Consumables

Sihl has launched three new 'eco-friendlier' multi-purpose poster papers into the large-format market.

The 'wet-strength' Post-2-Cure Papers have been specially developed by Sihl for use with latest generation latex inks from HP and are suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

"Latex inks are based on an infra-red hardening technique and require their own range of media. Sihl has responded to this need with the launch of Post-2-Cure Paper 125, Post-2-Cure Paper 180 and Post-2-Cure Paper blueback 125 – all high quality wet-strength papers enabling weather and water resistant prints both with the new latex and with UV-hardening inks, whilst remaining compatible with real solvent inks," said Sam Iliaifar, Sihl Group UK.

"This is the eco-friendlier option. These bright white poster papers enable digital services providers to produce prints with a high productivity which are significantly less harmful to the environment and our health than solvent inks. The Post-2-Cure alternatives are in addition to the six solvent-based printing media from the speciality sector which we have already introduced for the HP DesignJet L65500 (the first printer to use the new water-based HP latex ink) and the brand new HP DesignJet 25500," said Iliaifar.

According to Sihl, the poster papers offer impressive color reproduction and correspond to offset-printed posters in terms of surface feel and appearance.

"The heat that has an effect on the paper during processing causes only minimum paper shrinkage—and with these properties the new media promises high-quality, superior poster application," said Iliaifar

Additional features and benefits of the new papers:

Post-2-Cure Paper 125 satin 3741 – 125gsm: This bright white poster paper, with its specially finished surface incorporates a slight barrier coating on the back. It can be used for indoor signs; indoor short-term promotions; city light posters/outdoor light box displays.

Post-2-Cure Paper 180 satin 3742 – 180gsm: This heavyweight poster paper, complete with slight barrier coating on the reverse side can be used for indoor signs and short-term promotions; pop-up displays; city light posters and outdoor light box displays.

Post-2-Cure Paper blueback 125 satin 3740 – 125 gsm: This option with its specially finished surface and barrier coating on the back is suitable for indoor signs and short-term promotions plus billboard and advertising applications. The blue reverse side enhances opacity when wet.

"The new types of print media are also ideal for information signs laminated to panels or with a cold laminate finish or for photorealistic posters," said Iliaifar.

INX International Ink Co. announced the retirement of Charlie Weinholzer, who will be feted at a company ceremony in Appleton, WI on October 29. Mr. Weinholzer has been associated with the company since 1984, holding many management positions and a member of the INX Board of Directors until last year. During his outstanding tenure at INX, he will be remembered for his uncanny ability to build a high powered team and help drive them to success.

It was 25 years ago in 1984 when Mr. Weinholzer joined Roberts & Porter, Inc. as vice president – general manager of the Ink Division. He began his career in 1961, working at Kohl Madden Printing Ink Corp. and earning promotions that led him into management. Twelve years later, he moved on to stints at Graphic Service and Anchor Paper Co.

After his first two years at Roberts & Porter, the company was acquired by Midland Color Company in 1986. Midland would later become part of INX International in 1989. By this time, Mr. Weinholzer was promoted to vice president – regional manager and worked from the West Allis, WI office. Successive promotions followed, first as senior vice president of the north central region in 1996 and as senior vice president of the Liquid Ink Division in 1999, until appointed to the executive advisor role. He joined the INX Board of Directors in 1996.

Mr. Weinholzer’s distinguished career led him to being awarded the prestigious National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) Pioneer Award in 1993. This award is given by the members and directors in grateful recognition of long and meritorious service to the industry and the association. He also served as a Gravure Association of America board member.

“Charlie’s knowledge of the industry and our customers has served us well for many years,” said Rick Clendenning, president and CEO of INX International Ink Co. “He was well respected throughout our industry, even by our competition. His vast knowledge and experience will be missed by all of us at INX. We wish him well as he starts winding down and enjoying his retirement.”

Vehicle body shops and car owners can now restore, modify or customise cars with low-cost, no mess, carbon fibre finishes.

3M DI-NOC Carbon Fibre Finish, from 3M UK & Ireland, is a vinyl film that looks like the real thing but is less expensive and more versatile. It is simple to install and easy-to-clean with a modern, visually appealing design making them perfect for unique wrapping of interior or exterior car surfaces such as bonnets, boots, roofs, side view mirrors and interior plastic.

It's not a carbon pattern printed; the film has an embossed finish resembling true carbon fibre, which reflects light as expected and changes the highlights of the pattern depending on the viewing angle.

Already widespread in interior decoration and exterior building design applications, 3M DI-NOC Finishes are scratch resistant and highly durable. There are a huge number of patterns and designs in the range from natural to hi-tech, which faithfully reproduce wood, stone, sand, marble, stucco, leather and many others, but the most fashionable patterns are from the carbon family.

"We are delighted by the enthusiasm and interest that our 3M DI-NOC Carbon Finishes are generating in the market. They offer a stylish substitute to authentic carbon fibre. They also offer ultimate versatility and adaptability to curved, irregular and flat surfaces, and are more cost-effective, replacing expensive and laborious modification and maintenance work," said Cécile Linard, European Market Development Manager Signage Products, 3M Commercial Graphics.

Featuring 3M Comply adhesive, 3M DI-NOC Carbon Fibre Finishes for car personalization allow quick and easy application. The air trapped between the film and the surface is released via tiny channels resulting in a bubble-free installation. The thinness of the film also enables installations that are lighter in weight compared to real carbon fiber bonnet and hard-top parts.

As a result of decades of experience in the production of self-adhesive films, 3M DI-NOC has excellent resistance to water, dirt, impacts, wear, abrasion and mould. It is amongst the technologically most advanced and prestigious products offered by 3M.

