Media

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.

Addition of 13 new colors provides more colour and cost-effective options for signage applications

Sign shops and distributors have asked for more colour choices in the popular MACmark® 8300 Series line of marking films, and MACtac® is delivering with an impressive 52 stock colour options. The proven, cost-effective intermediate coloured vinyl series is equipped with options that provide the same quality and consistent colour options customers have come to rely on while satisfying customer requirements for a more diverse colour palette.

Once only available as special order, the expanded MACmark 8300 Series of intermediate coloured vinyls now offers an array of colour options in 48”, 30”, 24” and 15” widths, including the 13 new additions of Apricot, Sandstone, Almond, Lavender, Copenhagen Blue, Butterfly Blue, Powder Blue, Nautical Blue, Seafoam Green, Vibrant Green, Flame Red, Raspberry and Mouse Grey.

The series is a proven market solution for a broad spectrum of cut vinyl applications, including medium-term indoor and outdoor retail signage.

“Our customers are asked to push the boundaries of their designs every day, and our products are here to help them accomplish those goals,” said Rick Moore, director of marketing, MACtac Graphic Products. “We’re pleased to offer a new colour line extension that keeps pace with customers’ growing desire for unique and eye-catching graphics while maintaining quality for multiple run jobs or price-sensitive applications.”

The products in the MACmark 8300 series line of coloured vinyls consist of 2.8-mil calendared vinyl films, featuring MACtac’s proprietary high gloss finish, and are coated with MACtac’s clear, permanent, solvent-based adhesive. The adhesive is protected by an 83# white kraft liner that reduces the risk of delamination when cut too deep, offers excellent layflat properties, and allows for quick weeding on complex designs. Designed for trouble-free processing on computerised cutters at fast speeds, these films weed quickly even on small letters and fine lines.

Xativa Large Format Media Gains New Award with FOGRA Certification

Xativa the large format media brand of ArtSystems Ltd has passed another milestone this month en route to becoming one of the channels highest quality media ranges. The FOGRA certification is for the Xativa X-Press range of proofing media; specifically Xativa X-Press Gloss and Satin Proofing Paper in 17”, 24” and 42” widths.

"The FOGRA standard is globally acknowledged and ensures that users can have total trust in the performance of the media. Proofing with digital inkjet is a demanding application and it’s vital that the user can reduce the variables in the process to a minimum. Using a FOGRA certified media is  crucial to getting the consistency needed". says Paul Tarry Consumables Sales Division Manager, ArtSystems Ltd.

The Xativa X-Press Proofing Paper is now available to Xativa Resellers and is already winning new business in this demanding sector.

"Many of our resellers service this sector but have not had a competitive product that has the needed quality certification. With Xativa X-Press they can now satisfy that demand."

Beyond new product innovations, MACtac application solutions answer all application needs

Helping installers, printers and distributors conquer their graphics industry challenges, MACtac® Graphic Products offers more than new product innovations, accelerating the industry with inclusive solutions for new, unique, original and traditional graphic applications.

Answering application needs as opposed to product needs, MACtac, as a consultative partner, works with its customers to deliver application-focused solutions with added project versatility; thus arming customers with a solution for any application they encounter.

“End-users want to apply pressure sensitive vinyl to virtually any substrate that will permit adhesion – from traditional applications to unique and unusual, as the trend for out-of-the-box advertising and promotion continues to grow,” said Rick Moore, marketing director, MACtac Graphic Products. “Through the development of custom solutions for various applications such as wall, window, vehicle, fleet, retail, concrete, brick and more, MACtac offers its customers a strong competitive advantage and a high return on investment.”

Within the last year, MACtac has launched more than 20 customer-requested new product innovations that are geared toward specific applications. From IMAGin® B-free® Window Films to IMAGin RoughRAP™ and StreetRap™, MACtac’s latest solutions deliver smooth, dynamic graphic masterpieces for some of today’s most popular eye-catching applications.

