3M races ahead with new-gen films

3M has expanded its extensive range of vehicle wrapping films with the launch of the new generation 3M Wrap Film Series 1380.

Claiming “outstanding conformability” when applied to vehicles that have deep recesses, 3M says the new films also eliminate the need for cutting or inlays.

Films are available in 14 colours with gloss, satin, matte or metallic finishes, with each product incorporating an additional white layer that boosts opacity and enhances colour brilliance by masking the colour of the underlying substrate.

In addition, films in the 1380 series feature 3M Controltac Adhesive Technology for easier repositioning, as well as 3M Comply Adhesive Technology to assist users when applying the product to vehicles.

Lewis and Wood branch out

Textile printer Stephen Lewis and interior designer Joanna Wood joined forces in 1993 to create Lew  and Wood, creating a vast collection of British manufactured textiles and wallpaper. In another bold business step to start a new journey, the company has purchased an MTEX Blue with Pigments.

“We now digitally print our wallpapers, and so printing onto fabrics was a natural extension of this business. We’ve spent two and a half years building our knowledge of wallpaper printing and now we’re ready to start experimenting with fabrics,” says Lewis.

Roland DG adds Adobe to Academy

Roland DG has moved to expand its popular Academy initiative with the addition of a new course based around Adobe Illustrator.

The new modular courses will allow Roland DG users to learn how to use their kit with the software to produce the best possible results. The course consists of two modules that will be spread across two full-day sessions.

Joe Wigzell, Academy and Creative Centre manager at Roland DG UK, comments: “We’re pleased to have another chance to offer our end users our expert knowledge, and allow their businesses to improve as a result".

 

 

“As a company we know just how valuable graphic design is to the workflow of print production, and with the introduction of our Illustrator course we can give our customers that advantage.”

 

ArtSystems paints a picture with MakerBot

Specialist distributor ArtSystems will support MakerBot at this year’s TCT show by having a presence on the firm’s stand during the event.

MakerBot, which specialises in 3D printing, is to feature its full range of 3D print machines in the hope of attracting even more interest in this expanding sector, with ArtSystems to encourage this message by offering advice of its own.

Ted Freer, division manager design at MakerBot, says: “In the design sector MakerBot improves creativity in prototyping and gives students and designers the ability to rapidly explore new ideas using high-quality 3D models.”

 

Matt black is the new black

In a statement of confidence, Orafol has described its newly released Oracal 970 Super Matt vinyl as, “darker than the night, and softer than velvet.”

“There is a big fashion trend right now for matt black cars; a trend which started in the US already some time ago, and we are now seeing it in Europe as well. The more matt the better, and we have had many requests for a material even more matt than our normal standard. We are therefore delighted now to welcome the new super matt film into our range,” says Evelyn Zocher, sales and marketing director of Orafol’s Graphic Products division.

Orafol ups ante in market fight

With the buy-out of Mac Tac’s European business by Avery Dennison, another major self-adhesive materials and tapes manufacturer Orafol has stepped up its marketing game in a central market by entering into a new sponsorship deal with German Bundesliga top-tier football club Hertha Berlin.

Although terms of the agreement were not disclosed, Orafol did confirm that the deal will run for at least the duration of the 2016 to 2017 season. The company will serve as an exclusive partner of the team.

“We are convinced that our custom and nationwide advertising package will prove to be ideal in raising regional and nationwide awareness of our company,” comments Dr. Holger Loclair, managing director of Orafol Europe.

 

A new era for industry icon

With nearly four decades in business under its belt, Proctor Paper and Board has revealed that it has now rebooted its brand and consolidated its group companies to become PPB – Service on Display.

“We have integrated three geographically separate businesses under one brand, supplying display products nationally,” explains Richard Proctor, managing director of PPB, who adds: “We have retained the initials of the original companies to preserve the heritage of the group, but with them now standing for Paper, Plastics and Board. These are the key product groups that we sell to the display market".

 

 

“We wanted to re-enforced our reputation for converting material, bespoke sheeting (including wide-format digital print sizes) and re-reeling. Our Leeds facility has state-of-the-art sheeting and rewinding equipment, including a Schelling Saw for cutting industrial plastics and aluminium composites. PPB will also be making an increased commitment to further improve warehousing and logistics to fully service the UK.”

PPB’s new product range includes industrial plastics, graphical products, digital display materials, priplak, and aluminium composites—look out for next month’s issue for full analysis.

 

RA Smart thinking with La Forte

RA Smart has announced the launch of a series of new digital textile systems in partnership with Italian manufacturer Aleph.

