Malhar Digicomm automates sign and
display production using Esko Kongsberg XN
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In just nine months, with the help of its newly adopted Esko Kongsberg XN digital cutting and creasing table, Mumbai-based Malhar Digicomm, a commercial digital printing firm has made a remarkable transformation from a manually operated facility to a fast-growing digital POP and POS company, which perfectly designs and manufactures display items for retail outlets. The products they cater include freestanding, end-aisle and shelf displays printed on diverse range of materials that even custom mold as part of the designs and displays. Malhar has invested in 100 percent digital production. The company’s recent and rapid success started with its investment in digital printers and the Kongsberg XN with i-Cut technology and Artioscad software for structural design for its 3D displays. Milind Deshpande, managing partner, Malhar Digicomm, says, “We realised it could not be as successful as it wanted to be because the work was complicated and took much time when done manually. Moreover, prior to installing the Kongsberg, we were outsourcing our jobs outside, but the finishing part, which is important for a POP or POS, was not furnished as per our expectations. The POP business is growing fast, but you have to offer brand owners and retail customers a good solution or you will not be able to keep them as customers. We understood that we could not work manually anymore.”
The most important thing Malhar Digicomm wanted from a table was one that would work quickly and provide a good quality cut. Also, they needed a machine that was reliable enough to work continuously all day, if necessary. The Kongsberg XN is a high-speed cutting and creasing device with precise registration. Earlier, Malhar Digicomm had several people working in the production area, now it has only two, while others work in skilled areas such as design, sales and marketing. In the meantime, production has tripled with fewer people and the factory is much cleaner with much less dust. The i-Cut software has also resulted in significant material savings. “With the Kongsberg XN, we are now able to cater to big brands such as Top Ramen, Being Human, Volkswagen and GM Electricals amongst others. Today, we cater to projects which are usually in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 pieces, but now we can work on much smaller or even larger quantities — depending on the job itself,” remarks Milind.
Max Flex & Imaging Systems
introduces new materials
Compatible with the latest printers in the market, Max Flex & Imaging Systems Limited boasts of its newly introduced Maxx vinyl, which is perfectly suited to print on HP Latex 300 Series. The indigenously manufactured new Maxx vinyl was introduced at an expo in Mumbai where Global 5 Technologies, an exclusive dealer of HP machines, launched HP Latex 300 with an impressive demo of the vinyl media churning on the latex printer. More than 150 visitors to the demo were impressed with the result of the graphics printed on the vinyl using the HP Latex 300. Following the overwhelming response at the Mumbai expo, the same appreciation was received from a crowd of visitors at an expo in New Delhi.
In addition to the Maxx vinyl, Max Flex & Imaging Systems has also introduced Maxx Lamination Film. “These materials are manufactured with consistent and controlled quality in our Badlapur factory located on the outskirt of Mumbai. Main benefits that we can extend to our customers through our own manufacturing are competitive pricing, easy and fast availability as against the lead time for imports,” remarks Hemang Mehta, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Max Flex & Imaging Systems Limited.
Screen Truepress Jet W3200UV
HS nearly doubles speed
Following in the footsteps of this revolutionary moving-table printer, Truepress Jet W3200UV HS (for ‘High Speed’) was created. In addition to a substantial boost in productivity, this Truepress boasts various standard features that ensure extremely high image quality in all print modes. Delivering true-quality wide-format printing at the top speed of 1,614 sq ft/hr, Truepress Jet W3200UV HS can deliver almost double the speed of the Truepress Jet W3200UV (914 sq ft/hour), launched in 2013. PSPs not only have a choice of Truepress models but also the ability to upgrade on-site from the standard Truepress Jet W3200UV to Truepress Jet W3200UV HS specifications if job volumes increase.
Slimmest phone on larger than
life JCDecaux displays in Delhi
JCDecaux had been assigned by Gionee Smartphones, a leader in mobile innovation, to showcase the latter’s slimmest phone in the world on larger than life displays around Delhi. The campaign was run on the two premium glass facades at the Metro stations of Shivaji Stadium and Dhaula Kuan. Core idea behind the larger than life branding on glass facades was to capture the mind space of the target group who are the young urban populace, for the recently launched Gionee Elife S5.5, India’s slimmest smart phone. “We cater to an audience which is always on the go and same is the TG for smart phones,” says Oliver Heroguelle, MD, JCDecaux India.