An array of MACtac’s wall, window and floor graphic application solutions is featured throughout the 2009 Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) tradeshow in New Orleans, La. The wall graphics in the main lobby opposite registration were created using MACtac’s IMAGin® digiTrans™ and PERMACOLOR® ColorGard™ matte laminate. The window graphics at the shuttle and taxi drop off area were created using IMAGin B-free Frosted Window Films and the floor graphics in the main lobby were created using IMAGin JT5800R and PERMACOLOR PF6300 floor graphic laminate.

The key to MACtac’s application solution offering is finished graphic appearance and protection, which is delivered through the company’s trusted PERMACOLOR overlaminate line.

“Custom to each application, the overlaminate solution caters to the need of the application; those characteristics may range from durability and longevity to short-term brilliance, enhanced finish, scratch resistance and so on,” Moore added. “External signage, for example, wouldn’t be complete without the high-quality protection offered by the overlaminate component of the solution. PERMACOLOR® ColorGard™ overlaminating film, the overlaminate recommended for signage applications, was designed for high-quality graphic protection and delivers image brilliance, pop and dimension – even on UV-printed graphics – exceeding printer, distributor, installer and end-user needs.”

Large format specialist distributor ArtSystems has today launched the Xativa 'Sustain' range of media.  It meets the demands of today's end-users for fully FSC and PEFC certified and fully sustainable media head on, and addresses even the most demanding applications.  
 
The range was named as a direct reflection of its ethical values to maintain the provision of environmental solutions and products within the large format signage industry and is another addition to the ever growing Xativa portfolio of environmental media.  
 
Xativa Sustain, specifically developed for digital inkjet printing, includes a variety of media including satin, gloss, matt, uncoated and coated, high resolution, thermal photo, water resistant, instant dry and ultra white paper.  Media width includes A4 up to 60" 1524mm and media thickness up to 300gsm.
 
All Xativa Sustain products will be in stock and available to purchase through all channels including online from July 2009.
 
Dave Thomas, Managing Director of ArtSystems explains "This new range not only delivers on output quality and value for money to our customers, but is also part of our new EMS (Environmental Management System) to provide products and services that offer quantifiable environmental benefits.   In our aim to develop and promote more green products we are, in turn, helping more of our channel partners to make the correct environmental choice."

MACtac’s new product line enhances consistency and performance for digital and screen printers

Bringing to life a revolutionary product line as unique as its applications, MACtac® Graphic Products is launching its new, flexible REBEL™ screen print series. Much as its name implies, the REBEL performance-driven product line is built to be different. Specifically designed to deliver consistent printability and superior adhesive performance, REBEL works for both screen and digital printers.

Available in a broad range of multi-print media, the REBEL series offers a versatile and valuable printing platform for indoor and outdoor applications, including point-of-purchase, retail and overall general signage.

“REBEL is unique because we approached the product development process differently,” said Rick Moore, director of marketing, MACtac Graphic Products. “After benchmarking existing products on the market, including our own, we developed a special adhesive with performance characteristics that deliver the quality and uniformity necessary to meet the widest range of application surfaces.”

One of the many unique features to REBEL is the product’s opacity is created with the face film, not tethered to a gray adhesive like other industry offerings. REBEL’s face film innovation also allows for the best adhesive technology—clear, high-performance adhesives.

“By building opacity into the face stock, MACtac is able to provide printers with the block-out they require without sacrificing performance, which means, for example, that REBEL featuring our high tack adhesive will perform better on a wider variety of surfaces, including low surface energy substrates” said Moore.

In addition, MACtac optimised lay flat, enabling better production consistency and performance to easily fit screen applications as well as high-production inkjet drum printers. The REBEL product line works with UV screen, solvent and eco-solvent printers.

The 4-mil vinyl film comes in a wide variety of finishes, including gloss white, matte white and gloss clear. The product is available in rolls, and custom options are available with MACtac’s converting capabilities.