By Digital Output Staff
With over 550 exhibitors planning to attend the International Sign Association’s (ISA’s) Sign Expo in April, the show looks to be an exciting opportunity to network with peers and vendors about the latest technological advancements in the graphic arts.
Located at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, ISA Sign Expo events are held from April 8 to 11, 2015 and include education sessions, town hall-type meetings, and the main show in the exhibit hall.
On the show floor, in addition to visiting vendor booths, notable sections to attend are the Print Application Center, which includes live demonstrations of unique applications and the Dynamic Digital Park, which is solely focused on dynamic digital signage solutions.
Booth by Booth
Digital Output hopes to see you at the show. To help you navigate your way around the floor, refer to the below summaries of what vendors plan on exhibiting.
3M Commercial Graphics, booth 1338, promotes 3M Envision Products for Illuminated Signs, including 3M Envision Flexible Substrate FS-1 and 3M Envision Translucent and Diffuser Films, which make it easy and practical to use LEDs. The products provide increased light transmission—optimizing LED light—to deliver bright, richly colored signs that use less energy, require less maintenance, and allow the use of fewer light sources. Customers won’t just look good, they’ll feel good too.
Advantage Sign & Graphic Solutions, booth 763, demonstrates how the Epson SureColor F-Series F6070 dye-sublimation printer and F2000 direct-to-garment printer help grow business. It also showcases the Graphtec FC8600 plotter, GFP 563TH laminator, and HP Latex 360 printer. Ask about show specials. Advantage is a nationwide distributor of equipment and supplies for the sign and graphics industries. Experience the Advantage difference today—exceptional customer service and outstanding technical support.
Argotec LLC, booth 205, showcases the ArgoGraph Two-Part TPU Graphic Films System, which consists of ArgoGraph-WHITE, Part 1, a printable polyurethane (TPU) graphic film suited for outdoor applications like automotive advertising wraps. Part 2 is ArgoGraph-CLEAR, a protective TPU overlaminate face stock designed to be applied over ArgoGraph-White or other printed vinyl substrates to provide superior protection to the graphics underneath. Argotec introduced its ArgoGraph Two-Part TPU Graphic Films System at the 2013 SGIA Expo where it won the association’s Product of the Year award in the Non-PVC Media for Digital Inkjet category.
Arlon Graphics, booth 1368, features its full line of X-Scape Technology products, which includes digital products as well as Ultimate PremiumPlus Color Change Films for Automotive Restyling. Also featured are exterior and interior building wrap films and backlit translucent and flex films. Stop by for tips on how to wrap a vehicle or install on a difficult surface with one of the company’s many films or check out wrapitright.com how-to videos.
Aslan, Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, booth 4779, presents its self-adhesive films for special applications together with master distributor, FDC Graphic Films. Aslan’s expertise is the development and production of high-quality, self-adhesive films. The product range contains self-adhesive films for digital printing and sign making with a focus on speciality and niche products.
ATP Adhesive Systems, booth 4789, introduces GL-515, textured polypropylene laminate—ideal for roll-up and pop-up displays, as well as floor graphics. It is ASTM D-2047 certified and features no silvering, even with UV-curable inks. The thicker adhesive makes this laminate compatible with eco-solvent, solvent, UV-curable, and latex inks. Also on display is a full line of mounting films, laminates, and self-adhesive vinyl from ATP Adhesive Systems.
Canon Solutions America, booth 1968, exhibits its Océ Arizona and Océ ColorWave product lines including the Arizona 6170, 660XT, and 480GT and Zünd G3 XL3200 finishing system, plus the new Océ ColorWave 700 roll-to-sheet/roll-to-roll system, and the high-speed Océ ColorWave 900 inkjet printer. Applications are a key focus, highlighted by a diverse set of finished products featured in the new Canon App Room. Here visitors learn about the range of high-margin solutions the Canon portfolio delivers.
