Sign & Graphics | Bi Monthly Publication of Signage Industry in India

AGFA Graphics releases new version of
StoreFront 3.0 for simpler online store creation

AGFA Graphics announces the release of the newest version of its cloud-based StoreFront 3.0, designed for the Commercial Printing (Apogee) and Display/Signage (Asanti) markets. Apogee and Asanti StoreFront 3.0 give printers or PSPs a series of new features to promote their service offerings to their customers and reach new markets online. At the moment the company’s largest StoreFront account is a PSP running 51 B2B stores for different clientele, according to a source from the company. Storefront is being used all over the world today. Regions like Switzerland and Scandinavia are extremely active when it comes to promoting print in a B2B environment via web-to-print.

RTape Corp releases new metalized VinylEfx Air vinyl

RTape Corp announces the release of VinylEfx Air, a specifically designed metalised vinyl for the growing printable specialty media market. This newly introduced vinyl with air-egress, bubble free technology is suitable for a variety of wide-format graphic applications, in both indoor and outdoor surroundings. In this, the company’s proprietary air-egress technology allows novice installers to easily remove air bubbles from applications such as window graphics, POP displays, posters and counter mats, and eliminates the need for wet applications. Its low tack acrylic adhesive removes cleanly from surfaces without the use of chemicals. VinylEfx Air is printable using solvent, eco-solvent, Latex, UV curable and screen-printing platforms. VinylEfx Air is available in 54” x 10 yard and 54” x 50 yard wide-format rolls in fine brush silver, matte silver, smooth silver and smooth gold decorative finishes.

Avery Dennison ‘2015 Wrap Like a King Challenge’
opens to vehicle wrap installers from 42 countries

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions announces that the 2015 Wrap Like a King Challenge is now open through September 30, 2015, inviting entries from vehicle wrap installers from 42 countries around the globe, who can now submit commercial or colour change wrap projects to be judged by a panel of industry experts. The first 25 submissions in the challenge will receive a special entry prize. After conducting the Wrap Like a King Challenge in North America in 2014 and 2013 with great success, Avery Dennison decided to expand the geographic coverage for the global challenge. The overall winner will be chosen by the judges as the best in show and crowned the King of the Wrap World at the 2015 SEMA Show to be held from November 3-6, 2015 in Las Vegas.

Kornit Digital expands product line with
new Allegro textile printer

Printing fabric in one step is what Kornit Digital brings to its existing product portfolio as the company has recently introduced a new textile printer—Allegro! This newly released textile printer is 70.8 inch wide roll-to-roll printing system. Designed with added features like seven-colour, Allegro can print on a variety of textiles, including woven and knitted fabric, as well as natural, synthetic, protein-based, and blended fibers. Kornit’s NeoPigment process in this newly launched textile printer is designed to eliminate the need for pre or post-treatment of fabric, as well as to reduce wasted material. Kornit Digital declares that NeoPigment ink set is 100 percent biodegradable.

Sun Sign & Technologies releases
five new Starflex products

Delhi-based Sun Sign & Technologies, an authorised distributor of Starflex media in India, announces the launch of a new range of Starflex products, which consists of Block Out Flex NSBO-3012, Magnetic Vinyl, Super Canvas 600, PE Banner and Textile 300/450 (TXL-300/450). Printable on both sides, Block Out Flex NSBO-3012 is weather resistant, suitable for billboards (reverse display), event booths, in-store graphics, etc. This material is available in 3.2 m and 50 m lengths. As the name indicates, Magnetic Vinyl is a magnetically receptive material that attracts all types of low profile magnets, including flexible magnetic sheeting and it is available in 2.2 m and 50 m lengths. This material can be easily drilled or cut with scissors, knife, die-cutter or cutting plotter and compatible with solvent, eco-solvent, latex and UV technologies to create colourful backgrounds to place the magnets.

Stretch the canvas, not the budget, Super Canvas 600 is an eco-solvent canvas available in variety of weights and finishes that can be framed, mounted and sewn, suitably made for lacquering and spay. This water resistant canvas is of 1.37 m and 1.52 m width and available in 50 m length. It can deliver excellent colour rendition and remarkable flexibility without cracking. PE Banner is a 100 percent natural product, recyclable, light weight (just 1/3 of conventional PVC banner); available in 3.2 m and 50 m lengths, it can be mounted on outdoor billboards, display graphics at malls, supermarkets and other promotional campaigns. TXL- 300/450 is a very thin, specially coated polyester fabric with a ‘silky’ feel designed for interior light boxes, frame display systems, pop-up displays, among others. Available in 3.2 m and 50 m lengths, this fabric is high absorbent of both light and sound, perfect for LED light-boxes. For further detail, write-in at: sunsigntech@yahoo.co.in or sunsigntechnologies@gmail.com

Epson launches next-gen SureColor F-Series dye-sub printers

Equipped with new high density black ink, Epson announces the introduction of its nextgeneration SureColor F-Series dye-sublimation transfer printers—44-inch SureColor F6200 and 64-inch SureColor F7200 and F9200 leverage Epson UltraChrome DS ink with an all new high density black ink. The new ink feature is designed to deliver improved ink efficiency and black density with better tonal transitions and grayscale for high quality results in the roll-toroll fabric production, customised promotional production, soft signage, and cut-and-sew sports apparel, fashion, and home décor markets. The flagship SureColor F9200 printer utilises dual Epson PrecisionCore TFP printheads for high-speed, industrial-level rollto- roll productivity with superior dot control and precise, repeatable performance. Each printer offers continuous productivity and less downtime with an integral and easily refillable, high-capacity bulk ink system.

