Media

Sihl has launched three new 'eco-friendlier' multi-purpose poster papers into the large-format market.

The 'wet-strength' Post-2-Cure Papers have been specially developed by Sihl for use with latest generation latex inks from HP and are suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

"Latex inks are based on an infra-red hardening technique and require their own range of media. Sihl has responded to this need with the launch of Post-2-Cure Paper 125, Post-2-Cure Paper 180 and Post-2-Cure Paper blueback 125 – all high quality wet-strength papers enabling weather and water resistant prints both with the new latex and with UV-hardening inks, whilst remaining compatible with real solvent inks," said Sam Iliaifar, Sihl Group UK.

"This is the eco-friendlier option. These bright white poster papers enable digital services providers to produce prints with a high productivity which are significantly less harmful to the environment and our health than solvent inks. The Post-2-Cure alternatives are in addition to the six solvent-based printing media from the speciality sector which we have already introduced for the HP DesignJet L65500 (the first printer to use the new water-based HP latex ink) and the brand new HP DesignJet 25500," said Iliaifar.

According to Sihl, the poster papers offer impressive color reproduction and correspond to offset-printed posters in terms of surface feel and appearance.

"The heat that has an effect on the paper during processing causes only minimum paper shrinkage—and with these properties the new media promises high-quality, superior poster application," said Iliaifar

Additional features and benefits of the new papers:

Post-2-Cure Paper 125 satin 3741 – 125gsm: This bright white poster paper, with its specially finished surface incorporates a slight barrier coating on the back. It can be used for indoor signs; indoor short-term promotions; city light posters/outdoor light box displays.

Post-2-Cure Paper 180 satin 3742 – 180gsm: This heavyweight poster paper, complete with slight barrier coating on the reverse side can be used for indoor signs and short-term promotions; pop-up displays; city light posters and outdoor light box displays.

Post-2-Cure Paper blueback 125 satin 3740 – 125 gsm: This option with its specially finished surface and barrier coating on the back is suitable for indoor signs and short-term promotions plus billboard and advertising applications. The blue reverse side enhances opacity when wet.

"The new types of print media are also ideal for information signs laminated to panels or with a cold laminate finish or for photorealistic posters," said Iliaifar.

Vehicle body shops and car owners can now restore, modify or customise cars with low-cost, no mess, carbon fibre finishes.

3M DI-NOC Carbon Fibre Finish, from 3M UK & Ireland, is a vinyl film that looks like the real thing but is less expensive and more versatile. It is simple to install and easy-to-clean with a modern, visually appealing design making them perfect for unique wrapping of interior or exterior car surfaces such as bonnets, boots, roofs, side view mirrors and interior plastic.

It's not a carbon pattern printed; the film has an embossed finish resembling true carbon fibre, which reflects light as expected and changes the highlights of the pattern depending on the viewing angle.

Already widespread in interior decoration and exterior building design applications, 3M DI-NOC Finishes are scratch resistant and highly durable. There are a huge number of patterns and designs in the range from natural to hi-tech, which faithfully reproduce wood, stone, sand, marble, stucco, leather and many others, but the most fashionable patterns are from the carbon family.

"We are delighted by the enthusiasm and interest that our 3M DI-NOC Carbon Finishes are generating in the market. They offer a stylish substitute to authentic carbon fibre. They also offer ultimate versatility and adaptability to curved, irregular and flat surfaces, and are more cost-effective, replacing expensive and laborious modification and maintenance work," said Cécile Linard, European Market Development Manager Signage Products, 3M Commercial Graphics.

Featuring 3M Comply adhesive, 3M DI-NOC Carbon Fibre Finishes for car personalization allow quick and easy application. The air trapped between the film and the surface is released via tiny channels resulting in a bubble-free installation. The thinness of the film also enables installations that are lighter in weight compared to real carbon fiber bonnet and hard-top parts.

As a result of decades of experience in the production of self-adhesive films, 3M DI-NOC has excellent resistance to water, dirt, impacts, wear, abrasion and mould. It is amongst the technologically most advanced and prestigious products offered by 3M.

With glass playing an increasing role in architecture, glass decoration is gaining in popularity.

Now designers can look forward to yet another innovation in film as ASLAN presents two new products.

With its specially developed Dryapply technology, ASLAN’s new, self-adhesive, sandblast-look glass decoration film offers a major advantage: simple, bubble-free, dry application on any glass surface. A honeycomb structure in the release liner creates air channels in the adhesive, enabling bubbles to be simply smoothed out, and guarantees problem-free, dry application with no need for water.

In addition to the very easy and quick application method, another plus is that the application tape can be removed as soon as the film has been applied. There’s no more waiting, which means users save a huge amount of time. On top of that, this sight-obscuring film is ideal for digital prints using solvent, eco-solvent and UV inks, making it the perfect choice for creative designs on glass.

The film comes in two types: ASLAN EL 300, with a width of 1.26 m, for cutter plotters and ASLAN DFL 300, with a width of 1.37 m, for digital prints.

ASLAN products are available in the UK from Doro-Tape.

Further information is also available on the ASLAN website at www.ASLAN-schwarz.com

MACtac to test and profile its media with HP’s Latex inks and environmentally friendly printer

Meeting the needs of environmentally-minded print providers looking for new advancement in media technology and ink, MACtac® Graphic Products has become an HP Registered Latex Developer, allowing the company to provide options in media that offer excellent compatibility and impressive results on film and on the environment.