Casper-Easynet Solutions Inc., booth 2932, displays CASper on the Cloud sign business software. Delivered as a software as a service cloud-based application or on premise loaded onto a network, CASper is a complete suite with real time, live data collection from the shop floor and the field. Time and materials are collected for complete estimated versus actual job costing. Estimating, production scheduling, job tracking, project management, inventory, purchase orders, accounts receivables, quoting, work order, invoicing, and employee and production calendars are all available features. Use with smartphones, Apple iPads, and tablets.
CET Color, booth 757, brings a UV flatbed and hybrid product portfolio. It demonstrates value-added combinations of hardware, software, and consumables that make print solutions for the wide format printing market more attractive, affordable, and profitable. CET Color displays the Q5 Series Q5-250 3.25×5-foot true flatbed, the Q5-250h 64-inch hybrid, the Q5-500 4×8-foot true flatbed, the Q5-500h 98-inch hybrid, and the Q5-1000h 126-inch hybrid UV printers.
Clear Focus, booth 1744, highlights its complete line of perforated window films, optically clear overlaminates, and clear, etch, and frosted window films. The company’s newly designed website features colorful icons and pick lists to help visitors quickly find the product information and ideas they’re seeking. Responsive design ensures optimized viewing on smartphones and other devices. Complementing the website are product data sheets with convenient quick response codes.
Colex, booth 344/546, is an industry leader in wide format finishing. It demonstrates the Sharpcut Flatbed Cutter System. The Sharpcut is used for soft to rigid boards, vinyl, fabric, and textiles. Colex also demonstrates the full line of Fotoba Cutters. Fotoba’s XLD-170WP—for flexible media up to 67 inches wide and 40-mil thick—is ideal for cutting tiles of wallpaper with high accuracy to enable side-by-side wall application. The side sensor correction performs an accuracy of up to 0.065 millimeters, producing high-precision cutting.
Continental Grafix, booth 4789, shows Walk&Wall, a textured non-slip vinyl with fabric reinforced backing and repositionable adhesive. It is ASTM dry and wet slip certified, so it can be used on indoor and outdoor floors and walls, no lamination required. Ideal for trade show and retail point of purchase graphics on concrete, tile, carpet, and painted walls. It is compatible with eco-solvent, solvent, UV-curable, and latex inks.
Cyrious Software, booth 1874, demonstrates Cyrious Cloud (CC) Connector, a new technology that enables Cyrious Control to connect into Cyrious Web applications (apps) on the cloud. Users keep all data on premises. CC Connector empowers a whole new generation of apps Cyrious is building to allow users to work locally and remotely. Come see examples of these apps, including a sync to connect Cyrious Online and Control and a Web-based activity calendar.
DAF Products, booth 2660, features its portfolio of wide format direct print materials. The offering includes PSA Vinyls, PSA Laminates, Perforated Window Films, Polyester Films, and Polypropylene Films. The company is best known for its Gecko Grip interior mount, perforated window film. It allows the user to print directly on a micro suction cup adhesive-like surface. Print and apply—no mounting adhesive required.
Denco Sales, booth 3197, encourages attendees to not miss its equipment demonstrations. It features the HP Latex 360 printer. The print-cut showcase includes a Roland print-cut machine and an HP Latex 310 printer bundled with a Graphtec FC8600 plotter. Learn how to streamline production with the Rollover Flatbed Applicator. See the Direct Color Systems printer create ADA/Braille signs, it also prints textured graphics on flat and cylindrical objects. See the Universal Laser Systems laser engraver as well.
DGI, booth 2151, announces the new FABRIJET HS-FT dye-sublimation printer. It is designed to offer value, productivity, cost savings, and overwhelming speed—up to 175 square meters per hour.
DGS, booth 312, launches new X5 Series Digital Table Cutters. Two new table sizes—the 5×8-foot X5-1625 and 5×10-foot X5-1630—accommodate larger material. All models are equipped with a 60,000 rpm high-frequency router option to cut hard material such as acrylic and aluminum. Another new model is the compact 39×51-inch X5-1310L.
