29 Mar 2024

Metamark launches new printable photo mural media

Digital print finds a home and discovers new applications in so many places these days that it’s evident that its potential is far from fully exploited or discovered. New materials and technologies introduce more producers to the possibility of yet more profitable new applications and so, the popularity of the medium grows.

Among Metamark’s latest introduction to its MD-Class digital media portfolio, is MD-TX or, WallTex as it’s also known. WallTex promises MD-Class imaging quality, easy application, and yet more profitable new applications for printers and producers to explore.

WallTex is a printable wall covering. It holds image detail and resolves an impressive gamut thanks to its ink handling characteristics. The material is 100% polyester based and features an adhesive that makes its application, and its removal, clean and easy.

According to Metamark, the new material will find uses anywhere that there’s a need to introduce ambience or a measure of impact. Metamark also suggests that WallTex will find a home in domestic situations where photo-murals are becoming popular.

Supplied on a liner, WallTex can be cut using the same tools used for vinyl. So abstract shaped output and other novel approaches to mural application are challenged more by imagination than practical considerations.

Metamark says it is making sample rolls of the new material available to users of solvent and eco-solvent printers who’d like to try fabric-based photo-mural applications for themselves. Samples are available for same day despatch by contacting sales@metamark.co.uk.

Metamark's e-Brick now available for BlackBerry and Android

Metamark’s hefty “Brick” SignVinyl and Speciality Materials swatch now has two new and somewhat lighter-weight stablemates joining the iPhone app. e-Brick for Android and Blackberry takes a useful chunk of Metamark’s Brick’s contents, the 4 Series and 7 Series SignVinyl ranges, and packs it into an intuitive and easy-to-use application that makes material colour selection and specification even easier still for users of smartphones.

The new app uses the ‘phone’s cameras to capture images of anything the user might want to survey. The captured images can be saved and subsequently examined in close detail using a cursor. The app dynamically calculates and displays the closest available Metamark SignVinyl matches for the image area under the cursor’s focus.

Captured images and corresponding selected matches can be saved for future reference and the entire swatch can also be browsed without making a match reference to an image. Full product data sheets are also stored within the application and it’s possible to e-mail Metamark directly from the app too.

It’s unlikely that the e-Brick will replace the real-world article, says Metamark, but its just another example of how Metamark strives to make itself easy to deal with, and its products easy to choose and to buy. There’s also no doubting, smartphones are very powerful and useful tools and their talents are put to good use by Metamark’s app.

The app is available now, free of charge from the ‘phone’s respective application stores.

Two new European distribution partners for ILFORD BioMedia

ILFORD has announced new distribution partners for its recyclable and biodegradable BioMedia range in Germany and Austria. R. Rauch GmbH will serve as a German distributor for the range, with subsidiary company Kalle ReproMedia Handels Ges.m.b.H. offering ILFORD BioMedia to the commercial wide-format printing sector in Austria.  

The new distribution partnerships were forged during international trade show drupa. ILFORD BioMedia enjoyed prominence at the show thanks to partnerships with industry leaders including EFI Vutek, Epson, Ricoh and Roland DG.

A well-established supplier of graphic arts products and services, the Rauch Group has found that the recyclable and biodegradable ILFORD BioMedia range is an excellent addition to its substrate offering. The decision demonstrates the continued commitment by Rauch to sustainability, which the company carries out through its choice of suppliers and manufacturers, as well as through internal operational processes and a commitment to industry standards such as FSC and PEFC.

The ILFORD BioMedia range, launched in October 2011, serves as a biodegradable and environmentally-responsible alternative to traditional graphic display materials. The range includes rigid mounting boards, laminates and films that employ renowned coating technologies from ILFORD.  BioMedia substrates deliver high-quality image results without the harsh environmental impact of commercial vinyl products.

For more information on BioMedia, please visit www.ilford.com/en/products/commercial-wide-format/biomedia/.

