Military Wraps has selected MACtac as the sole digital vinyl supplier for new camouflage technology designed specifically for the United States military. Combining a vinyl-adhesive process with photographic digital detailing, the camouflage technologies, known as Photo-Stealth and Photo-Real, improve the process of painted-on concealment currently employed by the U.S. military.

MACtac’s patent-pending process marks a new stage in military concealment, with the camouflage vinyl matching terrains so vividly that vehicles, weapons and equipment blend into the surrounding battlefield environment. Read the rest of this entry »

The Hampshire Chronicle News reports Sam Williams completed the ultimate conversion when he got his team of vehicle wrapping technicians to wrap two 40-foot articulated lorries, turning them into shining emblems for the England rugby team, and one of its sponsors.

Williams told the Hampshire Chronicle, “I run a specialist vehicle-wrapping business, Raccoon, based in Durley. I secured a deal to wrap two vehicles, and when they turned up they were monsters! My team worked fast, though, and got the livery onto the vehicles in a single day.” Read the rest of this entry »

Mutoh America just announced a new line of high-performance variable drop mild-solvent printers. The Blizzard series will make its debut at the SGIA in Orlando. Mutoh promises these printers offer impeccable output quality at 430 square feet an hour and can reach top speeds up to 861 square feet an hour in production mode. Read the rest of this entry »

When was the last time you saw a truly neutral black and white photograph produced on an inkjet printer? If your answer is never, Daniel Halkyard over at Wide-Format Imaging magazine challenges you to read on.

“What makes this so difficult to achieve?,” he asks. With the precision of photo editing software, monitor calibration tools, ICC color profiles and new ink technology, you would think you could just set your printer or file to black and white and produce a black and white print to rival the best of Ansel Adams.

Click here to read more and start doing fine art black and white wraps today.

An overlaminate, in its simplest term, is a transparent film used for graphic protection over other graphics such as floor, fleet, or outdoor graphics, writes Neal McChristy over at Wide-Format Imaging magazine.

“Overlaminates can not only lengthen print life in the sun by acting as a “print sunscreen,” but also have the capability to protect prints from humidity and the weather by sealing the print more securely. In floor graphic applications, overlaminates protect from scuffing and slip resistance. Specialty or performance overlaminates can also provide graffiti protection and easier cleaning, according to Jared Johnson, marketing manager, 3M Graphics Market Center.

“Overlaminates are generally required for digitally printed graphics for exterior applications,” said Johnson. “Most overlaminates have UV inhibitors in them to help extend the life of the graphic, and reduce fading of the inks. However, an overlaminate can only extend the life of the inks, so the ink formation is very important to the overall life of the graphic.”

Click here to read the rest of this article.

AdPads are  hitting the streets. What are they? High resolution, bitumen based, full color graphic images that stick to the concrete or asphalt outdoors. They can be as small as your hand or as big as a parking lot. It’s a ad strategy that’s getting hotter — and you can get in on it.

AdPads has its own thing going on, but that doesn’t stop you from offering clients vinyl floor graphics. Think out of the box. There’s so much more you can do to generate income beyond vehicle wraps and vinyl banners. Check this out for yourself. It’s a lucrative opportunity that’s right up your alley.

“I wonder what the first person thought when they heard someone was selling advertising on a bus bench? We are currently at that stage,” said Angie Sampson, president, Limetree Media. “AdPads take communication to a whole new level. They help companies get noticed and stand out from the competition by getting away from traditional advertising.”

MACtac Graphic Products is accepting entries for ‘MACtac Worldwide Awards – 2008.’ Every two years, this program highlights high-impact visual communication projects produced with MACtac pressure sensitive materials.

The contest provides a unique source of information on trends in visual communication and also promotes pressure sensitive films for the benefit of the entire industry. Entries from all over the world showcase innovative applications for the sign industry.

“The first two editions of the program were extremely successful—we received approximately 900 entries in 2004 and 1,100 entries in 2006,” said Rick Moore, director of marketing, MACtac Graphic Products. “It’s a great opportunity for companies in, or related to, the sign industry to showcase their talent and creativity.”

One winning entry within each category will receive a $3,000 cash prize. In addition to category winners, first-, second- and third-place winners in each territory will also be awarded cash prizes. For the North America region, first-place winners will receive $1,500, second-place, $1,000 and third-place, $500.

Closing date for entries is January 31, 2008. Winners will be announced in March 2008.