Check Out the 'Must See' Products to be Shown at ISA International Sign Expo 2017
With more than 200,000 sq. ft. of trade show floor, the ISA International Sign Expo 2017 — scheduled to be held April 19-22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas — is the place to see the latest wide-format products, including a significant number devoted to the printing segment. Check out some ISA show floor highlights and “must-see” products that appear below.
For more information on the ISA International Sign Expo 2017, click here.
ISA will serve as the public debut of the 64˝ Océ Colorado 1640 LED-UV roll-to-roll printer powered by UVgel technology from Canon Solutions America, Large Format Solutions. The new printer features fully automated media loading of multiple online rolls; unattended printing with on-the-fly quality assurance; the ability to produce instantly cured prints on a wide variety of substrates, including heat-sensitive media; and up to a 40% reduction in running costs. It boasts a top speed of 1,710 sq.ft./hr. and delivers high quality, POP prints at 430 sq.ft./hr.
With the 3.6kW RM-L module, Zünd will introduce a new routing solution for Zünd G3/D3 cutting systems. The RM-L delivers 0.7-Nm torque, comes with minimum quantity lubrication and can be equipped with an eight-position automatic tool changer. The RM-L module with tool changer is especially productive in workflows that involve many different types of custom/short-run jobs or complex designs that require several different bit types and sizes.
The EFI VUTEk 3r LED inkjet printer offers the fastest speed and the highest resolution available among 3m devices in its class. It offers speeds of up to 3,715 sq.ft./hr. with true premium-quality resolutions of up to 1,200 dpi. Native EFI UItraDrop Technology with true multi-drop addressability produces smoothness in shadows, gradients and transitions. In-line roll-to-sheet cutting, slitters and a sheet collector kit help users improve throughput. Additional options include automated double-sided backlit and blockout printing; a mobile app for remote printer monitoring; multi-layer white ink imaging; additional light colors and more.
Epson is showcasing the 64˝ Epson SureColor S80600. It leverages fourth generation Epson UltraChrome GS3 10-color solvent ink, including an all-new Red ink — along with the option for White or Metallic Silver inks. In addition, the SureColor S80600 touts an all-new media feeding system and a high-performance Dual-Array PrecisionCore TFP printhead to provide unmatched levels of reliability to the signage, vehicle graphics and fine art reproduction markets.
3M has re-energized its IJ180 print wrap film with the incorporation of Comply Adhesive with Micro Technology. Featuring advanced slideability and initial tack optimized for wraps, improved liner release, the ability to stretch 130% without primer and a non-visible comply pattern, 3M Print Wrap Film IJ180mC products provide installers with films that move effortlessly across any surface and ensure bubble-free finishes on any completed wrap.
Agfa’s Jeti Mira HS LED with RTR and Varnish is an 8.82-ft.-wide, moving-gantry flatbed printer designed for optimal flexibility. Featuring print and prepare functionality, speeds up to 2,486 sq.ft./hr., six-color, white standard, highly-pigmented UV inks and two rows of Ricoh inkjet printheads, the Jeti Mira’s LED-UV curing technology prints on heat-sensitive substrates. Agfa-made UV inks offer a wide color gamut and high color vibrancy for indoor and outdoor applications. Its high pigment load and Asanti color management optimization ensure low ink consumption.
Veritiv will be distributing model airplanes printed by Fujifilm on Gilman Brothers’ Infinity board and cut live in Veritiv’s booth on a Zünd cutter.
The On-a-Roll Lifter Universal will be highlighted by Foster. It enables a single operator to safely and efficiently load Agfa Anapurna, Mira, Tauro and Titan printers, plus Zünd and Esko Kongsberg flatbed cutters. Roll wedge mounts and a removable roll ramp permit reconfiguring the lifter, quickly adapting it to various printer designs. Maneuvering media rolls in the warehouse and shop risks injury to employees. The Foster Universal lifter helps to make shop workflows safer and more efficient.
4over’s EDDM Full Service is designed to saturate the market by targeting specific postal routes chosen by users. This U.S. Postal Service program ensures promotions and advertisements are reaching the mailboxes of desired demographics, in specific areas. 4over’s diverse size and finishing options fit into the USPS’s EDDM restrictions and complement any marketing campaign.
OKI Data Americas is debuting the ColorPainter E-64s wide-format printer. Its superior outdoor durability and GreenGuard Gold certification make it ideal for a broad range of indoor and outdoor applications — from vehicle wraps to backlit displays.
The Esko Kongsberg C64 finishing table keeps up with faster sign and display printers. It is a super-wide, 126˝ finishing system that completes the majority of finishing without losing quality. Its rigid, carbon-composite traverse assures precision with high-speed cutting and creasing. It’s reportedly the only super-wide finisher with a 3kW continuous-duty milling unit. At ISA, the system will be featured with a new, fully automated feeder/stacker system. Its modular design lets users install the feeder first and complete the solution later.
