There’s an inspirational story in the Memphis Business Journal about the success of local sign guys in the face of competition. It features a Fast Signs franchisee and LSI’s Mason Ezzell III.
The story tells how LSI started as a laminator and bindery business but evolved into identification, promotional products and digital printing for signage. Ezzell says his company made a big investment in large format printers when the equipment was expensive. Ezzell sees competition growing, but like his counterpart at Fast Signs, he’s not worried because of reputation and the company’s expertise in vehicle wrapping. Read the rest of this entry »

Want to see a vehicle wrap demonstrate in living color? Stop by Mutoh booth #419 at SGIA to see live vehicle wrap demonstrations presented daily by West Coast Customs, producers of MTV’s hit show “Pimp my Ride.” The wrap will be printed on Mutoh’s ValueJet 1608-64″ Hybrid with 3M Media the using Mubio inks. You don’t want to miss this one!

Nazdar SourceOne has unveiled its 2008 Digital Media selector swatch book. I haven’t seen one personally just yet, but the company’s marketing materials promise an enhanced selection of flexible and rigid wide format digital media for aqueous, solvent and UV curable inkjet printers.

Nazdar is also touting an expanded product range that includes products for a wide variety of applications such as point of purchase advertising, front and backlit exhibit display graphics, exterior banners, and vehicle wraps. Sounds promising… Read the rest of this entry »

ElevenTen Color has some good news for you. The company just announced  two new products in its Luminosity media portfolio, Ultra-Removable Adhesive Vinyl and Pressure Sensitive Laminating film.

Ultra-Removable Adhesive White Vinyl is available in 54 inch and 60 inch by 50 yard rolls. The film is compatible with Solvent and Eco-Solvent based inks and has an indoor lifespan of up to two years. The adhesive technology allows for this material to be removed and re-applied multiple times with out tools or cleaners.

This ultra-removable vinyl is a valuable tool when creating advertisements, promotions, wall graphics and trade show displays along with being ideal on painted walls, wallpaper, windows and wood paneling.

Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division in partnership with GatorWraps, Inc., and Mossy Oak will give Staff Sergeant Jacob Karl a homecoming he will never forget. SSgt. Karl was greeted with a custom vehicle wrap for his 1997 Ford F-250 truck after returning home from his third tour in Iraq.

Avery Graphics donated its popular MPI 1005 EZ RS film and DOL 1100 matte overlaminate for the truck wrap. The wrap will be custom designed with the new Mossy Oak Break-Up pattern, printed and then installed by GatorWraps at its new location in Ontario, California. MPI 1005 EZ RS is a high-quality cast vinyl film ideal for a wrap project like the one for SSgt. Karl’s truck. The wrap can be adjusted or removed without damaging the truck’s original paint.

According to Tammy Karl, SSgt. Karl’s wife, her husband has a weak spot for the Mossy Oak Break-Up pattern. She contacted GatorWraps to see if it was possible to create the special wrap for her husband in time for his homecoming. Avery Graphics, GatorWraps and Mossy Oak didn’t hesitate to grant Tammy’s request and get the project started. “Being part of this project is very exciting. We are giving back to a soldier and his wife for the sacrifices they have made for our country. Ultimately what we are doing for SSgt. Karl is very little compared to what he has done for us,” said Joel Ross, Marketing Communication Manager for Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division.

SSgt. Karl has been a U.S. Marine for almost 13 years. He has served as a recruiter and is currently in Iraq with a unit that trains Iraqi police forces. In his own words, he is doing something very important, being a part of the solution, helping Iraqis be able to stand on their own feet and live happy and safe lives in their own country. SSgt. Karl’s wife Tammy said, “I realize that he is not just our hero, fighting for our freedom and our way of life, but he is their hero too.”

The Avery Graphics wrap featuring the Mossy Oak Break-Up pattern will include a custom design by GatorWraps with the U.S. Marine Corps emblem and silhouettes of U.S. Marines. A shadow of a bull rider will symbolize SSgt. Karl’s love for the rodeo. The wrap will be completed free of charge, and the truck will be waiting for SSgt. Karl when he lands at Camp  Pendleton sometime between August and September 2008.

Looking for a quick primer on how to make a vinyl banner? There’s some fast and dirty instructions at Binkboy’s site. Click here to see the words and pictures that describe the trade.

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.