Consumables

In order to inject maximum visual creativity to a global product launch at London’s Selfridges store, high-end fashion company, Lacoste, has commissioned graphics using unique Lumisty view control film from UK-based, Madico Graphic Films Ltd. The iconic French brand selected the versatile glazing enhancement film for its eye-catching capability of changing from translucent to transparent depending on the viewing angle. This enabled Lacoste to captivate passing pedestrians and channel their gaze towards exclusive window displays featuring the company’s latest Holiday Collector’s Series.

Lacoste’s promotional campaign at Selfridges forms part of the store’s Autumn/Winter 09 theme of “Evolution” and since their installation at the end of October, the Lumisty window graphics have, according to Lacoste, met their expectations in successfully capturing the attention of the public. “By acting as a window screen, Lumisty effectively conceals our polo shirt display until passers-by are directly in front of them, at which point the film becomes transparent and instantly draws their gaze towards the products”, explains Lacoste’s representative. “This changing visual effect worked incredibly well and has certainly achieved our aim of turning heads.”

“The success of this particular project underscores the creative possibilities of Lumisty in promotional retail and product display applications”, says Andy Voss, Managing Director of Madico Graphic Films Ltd. “Thanks to its unique attribute of controlling what can and cannot be seen, Lumisty offers a multitude of distinctive and practical uses and continues to make the product a huge hit among interior designers, marketers, architects and retail branding specialists.”

Lumisty forms part of Madico’s portfolio of UV and eco-solvent inkjet, and thermal transfer printable window films. This range is currently the largest available on the market and is 100% non-PVC. As with all of Madico’s ink-jet printable films, Lumisty is coated with defect-free, clean-room coated adhesives for superior optical performance and can be cut to shape using standard digital cutting technology.

Avery Dennison has introduced a helpful new dimension to its Graphics and Reflective Products division website: an online colour selector showing what is available in each of the self-coloured ranges of Avery Graphics self-adhesive films.

Signmakers and designers, as well as their clients, can see at a glance whether their needs in terms of colour combinations can be met from specific Avery Graphics self-coloured film ranges, such as the premium Avery 900 Super Cast products, available in no less than 83 standard colours.   At the same time, website visitors can check product performance capabilities with the relevant technical datasheets, also available online.

Says Bron Hekkema, sales director, Europe, for Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Products:  'It's nice to be able to add a feature to our website that helps busy signmakers.   While of course the colour renditions on-screen can't precisely match the actual materials, they are a good guide.  A signmaker looking to specify self-adhesive films for a multi-colour signcutting job can see at a glance what's available — and then consult the appropriate Avery Graphics sample swatch'.

Sun Chemical has announced changes to the structure and management of its Sun Inks Europe business. Rudi Lenz, president and CEO of Sun Chemical, will assume direct responsibility for the business, and its current business leaders will now report directly to him. Sun Inks Europe’s functional leaders, covering areas comprising human resources, purchasing, operations, finance and environment, health, safety and security will now report to their respective global functional heads.

“Our customers expect the highest levels of service, and we believe that we can enhance this and the growth of our own European business through a more global structure,” said Mr. Lenz.

David Meldram, president, Sun Inks Europe and senior vice president, Sun Chemical, is leaving the business as part of these changes and his position will not be replaced.

In paying tribute to Mr. Meldram, Mr. Lenz said, “David has been with the company since 1997 and has done a tremendous job. He has built a very successful team and we wish him all the best in the future.

“In these very challenging times for our industry, it is very important that Sun brings all its global resources to help our customers become more successful,” Mr. Lenz continued. “Sun’s commitment to quality, service and innovation will continue to differentiate us in the market.”

New Baryta FB from Hahnemühle is a fiber-based, 100 percent alpha-cellulose paper that features a whiter, smoother, glossier surface than other offerings in the Baryta line. Baryta FB is an archival inkjet paper developed for photo-traditionalists who want the authentic look and feel of glossy silver-gelatin prints from the classic darkroom era.

This bright white paper with its ultra-smooth surface texture, glossy coating and substantial, 350gsm weight, corresponds to classic silver-gelatin baryta media in both structure and feel. Baryta FB is certified archival grade, ISO standard 9706 and meets the highest standards for image quality and longevity.