SwissQPrint Impala shifts gear
with latest generation printheads
Impala UV flatbed of 2.5 × 1.6 m size from swissQprint is now available with the latest generation of printheads that push the printer from top printing speed of 130 sq m/hr to 180 sq m/hr while delivering quality well above par for practical needs. This mid-sized model in the swissQprint range is now more productive than ever since the latest generation of printheads accelerates the speed to a new high. The existing Impala in draft mode can print up to 130 sq m/hr with highly acceptable quality. Now the new printheads do away with draft mode, bringing finer resolution that will print substrate cleanly at 180 sq m/hr in a twofold benefit.
The new printhead technology has been in use since May 2014 with the recently launched Nyala 2. Despite its modest dimensions, Impala can print formats up to 2.5 × 4 m in flatbed mode. The secret lies in the board option. And like all other swissQprint models, the Impala can also be expanded using the roll to roll option.
Kodak white film prevents
light from shining through
Recently unpacked Kodak Premium Rapid-Dry White Film, Matte/5 mil is perfect for displays that require opacity. Illumination from behind does not distract graphics printed on this Kodak film because the back coating blocks the light. The most common application where a truly opaque graphic film makes a difference is with banner stands. Regardless of the lighting situation, this film ensures that the hardware or signage frames behind the display could be easily obscured.
This new Kodak premium rapid-dry white film is lay-flat water-resistant polyester with a bright-white printable surface that maximises colour fidelity and accuracy. Compatible with dye and pigmented inks, it does not smudge or show fingerprints, and is also scratch and abrasion-resistant. This film is available through BMG’s worldwide reseller network in 36”, 42” and 50” widths.
Research indicates 3D printing
market to reach $4.5 billion
mark by 2020
A latest report from Allied Market Research (AMR) titled ‘3D Printing Market in Emerging Economies (China, India, UAE, Brazil, South Africa) - Size, Industry Analysis, Trends, Opportunities, Growth and Forecast, 2013 – 2020’ indicates that the 3D printing market in the emerging economies would reach $4.5 billion by 2020, registering CAGR of 37.4 percent from 2014 to 2020. The additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping process adopted by the leading manufacturing companies would propel the growth of the 3D printing technologies.
India and China are the most opportunistic regions amongst the emerging markets for the development of 3D printing. So, market leaders in these countries are looking forward to capitalising on the prevailing opportunities. Higher accuracy, faster processing, efficient use of materials and ability to build customised products optimally are the prime elements of growth for 3D printing market. According to the AMR analysis, adaptation can be phrased in simple form as ‘Print what you think with the help of 3D printing technology effectively’. Key 3D printing technology companies profiled in the AMR report include Stratasys, 3D Systems, Arcam AB, Autodesk Inc, ExOne Company, Voxeljet AG, Optomec, Hoganas AB, Organovo Holdings and Ponoko.
Canson Infinity inkjet fine art
paper now available
from TechNova
TechNova expands its product portfolio of inkjet digital media by partnering with Canson Infinity, one of the world’s reputed manufacturers of inkjet fine art and photographic papers. As per the tie-up, TechNova will offer a select range of media from Canson’s Infinity Paper series to Indian fine art printers. Canson Infinity Papers are manufactured by Canson and Arches mills in France. Products from these two leading mills have been embraced by renowned artists, namely Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, Ingress, Miro and Alechinsky over the years. Now, for the first time, the same papers are available in India from TechNova.
Unique benefits of Canson Infinity papers comprise characteristics like No Optical Brightness Additives (OBAs), which ensures that the papers do not turn yellow over time; cotton fibres to give the papers and canvas superior strength and softness to ensure superior age resistance; and being acid-free ensure the papers retain its original quality, without getting degraded by harmful acids.
3M Envision Wrap Films
suite compatible with all printers
3M continues to introduce the industry’s high-performance, non-PVC wrap film designed for solvent/eco-solvent printing and luster overlaminates. Newly unpacked 3M Envision Wrap Films – which include two print wrap films and two overlaminates – offer the high performing, non-PVC suite of films on the market. The suite is now 100 percent compatible with all printers – UV, solvent and latex technologies. 3M Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 is designed for solvent/eco-solvent and UV printers; 3M Envision Print Wrap Film LX480Cv3 is designed for latex and UV printers; 3M Envision Luster Wrap Overlaminate 8549L, the non-PVC luster wrap overlaminate provides a soft sheen, minimising glare, highly durable two years horizontal warranty.
