The Differentiator: Specialty Media Helps Print to Stand Out
When it comes to trying to be distinctive, some wide-format print firms are turning to the printed surface to keep end products looking good and unique.
DreamScape also offers digitally printable wall-covering media for solvent, eco-solvent, and UV-curable and latex inks. It is a certified commercial grade wall covering available in 15 textures and optically tuned for digital printing. Also, WallWrap adhesive-backed textured wall covering and Terralon, PVC-free wall covering are available. New in 2012 are Silver Flash and Gold Flash chrome finish wallcoverings, which allow designers, artists, and printers to create a modern, high-end look in brilliant colors.
Green is Special, Too
Within its SGIA exhibit, xpedx showed substrates from Catalina, Clear Focus, Gilman Bros., Inteplast, MACtac, Ultraflex, United Industries, and 3M. In its own booth, 3M Commercial Graphics premiered the next generation of “green,” high-performance wrap films that contain no polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Envision Print Wrap Film 480Cv3 and 3M Envision Gloss Wrap Overlaminate 8548G.
Another green exhibitor was conVerd, the official substrate provider for the SGIA expo. All of the show aisle signage and meter boards were printed on conVerd Board 6mm. Incorporating 10 percent post consumer waste, it is completely recyclable and renewable, while providing a price-comparable green alternative to foam and styrene-based products. conVerd also partnered with Mutoh and Zund to deliver promotional products printed and cut out during the show. Mutoh and Zund distributed hotel door hangers, promotional boxes, and other creative pieces all made with conVerd Board 3mm. Esko and conVerd also partnered to make creative hand-out pieces that showed the ease of cutting customized shapes without crushing the corners of conVerd boards.
FLEXcon also offers sustainable alternatives for large-format graphic applications, including its WALLdeco, COUNTERdeco, WINDOWdeco, and FLEXmark floor art products. Novelty films such as SHIMMERcal and PRISMcal to high-performance adhesives like FLEXmount SELECT offer customers more options for their brand/visual application needs, the company said.
Cooley Commercial Graphics showed a number of products at the show, including CoolFlex seamless, digital printing membranes that can be used in everything from banners to billboards to building wraps. CoolFlex products include Seamless Frontlit, Black/White, and Backlit materials, which are all recyclable through the Cooley RE-Flex Recycling Program. Also on display were the lightweight, PE, PVC, and PP EnviroFlex substrates, including the new EnviroFlex PE, which is a printable polyethylene substrate that offers high-quality graphic images and durability in a lightweight, fully recyclable product. Cooley also showed the two-sided and digitally printable CoolMesh substrates for large outdoor applications requiring airflow; the Weathertyte and Weathertyte Lite advanced awning fabrics; and Cooley-Brite backlit sign and awning material.
FiberMark, too, this summer announced a portfolio of branded products for wide-format inkjet printers. Leveraging the company’s core technologies and manufacturing capabilities, “and developing new product lines created specifically for inkjet printers that use today’s durable latex, solvent (all), and UV-curable inkjet inks, FiberMark has created a portfolio of wide-format inkjet print media that is PVC-free, environmentally responsible, economical, durable, and application-specific,” said Robert Conforti, PhD, the firm’s senior vice president of new business development. FiberMark’s portfolio includes Endura-Print, latex-saturated, wet strength papers and non-wovens.
Outdoor, Indoor, and Interactive
MACtac has introduced new mounting films for all high-end applications, including its PERMACOLOR ColorTrans CT2200 and PERMACOLOR ColorPrint PP2018. For an alternative to the traditional shop windows, POP displays, and signage, MACtac also exhibited a new interactive technology that transforms ordinary surfaces into dynamic digital displays.
InteliCoat Technologies has launched several new products designed to meet the evolving needs of the wide-format digital imaging market. Its Magic brand GBL-9 is a satin backlit film for use in solvent and eco-solvent printing systems. Recommended as a front printing and viewing film where high density can be achieved, it is ideally suited for backlit signage applications in indoor and outdoor environments including tradeshow graphics, POS and POP displays, banners, and signage. GBL-9 provides maximum transmitted and reflected ink density, ensuring vivid color and high image resolution.
