Held every Fall by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), the SGIA Expo is one of the premier trade shows in the graphic arts space. This year, it takes place in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 22 to 24, 2014. Over 500 exhibitors plan to camp out and introduce their most recent products and services. Here, we profile some of the vendors at the show.
On the Floor
3A Composites, booth 3241, offers SMART-X graphic display board. It is a distinctive lightweight foam board consisting of an all-plastic sheet that is constructed with a moisture-resistant expanded polystyrene core and two layers of UV-resistant solid polystyrene. SMART-X can be installed outdoors without experiencing any significant change in color for a period of up to two years.
Argotec LLC, booth 4701, exhibits its ArgoGraph Two-Part TPU Graphic Films System. Part one is ArgoGraph-White, a new, printable polyurethane (TPU) graphic film ideally suited for demanding outdoor applications. Part two is ArgoGraph-Clear, a protective TPU overlaminate facestock designed to be applied over ArgoGraph-White or other printed substrates to protect the graphics underneath.
Berger Textiles, booth 2358, manufactures textiles for large format digital printing. It offers a full textile line up to 16 feet wide for dye-sublimation (dye-sub) transfer, dye-sub direct, UV, latex, solvent, and eco-solvent printers. The company also offers a full line of finishing accessories including PVC, silicone, beach flag binding, and Velcro. It showcases light box, SEG, table throw, outdoor signage, and 100 percent recycled fabrics at the expo.
Budget Inks, booth 132, provides OEM matched, no flushing required, and 100 percent compatible inks. Roland OEM 440ml replacement ink cartridge and ECO Maxx 440ml replacement cartridges are offered. Plug and print cartridges require no flushing and provide OEM quality, color, and durability.
Canon Solutions America, booth 2613, debuts the new Océ Arizona 6170 XTS. This printer series is purpose-built for significantly higher production levels of up to 1,668 square feet per hour—approximately 2.5 times faster than the company’s next fastest series of flatbeds.
Clear Focus, booth 641, showcases a new line of unperforated cast vinyl films for outdoor/interior-mountable promotional window signage, interior décor, and architectural applications. EtchVue, Glass EtchVue, and CrystalVue combine flakes and pigments to create a frosted or etched effect on glass and other clear substrates. Featuring a high degree of transparency, these printable films are thermal or plotter cut. They are available in 24- and 48-inch by 25- and 100-foot rolls.
ClingZ, Inc., booth 4070, displays ClingZ Wide Format, its statically charged film and Ztac, a new low-tack coated graphic film. ClingZ clings to nearly any indoor surface without adhesive. Ztac features a low-tack coating allowing it to adhere indoors or out for more demanding applications. Both are compatible with UV-curable printers and are used for retail signage, trade show graphics, posters, or banners.
Colex, booth 2224, demonstrates the Sharpcut Conveyor. The conveyor system is designed to speed up the process of cutting soft to rigid boards, vinyl, fabric, and textiles by utilizing the automatic board feeder or the roll feeder allowing for faster production runs. The Sharpcut Conveyor is designed to operate with minimal operator intervention when equipped with the automatic board feeder or the roll feeder.
Colter & Peterson, booth 4016, exhibits its large format capabilities, including the Saber XXL series of paper cutters. User friendly, it combines efficiency and increased production with state-of-the-art electronics, quick knife changes, and safety features for years of trouble-free operation. Saber is available with Microcut automated systems that memorize cutting sequences instantly so the back gauge automatically positions itself for each precise individual cut.
Continental Grafix, booth 359, introduces INNOVA 20uv, self-adhesive 80/20 perforated window film. Ultimate color pop, privacy, and sunscreen are featured at an economic price. It is ideal for storefronts and commercial buildings or delivery vans. The media is engineered to work with solvent, eco-solvent, UV-curable, and latex inks.
D&K Group, booth 4613, highlights the Brilliance line of indoor/outdoor pressure-sensitive laminating films and easy-apply, bubble-free window adhesive. Visitors can also see the new Expression 55+ wide format laminator and mounter designed for sign applications. Stop by the booth to learn how to increase your productivity and profits with print finishing solutions for applications of all types including floor, countertop, and window graphics.
Drytac, booth 753, features the JetMounter roller laminator and SmartCoater aqueous-based liquid coater showcased alongside its latest print media for windows, walls, and floors. Discover how to create versatile environments with bright, bold graphics printed on ViziPrint, ViziPrint Impress, ReTac Wall, and FloorTac. Specialty solutions, including dry erase and chalkboard film, and the company’s complete line of banner stands are also displayed.
Eastsign, booth 2845, announces availability of a 142-inch/3.6-meter wide rotary heat press. The calendar is designed for roll-to-roll transfer or fixation. Applicable materials include polyester-made material such as flag, fabric, curtains, umbrellas, and sport wear. The drum is double layer with Teflon coating. An expanding shaft is equipped to rewind fabric, transfer paper, and tissue paper.