In addition, 3M Envision Gloss Wrap Overlaminate 8548G provides exceptional gloss and clarity. Its squeegee glides smoothly and resists squeegee scratches. This film is highly durable and has two year horizontal warranty. Whether in vehicle wrapping, trailers, boats, textured buildings or smooth walls, 3M Envision Wrap Films can wrap just about anything. One of the greatest advantages of these products is the reduced inventory and customers using these films don’t require to carry multiple printable films for specific applications.
UltraDrop technology helps
VUTEk GS2000LX Pro print on thinner substrates
VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop technology offers LED UV-curing technology and continuous board productivity at true 1,000 dpi. It is designed to offer more applications with the ability to print on thinner or specialty substrates. The range of supported substrates is extended with innovative ink curing technology that delivers photorealistic quality and high adhesion. It handles flexible or rigid substrates up to 80 inches and up to two inches in thickness. Combination of the machine and technology features eight-colours plus white and in-line multilayer printing for outstanding image quality. It can output at speeds up to 2,000 sq ft/hr or 45 4’x8’sheets/hour.
Combination of VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop technology eventually makes changeover to print on flexible from rigid substrates occur in less than one minute, and dual resolution also is available: True 600 dpi (24pL) or 1,000 dpi (12pL). VUTEk GS series’ LED UV technology delivers high-definition POP graphics with true 1000-dpi and advanced three-layer white ink printing.
Hewlett Packard (HP)
splits into two companies
HP announces its separation into two new publicly traded Fortune 50 companies. Of the two divisions, one comprising its market-leading enterprise technology infrastructure, software and services businesses will operate as Hewlett-Packard Enterprise while the other will cover HP’s market-leading personal systems and printing businesses to operate as HP Inc retaining the current logo of the company. The decision to separate HP into two market-leading companies underscores the company’s commitment to the turnaround plan.
Meg Whitman, chairman, president and CEO of HP said, “The separation will provide each new company with the independence, focus, financial resources, and flexibility they need to adapt quickly to market and customer dynamics, while generating long-term value for shareholders.” Both companies will be well capitalised and expect to have investment grade credit ratings and capital structures optimised to reflect their distinct growth opportunities and cash flow profiles.
Canon partners with DINAX to
provide ‘Mirage’ photo printing software
Canon has joined hands with software developer DINAX GmbH to introduce dedicated versions of its ‘Mirage’ professional printing software optimised for Canon imagePROGRAF range of large-format printers. Designed to handle the demands of PSPs, photographers, designers, agencies as well as offering a fast ROI, Mirage has established itself as the best selling print software solution for large-format printers. Collaboration between the two companies sees the introduction of two Mirage editions for Canon, advanced professional printing solutions offering Canon’s imagePROGRAF customers a quick and simple set up, an intuitive user handling and greater automation, speeding up production efficiencies and eliminating costly production errors. Mirage editions for Canon present all the print output features and tools in one clear, intuitive layout.
Sunstar Graphics appointed
as dealer of GCC products in India
Mumbai-based Sunstar Graphics Pvt Ltd, one of the exclusive distributors of digital and screen printing machines in India, has been newly appointed as GCC dealer to distribute the latter’s cutting plotters, printer plotters and laser cutters, especially to promote these machines in the Indian textile market. Catering an array of superior cutting plotters such as EX-24 LX, RX Series and I-Craft featuring power, quality and accuracy, each of GCC cutting plotters is designed to deliver ultimate cutting force, cutting speed, and tracking provision for clean and effective cutting across a broad array of materials ranging from thick sandblast reflective sheets, vinyl to thin masking films.
FESPA China 2014 pulls 400
Chinese exhibitors alongside international biggies
To be staged from November 19-21 at Guangzhou, FESPA China & CSGIA has so far registered 400 Chinese companies to the show alongside international brands. With just a few days to go until the second edition of the show, among the league of domestic brands exhibiting at this year’s exhibition are screen, digital and textile wide format print majors. Alongside these exhibitors will be more than 25 international brands to showcase the latest in wide-format print technology.
