Sign Update

Xpres adds Roland BN-20 to its catalogue

Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

Midlands based Xpres has added the amazing Roland BN-20 to its catalogue giving customers even more choice. This small footprint, table top machine complements the VersaCAMM which is already a well-established Xpres product.

What the BN-20 offers is a lower cost entry into this market with a machine that still carries the quality and authority of the Roland name. In fact it comes in at about £3000 lower making it a very attractive proposition. As you would expect with a smaller, more competitively priced machine, its productivity is lower than the larger VersaCAMM but its operation could not be easier with a single print/cut button. Quality is also upheld with it producing the same excellent print quality as the larger machine. In fact it would be fair to say that the overall dimensions and productivity of the machine are the only real differences. Even the running costs are the same with both printers using the 220ml sealed cartridges of eco-friendly, eco-solvent ink. This is great for those who already have the VersaCAMM but are looking to add a smaller footprint machine. One stock of ink feeds both machines.

All colour of garments can be decorated using the film supplied for these machines with a white media available for non-white garments. This does the same job as the white ink used in direct to garment printing and screen printing and ensures that the machine is as flexible as possible. Naturally, washability is a key consideration with any garment decoration and Xpres takes this very seriously. In fact they can boast a 60ºC standard which takes it into the sportswear market as well as the standard corporate and fashion markets. There is even a 'stretchy' film so performance-wear can also be decorated.

An important question of course with lower cost hardware is "what about reliability?" No worries here though as both Roland and Xpres have a reputation to think of and the BN-20 has been built to the same testing standards as anything else that comes out of the Roland stable. The name says it all.

The BN-20 is packaged with the VersaWorks software and comes in at an attractive £5,500 and is available now.

For further information on the BN-20 or any other Xpres product telephone 01332 855 050 or go to www.xpres.co.uk.

Victory’s new peelable wallpaper - Bring your ideas to life

Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

Victory Design has just released an exciting new product, described as a revolutionary self adhesive fabric for use as an alternative to wallpaper for indoor applications.

The bespoke, peelable wallpaper will stick to walls, doors, windows, any non-porous flat surface (in all weather and room temperature changes). It's easy to use and is both easily removable and repositionable. It is compatible with pigment, water based/aqueous, eco-solvent and UV curable inks; and also has a special inkjet coating to provide vivid, sharp print results with brilliant colours. All these characteristics separate it from any other digital wallpaper or self adhesive vinyl on the market, says Victory.

Due to its water resistant adhesive and front film, this new wallpaper can be used in areas of high moisture indoors such as bathrooms, spa rooms and swimming pools. Normal indoor applications are as a commercial or domestic wall covering as, and for other retail designs.

This product is designed to give customers something completely different. Almost any image of any size for any non-porous flat surfaces even breezeblock can be specified, to completely change the mood of any room or space. From posters to wallpaper, printed in strips for easy application, digital images are printed on self-adhesive, tear free and wrinkle free fabric based media. Completely paste free, the low tack adhesive means that images can be easily repositioned or re-used and it doesn't leave any residue.

For any business designing spaces for its clients, temporary or permanent, peelable wallpaper is a simple and cost effective solution to bring ideas to life - again and again. From corporate buildings and pubs to hotels to fitted kitchens, shops to shopping malls, the quality of material, the linen like surface and the print definition gives a durable yet flexible wall covering that will carry any image effectively. This product can also be used at exhibitions to create an exciting and bespoke back drop.

Find out more at www.victorydesign.co.uk or tel. 0844 811 8777.

Mimaki UJF-3042FX - A new UV LED flatbed inkjet printer, primer and inks

Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

As a result, the new UJF-3042FX allows for more efficient use of printing to untreated stock. While the application of primer is usually executed manually, the UJF-3042FX incorporates an automatic primer feature whereby primer is applied as part of the printing process. The new inkjet primer cartridges (available in 220 and 600ml sizes) are simply inserted into the corresponding slot of the printer. The UJF-3042FX will only use the primer where needed, saving money and time, as well as reducing waste.

Materials that are unsuitable even for UV inkjet printing can be printed upon by applying a primer. This foundation layer enables better ink adhesion, making UV inkjet printing on those materials possible. The primer is simultaneously applied with the process colours during printing, thus streamlining print companies' workflows significantly without compromising speed.

