Sign & Graphics | Bi Monthly Publication of Signage Industry in India

InfoTrends predicts continued growth
in wide-format UV-curable inkjet

The wide format UV-curable inkjet market is small, yet the most competitive product segment within the wide-format digital printing industry. The global market for wide format UV-curable inkjet printers and supplies is expected to reach US$3.04 billion in 2015 from US$1.42 billion of 2010, achieving a compound growth rate of 16.4 percent in five years time frame. A research conducted by InfoTrends Wide Format Service for the digital imaging and document solutions industry, indicates the UV-curable market is moving to a new stage where the solutions that surround the printer are increasingly important. The tools that are available enable automated production and meaningful operational metrics are going to become increasingly important as commercial printers and other ‘high-end’ operators adopt wide-format UV-curable printers.

MGI awarded Engineering Prize
for innovative inkjet technology

MGI Digital Graphic Technology, a world leader in digital printing and finishing equipment, has been awarded Engineering Prize for its innovative inkjet technology. The annual engineering award is organised by Usine Nouvelle and Industrie & Technologies in partnership with the National Council of French Engineers and Scientists. The award recognises innovative works of engineers who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding achievements.

The jury elected to honor MGI’s R&D team for the innovation shown in the development of the JETcard, the first solution utilising MGI’s colour inkjet technology. This revolutionary technology allows printing on virtually any substrate surface while maintaining a very high-level of print quality (paper, plastics and synthetics). MGI’s colour inkjet technology enables 4-6 colour printing plus the ability to add specialty inks such as white opaque and security formulas.

Kala introduces latest laminators

At the FESPA Digital 2012 concluded recently in Barcelona, Kala staged its range of laminators including its recently unpacked ‘Starter’ cold laminator and a brand new professional hot and cold laminator named Atlantic 1650. Kala’s entry level Starter laminator meets all the latest health, safety and electrical regulations. It provides simultaneous single-sided lamination and adhesive mounting onto substrates up to 50 mm thick. They are available in 108 cm, 140 cm and 160 cm widths and all models are capable of handling rolls up to 100 m in length.

Kala also highlighted its new Atlantic 1650 hot and cold laminator, which has been developed to meet all the indoor and outdoor lamination needs of print service providers.

Avery and Mutoh offer second car wrap training

Avery Dennison and Mutoh America Inc join hands to offer car wrap training sessions at various locations in the US and Canada. Every session of the popular Avery-Mutoh Car Wrap Training Programme, taught by Justin Pate, was sold out in 2011. Justin Pate is back to teach his vehicle wrap installation techniques with Avery MPI 1005 Supercast Easy Apply RS, Supreme Wrapping Films and DOL overlaminates—all well-liked by installers for wrapping cars.

A new feature added this year is a design, layout, and front-end customer service half-day module with industry experts.

Arlon partners with Hith Impex for India distribution

Arlon announces Hith Impex Pvt Limited as a new distribution partner in the Indian market. Hith Impex will offer full range of Arlon’s print media, cut graphics and flexible substrate products throughout the country. Phil LaFata, vice president, Marketing and International Business, Arlon

Graphics, USA said, “The Hith Impex partnership brings Arlon India tremendous reach into the major sign and graphic centers in the country and will help Arlon further strengthen its brand and product availability in this expanding market.” Arlon India (Pvt) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Arlon Inc, located in Mumbai was established in 2007 to serve the growing Indian demand for high quality graphic media products.

Vista System’s suspended illuminated
signs fabricate Hyderabad airport

Vista System International, a world leader in Modular Curved Frame Technology (MCFT), recently supplied its eye catching and durable suspended signs to AAA Business Solutions India Pvt Ltd for installation at GMR Hyderabad International Airport. The client required brightly lit departure signs to replace the existing non-illuminated ones.

The signs had to be very durable to withstand high wind velocity, as the departures forecourt areas are not fully covered. Vista System’s suspended signs were chosen for the flexibility of their design that allows mounting them in various ways to increase durability and for the fact that they also support internal illumination.

FUJIFILM appoints Alana Rojahn

FUJIFILM Graphic Systems has appointed Alana Rojahn to the position of product manager – wide format and consumables. The company announces that Alana will bring with her a wealth of experience via an apprenticeship in sign writing and working at her father’s successful Bundaberg sign writing business for more than four years. Her product management experience is drawn from the leading print manufacturers and suppliers, such as Roland DG and Mutoh. And her knowledge of the graphic communications industry, particularly in the wide format category is exceptional.