PrintFactory, powered by GMG, is a complete production automation workflow software solution, from preflighting to finishing, for banner, sign and superwide-format printing. GMG ColorServer offers color quality and repeatability, ensuring consistent reliability and quality standards. This automated software provides color matching between different devices and printing methods, saving ink and making the print process more reliable. GMG ColorProof provides accurate proofs on print devices other than digital presses used for production.
Avery Dennison will showcase window, wall and floor film installation demonstrations featuring installer Justin Pate. The recently launched MPI 2600 textured wall films, and the MPI 1105 digital, cast film for car, vehicle and outdoor graphics, will be on display.
Attendees can get a firsthand look at Roland DGA’s latest inkjet devices in action, including TrueVIS VG and SG series eco-solvent printer/cutters, next-generation LED-UV flatbeds from the VersaUV LEF series and Texart series dye-sublimation printers. Visitors can also check out Roland’s new family of industrial-strength cutters — the CAMM-1 GR series, as well as the new MODELA MDX-50 automated 3D milling machine.
The Mimaki UJV55-320 3.2m-wide LED-UV printer offers the ability to produce super-wide graphics to create giant posters, POP displays, window graphics, exhibition graphics, banners and more. It is ideal for creating backlit or day/night signage for airports, transit stations and commercial facilities. Mimaki original LUS-120 inks provide up to 170% flexibility, so you can even print on soft media such as banner materials, while offering scratch resistance for high-traffic applications. It can also print simultaneously onto two rolls, up to 60˝ wide each.
Mutoh’s ValueJet 626UF is the latest printer in LED-UV printing. With a print area of 18.6x23.3˝, the VJ626UF can print on applications up to 5.9˝ thick, with CMYK plus white and varnish ink. The printer includes Mutoh Edition Flexi Sign&Print RIP software, a one-year limited onsite warranty, vacuum table and the Intelligent Interweave print technique.
Presented by MCT, the VersaTech2, U.S. manufactured with its new motion system, brings to the market precision cuts at greater speeds for all cutting tools and applications. By incorporating dual conveyors, the VersaTech2 allows for fast change between blade/router cutting and laser cutting as printing/finishing projects change, eliminating the finishing bottleneck.
Caldera StreamLive is an easy-to-use SaaS application that allows users to create production processes, track jobs in real time and automate time-consuming tasks. It is cloud-based and allows users to create customer job sheets, submit files to software workflow, connect with Caldera RIP and automate e-mail reporting. The functionality of this scalable software suite can be extended with a wide range of bolt-on options, including a calendar-based planning module, custom document generation, preflight and connections to a range of popular software packages.
Celebrity car customization expert Will Castro is teaming up with Orafol Americas to create the Unique Color series for Oracal 970RA. All films are non-directional; when applied vertically or horizontally the color remains the same. It is available in 60˝ widths and 10-, 25- and 50-yd. length rolls.
Arlon is launching two new products and a new technology for full and partial vehicle and fleet wraps. This new film allows for a fast installation and superior repositionability, and was designed with the single installer in mind. The combination of these products will allow for graphics to float over the substrate until firm pressure is applied and conforms effortlessly around rivets, complex curves and deep channels.
At ISA, GBC is featuring the versatile 62 Base with top heat assist and capability of mounting and laminating up to 61˝ wide. With a 2˝ nip, optional roll-to-roll and superior quality output, the 62 Base is perfect for a wide range of indoor and outdoor signs.
Verseidag US is showcasing Select Sheen TR. SEG and backlit fabrics are currently all the rage for in-store advertising and trade show exhibits. The company’s Select Sheen TR is a 4.75-oz./yd. eco-friendly woven fabric, available in 63˝ and 126˝, and is developed specifically for transfer dye sublimation applications.
Onyx 12.1 software is the latest version of Onyx Graphics’ wide-format print workflow and RIP products. It features accelerated speed, a simplified user interface, enhanced automation and finishing tools to do more in less time. Users can process more files in less time with a full 64-bit platform for RIP and applications, with speeds that can improve a service provider’s profit margin by as much as 30%. Onyx 12.1 software is available for the full Onyx software product line.
LumaPrint is a backlit polyester film. RTape offers three specific grades (eco-solvent, latex and UV) with print-receptive coatings redesigned from the ground up for richer colors, deeper blacks, broader color gamuts and brilliant contrast.