According to New Orleans-based photographer, Eric Waters, "This fantastic new paper from Hahnemühle registers sharpness and detail very well with color hue and saturation that are true to the integrity of my files. I'll continue to use Hahnemühle products with the confidence that they'll always deliver the best image quality possible Baryta FB's archival properties and paper weight are bonuses."

Waters has been a professional photographer for more than twenty-eight years. He decided early in his career that the New Orleans street culture had significant historical value and was therefore worthy of documentation. Although he is a sought-after event and wedding specialist, Eric is best known for his vibrant, energetic images of the Second Line and New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians. He is one of a scant handful of professionals with an "insider's" view of what makes this culture come alive.

Hahnemühle's Gallerie Wrap Standard (1.25-inch deep) stretcher bars can now be purchased in Pair Packs. Each pack contains two bars of a given length, two corner braces and two corner holding pins. This will allow a customer who wants to make one 16x20-inch canvas wrap, for example, to purchase only two Pair Packs, a 16-inch and a 20-inch, instead of having to purchase a full box of 20 bars each in both lengths.

The Gallerie Wrap System is made up of easy-to-use fastening components and stretcher bars that allow photographers, artists and print service providers to produce high-quality gallery-wrapped canvas prints in minutes-a service formerly available only through custom frame studios.

Initially, Gallerie Wrap System components were only packaged in 20-bar bulk quantities for high-volume professional users. Because of the extreme ease with which beautiful wraps can be produced, however, the Gallerie Wrap system quickly caught on with amateur enthusiasts as well. Typically, these customers only make a few wraps a year and therefore could not justify the cost of purchasing an assortment of 20-bar packages in a range of preferred lengths. The new Pair Packs have now made it cost efficient for enthusiasts to purchase only the four bars (two Pair Packs) they need to make one wrap at a time.

AW Specialty Papers has announced the availability of three new heat transfer papers designed for commercial heat press applications. The new papers, IMAGE CLIP Koncert T's, IMAGE CLIP Laser Dark, and 3G Jet-Opaque are for application of printing onto dark-colored substrates. The IMAGE CLIP series is for use with laser printers or copiers, and the 3G Jet-Opaque is for use with inkjet printers.

IMAGE CLIP Koncert T's heat transfer papers are designed for the heat transfer of white letters and images to pastel, dark and bright colored substrates using laser copiers or laser printers. This product is self-weeding (no trimming required) and leaves no background plastic polymer. White letters and images can be transferred to a variety of substrates including T-shirts, handbags, mouse pads, coasters, leather articles, art papers and more. It works well with 100 percent cotton, 50-50 blends or synthetic fabrics such as polyester. Application with a commercial heat press requires only TWO steps. This is a cold-peel application and can be used to replace the use of white vinyl lettering on work or team wear, to promote event schedules or even recipes and sayings.

IMAGE CLIP Laser Dark heat transfer papers are designed for the heat transfer of full color images using color laser copiers or printers to dark and bright colored substrates. This product is also self-weeding (no trimming required) and leaves no background plastic polymer. High-resolution photographs and images can be transferred to dark or bright colored substrates including T-shirts, handbags, mouse pads, coasters, leather articles, art papers and more. It works well with 100 percent cotton, 50-50 blends or synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon. Application with a commercial heat press requires only TWO steps. It is cold-peel applied and can be used to capture the more profitable and high-end art demand for dark apparel.

3G Jet-Opaque heat transfer papers are designed for transferring inkjet images to dark or other colored garments and substrates. This product contains an opaque layer to hide the color of the substrate, allowing for photo-quality transfers. It has the same qualities as Jet-Opaque II but with a softer hand and better drape with the fabric. It is suitable for 100 percent cotton, 100 percent polyester and poly-cotton blend and synthetic fabrics. This product may be used to apply images to T-shirts, sweatshirts, mouse pads, puzzles, leather goods and other hard surfaces. Best results are achieved using a commercial heat press. Drying time is fast and ink feathering is minimal. This cold peel application produces excellent stretchability.

"We are very excited to bring this new line of Neenah products to the market. Our customers are always looking for products that are affordable AND produce great results. With this new and improved line of products for dark substrates, they get both," said Bill Rossi, president, AW Specialty Papers.