Aimed at a number of sectors, including soft signage and apparel, the La Forte Studio range of machines will feature technology from the La Forte Industrial range, offering both dye-sublimation and direct to textile printing at 180, 220 and 320cm print widths.

RA Smart will support the launch by offering a selection of textile ink chemistries as well as finishing solutions to work alongside the new machines.

SAI offers free HP upgrade

SA International (SAI) has announced the release of a free Version 12 download for its customers that current use its Flexi Print HP Latex Edition software.

The new enhancements to the platforms includes the Artwork Approval Tool, which sends designs to customers so they can review and comment on the artwork through their web browser. Also new is the Banner and Canvas Finishing Tool, enabling users to prepare all the finishing aspects of banners with grommet marks, folds, stitch marks and bleeds in a matter of seconds. The Animated Cut Viewer Tool, Contour Cut True Shape, new mobile app, and support for the latest HP Wallart Suite are also highlights of V12.

Fuji turbo boosts Acuity

In a technology segment that seems to evolve quicker than the speed of the printers themselves, Fujifilm has revealed a 57.6sq m addition to it Select series of flatbed printers.

“The Acuity Select HS 30 series continues to build on the success of Fujifilm’s Acuity flatbed printers, from the launch of the Acuity 2504 in 2007 through to the Acuity Select 20, introduced in early 2016,” says Mike Battersby, marketing manager at Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems.

 

 

He adds: “This outstanding new machine has been specifically designed for those printing 10,000sq m a year or more and those who are looking for capacity without compromising quality—boosting production flexibility and enhancing profitability in the process.”

 

Pow! Signwaves packs a punch

Signwaves has announced the launch of the Pow! Sign, a new product that it says serves as an “exciting” concept in forecourt designs.

Available in thee different sizes, the Pow! Sign measures up to 1.66m high and 1.43m wide and features reinforced polypropylene sleeve, which Signwaves says allows for, “vibrant and larger than life” images and text for “high impact promotion”.

The company adds: “The ease of design means there is no groundwork required to secure the sign in-situ, in fact there are two base options available. The water-fillable option allows for the Pow! Sign to be moved for tactical positioning due to the built in wheels and custom designed trolley. However, for more permanent placement the small and medium sized signs are available with concrete bases.”

 

Soyang makes plans for Print Show

Soyang Europe will exhibit at The Print Show next month, and will also participate in one of its special educational areas, The Printers’ Bazzar, where it will have self-adhesive media examples on display for visitors looking to diversify into the area of stickers and decals.

“We have an extensive range of self-adhesive media from DECAL and Intercoat, all available from stock on a next day delivery service as standard,” says sales director, Andrew Simmons, adding: “Our knowledgeable team will be on hand throughout the show to chat to visitors about all our printable materials and help them find the right solution.”

 

Storm launches landmark research

Clear Channel UK’s premium digital brand, Storm, has unveiled the results of an innovative study on ‘brand fame’ in digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising, using rigorous scientific tests.

It was found that seeing a brand on premium DOOH increased consumers’ positive association with brand fame metrics by 12 percent over the control group.

 

 

Aimee Mckay, managing director of Storm, says: “We are so excited to be launching this landmark piece of research today. Brand Fame Uncovered is the first time that this concept has ever been conclusively defined.”

 

Swiss Q Print proven best-seller

Info Source has published data that proves Swiss Q Print’s Nyala 2 UV flatbed printer was the bestselling mid-range printer (€150,000 to €450,000) in Western Europe last year. The technology is next set to be in action at The Print Show through Spandex from October 11^th to 13^th.

The Nyala 2 is designed so it can be upgraded throughout its life-span and has a  print bed that measures 3.2 x 2m. Expanded with the swissQprint board option, a Nyala 2 can handle media up to 3.2 × 4m.

The news follows a major period of expansion for the manufacturer, which saw it move to cope with its increasing volume of orders by relocating to a newly built factory premises in early 2015.

 

Avery Dennison to crown new King

Avery Dennison has launched the fourth edition of its annual ‘Wrap Like a King Challenge’, inviting entrants to push the boundaries of wrapping.

This year, eight regional ‘Wrap King’ awards are up for grabs, with the overall winner selected from this shortlist and handed the ‘Wrap World’ prize package worth almost $5,000.

Entrants that produce a wrap can fill in an online entry form and submit pictures of their application, which will be published on Avery Dennison’s ‘That’s a Wrap Gallery’. This year, for the first time, entrants will also be able to submit non-automotive wraps, as the company looks to open up the competition in order to showcase a wider range of wrapping skills to the industry.

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