AGL is showcasing its Patriot and 64I model laminators. They are designed to specifically address the issues associated with finishing UV, latex and solvent-based printing technologies. With AGL’s nip roll design, these laminators are said to solve the problems associated with poor laminate adhesion and silvering. AGL is also highlighting its full line of media, adhesives, PSA vinyls and laminating films.
Drytac will showcase Polar Carpet, a 4-mil printable, matte white self-adhesive PVC film with a high-tack, removable gray acrylic adhesive. The film can be adhered to, but easily removed from, short pile carpets. Durable to withstand heavy foot traffic, it is ideal for indoor floor graphic advertising at trade shows, point-of-sale or furniture stores. When combined with Drytac’s slip-certified laminating films, Polar Carpet provides slip-resistant carpet graphics. It is compatible with (eco) solvent, UV and latex wide-format inkjet printers. Available in widths up to 54˝.
Royal Sovereign is exhibiting the PX-180 rotary heat press roll-to-roll calender. The PX-180 Calender has an optimal transfer width of 65˝ and utilizes a 10˝ drum heated by a series of infrared quartz. Combine the PX-180 with the optional work table to achieve piece-to-roll production.
SAi is celebrating the 25th anniversary of SAi Flexi. Flexi boasts a multitude of efficiency-enhancing tools for sign and print providers, including SAi’s latest mobile app, My Flexi. The free app incorporates FlexiQuote, allowing users to quote jobs on-the-go in a matter of seconds. Quotes created remotely instantly appear in Flexi for smoother workflows and greater productivity.
EnduraFaba Frontlit, an 18-mil, 100% polyester wrap knit fabric that has excellent drape, is wrinkle resistant and has an enhanced resistance to scuffing and scratching. All LexJet EnduraFab fabrics have been finished with a proprietary chemistry specifically designed to adhere third-generation latex inks to the fabric. EnduraFab Frontlit is ideal for drapes, table skirts, exhibits, SEG graphics, retail signage and indoor banners.
Kala Finishing Systems, in partnership with Rolinx Performance Products in the U.S., is introducing the new flatbed AppliKator. Functionality, safety and efficiency, together with various levels of scalability (field expandability) and ergonomics are the main features that sets the AppliKator apart. It is designed to optimize a user’s work area, as well as organize inventory and workflow with ample storage room directly beneath the work surface.
DigiPanorama will be presented by Top Value Fabrics. DigiPanorama features a coating to enhance performance of the graphics when printed with Latex inks. It is optimized for use with HP Latex ink technology. REACH compliant, it is excellent for applications including high-end retail POP, banners, banner stands, backdrops, trade show exhibits and interior décor.
Fisher Textiles is introducing a new fabric for frontlit SEG applications, DD 4444 Revolution, for UV-curable, direct and transfer sublimation printing. It is a specially-treated fabric that is very stable. In addition to frontlit SEG, this fabric is suitable for banners, exhibit graphics, photographic back drops and retail advertising. It weighs 5.4 oz./yd. and is stocked at 125˝ wide. The fabric is flame retardant and meets NFPA 701.
swissQprint is showcasing its Nyala 2 flatbed printer producing samples during live demonstrations. A new, high-resolution 1,080×1,080 dpi print mode will also be presented. It is ideal for fine art and backlit applications, as well as for droptix, the exclusive swissQprint 3D effect.
The CET K2 series from CET Color boasts a 5-picoliter, superfine drop size. Utilizing up to two rows of the 4.25˝-wide Kyocera true grayscale printhead, the K2-series images ultra-high-quality prints at speeds up to 1,000 sq.ft./hr. K2 series printers can output up to 31 4x8-ft. boards/hr.
Massivit 3D is demonstrating the versatility of its large-format 3D printing technology. Utilizing the Massivit 1800 3D Printer, sign and display print providers can produce a range of applications, including advertising campaigns, retail displays and bus wraps. For intricate, customized and repeated campaigns, print providers also have the option to 3D print molds for vacuum forming.
Tekra, a division of EIS is showing its new 6-mil chalkboard film with removable adhesive. This slate-grey film is a non-vinyl material that is writeable with chalk or chalk pens, and can be easily erased. It is an excellent choice for menu boards, retail signs and promotional pieces, and is safe for child craft areas. It is both UV and Latex printable and can be mounted to smooth, clean surfaces.
Colex Finishing and Fotoba International S.L.R. are demonstrating the new High Performance XL 320 automatic digital print cutter for media up to 130˝ wide and 40-mil thick. The XL320 offers faster cutting speeds and can cut a wide range of textile fabric.
Continental Grafix USA will exhibit Innova Clear, an inside-mount clear self-adhesive vinyl film with an 80/20 perforation pattern. With only a 20% open area, users get the maximum privacy and sunscreen, while maintaining an excellent see-through level. Inside-mount graphics are easier to install and remove.