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.

Whether you create printed vehicle wraps, plotter-cut graphics and magnetic graphics, or apply pinstriping flair or create off-the-wall art cars, you’re invited to display your talents in the 2007 ST Vehicle Graphics contest.

Vehicle graphics have long been one of the most popular categories in the Commercial Sign Contest and, more recently, the International Sign Contest.

Due to their sustained popularity, ST has chosen to give vehicle graphics a spotlight of its own with this inaugural competition. To encompass the market’s broad spectrum, we’ve devised the following categories:

Hanpainted/Gilded
Pinstriped
Service Vehicles (produced for a business’ direct use)
Promotional Vehicles (marketing a product or service)
Transit Graphics (bus, subway, train, monorail)
Fleet Graphics (a campaign that decorates five or more vehicles)
Signshop Vehicles (produced for a shop’s own use)
Unique Vehicles (art cars, appliqués, other unconventional projects)

Deadline: September 14

Entry fee: On or before August 17: $25 one to three projects/$50 four or more
After August 17: $50 one to three projects/$100 four or more

The entry form will be accessible online at www.signweb.com/vehicle/contest through the deadline.

Océ just released its 2006 Sustainability Report. The latest report — the first to be verified externally — documents Océ achievements in delivering sustainable technology and environmentally sound policies.

“Environmental responsibility is a global issue, and as an international company, we are aware of our duty to make a difference around the world. We are proud to take responsibility by developing products and establishing policies that promote a healthier environment, and offer an example for other manufacturers that it is possible to be successful and sustainable,” said Joseph Skrzypczak, President and CEO, Océ North America, Inc.

The 2006 Sustainability Report details the company’s use and re-use of components, energy and water consumption, waste handling and emissions, as well as human and environmental safety. The report also contains various interviews with stakeholders about sustainability.

Océ said it is committed to reducing ozone, dust and toner emissions and aims to minimize waste and unnecessary prints. Océ is also committed to further reducing energy consumption per print. With the introduction of revolutionary Océ Gemini Instant Duplex technology-based products such as the Océ VarioPrint 6250 printer, Océ provides industry leadership in the economic use of paper toner and energy. This print system uses paper, toner and energy more economically, thanks to its double-sided print technology and efficient single-pass operation.

For many wide-format imaging companies, installation is a large and crucial part of the overall job of producing graphics, writes Jeff Steele at Wide Format Imaging magazine. In a way, he describes with an analogy, the installation aspect of servicing a client’s order can be likened to the all-important final leg of a relay race, said Charles Uyleman, director of installations for SuperGraphics.

This is a good article that discusses whether to keep vinyl installation in house or to outsource it. Click here to read the article.

Arlon has launched a new six-year high gloss vinyl: Series 5000. At 2.8 mils, this is Arlon’s thinnest calendered film, and one of the most pliable on the market. Arlon promises a premium look at an intermediate price. This vinyl is ideal for signs, graphics, or displays that demand vibrant, glossy color.
Series 5000 comes in 39 bright colors and Arlon promises excellent weeding and cutability for maximum efficiency.

Click here to visit Arlon and check it out for yourself.

A member of our community is looking for vinyl installers in New York City. He is looking for a small company or an individual to help him with several vinyl installation projects. If you are interested, leave your qualifications and contact info as a comment on this post and he will contact you.