Epson, booth 2334, shows several of its leading printing solutions, including the new SureColor T-Series large format color printers featuring the company’s PrecisionCore TFP printhead and Epson UltraChrome XD pigment ink. In addition, Epson showcases the SureColor F7170 and F6070 dye-sublimation printers, the SureColor S-Series 64-inch solvent printers, and the SureColor F2000 direct-to-garment printer.
Esko, booth 1001, displays the Kongsberg C64 digital finishing system, which works with materials 126×126 inches. Composite traverse technology delivers fast throughput, and high quality and precision cutting and routing. The simple interface makes it easy to use. Its auto feeding system handles a range of media, picking up materials from a pallet or table, preventing imperfections caused by manual material loading.
Expolinc, booth 4630/4734, totes the Custom Set Pop Up Magnetic. Not only does it look good, but with no tools required, users have a booth with little effort. New options include shelves, flat end caps, and monitor holders. All Expolinc products feature a lifetime warranty and same day shipping; stop by the booth for a show special. INFO# 290
FDC, booth 4071, promotes Thermal Advantage Heat Transfer Films for textile and apparel markings. These films are available in an array of opaque, fluorescent, flock, and reflective colors. Print versions are available in both white and clear. All are crafted for excellent durability and washability.
FiberMark, booth 1301, is a U.S. manufacturer of sustainable and environmentally responsible rigid board and flexible media substrates. conVerd includes fiber-based solutions for wide and grand format printing and are used for indoor point of purchase, backlit/frontlit displays, structural/hanging signage, murals, wall and window coverings, and banner/poster applications.
Foster Keencut, booth 601, announces the new On-A-Roll Lifter, which allows operators to move wide and heavy rolls of media from the warehouse to the printer. The Heat Knife Holder offers fast, safe, and accurate fabric cutting and finishing. Visit the booth for a demonstration of the On-A-Roll Lifter, 98-inch SteelTraK, Evolution-E2, Sabre Series-2, Rotary Trimmers, and Straight Edges.
Fotoba, booth 2319, demonstrates an array of Fotoba Automatic Cutters, with models from 44 to 130 inches wide. The company’s automatic print finishing solutions include the new XLD-170, ideal for trimming all flexible media up to 67 inches wide and 40-mil thick. Regardless of any feed misalignment, the XLD-170 automatically realigns itself to the edge of the printed image. It cuts a 150-foot roll in less than ten minutes.
Gans Ink & Supply Company, booth 3373, is a one-stop shop for all things sublimation. It carries paper, supplies, hardware and software, and bulk cartridge systems. With its extensive knowledge in commercial, security, sublimation, and energy curable inks, it understands the reality and challenges faced by companies in adopting digital inkjet. Gans’ Pyrojet sublimation ink offers strength, optical density, and an unsurpassed color gamut.
Global Imaging, booth 3413, showcases the full lineup of PrinterEvolution fabric printers, including the Evo33 DS, Eos126 DS, and the Neo series. The Monti Antonio calender and Impulsa industrial sewing machine are also demonstrated. Additionally, Global Imaging features the Novus H/UV with the Warp engine and new Material Transport System that eliminates the need for human interaction when printing roll to roll.
GMG, booth 3967, offers all the functions for wide format production with ProductionSuite. Modules cover prepress-preflight, PDF file editing, job preparation, color management, RIPping, and printing and cutting—supporting over 1,000 devices. Users can accurately profile any combination of printer, media, and inks, with guaranteed quality and repeatability—even with spot colors. GMG ProductionSuite also includes powerful layout tools for true-shape nesting, combining print jobs, and an interior decoration option for textiles and wallpapers. Additional functions include variable data printing.
GRAF Inks, booth 136, provides reliable, durable, and advanced color spectrum inkjet inks. The company is committed to creating vibrant, high-quality inks that perform as well as or better than OEM products. To achieve this high standard, it develops products using leading-edge pigments and superior additive technologies. Stop by its booth to learn more about direct to fabric, dye-sublimation, eco-elite, and film positive inks.
GTI Graphic Technology, Inc., booth 4331, exhibits Wall Viewing Systems that are ISO 3664:2009 D50 compliant and can be configured to fit any requirement. Key features include the use of parabolic lens and geometry design, wireless remote control, LiteGuard II System monitoring to assure proper maintenance, custom wall panels, and the flexibility to order with single-, dual-, or multi-source lighting fixtures.
The Guild, booth 4708, helps sign and print providers reduce costs and grow business. Visit the booth to learn how you can get group discounts on business expenses, new customers through the online store SIGN.COM, your own free ecommerce Web store, or online training for digital signage. Generous sponsorship from industry leaders like Arlon, Mutoh, and SAi ensure that membership and benefits in the Guild are free.
