The Big Picture - Wide Format Printing

Nekoosa Coated Products has acquired IGI Corp., parent of RTape and CET Films. RTape and CET Films will operate as divisions of Nekoosa Coated Products; Paul Charapata, CEO of Nekoosa Coated Products, will lead the new organization

HP has announced an HP digital-printing solution for wallcoverings, designed to help print service providers and wallcovering manufacturers capture more of the growing custom décor market. The solution consists of a modular range of tools and supplies, including:

• The cloud-based HP WallArt Solution, which simplifies the design, visualization, and production of customized wallcoverings. It allows users to design wallcoverings themselves or work with customers online to produce customized wallcoverings.

Encore Products has introduced its Extreme White Foam Board. The new clay-coated board combines a polystyrene core with ultra-vibrant bright white paper facers to create an imaging surface with a higher-perceived whiteness that enhances the maximum color gamut and black density of printed images, Encore reports. Extreme White Foam Board can be digitally printed, screen printed, painted, and used for signage; fabrication options include hand cutting, diecutting, embossing, scoring, and machine cutting. Available in 1/8-, 3/16-, and 1/2- in. thicknesses

Moab has introduced Slickrock Metallic Silver 300. The acid-free, 300-gsm metallic inkjet paper features an instant-dry coating, reports Moab, and is designed for photographers seeking to enhance their images with a metallic and dimensional look. Available in sheet sizes of 8.5 x 11 and 13 x 19-in. as well as A2 and A4, and in roll sizes of 17-, 24-, and 44-in. Also available in a 260-gsm version.

MOAB
www.moabpaper.com
 

Oracal USA has announced its Oralite Series 5650RA Fleet Engineering Grade Reflective Film with RapidAir Technology. A 5-mil printable reflective film with an air-release liner, Series 5650RA is designed to make fleet applications easier by reducing the incidence of bubbles common with large reflective graphic applications, the company reports. For latex, solvent, eco-solvent, UV-curable, and screen printing; recommended for use with Oraguard Series 290 or 293 laminating films. Available in 30-, 48-, 54-, and 60-in. widths.

Arlon has announced its Series 2300X specialty textured automotive restyling wrap film. The conformable-textured film features the company’s X-Scape Technology for ease of application and is engineered for full wraps as well as partial/accent wraps. In brushed metal (Silver Metallic, Army Gold, Red) and carbon fiber (Matte Black, Matte White, Army Gold, Red Aluminum) finishes. Available in 60-in. widths. Series 2300X can also be used for decorative accents for interior substrates.

ARLON
www.arlon.com
 

PVC-Free Window Cling Media from Plastiprint Sales Company is constructed with clear polyester and white polypropylene, and is compatible with UV-curable, latex, solvent, and eco-solvent digital inks. Designed for advertising graphics, P-O-P window signage, decal signage, seasonal window graphics, labels, and protective film purposes, the film is available in 2- and 4-mil Clear Polyester versions (3-mil Clear Matte Plastic Liner; 2-mil Clear available on 1.5-mil clear liner) and 3.5-mil White Polypropylene available on 90# Paper Liner. All on 54-in.-wide roll stock.

Roland’s new SolJet XF-640 printer is built for busy production environments, the company reports. The 64-in. printer, which sports a vibrant red cowl, can hit a top speed of 1098 sq ft/hr. It incorporates two mirrored printheads with a dual CMYK inkset, Roland’s wide-gamut Eco-Sol Max 2 inks (440-cc ink cartridges), newly designed takeup and pinch roller systems for long, unattended production runs, and a new Tri-Heater system comprising a pre-heater, print heater, and dryer. Top resolution is 1440 dpi.

If you caught the 2013 Grammy Awards, you saw musician Jack White and the Peacocks rocking the stage, with Brooke Waggoner playing an electric-blue Baldwin Grand Piano. That piano was expertly wrapped by Sino Tour, co-owner of Icon Image Graphics (iconimagegraphics.com) and an associate, utilizing 3M Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080 and Knifeless Tech’s Knifeless Tape.

Nazdar has appointed Richard Bowles president of Nazdar Ink Technologies and named Peter Walsh president of Nazdar SourceOne.

In his new role as president of Nazdar Ink Technologies, Bowles will develop strategic sales, marketing, manufacturing, R&D, customer care, quality and continuous improvement plans to enable Nazdar Ink Technologies to achieve objectives for growth and profitability.