3M expands eye-catching colour range

In order to build on the success of its Wrap Film 1380 and 1080, 3M are adding a range of new colours to both ranges, further increasing the design possibilities for vehicle wrappers.

Eleven colours will be added to the Wrap Film 1380 range, including Gloss Navy Metallic Blue and Matte Black Metallic. Ten new colours will join the Wrap Film Series 1080, including Satin Thundercloud and Gloss Lipstick Red.

Christian Stoehr, portfolio manager west Europe for 3M commercial solutions, says the films will inspire graphic installers and appeal to their customers.


ADS bolsters armoury with 3M


Amari Digital Supplies (ADS), a division of Amari Plastics, has expanded its range of solutions with the addition of a collection of products from industry giant 3M.

The selection of 3M solutions now available from ADS include various graphic and special-effect films under the 3M Scotchcal brand, such as 3M Graphic Film Series 80 and 100, products from the 3M Crystal Glass Finishes range, as well as non-PVC 3M Envision Print Wrap Films.

Other key 3M products covered by the deal include the inkjet-printable 3M IJ series of print wrap films, which are available in three options—IJ180mC-10, IJ180mc-114, and IJ180mC-120.

All films incorporate 3M’s Comply Adhesive Technology and are also supported by 3M performance warranties, which offers further peace of mind to users.


In a statement ADS comments: “3M is arguably the leading global specialist manufacturer of market-leading signage and graphics and digital printing solutions, many of which have set the industry benchmark on quality and reliability.”


Antalis arms for growth
With rapid growth in the sign and graphics arena a strong focus for Antalis, it has revealed its latest strategy in pursuit of this goal—a new virtual product catalogue that will enable customers to digitally browse and source products from the supplier.

The Big Book is an interactive platform that allows customers to locate specific products or brands through a keyword search tool, download the full catalogue as a PDF and even print individual sections to examine in more detail.

Visitors to the website will also have the option to create their own personalised, downloadable catalogue through favourites, digital post-it notes and bookmarks, all of which can be shared with colleagues through social media.


HP issues warning over cheap toner


HP has warned customers to avoid buying cheap toner and ink cartridges online as there is a strong possibility that these products are fake.

The company says that the cheap versions of toner and ink may not be what they seem, could be harmful to the printing press, and not even be fully loaded. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brand inks and toners are designed specifically for the printer and have been tested and approved by the manufacturer.

HP says: “The sad truth is that some consumers, choosing to buy original ink and toner made by the manufacturer of their printer, end up as the victims of this crime—often unwittingly until problems arise.

“Some are mis-sold cheaper—but legal—alternative products, and, at worst, some are supplied completely faked branded goods. Attractive deals advertising greatly reduced prices online may save some money now, but the consumer or business usually ends up paying over the odds further down the line.”


Esko director highlights workflow solution

Jan de Roeck, director of solutions management at Esko, has spoken out over the common issues sign and display companies can face with their workflow, and highlighted steps they can take to help improve production processes.

Considering the overall workflow, de Roeck has identified six key areas that all businesses should evaluate in order to discover potential areas of improvement.

De Roeck urges companies to take on advanced workflow automation solutions, as they can help prepare files with limited human intervention. In turn, de Roeck says this will help reduce waste and shorten the approval cycle that often creates this waste.

“By implementing 3D rendering of the display designs before any physical mock-ups are made, cycle times can be significantly reduced,” de Roeck explains.


De Roeck also picked up on the need to prevent errors in graphical files, saying that products such as Esko Automation Engine and i-cut Suite allows all graphic files to be automatically converted to PDF and moved through prepress.

With this in mind, de Roeck also emphasises the importance of developing strong CAD design skills in order to make the most of this type of technology: “A lack of structural design skills can be a major area of waste. Customer opportunities are sometimes turned down because the display is too complex to design and produce.”

De Roeck went on to outline how sign and display companies should look at how they can boost production control, giving the example of Esko’s Device Manager as a way to tackle key shop floor waste areas. De Roeck also highlighted how all businesses in the industry should be looking at cutting table efficiencies and the ways they can identify the best technology for the job.