Get colour-matched inks for your Roland AdvancedJet printer for only £49, by taking advantage of the Colorific '2 for 1' launch promotion.

Created specifically to meet increasing customer demand for a lower-cost yet high-quality alternative ink for users of the AdvancedJet series of production printers from Roland, Colorific PRO-AJ inks offer complete plug and play compatibility with Roland Eco-Extreme original inks.

As with the recently launched Colorific PRO-J3 ink for Mimaki printers, substantial cost savings are the primary incentive for the customer, without having to sacrifice quality, reliability or indeed backwards colour compatibility with previously printed jobs.

Formulated as a ‘Mix & Match’ solution for users of OEM Roland AdvancedJet inks, the colour and physical properties of the original OEM inks have been matched so that existing profiles and printer settings can be used.

Mix and Match means the ink is an accurate colour match - no reprofiling is required - and can be used without flushing of the previous inks - PRO-AJ inks can be used in your printer alongside your existing Roland inks, making it an easily adopted and completely plug and play ink solution.

Based on extended field testing, in all vital areas of ink performance, Colorific claim their PRO-AJ ink is a viable and highly cost-effective alternative for AdvancedJet users.

"For users looking to reduce the running costs on their AdvancedJet printer, and its OEM derivatives such as the Uniform Grenadier GFX and beDigital Turbejet PS-2600, we believe our Colorific PRO-AJ ink can deliver the reliable performance that you have come to expect from your printer, at greatly reduced cost."

With a suggested resale price of £98 for a 1 litre cartridge, the PRO-AJ inks already offer substantial potential savings for the user of what is invariably a productive workhorse printer - this value has been further enhanced with an introductory offer that will allow users, for a limited time, to buy on a '2 for 1' basis, effectively reducing the price to only £49 per cartridge.

Colm Garvey, European Sales Director of Colorific suggests there has been a real demand from customers for this ink "The AdvancedJet is a fast printer that is often found in a busy production environment, accordingly it can use significant volumes of ink, so we can help the users to realise significant and tangible cost savings".

The '2 for 1' deal will run across Europe, to encourage users to try the inks, and see for themselves the seamless integration that is made possible by the 'mix and match' Colorific PRO ink series. Garvey adds "We have evey confidence that once users have tried these inks, they will remain Colorific users long-term, that is the thinking behind the '2 for 1' launch offer."

Garvey was also keen to stress that Colorific inks are fully backed by the company "We can offer our UK customers comprehensive warranty cover, that aims to meet or exceed the scope of any manufacturer provided warranty".

The Colorific ink range is sold in sixteen countries across four continents and is rapidly gaining a reputation for trouble-free reliability.

Supplier details can be requested from info@colorificink.eu

You can also find further information on the Colorific website at www.colorificink.eu

With glass playing an increasing role in architecture, glass decoration is gaining in popularity.

Now designers can look forward to yet another innovation in film as ASLAN presents two new products.

With its specially developed Dryapply technology, ASLAN’s new, self-adhesive, sandblast-look glass decoration film offers a major advantage: simple, bubble-free, dry application on any glass surface. A honeycomb structure in the release liner creates air channels in the adhesive, enabling bubbles to be simply smoothed out, and guarantees problem-free, dry application with no need for water.

In addition to the very easy and quick application method, another plus is that the application tape can be removed as soon as the film has been applied. There’s no more waiting, which means users save a huge amount of time. On top of that, this sight-obscuring film is ideal for digital prints using solvent, eco-solvent and UV inks, making it the perfect choice for creative designs on glass.

The film comes in two types: ASLAN EL 300, with a width of 1.26 m, for cutter plotters and ASLAN DFL 300, with a width of 1.37 m, for digital prints.

ASLAN products are available in the UK from Doro-Tape.

Further information is also available on the ASLAN website at www.ASLAN-schwarz.com

MACtac to test and profile its media with HP’s Latex inks and environmentally friendly printer

Meeting the needs of environmentally-minded print providers looking for new advancement in media technology and ink, MACtac® Graphic Products has become an HP Registered Latex Developer, allowing the company to provide options in media that offer excellent compatibility and impressive results on film and on the environment.

Through this agreement, MACtac tests and profiles its media printed on the HP Designjet L65500, which offers performance comparable to low-solvent ink performance, with the new HP Latex inks. The new Latex inks are the first water-based inks that can print on uncoated substrates while maintaining the durability of solvent inks. Unique from solvent and eco-solvent inks, the new Latex inks emit little to no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC), which harm the environment and are hazardous to employees.

“Customers keeping sustainability top-of-mind can rest easy knowing MACtac media not only works well with this new ink technology, but MACtac as a company has a vested interest in providing more products that support this advancement in the industry,” said Jeff Stadelman, technical marketing manager, MACtac Graphic Products. “There are a lot of variables to consider when choosing the right products for a job, and MACtac can now provide proven results in colour, quality and durability with HP’s environmental technology, taking the guesswork out of the equation.”

MACtac has worked thorough extensive testing and approvals for several of its media printed on the HP Designjet L65500 with HP Latex inks, including MACtac’s IMAGin® B-free® (JT5529BFD PRO and JT5929BFD Plus) digital vinyl, IMAGin B-free Window Films, IMAGin PrintVinyl, IMAGin wallNOODLE™, StreetRap™ and IMAGin RoughRAP™. About 20 profiles have been created, with more in development, and are available to download at www.MACtac.com/Graphics

“As the environment becomes an increasingly crucial component our customers consider in their design, MACtac continue to work toward achieving the technology requirements and industry-leading partnerships we need to ensure we are helping our customers conquer their challenges while minimizing the effects on the environment,” said Stadelman.