Through this agreement, MACtac tests and profiles its media printed on the HP Designjet L65500, which offers performance comparable to low-solvent ink performance, with the new HP Latex inks. The new Latex inks are the first water-based inks that can print on uncoated substrates while maintaining the durability of solvent inks. Unique from solvent and eco-solvent inks, the new Latex inks emit little to no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC), which harm the environment and are hazardous to employees.

“Customers keeping sustainability top-of-mind can rest easy knowing MACtac media not only works well with this new ink technology, but MACtac as a company has a vested interest in providing more products that support this advancement in the industry,” said Jeff Stadelman, technical marketing manager, MACtac Graphic Products. “There are a lot of variables to consider when choosing the right products for a job, and MACtac can now provide proven results in colour, quality and durability with HP’s environmental technology, taking the guesswork out of the equation.”

MACtac has worked thorough extensive testing and approvals for several of its media printed on the HP Designjet L65500 with HP Latex inks, including MACtac’s IMAGin® B-free® (JT5529BFD PRO and JT5929BFD Plus) digital vinyl, IMAGin B-free Window Films, IMAGin PrintVinyl, IMAGin wallNOODLE™, StreetRap™ and IMAGin RoughRAP™. About 20 profiles have been created, with more in development, and are available to download at www.MACtac.com/Graphics

“As the environment becomes an increasingly crucial component our customers consider in their design, MACtac continue to work toward achieving the technology requirements and industry-leading partnerships we need to ensure we are helping our customers conquer their challenges while minimizing the effects on the environment,” said Stadelman.

Beyond new product innovations, MACtac application solutions answer all application needs

Helping installers, printers and distributors conquer their graphics industry challenges, MACtac® Graphic Products offers more than new product innovations, accelerating the industry with inclusive solutions for new, unique, original and traditional graphic applications.

Answering application needs as opposed to product needs, MACtac, as a consultative partner, works with its customers to deliver application-focused solutions with added project versatility; thus arming customers with a solution for any application they encounter.

“End-users want to apply pressure sensitive vinyl to virtually any substrate that will permit adhesion – from traditional applications to unique and unusual, as the trend for out-of-the-box advertising and promotion continues to grow,” said Rick Moore, marketing director, MACtac Graphic Products. “Through the development of custom solutions for various applications such as wall, window, vehicle, fleet, retail, concrete, brick and more, MACtac offers its customers a strong competitive advantage and a high return on investment.”

Within the last year, MACtac has launched more than 20 customer-requested new product innovations that are geared toward specific applications. From IMAGin® B-free® Window Films to IMAGin RoughRAP™ and StreetRap™, MACtac’s latest solutions deliver smooth, dynamic graphic masterpieces for some of today’s most popular eye-catching applications.

An array of MACtac’s wall, window and floor graphic application solutions is featured throughout the 2009 Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) tradeshow in New Orleans, La. The wall graphics in the main lobby opposite registration were created using MACtac’s IMAGin® digiTrans™ and PERMACOLOR® ColorGard™ matte laminate. The window graphics at the shuttle and taxi drop off area were created using IMAGin B-free Frosted Window Films and the floor graphics in the main lobby were created using IMAGin JT5800R and PERMACOLOR PF6300 floor graphic laminate.

The key to MACtac’s application solution offering is finished graphic appearance and protection, which is delivered through the company’s trusted PERMACOLOR overlaminate line.

“Custom to each application, the overlaminate solution caters to the need of the application; those characteristics may range from durability and longevity to short-term brilliance, enhanced finish, scratch resistance and so on,” Moore added. “External signage, for example, wouldn’t be complete without the high-quality protection offered by the overlaminate component of the solution. PERMACOLOR® ColorGard™ overlaminating film, the overlaminate recommended for signage applications, was designed for high-quality graphic protection and delivers image brilliance, pop and dimension – even on UV-printed graphics – exceeding printer, distributor, installer and end-user needs.”

MACtac’s new product line enhances consistency and performance for digital and screen printers

Bringing to life a revolutionary product line as unique as its applications, MACtac® Graphic Products is launching its new, flexible REBEL™ screen print series. Much as its name implies, the REBEL performance-driven product line is built to be different. Specifically designed to deliver consistent printability and superior adhesive performance, REBEL works for both screen and digital printers.

Available in a broad range of multi-print media, the REBEL series offers a versatile and valuable printing platform for indoor and outdoor applications, including point-of-purchase, retail and overall general signage.

“REBEL is unique because we approached the product development process differently,” said Rick Moore, director of marketing, MACtac Graphic Products. “After benchmarking existing products on the market, including our own, we developed a special adhesive with performance characteristics that deliver the quality and uniformity necessary to meet the widest range of application surfaces.”

One of the many unique features to REBEL is the product’s opacity is created with the face film, not tethered to a gray adhesive like other industry offerings. REBEL’s face film innovation also allows for the best adhesive technology—clear, high-performance adhesives.

“By building opacity into the face stock, MACtac is able to provide printers with the block-out they require without sacrificing performance, which means, for example, that REBEL featuring our high tack adhesive will perform better on a wider variety of surfaces, including low surface energy substrates” said Moore.

In addition, MACtac optimised lay flat, enabling better production consistency and performance to easily fit screen applications as well as high-production inkjet drum printers. The REBEL product line works with UV screen, solvent and eco-solvent printers.

The 4-mil vinyl film comes in a wide variety of finishes, including gloss white, matte white and gloss clear. The product is available in rolls, and custom options are available with MACtac’s converting capabilities.