Mimaki announces upgrade of its wide-format RIP

RasterLink6, wide-format RIP from Mimaki, has been upgraded to the standard of the company’s new TS500-1800 dye sublimation printer suitably designed for textile and soft signage markets. This RIP offers an improved user interface over previous versions, including intuitive icons that make selection of options easy for users, a single-window approach to selection of all options, and the ability to monitor printing progress from the main screen.

Helping users to simulate colour printing in Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop without the need to create an actual print using Mimaki’s Profile Master 2, RasterLink6 saves time and cost in the design and production process.

XAAR comes to life using augmented reality

For the first time, XARR presented its technology in 3D using augmented reality at FESPA Digital held recently in Barcelona. The company used the augmented reality (AR) to show how its innovations have led the way in transforming the wide-format graphics, labels, packaging, ceramics, décor and coding and marking industries. Those who failed to catch the live action at the company’s stand during the expo can download the XAAR ‘Xapp app’ onto their Apple device from the Apple App Store and use the AR function to view the animations triggered by images.

XAAR’s AR enabled visitors to explore inside the XAAR Proton and XAAR 1001 printheads in an interactive way. The magnified view of XAAR’s printheads and the technology gave a unique insight into what takes place at high speed and at a microscopic level inside ink channels that are less than the width of a human hair. This approach helped users of XAAR’s printheads fully understand how the technology delivers outstanding print quality and high productivity.

Xerox appoints Rajat Jain as MD for India business

Rajat Jain has been named as new managing director of Xerox India Limited, the local operating company of Xerox Corporation. He was previously at the helm of Mobile2win India and Walt Disney India. Hervé Tessler, president, Xerox Corporation’s Developing Markets Operations said, “India is a country of vital importance to Xerox. With his deep knowledge of the local marketplace and the channel business model, Rajat will be able to build on Xerox’s strong leadership position in both technology and services.”

Rajat will be responsible for leading Xerox India’s strategy implementation and business operations, including sales of products and services, marketing, brand recognition, and customer service operations for Xerox India Ltd. “Xerox is one of the world’s most dynamic brands and a very exciting company – with exceptional potential to grow in India,” he commented adding that Xerox provides world-class technology and supports critical business processes that help its customers focus on their real business – and achieve their business success.

Star leds used in LED-lit letters
at Basavatarakam IACHRC, Hyderabad

Hyderabad-based AAA Business Solutions India Pvt Ltd has installed a groundbreaking signage of LED-lit letters at Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (IACHRC) in the city. The letters are 18 inch in height spread over 90 ft in width. Star LEDs have been used to construct the stunning illuminated signage.

A design services firm with strengths in architectural signage design, AAA Business Solutions specialises in a wide range of creative services like custom designed signage, pylon, totems and architectural signs. The company believes in providing personal service to all clients with partners or designers involving themselves intimately with clients to produce incredible signage solutions.

Hith Impex opens new branch in Ahemdabad

Mumbai-based distributor of complete signage solutions, Hith Impex Pvt Ltd has recently opened its new branch in Ahemdabad. The opening ceremony of the company’s new unit held on January 21, 2012 was graced with the presence of a number of well-wishers and leading signage players from different parts of the city. Having been around in the market since 2005, Hith Impex is known for being an authorised distributor of Avery Dennison line of materials.

XAAR brings inkjet ceramic
decoration technology to India

Indian Ceramics expo to be held from March 20-22, 2012 in Ahmedabad will have XAAR inviting visitors to show how XAAR 1001 industrial inkjet printhead with TF Technology can help transform their business. Tile manufacturers need a robust printhead that delivers high-quality digital decoration consistently within challenging production environments. In this respect, XAAR 1001 ensures reliable operation with minimal maintenance because it uses the revolutionary TF Technology combined with Hybrid Side Shooter printhead architecture.

XAAR technology enables high-viscosity ceramic inks to flow directly past the back of the nozzles which means that they are continuously primed. This results in maximum printer uptime and therefore maximum production output. High-quality designs and effects are possible because the XAAR 1001 can jet inks accurately and consistently onto tiles.

Canon receives six BERTL awards

Canon Europe has received six 2011 Best Awards from the industry analyst BERTL, affirming its commitment to delivering industry-leading performance and reliability across its entire imaging portfolio. Based on a survey by BERTL, Canon was recognised with BEST Awards for individual solutions from the Canon imageRUNNER and imageRUNNER ADVANCE multifunctional device (MFD) and imagePROGRAF large-format printer product lines, as well as uniFLOW.

