The Big Picture - Wide Format Printing

Avery Dennison Graphics has announced two additions to its Supreme Wrapping Film Line: Black and White Carbon Fiber. As with the rest of the Avery Wrapping Film Line, these new cast films feature extreme textures and Easy Apply RS technology and require no overlaminate. Applications include interior and exterior accents for vehicles, P-O-P signage, and architectural installations. Available in 60-in. widths (10- and 25-yd rolls).

InteliCoat has announced the latest in its POS Pro+ product family of films: Magic POS Pro+LX and Magic Eco Block-2S.

Magic POS Pro+ LX is an 8-mil, anti-curl block-out film designed for the HP Latex printing platform. Its scratch-resistant design eliminates the need for lamination, and its 100-percent polyester construction can withstand a latex printer’s high temperatures without warping, reports InteliCoat. Available in 36- and 50-in. widths.

SGIA is now accepting entries for its 2013 Tom Frecska Student Printing Competition, sponsored by the Academy of Screen and Digital Printing Technologies. Entry deadline is July 31.

Honoring excellent student work in the specialty-imaging field, the competition is titled in memory of Tom Frecska, the late editor of Screen Printing magazine. Tom, who passed away suddenly in 2009, recognized the importance of and supported the education of students in the screen printing process.

Ryan Thelen had suffered enough. A history teacher in Cincinnati, he was on a quest to be free of the tyranny of having to resort to the common 12 x 18-inch souvenir copies of the US Declaration of Independence to show his students. He wanted a full-size, calfskin reproduction of the document to exhibit in his classroom, to better reflect reality.

Pro Vehicle Outlines 2013 is the new collection of vehicle templates from PVO America. The collection includes the latest 2013 templates, including hundreds of updates such as the Fiat 500, Dodge Dart, Ford Interceptor, Nissan NV, all four Toyota Prius models, and more. In all, the 2013 Edition includes more than 9000 cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, trailers, and specialty vehicles; template accuracy to within ¼-in., the company reports.

Fisher Textiles has added GF 9766 Poly Cube (FR) to its Grand Format fabric line for dye-sublimation printing. The new fabric is geared toward customized office environments – office cubicle walls and partitions – as well as ceilings and conference-room walls.

GF 9766 Poly Cube is a 6.6-oz, 100%- percent-polyester, bright-white woven fabric. Flame-retardant, it passes NPFPA 701, the company reports. Available in 118-in. widths.

FISHER TEXTILES
www.fishertextiles.com
 

At first glance, electronic digital signage – aka “dynamic signage” – might appear to be a ripe opportunity to expand your business. After all, many of the same clients who turn to you for their print work would also likely benefit from some form of dynamic signage.

Many digital print service providers enter vehicle wraps as an opportunity to tap a new market for their large-format print capabilities. For the team at Panther Graphics (panthergraphics.com) in Indianapolis, however, it was necessity that sparked an entire venture into digital print services.

And that has given this relatively new player in the digital graphics market the kind of cachet that translates into credibility as a premiere specialist in high-performance wraps.

One challenge all shops face is the constant need to manage the cyclical nature of sales. In today’s economy, all of us regularly deal with months that are very busy followed by months that are much less so. And to make matters worse, a very high sales month sometimes will be immediately followed by a low one.

Some lucky print providers have a smooth workflow. A manageable amount of work comes in the door and it’s predictable and profitable because the flow is constant and consistent.