Roland has tweaked and upgraded its SolJet Pro III XC-540, originally released in 2006, now re-introduced as the 2008 SolJet Pro III XC-540. The printer/cutter now includes Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology, a white-ink option, the upgraded version of VersaWorks, and new media flanges for added stability.

First introduced with the SolJet XJ series, the Roland Intelligent Pass Control is a combination of firmware and software advancements plus optimized machine stability to reduce ink bleed and irregular feeding between passes. The result is smooth gradations and improved print quality and throughput while virtually eliminating banding, reports the company. While many print mode speeds remain the same as the 2006 version of the XC-540, with Intelligent Pass Control the 2008 XC-540 is now up to twice as fast in Standard print mode when printing on vinyl.

When the Discovery Channel wanted to celebrate the 20 anniversary of Shark Week in a big way, they called on EMR Graphics to help them promote their annual TV event.

You can read about Eric Rosencrantz, CEO of EMR Graphics, and his adventure wrapping a building in this Wide-Format Imaging article. It’s worth a look!

For more detailed information on how to wrap buildings, check out our e-book, Megawraps!

There’s a good overview of color management for vinyl printing over at Digital Output magazine. Here’s a little excerpt”

Fewer proofs means less ink and paper waste and a more efficient production cycle. Efficiency is also realized through predictably. Implementing color management will give you an understanding of the gamut limits of monitors and printers, essential information that pertains to which colors can be accurately reproduced and which can�” says C. David Tobie, product technology manager, Datacolor. Armed with that knowledge, you’ll minimize mistakes.

Color management systems are vital if you are working with vinyl, especially if you are doing any work with major brands that have be be johnny on the spot with the color. Check out our e-book on colors and you’ll discover everything you need to know and maybe a little more.

Gandinnovations has released a new UV-curable ink, Jeti Premium, for its Jeti flatbed printers. The inks are 100% solvent-free, include white and clear options, and offer a wider color gamut of vibrant, sharp colors, the company reports. The new inks are manufactured using lightfast pigments such as those used in the automotive industry, making them suitable for outdoor uses such as billboards, automotive decorations, and vehicle wraps.

Gandinnovations says these inks exhibit excellent flexibility and superior adhesion to substrates like polycarbonate, polystyrene, Coroplast, ABS, PVC, polyolefin, and polyester.

More advertising agencies and Fortune 500 corporations are moving towards city skylines to brand their products and kick off mega marketing campaigns in a more dramatic fashion. As billboards become more the norm, many firms are turning to building wraps and wallscapes to get their messages across to the public. According to I.T. Strategies, the outdoor building wrap market is forecast to grow at a 15 percent clip between 2006 and 2010.

Some building wraps can go beyond ten stories high depending on the size of the building. Custom sizes and shapes are another option that can also be utilized for added dramatic impact. The creative teams at these agencies realize the sky’s the limit when it comes to getting their brand message to the people driving by or walking on the streets below.

Click here to read the rest of this article in Wide-Format Imaging magazine, and be sure to pick up our e-book on megawraps.

Media manufacturers and distributors are working hard to satisfy the increased demand for wraps. Companies like 3M Graphics Market Center, Arlon Graphic Films, Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division, FELLERS, Inc., MACtac, and Oracal USA continue to add products and shape warranty terms to meet the customers’ needs.

Check out Melissa Tetreault’s article on Media that Zooms over at Digital Output magazine. And let us know: what’s your favorite vinyl media for vehicle wraps?

Vinyl substrates may seem a “dime a dozen,” with more than a hundred variation of the substrate available. But there’s good reason for the diverse landscape, according to Gretchen Peck over at Digital Output magazine. The uses and applications in demand in the wide format digital print market are equally as diverse.

What’s your favorite vinyl and why? We want to know!