Recognised for delivering outstanding image quality, value and performance, BERTL Best Awards were conferred on Canon in the categories – Best Wide Format Product Line of the Year (Canon imagePROGRAF 8300S, Canon imagePROGRAF 6300S); Best 44-inch Graphic Arts Large-Format Printer (Canon imagePROGRAF 8300S), etc.

FUJIFILM updates its Euromedia brand

At the recently concluded FESPA Digital in Barcelona, FUJIFILM updated its Euromedia brand to a new look. The updated brand image makes the most of the Euromedia qualities of innovation, quality and reliability as well as environmental responsibility and transparency. The media is now supported by a new ‘Gecko’ mascot, which is already a familiar trade mark of FUJIFILM’s innovative WonderTack product.

As part of the objective behind the redesigning of the logo and brand, FUJIFILM creates a clear portfolio to make it easier for customers to find their way around the Euromedia range of over 650 products and at the same time offer a solution for every application.

Stratasys celebrates 10 years of
industry’s first low-priced 3D printer

The first-of-its-kind to bring 3D printing technology to a broad audience and accelerate the trend of 3D printing in the market today, Stratasys announces the 10 years of its Dimension 3D Printer line. Introduced in the year 2002 at $29,900, Dimension 3D Printer opened new possibilities for designers as a reliable, compact, simple-to-use machine, at about half the cost of the next lowest-price 3D printer.

The Dimension’s introduction enabled designers to not only produce models for design verification, but also test functionality because the printer uses the same durable ABS plastic used in today’s end products. The system’s compact size and networking capabilities also made it ideal for an office environment, enabling product-design teams easier access to model making.

3M helps NASCAR fans discover
power to personalise with car wraps

3M Commercial Graphics is showcasing its 3M Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080 for thousands of car enthusiasts at select 2012 NASCAR races. 3M’s extraordinary wrap films are already used on many NASCAR vehicles, but fans may not realise that they too can use it to create a custom look of their own. At seven events over the course of the 2012 NASCAR season, 3M will set up a demonstration area outside of the track where visitors can watch a car being customised with car wrap films. The demonstrations will showcase a variety of the film 1080’s 34 distinct combinations of colours and finishes.

Booth staff will be available to answer questions, hand out product samples and provide information on how visitors can create their own custom car wrap with the help of their nearest 3M Certified and 3M Preferred Graphics Installer. 3M has been a longstanding sponsor of NASCAR and in addition to sponsoring the No 16 car driven by Greg Biffle, the company is also a Contingency Decal Program participant.

Sihl’s wallpaper excels artist
Ai Weiwei’s Zurich exhibition

When Zurich’s Fotomuseum Winterthur was tasked with the job of hosting the first major photographic and video exhibition of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s contemporary works, it had to ensure the impact of the images were not lost by poor reproduction, as the works would be displayed across the museum’s entire wall space. The museum commissioned Zurich-based PSP, The Image Factory, to print the exhibits who in turn made the decision to use Sihl Direct UK’s Wallpaper Persomural in combination with Epson’s Stylus Pro 9900 and 11880 printers.

Choosing of Sihl Wallpaper Persomural has several reasons. It has an attractive structure, the good dimensional stability of the fleece material – in both a dry and wet state and easy bonding and handling. Ai Weiwei’s work is currently on display at the Jeu de Paume in Paris and it will be continued until April 29, 2012.

Campaigns on ELON Posters
across Czech and Slovak cities

The biggest ever six-sheet campaign on ELON Posters by Coca-Cola classical artwork appeared across Czech and Slovak cities. Massive media placement based on sparkling stars and flashing Coca-Cola logo attracted consumers in Prague, Brno, Bratislava and Košice. And it was Kraft Foods which prepared the campaign for Oreo cookie sandwich at CLP size bus shelters.

The animated lighting posters, which are the most suitable media technology to expose dynamic animation in traditionally static media, were installed in the most frequented places and pedestrian zones around the cities. It supported the key artwork message communicating three steps by animation.

Polytype’s Virtu Quantum to
mark global launch at drupa 2012

Visitors to drupa this year will witness the global release of Polytype’s groundbreaking new wide-format digital inkjet printing platform, Virtu Quantum. The printer promises a blend of quality and speed hitherto unavailable in the marketplace. Available in widths of 2.5 m and 3.5 m, this UV-curable machine incorporates high-definition 10 pl printheads, specially integrated by Polytype to produce 1,400 dpi resolution for lush, rich images suitable for a range of industrial and display applications.

