Go BIG at PRINT 13

The International Sign Association teamed up with GASC and PRINT 13 to offer the BIG-the Wide Format Pavilion and related ISA Wide Format Innovation and Application Theater. The pavilion and theater will showcase the latest in wide-format technologies, equipment, and supplies.

“PRINT 13 is the perfect complement to ISA International Sign Expo for wide format print manufacturers and suppliers of related products,” says Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “We’re excited to introduce the latest technologies and applications to PRINT 13 attendees. I have no doubt that those who visit the ISA Wide Format Innovation and Application Theater will come away with plenty of new ideas for expanding and enhancing their businesses.”

“We recognize that one size does not fit all,” says GASC President Ralph Nappi. “That is why we have partnered with ISA to bring PRINT 13 attendees the most comprehensive mix of applications, education, best practices, equipment, software, and research for display, sign, and photo imaging print output of all sizes.”

Print pros from sign and display shops have their own “one-stop shop” at the show, allowing them to learn about the latest applications and opportunities in wide format direct from the industry ‘gurus.’ Here, education will also focus on new entries and veterans into the sign market with individualized guidance on why and how to diversify and grow their business into signs/displays.

The ISA Wide Format Innovation and Application Theater will feature numerous 30-minute presentations at a theater on the exhibit floor. Topics include “Digital Inkjet Forming Technologies,” “Hot Technologies with Cool Benefits,” “High-Speed Digital Inkjet Production” and “New Methods of Proofing and Prototyping Packaging.” The sessions will be open to anyone with access to the exhibit hall floor.

Must See Products

At PRINT 13, attendees should be sure to check out these showstopper products—including MUST SEE EM’s winners.

Canon Solutions America, Inc. (Booth 502) is showcasing the Océ Arizona 660 XT: which features six independent ink channels, multiple print configurations, extra-large table size. All Océ Arizona 660 models feature six independent ink channels that can be configured to suit the needs of the professional print provider. These models can be configured for maximum productivity or optimized White Ink utility; or with both White Ink and Varnish for maximum versatility.

Canon Solutions America is also displaying the Océ ColorWave 900 printer. This new offering closes the gap between digital inkjet and traditional offset technology. It has a raw print speed of more than 12,000-square-feet per hour. Delivering 3.4 billion, 1.2 picoliter drops of aqueous ink per second, the machine is able to produce resolutions of 1,600 x 1,600 dpi. With a maximum media width of 42 inches, the Océ ColorWave 900 printer incorporates six media rolls, possessing a total input capacity of 13,650 square feet (up to 650 feet per roll).

EFI VUTEk GS-TF (Booth 2602) is a patented, extremely flexible UV curable digital ink and printer system that enables direct printing to substrates for deep-draw thermoforming applications such as POP displays, backlit electrical signage, vending and gaming machine panels, packaging, and consumer product applications that are difficult to decorate.

The EFI VUTEk Pro-TF Ink opens an entirely new market for PSPs, by bringing what was once a separate thermoforming decoration task among sign installation experts to the digital printing space. By replacing what is often a manual, airbrushed decoration process, thermo-formable inks generate significant time and money savings while bringing a new level of high-impact, full-color design opportunities to thermoformed signage and graphic display products.

EFI's latest UV-curable digital press represents a true replacement for analog equipment with the productivity of screen and image quality approaching offset. The 3.2m EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro is a versatile high-speed digital UV press with productivity and image quality that will appeal to screen printers and the commercial sector wanting a cost-effective digital platform to produce longer sheet runs at a low total cost of ownership.

The Excelagraphix 4200 from Xante (Booth 5007) is a 42" wide inkjet print system changes everything you know about high speed full color printing. The complete turnkey solution features Memjet Waterfall Printhead Technology. The adjustable media path allows users to print on a wide variety of substrates including media up to 3/8" thick and sheet sizes from 8.27" x 12" up to 42" x 50'. It is driven by the iQueue Simply Brilliant Prepress Workflow.

Roland technology (Booth 4274) is transforming the digital printing and package prototyping industries. The company is showcasing its new SOLJET Pro 4 XF-640 – Roland DGA’s fastest large-format inkjet printer to date. This printer ushers in a new era of speed, precision and performance, delivering vibrant, detailed images at speeds up to 1,098 square feet per hour. The VersaCAMM VS-540 printer/cutter with white and metallic ink options for attention-grabbing signs, banners, vehicle wraps, labels, decals, POP displays and custom apparel. The company will also be demonstrating Roland’s advanced UV printers and printer/cutters, including the VersaUV LEJ-640, LEC-330 and LEF-12. These innovative UV superstars print on virtually any type of substrate and produce realistic, detailed package prototypes in record time.

The Kongsberg i-XP24 finishing table from Esko (Booth 4231) provides full time production, 24/7. It was made especially for handling the combination of corrugated board and other rigid or roll materials used in POP products and product displays. An extensive array of available tools matches the wide range of materials that can be used. The system recognizes the tool units automatically, through electronic identifiers. It also has an Automatic Tool Leveling feature that calibrates the vertical operating level of all the Kongsberg tools. Changing a tool or milling bit will cause an automatic tool measurement to ensure cutting depth remains correct.

The Inca Onset Q40i is making its US premiere at PRINT’13 in the Fujifilm booth (1218). It utilizes Q-class Fujifilm Dimatix printheads and jets a nominal droplet size of only nine picoliters. This technology produces high quality resolution images and fine text with a low ink profile that is similar in appearance to offset produced output.

The HP Latex 3000 Printer from Hewlett-Packard (Booth 1241) helps industrial PSPs produce high-value applications with improved productivity, quality and versatility. Helping customers create a competitive advantage, the new device offers broader media versatility, including heat-sensitive substrates, with the HP Latex Optimizer. This new ink solution ensures consistent image quality at high speeds as well as efficient curing at lower temperatures and with less energy than previous HP Latex solutions. The printer’s increased production capacity lets high-volume customers meet tight deadlines, producing 830 sqft/hr of indoor applications and 1,290 sqft/hr of outdoor applications.

The Xerox (Booth 1202) Wide Format IJP 2000 is a single pass inkjet printer with a speed of up to 4520 square feet per hour. Five stationary print heads, containing over 350,000 nozzles, deliver 1600 x 1600 dpi resolution with a drop size of 1.3 picoliter. Printing up to 42" wide and 98 feet in job length, the IJP 2000 has a four-roll paper capacity providing up to 2,000 feet of media for continuous operation.

Inkjet Candy Store

Also. a brand new exhibit floor feature, the “Inkjet Candy Store,” lets buyer-attendees see demonstrations of the newest wide format inkjet printers from the hottest manufacturers—all together in one featured space. Among the exhibitors that attendees will find showcasing their newest wide-format inkjet printers in the Inkjet Candy Store are: Epson, HP, Mutoh, and Roland DGA