Direct LED Frames, booth 2794, is a manufacturer of innovative silicone edge graphics presentation systems.
Durst Image Technology US, booth 2746, debuts the Rhotex 180 TR in North America. This extension of the Rhotex line delivers environmentally friendly dye-sublimation transfer print output onto polyester and polyester blends. The Rhotex 180 TR provides a maximum resolution of 1,200 dpi and throughput of more than 2,000 square feet per hour.
E. L. Hatton Sales Co., booth 2897, introduces the Banner Ups BravoBanner fully automated banner finishing system. BravoBanner applies BravoTabs and BravoTape simultaneously along the top and bottom edge of banners. Width adjustable and hem taping speeds of up to 80 feet per minute, BravoBanner finishes 100 medium banners per hour with a single operator. Small footprint—less than 50 square feet—and a low current save on floor space and power.
EnCore Products, booth 716, is the manufacturer of foamboard products. The EnCore line includes White, Extreme White Foam Board, Black-on-Black, Colors, Self-Adhesive, Acid-Free, SingleStep Heat-Activated, PilloCore, MightyCore Rigid, and Fine Art Boards. MightyCore Rigid Foam Board is now available in 60 inches wide. Its dense polystyrene is easily cut by hand or machine.
FiberMark North America, Inc., booth 1789, a U.S. manufacturer of sustainable and environmentally responsible rigid board and flexible media substrates, offers a full line of durable, high-quality alternatives to PVC that provide superior image quality when printed. 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.
GBC, booth 1579, previews its latest products. The company showcases new additions to the Seal Pure Color and Grand Format Textile lines that are sure to impress. The GBC brand features the new ProCut series of cutters and the Spire line of wide format laminators, both proving that performance doesn’t have to be expensive.
General Formulations, booth 1057, displays its Dragon Wrap, a 5.6-mil calendared Carbon Fiber vinyl featuring a clear, repositionable, permanent, acrylic adhesive and an air-egress liner. Dragon Wrap features excellent dimensional stability, durability, and outdoor performance. The repositionable, permanent adhesive offers minimal initial bond, which gradually builds to a permanent bond. The air-egress liner ensures graphic applications are bubble free. It is available in white, argent, and black.
Gerber, booth 2575, set the industry standards for high-performance vinyl over 30 years ago. Gerber 220/225 High Performance Cast Vinyl manufactured by 3M is available in more than 90 colors and in 15-, 24-, 30-, and 48-inch widths. These durable and easy-to-handle films are ideal for vehicle applications, window displays, labels, decals, and signs.
Herculite Products, Inc., booth 1525, promotes Bantex 10oz Blackback Curl Free, a new one-sided printable product for point of purchase and trade show graphics where no edge curl is mandatory for the application. The product is guaranteed not to edge curl for five years. The black back gives a glare deadening aesthetic finish to the reverse side. The product is flame retardant and prints with all solvent, UV-curable, and latex digital inkjet inks. The Bantex collection of products is manufactured in the U.S. by Herculite Products and is distributed by authorized Bantex distributors.
ImageOne Impact, booth 1164, launches its new line of Shop Tables that are designed for heavy duty, heavy use sign and graphics shop work. This kit is a bolt-together frame system, easily assembled and disassembled to accommodate any doorway or hallway constraints. The six locking wheels included make it easy to move or lock into a stationary position. It accommodates the following sized table tops, 4×8, 4×10, 5×8, and 5×10 feet.
KAPCO Graphic Products, booth 1386, is a manufacturer and converter offering water-based inkjet and solvent digital media, mounting films, laminates, and backers plus vinyl and supplies. Digital products include adhesive-backed, water-proof, and specialty vinyl; banner, canvas/fabric, film, and paper inkjet media; vinyl and banner solvent material; mounting films; PSA UV laminates in four finishes; PSA Cold Backers; and low-melt and heat-assist thermal laminates.