Lintec Graphic Films announces product line-up for 100% Design exhibition

Lintec Graphic Films has announced the product line up for its stand (O131) at 100% Design which is scheduled to take place between 19th and 22nd September 2012 at Earls Court, London. Designers, architects and branding specialists will be able to see first-hand the glazing enhancement opportunities that Lintec Graphic Film’s have to offer.

The latest additions to Lintec Graphic Films’ range of innovative window films, Vitroflip® and Vitroshift®, is set to attract the attention of visitors as it enables the creation of ‘moving’ images, text or colours. As print density and opacity can also be customised, it offers endless possibilities for specifiers when needing to create eye-catching images.

Dot-on-dot®, Lintec Graphic Films vignette film, allows for a contemporary edge with the ability to print a pattern in two different colours. This film is already proving popular for use on office partitions in particular, as it allows the opportunity to create different ambiences on the different sides of the glass. For example, the outfacing image can be printed in a neutral, calm colour to fit in with the rest of the office decor, while the reverse image can be printed in a bright, lively colour.

Vitrocolour®, an ultra-clear polyester film, transforms glass into vibrant advertising, design and corporate identity opportunities. As the non-PVC film offers excellent see-thought vision and allows for images of photographic quality to be printed in vibrant colours, it is proving very popular with designers. Most importantly, the film’s hard coating provides excellent scratch resistance and durability, and removes in one piece, which allows for quick changeovers when rebranding is required.

100% Design visitors will also be able to view the versatile Lumisty® window film, which has a unique ability to control what can and cannot be seen by changing from translucent to transparent depending on the viewing angle. It has already captured the imagination of leading interior designers, architects and retail branding specialists. Lumisty® has already successfully been used in a number of architectural projects to create privacy, while retail and other display applications are seeing the benefits of it attention grabbing effects.

Contra Vision® ORS, an innovative one-way window film, will also be available to view on the stand. It allows for two customised images, both right reading, to be viewed from either side while continuing to enable see-through vision.

“100% Design is the ideal platform for us to showcase our range of premium window films to architects, designers and branding specialists,” says Andy Voss, Managing Director of Lintec Graphic Films. “Our wide range of innovative window films will offer new and novel solutions and ideas to anyone looking to enhance, adapt or change glazed surfaces.”

New Arlon wrapping overlaminate now available from William Smith

A new wrapping overlaminate from Arlon - designed to achieve greater conformability - is now available from William Smith.

At just 33 micron, when used in conjunction with lighter weight films, Arlon Series 3210, a gloss cast vinyl film with clear pressure-sensitive adhesive, gives excellent conformability during installation. In addition, the gloss finish gives an extra sharpness to the appearance of printed graphics as well as prolonging wear life.

Designed for use with Arlon 6000RP and 6000XRP vehicle wrapping films, Series 3210 provides the same level of protection as Arlon’s standard laminates, and comes with up to seven years’ outdoor durability.

Arlon Series 3210 overlaminate is available ex-stock from William Smith and next day delivery is available on orders received before 6pm.

For more information, please visit www.williamsmith.co.uk

Fisher Textiles upgrades flame retardant Enviro-Tex ET 9499 fabric

Fisher Textiles has replaced style ET 9499 Firesafe with a brighter and whiter version in its line of Enviro-Tex fabrics for Dye Sublimation, UV and Latex printing. Enviro-Tex fabrics are eco-friendly and made with recycled REPREVE yarn, which meets FTC guidelines for recycled products.

ET 9499 Firesafe is a woven texturised yarn fabric that is 6.1 oz. and 125 inches wide. It is made with 55% REPREVE Recycled Polyester and 45% Polyester. It has excellent print quality and applications include banners, roll up bannerstands, table covers and trade show exhibits. The fabric is flame retardant and passes NFPA 701.

For more information, please visit www.fishertextiles.com

[photo shows ET 9499 Firesafe.  The old version is pictured (left) and the newer, whiter version (right).]