IDEAlliance certifies Mutoh
ValueJet printers and software
Mutoh receives IDEAlliance G7 Certification for its G7 Calibrator software and two ValueJet printer models (VJ1624 and VJ1638X). IDEAlliance recently announced the certification during the Graph Expo in Chicago. In the announcement, it was declared that Mutoh’s G7 Calibrator software, part of its ColorVerify Pro/G7 process control solution, has passed all of the tests for G7 certification and that the software solution is now G7 certified. So, IDEAlliance certified that G7 Calibrator meets or exceeds established industry tolerances for excellence and is capable of calibrating a printing device to meet the G7 grayscale definition using four 1-D curves.
Certified by IDEAlliance to comply with international industry standards, both ValueJet 1638X and ValueJet 1624 meet or exceed IDEAlliance requirements for colour reproduction to ISO 15339 standards, color accuracy to CGATS CRPC6 (GRACol 2013) reference standards, grayscale reproduction (ANSI/CGATS-TR015), colour gamut, print uniformity and repeatability (ISO 12647), registration and light fastness (ASTM D3424). Mutoh is the first digital printer manufacturer to have received this certification.
FUJIFILM Vybrant F1600
now commercially available
Following its preview at the FESPA Digital 2014 in Munich, FUJIFILM recently announced the commercial availability of its new Vybrant F1600 during the recent Viscom Paris 2014 in France. This new 1.6 m RTR printer features FUJIFILM’s patented FUZE hybrid UV Ink technology, which can improve the efficiency and performance achievable within a large-format production environment.
Vybrant F1600 is a four colour printer with the productivity of up to 18 sq m/hr and it guarantees adhesion to a spectrum of substrates. This printer is ideal for printing on vinyl or any other flexible material to create indoor or outdoor applications where durability and fast turnaround times are key advantages. The printer’s combination of UV chemistry with an eco-solvent carrier offers vivid colour reproduction, resulting in unmatched smooth glossy print.
DreamScape’s Suede wall
covering in Type II 20 ounce
Recently introduced 75-inch width Suede from DreamScape is now available in Type II 20 ounce weight. This 20 ounce printing media is offered in 60 and 54 inches. This new product is a Type II commercial digital wall covering with a Class ‘A’ fire rating. Ideal for both short run and high-volume digital production applications, Suede is rolled in 75-inch width with 75 and 150-foot lengths. But the 60 and 54 inches width rolls are available in 75, 150 and 300-foot lengths. All are delivered on three inch heavy-duty cores with no production splices.
3M Substrate FS-1 optimised for use with LEDs
3M Commercial Solutions helps brand owners and graphics manufacturers embrace ‘green’ technology with a new 3M envision flexible Substrate FS-1 which is being optimised for use with LEDs. This new 3M substrate is an industry breakthrough, making it possible for graphic manufacturers to create brilliant signage that makes more efficient use of LEDs and energy. On other hand, Substrate FS-1 is nearly twice as light transmissive as 3M Panagraphics III Wide Width Flexible Substrate, allowing manufacturers to build signs that use less energy and require less maintenance. Also, Substrate FS-1 gives graphics manufacturers increased design versatility, with options to decorate with cut vinyl or direct print with solvent, UV or latex inks.
Screen and Caldera harness
power of Truepress Jet 3200
Screen and Caldera team up to harness the power of Truepress Jet 3200 printer manufactured by the former’s subsidiary group Inca Digital and featured with six colours plus ‘white’. The company’s experience in engineering outstanding productivity solutions for a wide range of interior and exterior applications, including retail, signage and décor, is reflected in this high speed model, which uses original Truepress inks to guarantee a broad colour gamut, even on heat-sensitive and tricky media.
Truepress Jet 3200 boasts of 150 sq m/hr at top print speed. Although Screen supports all mainstream front-end software options, Caldera scores consistently high amongst its users with ease of use and powerful functionality being cited as reasons choosing the Screen/Caldera combination. In addition, the ability of Caldera’s GrandRIP+ to process one file while printing another is a great way to maximise the Truepress Jet’s blistering output speed.