Consumables

Contra Vision started the see-though graphics industry in 1985 and claim to have a unique understanding built on nearly 25 years of experience. Contra Vision have invented and own the patents and other Intellectual Property for the widest range of see-through graphics technology, a portfolio of 25 inventions patented or patent-pending. These include the two “dominant patents” in this field.

Contra Vision are now offering a free definitive guide, which they claim is essential reading for anyone wanting to design, produce or sell see-through graphics.

Contra Vision’s guide includes sections on designing, selling and producing see-through graphics, and tips on how to choose appropriate materials. The guide explains how to produce see-through graphics that can be applied to the inside of a window, and even see-through graphics that can be backlit at night. It also explains about different levels of transparency, and how to produce see-through graphics using non-perforated, non-pvc materials.

Roland Hill, the inventor of see-through graphics and Chairman and Managing Director of Contra Vision says: “See-through graphics is a fast-growing market as advertisers, architects and interior designers become more aware of the opportunities and advantages on offer. Our guide explains about the different types of see-through graphics and how they can be produced. It contains tips on how to design good-looking see-through graphics, and how to avoid the pitfalls of incorrectly presenting see-though graphics to potential clients. We hope that it will be an invaluable aid to anyone involved in this exciting market.”

Contra Vision will send a free guide and further information to anyone who emails their name, company and address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

London, Paris, and New York are among the stops on the Hahnemühle Anniversary Collection's 2010 world tour of international photo capitals. The tour is scheduled to begin in Sydney, Australia on February 10th, and will then travel to Beijing, Berlin, Toronto, and Hong Kong. A special highlight of the tour will take place in Cologne, Germany at Photokina where the award winning images will be exhibited from September 21-26.

To help celebrate their 425th year of continuous paper mill operation, Hahnemühle created the Anniversary Photo Awards as an open, international photographic competition with an intriguing theme: 'For Originals.' The company was interested in having photographers present their unique visions of people, objects and atmospheres from the most original perspective possible. Nearly 1,800 photographers from 45 countries around the world sent in more than 7,100 entries. From these, an international panel of experts selected 43 to become part of the Hahnemühle Anniversary Collection.

"These extraordinary images represent a full range of photographic subjects," said Jörg Adomat, managing director, Hahnemühle. "From portraits and landscape to architecture and still life, this is a truly special exhibition. In addition, we have selected individual inkjet papers from the Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Collection that are particularly suitable; with regard to whiteness, structure, etc; to optimize the print presentation of each and every photograph."

For complete information on the judges, the winners and their images and up-to-the-minute tour dates, visit Hahnemühle's website and click on "Creative and Informative."

In order to inject maximum visual creativity to a global product launch at London’s Selfridges store, high-end fashion company, Lacoste, has commissioned graphics using unique Lumisty view control film from UK-based, Madico Graphic Films Ltd. The iconic French brand selected the versatile glazing enhancement film for its eye-catching capability of changing from translucent to transparent depending on the viewing angle. This enabled Lacoste to captivate passing pedestrians and channel their gaze towards exclusive window displays featuring the company’s latest Holiday Collector’s Series.

Lacoste’s promotional campaign at Selfridges forms part of the store’s Autumn/Winter 09 theme of “Evolution” and since their installation at the end of October, the Lumisty window graphics have, according to Lacoste, met their expectations in successfully capturing the attention of the public. “By acting as a window screen, Lumisty effectively conceals our polo shirt display until passers-by are directly in front of them, at which point the film becomes transparent and instantly draws their gaze towards the products”, explains Lacoste’s representative. “This changing visual effect worked incredibly well and has certainly achieved our aim of turning heads.”

“The success of this particular project underscores the creative possibilities of Lumisty in promotional retail and product display applications”, says Andy Voss, Managing Director of Madico Graphic Films Ltd. “Thanks to its unique attribute of controlling what can and cannot be seen, Lumisty offers a multitude of distinctive and practical uses and continues to make the product a huge hit among interior designers, marketers, architects and retail branding specialists.”

Lumisty forms part of Madico’s portfolio of UV and eco-solvent inkjet, and thermal transfer printable window films. This range is currently the largest available on the market and is 100% non-PVC. As with all of Madico’s ink-jet printable films, Lumisty is coated with defect-free, clean-room coated adhesives for superior optical performance and can be cut to shape using standard digital cutting technology.

Avery Dennison has introduced a helpful new dimension to its Graphics and Reflective Products division website: an online colour selector showing what is available in each of the self-coloured ranges of Avery Graphics self-adhesive films.

Signmakers and designers, as well as their clients, can see at a glance whether their needs in terms of colour combinations can be met from specific Avery Graphics self-coloured film ranges, such as the premium Avery 900 Super Cast products, available in no less than 83 standard colours.   At the same time, website visitors can check product performance capabilities with the relevant technical datasheets, also available online.

Says Bron Hekkema, sales director, Europe, for Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Products:  'It's nice to be able to add a feature to our website that helps busy signmakers.   While of course the colour renditions on-screen can't precisely match the actual materials, they are a good guide.  A signmaker looking to specify self-adhesive films for a multi-colour signcutting job can see at a glance what's available — and then consult the appropriate Avery Graphics sample swatch'.

Sun Chemical has announced changes to the structure and management of its Sun Inks Europe business. Rudi Lenz, president and CEO of Sun Chemical, will assume direct responsibility for the business, and its current business leaders will now report directly to him. Sun Inks Europe’s functional leaders, covering areas comprising human resources, purchasing, operations, finance and environment, health, safety and security will now report to their respective global functional heads.

“Our customers expect the highest levels of service, and we believe that we can enhance this and the growth of our own European business through a more global structure,” said Mr. Lenz.

David Meldram, president, Sun Inks Europe and senior vice president, Sun Chemical, is leaving the business as part of these changes and his position will not be replaced.

In paying tribute to Mr. Meldram, Mr. Lenz said, “David has been with the company since 1997 and has done a tremendous job. He has built a very successful team and we wish him all the best in the future.

“In these very challenging times for our industry, it is very important that Sun brings all its global resources to help our customers become more successful,” Mr. Lenz continued. “Sun’s commitment to quality, service and innovation will continue to differentiate us in the market.”

New Baryta FB from Hahnemühle is a fiber-based, 100 percent alpha-cellulose paper that features a whiter, smoother, glossier surface than other offerings in the Baryta line. Baryta FB is an archival inkjet paper developed for photo-traditionalists who want the authentic look and feel of glossy silver-gelatin prints from the classic darkroom era.

This bright white paper with its ultra-smooth surface texture, glossy coating and substantial, 350gsm weight, corresponds to classic silver-gelatin baryta media in both structure and feel. Baryta FB is certified archival grade, ISO standard 9706 and meets the highest standards for image quality and longevity.

According to New Orleans-based photographer, Eric Waters, "This fantastic new paper from Hahnemühle registers sharpness and detail very well with color hue and saturation that are true to the integrity of my files. I'll continue to use Hahnemühle products with the confidence that they'll always deliver the best image quality possible Baryta FB's archival properties and paper weight are bonuses."

Waters has been a professional photographer for more than twenty-eight years. He decided early in his career that the New Orleans street culture had significant historical value and was therefore worthy of documentation. Although he is a sought-after event and wedding specialist, Eric is best known for his vibrant, energetic images of the Second Line and New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians. He is one of a scant handful of professionals with an "insider's" view of what makes this culture come alive.