“Finding the right cutting or creasing tool for a given material is not always easy, and quality often depends on the skill level of individual operators.”

Finally, de Roeck says careful attention should be paid to the shipping part of the process, saying that the slightest change in a product’s make-up could have a very damaging impact here.

“In the worst case, this impacts the ability to quickly and accurately assemble and/or install designs and displays at their final destinations, exposing your business to the risk of important damage claims, a real source of waste.”


Historika to quadruple production speed


Historika AG has agreed a deal to install an EFI VUTEk LX3 Pro production-level LED printer, in a move that is set to quadruple production speeds at the Swiss advertising technology company.

Showcased at FESPA 2017, the VUTEk LX3 Pro boasts a width of 320cm, as well as hybrid capabilities for roll-to-roll and flatbed printing. The EFI device can also produce print at 1,000dpi resolution with twelve picolitre greyscale print heads.

Daniel Harzenmoser, co-owner and chief operating officer of Historika, says: “The EFI team had the VUTEk LX3 Pro print at high production speeds for us and I was impressed by the top quality of the images in roll-fed and flatbed printing modes, and at such an incredible speed.”


Iiyama implements digital deal


Iiyama has announced that Giant iTab is using its 37-series touch products as the basis for its new range of ‘smartphone’ solutions.

Iiyama says its displays are suitable for the most demanding public environments, withstanding the 60950-1 ball-drop test, using anti-glare coated glass, and IPX1-rated protection from water droplets which Giant iTab demands. The displays are ideal due to their flexible integration options.

“We’re delighted that every Giant iTab sold will now feature an iiyama display,” says Steve Kilroy, UK sales manager at iiyama, adding: “Our extensive range of touch display screen sizes has provided Giant iTab with the flexibility required to exclusively use iiyama.”


Mark Jones, founder and managing director at Giant iTab says Iiyama’s Pro Cap technology is “super-responsive” and best replicates the touch and gesture controls required by Giant iTab.


Certification kickstarts sustainability


Sustainable products are highly desirable in today’s environmentally-conscious world, and Kiian Digital has advanced in this area by revealing that its Digistar Hi-Pro inks have achieved Eco Passport certification. This enables it to be used for textiles required to achieve Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex.

“The certifications also increase the chances for printers to become partners for the leading brands who are asking—as integral part of their supply agreement—the compliance credentials of products used in their processes minimising health and environmental risks,” says Alessandra Borghi, Kiian Digital’s sales director.


Online shopping habits hit printers


So far this year 820 high street retail stores have closed, with 15 major retailers going bust or downsizing, leaving more than 5,500 employees without a job, and the blame increasingly is laid on the rise of online shopping.

Each store is a customer to one or more printer, sign-maker, and wide-format printer, meaning a net loss of business to be had as the number of new stores opening is still lower than those closing. With online shopping continuing to grow it means less and less work for the print industry; that is fewer catalogues, flyers, posters, leaflets, and stationery items.

This year alone, we have seen the demise of Kit and Ace, Transline, CPL Foods and Millcliffe Ltd, Jaeger, Interio, 99p Stores, Brantano, Jones The Bootmaker, and Agent Provocateur. The Post Office has announced it is to close 37 directly managed Crown Post Offices following on from shutting 62 branches in 2016. For the full story, visit printmonthly.com and search ‘Online’.


Ritrama revels in FESPA success


Ritrama has revealed that its recent appearance at FESPA 2017 in Hamburg, Germany, has helped attract new interest in its services.

The company used the event to showcase a number of products, including the exclusive collection of label stock developed for cutting plotters, which was the subject of much interest.

Ritrama also reported a positive response to its materials for large-format print projects, as visitors sought out new solutions to help improve the quality of their own work.

Mirko Aguanno, sales manager for the graphics division at Ritrama, comments: “Participating in this year’s trade show was a huge success for Ritrama; the attendance to the fair was more interesting compared to the previous years and we had a constant stream of visitors throughout the five days.


“Generally speaking, we can say that we have made new contacts with clients who are looking for specific application solutions in line with Ritrama's motto, ‘We are listening’.”





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