Mimaki's exclusive UK & Irish distributor, Hybrid Services Ltd also announces the new LF-140 ink and availability of the proven LF-200 flexible ink for the UJF-3042FX printer. With the added benefit of the new flexible ink and primer solution, this printer is unique in its market and opens up the possibility to use more substrates without manual pre-priming.

The new LF-140 stretchable ink has an extended colour gamut compared with the current LH-100 inks that have been available since the introduction of the original model. The LF-140 inks also give excellent adhesion results with the added ink flexibility. The LF-200 ink is stretchable up to 200% in four colour mode and with the addition of a white ink layer it delivers spectacular results. With the addition of flexible inks, it is possible to use more diverse substrates, fulfilling different applications with the printer, such as printing flexible labels and on to formable media.

The Mimaki UJF-3042FX prints to substrates up to A3 in size (300 x 420 mm) and up to 50mm thickness. Using UV LED technology means that after curing, the ink is instantly bonded to the substrate and as LED does not generate high temperatures, it enables full colour printing on almost every material including heat-sensitive substrates such as resin, wood and leather.

Mimaki's white under- and overprinting capabilities produce more vivid colours, especially on coloured or transparent substrates, adding value to printed products. Spot colour printing with clear ink, as well as layered printing and clear ink varnishes add stunning embossing results to printed products allowing highly creative, potentially time consuming and complex jobs to be easily produced on the Mimaki UJF-3042FX.

Original images, photographs and text incorporated into goods, nameplates, and personal accessories facilitate a degree of personalisation which can enthuse print customers and gift recipients. Printing on paper, film and a vast array of branded goods adds the individual touch that is required to make a lasting impression.

In addition, printing on film and carton board enables the production of flexible and hard based prototype packaging projects; significantly streamlining workflows for packaging designers. Rigid labels are also ideal for production on the new UJF-3042FX printer.

Mimaki has also included a revolutionary nozzle recovery function in the latest version of the printer which enables operators to temporarily resolve any nozzle related issues prior to a technician attending the machine. This allows the printer to continue running, with little or no effect on production capacity.

The Mimaki UJF-3042FX takes the pioneering features of its award winning predecessor, and further automates the production of customised output in a package that includes powerful RIP software, ink and a fully comprehensive warranty.

Available through Hybrid's authorised reseller network, further information can be found by visiting www.hybridservices.co.uk

Applelec introduces Totem profile range

Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

The range is ideal for use in the creation of eye catching identity and directional signage for retail and leisure parks, vehicle showrooms, corporate identity signage and site maps or information signage. Featuring a durable construction which can withstand severe weather conditions, the Totem profile range can be used to produce totem signage up to an impressive height of six metres.

Ian Drinkwater, Applelec Managing Director explains: "The Totem range offers maximum flexibility to our customers. Linear profile lengths can be purchased, enabling sign makers to create signage in-house, or a cost effective modular totem can be constructed by Applelec. The modular construction of Totem significantly reduces the cost of a bespoke fabricated totem and provides durability without compromising on style."

Totem consists of a simple range of profiles, which includes one basic profile and three decorative cover profiles allowing for a rectangular, elliptical or rounded design to be constructed.

The distinctive feature of the intelligent Totem system concerns the way in which each totem is constructed. A set of two basic profiles are mounted around the aluminium or steel interior frame of the totem, then two cover profiles are mounted to the base sections. By using square or rectangular box sections with different outside dimensions and wall thicknesses, it is possible to create totems with a variable depth in standard increments of 10, 15 or 20cm and a height of up to 6m with the same basic profile.

A number of flexible features ensure stylish and distinctive elements may be added to each totem. Face illumination is achieved using fluorescent tubes, LED modules or Applelec's LED Light Sheet, whilst side illumination can be added in the space created between the end profiles. Face panels are fitted into the extrusion profiles in any required material up to a maximum material thickness of 3mm. Longevity of the completed totem sign is maintained as the face panels can be lifted out in order to update the panels or graphics and to facilitate replacement of any damaged electrical components.

Gemma Patel of nationwide sign company NSI Limited, commented: "The modular Totem supplied by Applelec was well manufactured and by using this system, we were able to able to create a stylish totem sign that our customer was very happy with."

The Totem extrusion range from Applelec delivers construction flexibility within a cost effective modular system to produce stylish and durable identity signage.

For further information telephone 01274 768343 or visit www.applelecsign.co.uk