Kernow Coatings, booth 4789, showcases 230STL Satin, Textured Polyester film. A curl-free and scratch-resistant film, no laminate is needed. It yields scratch-resistant graphics off solvent, latex, and eco-solvent. Kernow offers temperature stable, non-curling polyester films for roll-up and pop-up displays, as well as window and wall graphics.
Leister Technologies, booth 2784, debuts the SEAMTEK 36 welding machine. SEAMTEK 36 is a versatile hot air welder with three different welding stations and a tape delivery system. The machine allows users to weld overlaps, hems, and pole pockets at various widths. In addition to the company’s stationary welder, Leister demonstrates its economical automatic welders, the UNIPLAN E and VARIANT T1, at the show.
MagX, booth 1941, displays its printable magnetic sheeting and magnetic-receptive materials. MagX 48 is a new Xtra-Wide printable magnetic sheeting for point of purchase (POP), signage, and display graphics measuring a full 48 inches wide. MagX 40 is a 40-inch Xtra-Wide printable magnetic sheeting for large format printing. MagX 30 is a product with a little extra, a new 30-inch wide product offering six additional inches of print space. MagX 24 offers a true web width of 24-3/8 inches. A full line of magnetically receptive materials for POP and display graphics is also on display.
Marabu North America, booth 3582, exhibits its StarLam liquid laminator and ClearShield line of liquid coatings. The StarLam runs the company’s type II certified laminate, ClearShield Wall Armor. Marabu also demonstrates Marashield UV-curable coatings in the booth. Marabu’s MaraJet inks are on display and the company offers a buy two, get two promotion for new customers at the show.
Master Magnetics, Inc., booth 4186, features its magnetic graphics system. The system consists of PrintMagnetVinyl magnetic sheeting and FlexIRON magnetic receptive. Both are available in up to 48-inch widths, printing directly using solvent, eco-solvent, UV, and latex ink systems. Also highlighted are magnets with adhesives, magnetic assemblies, and strip. Magnets provide cost-effective and simple solutions for graphics, sign building, and display projects.
MCT, booth 2950, shows its U.S.-made Versatech cutter/router line, capable of running with full automation whether cutting by laser, router, or tangential knife tools. Also featured is its new auto loader/off-loader for rigid materials. MCT offers industry knowledge and highly responsive support.
Nazdar SourceOne, booth 1557, demonstrates the EFI H1625 LED. The H1625 provides one of the lowest acquisition costs in its category, eight-level variable drop grayscale printheads, optimized ink usage, and LED UV cured inks for access to a range of substrates when compared to solvent and latex printing technologies.
Newlife Magnetics LLC, booth 4767, displays magnet sheeting up to 48 inches wide, magnet-receptive sheeting up to 60 inches wide, and the new micro-suction Cling-King product line.
Orbus Exhibit & Display Group, booth 3289, features products introduced in its 2015 Exhibitors’ Handbook catalog. Featured in the booth are the Merchandise Express Portable P.O.P. system, Xclaim fabric popup systems, Phoenix and Phoenix Mini economy retractable banner stands, and Vector Frame Edge fabric poster frames.
Outwater Plastics Industries, Inc., booth 1311, introduces the Tensioned Fabric System by FOGA, which includes clear anodized, extruded aluminum profiles and accessories engineered for use with tensioned fabric to create customized, single and double sided, LED backlit or unlit signs, banners, exhibits, pop-up displays, and light boxes of any size desired.
Presto Tape, booth 5886, promotes its removable/repositionable adhesive-backed print media. 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 thicknesses. The company also showcases application tapes.
Ritrama, booth 2339, offers select products that cover application needs from windows to floors. It highlights Window Cal III and Crystal Cling 4 from its window graphics line. Ultimate Matte Wall Action with its print-to-edge technology is featured from Ritrama’s wall graphics line as well as Ultimate Luster Wall X, which is an ideal choice for rough wall surfaces. Stop by and check out the company’s specialty products as well.