Applicable to both roll-to-roll and flatbed modes across a range of both popular and unusual media, Virtu Quantum was vigorously tested over a period of months in a fully operational production environment. As a result, the engine’s speeds reach an impressive 300 sq m/hr in production mode and a sporty 150-180 sq m/hr in photographic mode, meaning that business owners no longer have to compromise between image quality and turnaround time when making large capital investments in their wide-format machinery.

KS Khurana leads new team at IPAMA

IPAMA (Indian Printing Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers’ Association) at its 85th Governing Council meeting elected new office bearers and governing council members for the term 2012-14. The new team comprises KS Khurana, president (Five Star Printing Machinery Co, Amritsar); CP Paul, general secretary (APL Machinery Pvt Ltd, Faridabad); JS Kalsi, treasurer (Kalbro Manufacturing Co, Faridabad); CP Dahra, vice president-east (Dahra Engineering Co, Faridabad); S Rajaram, vice president-west (Erhardt + Leimer (India) Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad); Satish Bajwa, vice president-north (Pressline India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi); TR Mahajan, vice president-south (Indo Poly Machines Corporation, Amritsar); Shafiq Ahmed, joint secretary-east (Sahil Graphics, Faridabad); Manish A Panchal, joint secretary-west (Kohima Machine Tools, Ahmedabad); Ashok Kumar Seth, joint secretary-north (Amritsar Engineering Works, Amritsar); and Dayaker Sripathi Reddy, joint secretary-south (Gutenberg Machinery Manufacturers Pvt Ltd/Sai Enterprises, Hyderabad).

Established in 1991, IPAMA is today in the centre stage, playing a pivotal role in the policy making of exports and imports, in collaboration with government agencies, such as CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and FIEO. The association operates from its own sprawling building with ultra-modern facilities at Noida in the neighborhood of New Delhi. As a registered apex body under the Societies Registration Act, IPAMA is also known for holding the international standards exhibition, Printpack India. The last edition of the expo held in 2011 was the largest printing show ever held in India, with 417 participants and around 50,000 visitors, on an exhibition floor of 45,000 sq m.

Color-Logic releases new graphic design visualiser

Recently released by Color-Logic, FX-Viewer is a new graphic design visualiser, which enables brand managers and their graphic designers to accurately view the five-colour metallic and decorative files. Color-Logic develops colour communication systems and software tool sets for a variety of special effect printing applications. The company provides brand owners, product managers, corporations and their advertising agencies the ability to differentiate themselves and their clients with a simple print production process that yields dramatic results.

Color-Logic’s decorative effects utilise the existing workflows of printers and designers, yielding dynamic results without the use of any special equipment. The company is known for supporting the value of print and works with designers and printers to enhance their printed media.

Lynx unpacks new UV printer

Lynx Europe has introduced its new UV printer designed for the production of rigid materials for indoor-and outdoor advertising materials. This eight colour flatbed with UV-curable ink gives every sign maker the opportunity to invest in an unbeatable production machine with the choice of 8 colours, 6 colours + white or 2 x times 4 colours and a resolution up to 1600 dpi.

Offering large-format print service providers and screen printers the right technical solution for every type of signage, such as billboards, banners, car-wrapping and building graphics, this flagship printer prints with bio-inks, which are based on ethyl-lactate and are biodegradable.

CWE Solutions introduces
flexible range of magnetic materials

MAGMedia, a cost-effective and flexible range of magnetic materials from CWE Solutions, are designed for instant installation and can be peeled away in seconds. The printed message on the materials can be altered with the addition of another layer, making it ideal for last-minute price changes or special offers.

This new innovative product offers versatility, ease of use and affordability. Also, this range of magnetic and ferrous display media can be directly printed on, cut down to the right size using standard scissors and used both indoors and outdoors as it is weather resistant.

Sawgrass launches M-XTR ink

Premier pigment ink set for extreme digital textile print production featuring RMI Technology, Sawgrass Industrial introduced M-XTR ink during the recent Fespa Digital 2012 held in Barcelona. This pigment-based ink designed specifically to handle the extreme speed of today’s next generation inkjet printers. Formulated with patented RMI Technology, M-XTR inks make it possible to run at higher inkjet nozzle firing rates. RMI (Rheological Modified Ink) Technology generates a unique cylindrical jetting characteristic that creates a more consistent ink drop shape resulting in sharper images with greater color fidelity.

RMI permits higher pigment concentrations for richer, higher density colours and faster drying times due to the reduction in glycols (up to 40 percent) over alternative ink products on the market. M-XTR inks incorporate a binderless formulation that results in excellent runability, maximum uptime and excellent colour vibrancy even with uncoated fabrics.