manager at InteliCoat Technologies. "We designed POS PRO+ 400 for use in tradeshow graphic applications where rigidity is key. Its high durability will enable customers utilizing all types of printing systems to realize success in the tradeshow arena."

Achieving the optimum design for long lasting, durable graphics, POS PRO+ 400 was specifically created for universal printing, including aqueous, solvent, eco solvent and UV cure printing systems. The most rigid product within the POS PRO+ family of products, POS PRO+ 400 will replace POS PRO+300.

Neschen has added Neschen Apollo Flag to the Pure Colour Media Family. The new flag media is engineered to be sturdy and lightweight, allowing for the creation of dramatic messaging. It features a specialty coating that delivers photo realistic imaging with a wide colour gamut, fast dry time, and excellent scratch resistance.

This 100 percent transparent polyester textile is sturdy with paper backing and is lightweight (3.2 oz/sqyd). The satin finish provides a unique look that is ideal for flag creation, window draperies, wall hangings, indoor and outdoor banner display, retail signage, and POP display- anywhere eye-catching visuals are required. The Apollo Flag is the product of choice for bright color printing with great bleed through.

The Apollo Flag is designed for use with most solvent, eco solvent, and uv printers in the market. The paper backing features allows it to be printed without the use of a mesh printing kit. Available sizes include 42 inches by 100 feet, 54 inches by 100 feet, and 64 inches by 100 feet.

Neschen has launched several products in its Digital Print Media line—New SolvoPrint Gotham PVC Blockout, SolvoPrint Daytona PVC Banner, SolvoPrint Easy Panel 220, Printex Easy Banner Light, and Printex Easy Banner Heavy.

New SolvoPrint Easy Panel 220 (8.66 mil) joins the existing Easy Panel 310 (12 mil) & Easy Panel 430 (17 mil) product range for use with solvent, eco-solvent and UV inks. These rigid PVC products employ a special inkjet coating to produce excellent print quality and strong color vibrancy when used with solvent, eco-solvent and UV inks. They are nearly opaque, as well as scratch and water resistant—ideal for printing trade show graphics for use with the Expolinc Roll-up Classic, Roll-up Professional and Pop-up display systems. Neschen recommends over-laminating these products for added durability and protection.

SolvoPrint Daytona PVC Banner is a 13-ounce PVC product perfect for cost-effective messaging. Ideal for frontlit banners and displays, it can be used both indoors and outdoors for up to one year.

SolvoPrint Gotham PVC Blockout is a 13-ounce PVC that is 100 percent opaque and provides total protection from light washout. Its blockout properties also allow it to be double-side printed. Its smooth surface, bright white point and no edge curl enhance your messaging. PVC Gotham is also durable outdoors for up to 18 months.

Printex Easy Banner Light, a 7.5 mil polyester fabric, and Printex Easy Banner Heavy, an 11.2 mil polyester fabric, are both base coated with an inkjet surface coating that supports aqueous dye and pigment based inks. They offer excellent color reproduction and performance in hanging banner and roll up banner stands. Easy Banner Light (5 ounce) works best for light to medium duty, as well as in backlit applications. Easy Banner Heavy is a sturdy 7.1 ounce media that offers both opacity and durability. Finishing is a snap with both products, as they can be cut without fraying or edge curl.