Roland DGA, booth 1362, shows its latest inkjets, including the VersaUV LEJ-640FT flatbed, a UV LED printer capable of printing on rigid substrates up to six inches thick and weighing as much as 220 pounds, and the Texart RT-640, a dye-sublimation printer designed to optimize sublimation output while minimizing running costs.
Royal Sovereign International, booth 3789, is a leader in narrow and wide format laminators, electric trimmers, and pressure-sensitive films. It releases the RBW-1500 thermal banner welder and launches two additional product lines, calendar heat transfer systems and thermal textile trimmers.
SA International (SAi), booth 1574, the maker of Flexi and EnRoute software, treats visitors to free software training throughout the show. Industry-renowned, certified trainers, such as Mark Rugen, teach attendees around the clock, delivering education on the basics, advanced tips and tricks, and creative sign making solutions. Toast newfound knowledge at SAi’s free happy hour.
Seiko Instruments U.S.A., Inc., booth 1935, exhibits ColorPainter printers, which jet rich, glossy colors on a range of substrates, at fast speeds. Troy Downey of APE Wraps provides live education and wrap demonstrations in the booth using prints from the ColorPainter M-64s printer. Making its debut is the ColorPainter H3-104s grand format printer with low-odor SX eco-solvent ink.
Sihl, booth 2853, manufactures printing media for latex, eco-solvent, solvent, aqueous, UV, laser, and toner. Sihl’s 500 yearlong success story and its North American facility has been in continuous operation for over 200 years to give clients access to an unparalleled lineage and portfolio of quality products for the print industries. Come see the company’s new 3241 Display Pro and 3550 ClearSol.
Summa, booth 2146, demonstrates its F1612 digital flatbed finisher. Summa’s advanced S2 series vinyl cutters are also on display, as well as the performance-priced SummaCut series of finishing devices.
Tex Visions, booth 2496, is a trusted partner for wide format printing and hardware. It showcases advertising tents; Bowflag banner flags; director’s chairs; banner stands like Roll Up, X-Display, and Tension Fabric Displays; promotional counters; LED light boxes; and UV-printed rigid media like yard signs.
The Bad Wrap, booth 1998, promotes its vehicle wrap templates. As one of its customers, Holly Friedman, Nagle Signs, Inc., says, “The Bad Wrap eliminates the need to set up a vehicle template, which lets us focus our time and creativity on design.”
Top Value Fabrics (TVF), booth 532, delivers a complete line of high-performance media up to 197 inches while featuring the latest advancements in textiles and the best customer service in the industry. In addition to vinyl, TVF showcases specialty textiles from flag to backlit, canvas, blockout, and mesh.
Ultraflex Systems, booth 2335, is an industry leader in media solutions, and exhibits several new product lines including—VorTex, a comprehensive range of soft signage solutions; XMR, the future of magnetic-receptive media; and G Floor, an unique flooring product.
V Sign Software, booth 1309, is a cloud-based business management system designed to follow projects through from conception to completion. V Sign Software features tracking, calendars, document storage, and costing to keep projects on track and within budget.
Verseidag seemee US, Inc., booth 1746, showcases its full line of seemee flexface and textile fabrics. From industry leading mesh, frontlit, backlit, and blockout flexface, to display, flag, canvas, and niche textiles. Whether output is solvent, UV, latex, aqueous, or dye-sublimation, Verseidag’s versatile product line offers many substrate solutions.
Zünd, booth 1179, features G3 and S3 cutter models along with a comprehensive selection of tool and material-handling options. From Prep Center, a software as a service layout tool, to Zünd Cut Center’s touchless, automated quick response code capture and robotic off-load integration, Zünd finishing solutions are geared towards total automation.
2015 Expo is a Go
The companies featured here are just a small selection of the vendors slated to exhibit at the ISA Sign Expo. For more, be sure to refer back to Digital Output’s March issue, which includes another show preview. Both the March and April editions are available in booth 2632 as well as in bins located on the show floor. Here’s to a great show!
Apr2015, Digital Output
