By Digital Output Staff
The International Sign Association (ISA) wrapped up its annual Sign Expo at the end of April. Held in Orlando, FL at the Orange County Convention Center, the 200,000 square foot sold out show floor boasted attendance rates exceeding shows past. Visitors reached into the 20,000s making it the largest ISA Sign Expo in a decade and the largest ever in Orlando, according to the organization.
Strengthen Business
At the expo, attendees were presented with the opportunity to strengthen their businesses through seminars conducted on and off the show floor, visit vendor booths, and network with peers during the show’s happy hours.
If you were fortunate enough to grab a table in the Get Lucky Pub—sponsored by Orafol Americas—you were able to experience some great real-world applications. TexturePlus provided the basic structure of the pub, which resembled a real stone wall. On the walls, Orafol created vinyl plaques with its Orajet 3954 Brick Stone Film. Decorative, printed awnings were hung outside the pub thanks to Fisher Textiles.
Hardware
Notable hardware vendors and products on the trade show floor included Agfa Graphics’ Jeti Tauro H2500 with recent enhancements, Canon Solutions America’s Océ Arizona 6160 XTS, EFI’s VUTEk LX3 Pro, Epson and the SureColor F-Series, HP Latex 330, Media One Digital Imaging exhibited the new Teleois Grande/H6, Mimaki USA, Inc. showed the TS500P-3200, Mutoh America, Inc.’s new ValueJet 1938TX and ValueJet 1638UH printers, Oki Data America’s ColorPainter M-64s with a new low MSRP, and Roland DGA Corporation’s TrueVIS VG Series printer/cutters.
A trend at the show included mid-sized organizations focused on the dedicated flatbed segment. CET Color premiered its all-new K2-Series, which includes a fixed table flatbed utilizing Kyocera printheads. Inkjet Technology, Inc. showcased its TX2512 printer, which offers a full bleed print up to 100×48.2 inches. Novus Imaging, Inc. brought its newest printer to the expo, the Ultra, a dedicated 5×10-foot UV LED flatbed made in the U.S. Vanguard Digital Printing Systems exhibited the new VK300D flatbed equipped with Kyocera greyscale printheads.
Media
Media companies were prevalent from vinyl and films, magnetic solutions, and textiles to rigid board.
Vinyl and Film
3M Commercial Graphics promoted its new 3M Controltac Print Film 40C-114R product for a variety of applications, Arlon Graphics, LLC debuted its DPF 6100XP, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions exhibited its Transparent Colored Overlaminates, Continental Grafix demonstrated panoRama CourtWrap, DreamScape introduced its Prisma! and Suede High Performance wallcovering products, Drytac showcased two versions of SpotOn designed for easy-to-apply window graphics, Newlife Magnetics exhibited its Cling-King Spider Mat, and Orafol previewed Oracal 970RA Premium Shift Effect Cast with RapidAir Technology.
Magnetic Solutions
Adams Magnetic Products showcased its MagBond Canvas magnetic-receptive canvas with a fine art finish, Magnum Magnetics Corporation announced its MuscleMag is certified for HP Latex printers, Master Magnetics, Inc. promoted its magnetic graphic system for signs and displays, and Ultraflex Systems, Inc. entered magnets with Signetics Magnetic Receptive Media.
Textiles
Fisher Textiles highlighted its DD 6788 MoJo backlit product and Top Value Fabrics demonstrated Supernova backlit fabric. Both companies’ textiles were found throughout the show floor.
Rigid Board
Encore Products showcased Brushed Aluminum Foam Board—part of the Design Boards line and Palram highlighted its Palight Premium Woodgrain.
Software
Caldera showcased Version 10 with Contour Nesting, Tex&Repeat, and PrintBoard features now included. Onyx Graphics, Inc. demonstrated its Thrive and ONYX 12 solutions. SA International highlighted a new software product, DisplayGenie, which enables users to easily design and create point of purchase (POP) and packaging products. It includes a template library filled with boxes, POP, and point of sale displays that fit most every need with little to no modification.
Next Year
The next ISA Sign Expo will be held April 19 to 22, 2017 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. We hope to see you there!
Jun2016, Digital Output
