PRINT 09 Unveils 'Rap City' for Wide Format Print Producers

RESTON, VA—June 5, 2009—For show goers seeking the latest in wide format applications who have seen plenty of the typical car wrap demos, a new hands-on, do it yourself demonstration area will be unveiled at PRINT 09, when the year's largest and most comprehensive global graphic communications exhibition and conference takes place September 11th, 2009, in Chicago's McCormick Place. Located within the Wide Format Pavilion on the PRINT 09 show floor, Rap City will offer attendees the opportunity to learn best practices for printing and installing vehicle wraps, window graphics, wall coverings—even tables—in a dynamic, hands-on environment. The Rap City demo area is free to PRINT 09 attendees and offers an open invitation to all, not just to observe, but to try it!

Most workshops of this nature feature professional installers or exhibit pre-wrapped vehicles in a static display. For what may be the first time ever at a graphic communications exhibition, however, Rap City will invite show goers to do the actual wrapping. Industry expert David King of MarketKing LLC, a dynamic and tell-it-like-it-is speaker, will lead two sessions each day, sharing the many time- and money-saving tips, and 'Best practices' he learned the hard way, working with vehicle wraps and other oversized installations during his long career. He will additionally be available throughout the entire show to answer any questions on vehicle wraps, window graphics and wall covering installation techniques.

"Vehicle wraps, window graphics and wallscapes are now some of the most popular and exciting ways for organizations to market themselves," said Ralph Nappi, President of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC). "However, successfully offering services in the wide format area has been a challenge for many graphic communications providers in this economic environment. How do you, for example, effectively work a flat, two-dimensional substrate around subtle vehicle contours without compromising image integrity? Rap City offers attendees the rare opportunity to learn these skills hands-on, while gaining inside knowledge from someone who has expertly worked through the nuances of wide format production and installation."

In addition to vehicle wraps, Rap City will demonstrate window graphic and wall covering installation techniques, effectively opening up two potential additional markets for show attendees.

Rap City is sponsored by Mimaki, U.S.A; Oracal, U.S.A.; and, GBC. Mimaki offers a versatile line of large-format UV inkjet printers, plotters and cutters. Oracal, a first-time PRINT exhibitor, manufactures pressure-sensitive adhesive vinyl films for a variety of signage applications. GBC offers high-speed laminators for print providers' finishing needs.

Rap City joins several popular show floor features, including Future Print, and new to PRINT, GREENspace and PackPrint. PRINT 09 is expected to welcome more than 600+ exhibitors who will showcase the entire gamut of printing-related equipment, products and services this fall. The graphic communications show will fill the expansive show floor with the latest technologies in commercial and quick printing, publishing, high-volume enterprise output and more. For more information, visit: www.print09.com.