Color-Logic introduces Pattern- FX for
instant application of patterns on graphics

Color-Logic releases a new set of specialised palettes, enabling graphic designers to instantly apply seamless patterns to their designs. Pattern-FX, when combined with the Color-Logic system, can be used for metallic ink printing or to generate complex white ink masks for printing on metallic substrates. In addition to primary metallic effects, each pattern may be used as an effect pattern for embossing or coatings. As the patterns are seamless, they are scalable and can be used for all types of printing and packaging applications, including wide-format. Each pattern can be further controlled by applying one of the 250 metallic colours already available in the Color-Logic system, or may be used in combination to create multiple effects, such as a metallic embossed and varnished element, to a design.

ORAFOL unpacks Oracal and Orajet wrapping films

ORAFOL announces three new Oracal and Orajet series: Oracal 820 safety vinyl, Oracal 1740 eco-print and ORAJET 3930 Photoluminescent. Oracal 820 Safety Vinyl is a two-mil, five-year, safety film specially formulated for tamper evident applications. This film can only be removed in small pieces that effectively prevent fraudulent handling of decals, labels and other markings. They are available in white gloss and matte. Oracal 1740 eco-print is a 3.5 mil, two-year, eco-friendly film perfect for short-to-medium term, outdoor, screen and UV offset print compatible applications, which is available in white and transparent. Orajet 3930 Photoluminescent is a six mil, five-year, glow-in-the-dark, solvent printable film designed for indoor and outdoor emergency exit and warning signage. It is recommended for use with Oraguard 293 laminating film.

New economy PVC-free window cling film from Plastiprint

Designed as an easily installable window cling film for POP, window displays, decal signage, seasonal window graphics, labels and protective film purposes, especially for mobile device screen protection, Plastiprint announces the introduction of a new economy PVC-Free window cling film, which is a copolymer cling formula (micro adhesion suction technology) makes installation quick and easy without damaging the surface. The result is a durable film with a soft peel that mimics static cling vinyl with increased outdoor and cold-weather performance. It can be applied, removed, re-applied multiple times. The Clear provides Optical Clarity making it an ideal film for high resolution graphics. Lakewood-based Plastiprint has been providing quality specialty plastic films and sheet for the graphic arts industry since its establishment in 1989.

EFI updates its PrintSmith Vision MIS

EFI announces the enhancement of its print workflow offerings with a new update to PrintSmith Vision, a flexible, browser-based MIS software product for print shops - including franchises and in-plant facilities - that features powerful estimating, POS, production management, receivables and sales analysis tools within a single, easy-to-use application. The software was developed with the goal of driving print shop profitability and efficiency at an affordable price point using features that extend the PrintSmith platform’s longstanding presence as the leading MIS technology for small commercial businesses in the graphic arts industry. The new version of EFI PrintSmith Vision helps users focus on winning more jobs and managing them more efficiently. New mobile views in the software give users more power to check work-in-process, view job statuses or check arriving shipments remotely.

Gilman Brothers releases new thinner INFINITY foam-board

Ever since Gilman Brothers has been in business to manufacture printing materials and display systems, such as foam-boards, easels, recyclable booths, tremendous products and opportunities have been developed through times and now the latest in the development is the introduction of INFINITY, which is 3 mm thick, thinner than the earlier version. Screen and digital printers already in love with this newly introduced INFINITY, which is designed to offer as an alternative to other plastics commonly used in the graphics industry, so it was a natural progression for Gilman to fill the void. INFINITY 3 mm offers all-of-the core advantages of the foam being 2.5 times dense compared to other foams; 3D forming; ready-to-print surface for use with solvent and UV inks. INFINITY 3 mm is the only green, 100 percent recyclable product--making it the logical choice over any non eco-friendly materials such as expanded PVC.

Ultraflex adds new smooth banner vinyl to its line

Ultraflex Systems has announces the addition of a new SuperPrint Smooth Banner to its product line. This newly unrolled vinyl media is 10-oz, front-lit vinyl. This media is perfectly designed for different applications, such as indoor, close-viewing graphics, among others. This newly unrolled matte-finish media is compatible with technologies, such as solvent, eco-solvent, UV, and screen printing. Available in up to 126-in widths, SuperPrtint is yet another excellence of vinyl product from Ultraflex Systems, which is recognized as the international innovator and leader in PVC and specialty substrates. With a commitment to progress, quality and product development, Ultraflex continually adds and modifies formulas to offer a variety of materials to meet the ever-changing needs of the global market.