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.”

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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.

As the summer boating season heats up, Avery Graphics is releasing an improved vinyl for wrapping boats. Consumers have entered the wrap market, having boats, cars and motorcycles personalized with images and graphics they choose.

“When we began wrapping cars, our initial customer base was large corporations with fleets and small businesses wrapping the company car,” said Mike Grillo, President of Road Rage Designs in Spring Grove, IL north of Chicago. “We have been in the wrap and wide-format market for 15 years and have seen a surge in consumers having their personal boats, cars and trucks wrapped.”

MPI 1800 EZ is a glossy cast vinyl film that now features Avery Dennison’s Easy Apply Technology making it easier to apply to gelcoats and fiberglass surfaces.

“Applying boat wraps with MPI 1800 EZ is now even easier,” said Lance Hutt, Global Product Manager for Digital Products, Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division. “MPI 1800 EZ is the ideal solution for marine watercraft that require permanent long-term adhesion and premium print performance.”

Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division has released an improved MPI Premium Reflective Film with consistent, repeatable print performance across all printer platforms and coverage under the Avery ICS Performance Guarantee Warranty.

“The MPI Premium Reflective Film has been upgraded and delivers excellent print quality with solvent, eco-solvent and UV-curable ink jet printers,” said Lance Hutt, Manager of Digital Products at Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division. “This is a premium reflective cast film with a brilliant gloss finish that is digitally printable and conforms to the most difficult contours.”

Avery Dennison’s Graphics & Reflective Products Division is busy putting together vehicle wrapping seminars. Avery is partnering with its distributors nationwide to hold the official Avery Graphics Easy Apply Vehicle Wrap Seminars.

“Vehicle wrapping is growing by leaps and bounds. The industry started with corporations wrapping their fleets and trucks. Today, consumers are having graphics created and installed on their vehicles to reflect their personal styles,” says Joel Ross, Marketing Communications Manager at Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division.

“We partnered with our distributors and professional installers to offer printers and sign shops an opportunity to learn the tips and tricks of wrap installation from the experts,” he continues.

Professional installers from two of the countries’ premier vehicle wrap companies, SkinzWraps and A.P.E.Wraps.com, will demonstrate how to apply Avery Graphics Easy Apply RS Film and provide hands-on instruction to attendees. Distributors invite their customers from digital printers, sign shops and restylers to attend the one-day vehicle wrap seminars.

Attendees receive a free sample roll of Avery Graphics MPI 1005 EZ RS and DOL 1000 in addition to application tools and valuable coupons for first-purchase discounts. The fee for the one-day seminar is usually $199.

For more information, printers can contact their Avery Dennison sales associate, local distributor or the AnswerLine at 800-443-9380. Information on Avery Graphics products is also available online at www.averygraphics.com.