Gyford StandOff Systems, booth 3275, displays its new standoff mounting kits. The kits offer everything to complete a standoff installation including a set of four Gyford StandOffs, the proper hardware to mount a range of material thicknesses, all-purpose wall anchors, and how-to instructions. These are ideal for signage, graphics, or banners and are made in the U.S.
Herculite, booth 414, features Bantex Digital Media for all solvent, eco-solvent, UV-curable, and latex inkjet printers. The Bantex line is manufactured in the U.S. Herculite showcases the new Bantex 10 oz. One-Sided Blackback Curl Free at the show.
Hexis USA, booth 3089, highlights new digital printing vinyl. HX190WG2 is a 2-mil layered cast with a layered structure that ensures ink will not affect the adhesive properties and thus maintains excellent handling properties. The compatibility with operable printers is wider, in particular with solvent inkjet systems. The HX190WG2 carries a micro-structured adhesive.
HP, booth 2059/2045, demonstrates its portfolio of sign and display printing solutions, featuring the new HP Latex 300 Printer series. Powered by third-generation HP Latex Ink Technology, the new series helps small to medium print service providers transition more pages from solvent devices. Offering high quality and industrial productivity with HP Scitex High Dynamic Range Technology, the HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press helps address demand for short runs, quick turnarounds, and variable content.
INX International Ink Co., booth 2346, offers Triangle ESC inkjet inks designed for Epson Stylus GS6000 and Sure Color series commercial outdoor printers. An alternative eco-solvent ink, it is unique for wide format applications. Cost effective and time efficient when paired with the GS6000, ESC produces brilliant results with considerable outdoor durability for banners, posters, and trade show graphics utilizing a greater color gamut.
IT Supplies, booth 3195, showcases the latest printing technologies from Canon, Epson, and HP. The company exhibits printers that create t-shirts, metal prints, wallpaper, and upholstery.
KAPCO Graphic Products, booth 3590, invites attendees to inquire about new products and learn more about its extensive lines of laminates; media for solvent/UV, latex, and water-based inkjet printers; sign vinyl; and supplies.
KATZ Americas, booth 161, displays its KATZ Display Board. It is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic and foam core signage. The high white point creates a beautiful surface for point of sale display or hanging signage needs. Clean cutting angles make the media foldable as well, creating custom self-standing display opportunities. It is available in multiple thicknesses for offset, digital UV, and screenprinting.
Kern Lasers, booth 635, exhibits the HSE Laser System, which cuts and etches wood, metal, and acrylic. This versatile machine can cut at ten inches per second (in/s) and engrave up to 150 in/s. Each HSE laser system can be custom built based on a user’s needs.
KIP, booth 3659, promotes the KIP C7800 color and B&W high-production print system. It is a comprehensive solution for all types of 36-inch wide format printing tasks, capable of 540 posters per hour regardless of coverage. Based on a unique LED printing design that lowers the operational costs of color and B&W printing, the KIP C7800 delivers lightfast and waterproof images with 600×2,400 dpi resolution.
Lintec Corporation, booth 3390, manufactures Lintec Digital Windows Graphics. Featuring high quality and advanced window films, it offers a complete product line of 100 percent optically clear non-PVC printable films with features such as scratch resistance and UV light blocking for increased fade resistance. It also carries an entire product line of textured and frosted non-PVC films for decorative and architectural applications.
MACtac Distributor Products, booth 427, features its latest products and innovations. From wall and floor graphics to window and vehicle wraps, MACtac offers a solution to make any graphics application stand out. Stop by the booth to watch MACtac’s experts as they conduct product demonstrations.
Magnum Magnetics, booth 4390, demonstrates DigiMaxx, a new printable, flexible magnetic material. DigiMaxx is made in the U.S., meaning better lead times, outstanding product quality, and unbeatable customer service. It is available in stock 25- and 50-foot long rolls in widths of 40 and 48 inches. The company also offers made to order custom material.
Marabu, booth 2747, unveils developments in digital inks and coatings. On display, the Burkle UV-Roller Coater with Marashield UV-curable protective liquid coatings; the StarLam Laminator running ClearShield Wall Armor, a Type II certified liquid coating for wallcovering applications; and the table-top Apollo UV Turbo Flatbed printer with Ultrajet DLE inks, UV ink with a variety of compatible substrates.
Matic, booth 101, suggests attendees streamline their finishing department with the Matic Helios. It cuts and seals all in one and uses a projection system to insure 100 percent accuracy. Key features include an air cooler laser, roll-to-roll feed, 3.2 meters wide, no limitation of fabrics to cut, and eight times faster than conventional cutting. The Matic Helios is also on display in the Digital Textile Zone.
Media One, booth 2737, presents a textile workflow solution. Visit the booth to learn more about the Teleios family of textile printers, which are available in 74-, 100-, and 126-inch widths. Klieverik heat calendars and Matic finishing systems provide everything required for digital textile printing and finishing. Of note, the new G5 printer by d.gen. It features a high-resolution of 720×2,400 dpi at an actual print speed of 1,250 square feet per hour.
MultiCam, booth 3213, is an international leader in mechanized CNC cutting systems. It features its new Graph-X and Digital Express. The Digital Express combines high speed and a contour-cut accuracy for a powerful digital finishing system.
Mutoh, booth 901, highlights the VJ426UF 19-inch tabletop printer. Users print on a variety of materials, up to 2.75 inches thick, using CMYK, white, and varnish for an embossed effect. Mutoh’s UV LED ink is 100 percent solid; and the printer comes with an installation CD and Windows print driver, ideal for fast setup.
ONYX Graphics, booth 1305, provides exclusive demonstrations of ONYX 11.1 and ONYX Textile Edition software. ONYX 11.1 software introduces six new features along with 21 innovative tools and enhancements that simplify color printing, improve output predictability, and increase shop profitability. ONYX Textile Edition software includes all the functionality of ONYX 11.1 software—such as Swatch Books, sewing marks, and disproportionate scaling—with the addition of textile specific features.
Pacific Coast Fabrics, booth 3359, features a complete line up of frame system fabrics. Printed displays of the latest generation Lightbox fabrics and the new Deko Flex stretch frame fabric can be viewed in the booth along with the company’s popular Deco Structure, Deko-Tex, and Deko-Tex blockout display textiles.
Palram Americas, booth 726, offers PALSUN flat polycarbonate sheets and roll stock, now UL listed and appearing in the SAM manual; PALIGHT family of products, foamed PVC substrates, which include Premium, EPS, and Outdoor; SUNLITE multi-wall polycarbonate sheet, lightweight and impact resistant, is used for decorative signs and displays; and PALCLEAR, a flat, water-clear PVC sheet for indoor applications.
Photo Tex Group/Pro-Graphics LLC, booth 3679, shows the Water Base & Solvent Block-Out Photo Tex self-adhesive material along with a new window/glass media-branded GlassADhere, which features a new micro-suction application to adhere to glass and metal.
Pixta, Inc., booth 831, exhibits PixtaFlow, its cloud-based job/order management system. New features include QuickBooks transactions, instant-add of materials during estimation, cost-plus estimating, nesting calculations for optimizing fit, easily transferring large files to a job, and email collaboration.
Polytype America, booth 2971, announces the new swissQprint Nyala 2, a true 3.2-meter flatbed with 25 percent more table space than its predecessor. It offers tandem printing, a feature that allows continuous printing to keep production moving. The printer uses a proprietary ink from swissQprint specially formulated to use on all types of substrates.
PressWise by SmartSoft, booth 4116, debuts new features for PressWise, the all-in-one print MIS, workflow automation, and Web to print solution. Highlights include new reporting tools within PressWise that take MIS data and turn it into custom reports, providing business owners and production managers with greater business insight. PressWise also introduces new drag-and-drop job scheduling functionality.
Presto Tape, booth 2384, showcases its removable/repositionable adhesive-backed print media. Its products include CanvasTac, PrestoTex, and PaperTac. CanvasTac is an adhesive-backed canvas, PrestoTex is adhesive-backed polyester, and PaperTac is an adhesive-backed paper. PaperTac comes in 6- and 10-mil thickness. Substrates do not damage walls or peel paint. The company also showcases non-adhesive materials for gallery wraps, banners, and posters.
Prism Inks, Inc., booth 140, specializes in developing and manufacturing inks for inkjet printers. In conjunction with OEM partners, tests are developed to inspect all incoming raw materials for the highest quality assurance. Stop by the booth to see direct to fabric, dye-sublimation, eco-solvent, and film positive inks.
Texccessories, booth 2453, promotes the latest technology to automate and increase sewing capacity by 75 percent. It introduces the Cronos Ultimate, Cronos Plus, and FlexiCut finishing devices.
Visual Magnetics, booth 2869, features a newly optimized VM-SYNpaper. A new writable, printable chalkboard solution designed for use with liquid chalk, CHALKboard+, also launches at the show. Eco-friendly offerings, such as magnetic-receptive PVC-free media, are also on display.
Up Next
That isn’t everyone at the show! Be sure to pick up the October issue, which includes a second preview on additional companies exhibiting at SGIA. Both this issue and October will be available in the convention center, grab a copy while on the go. Visit Digital Output at booth 3295.
Sep2014, Digital Output
