10 Steps to Menu Board Magic

www.graphicsystems.com Admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:24:00 GMT

An effective menu board design utilizes the idea that less is more. All too often, graphics are over designed and the images are heavily propped. This approach convolutes the message and jeopardizes the effectiveness of the menu board campaign.

A well-designed menu board will include the following design criteria:

Close cropped, high quality photography.
Back lighting the menu board graphics, this creates an immediate focal point.
Minimal propping in and around the product being sold.
Size of each graphic should be at least 24” sq. or larger.
Price points incorporated into the product graphic helps speed up the transaction.
Combo offerings sell more product.
Utilizing today’s digital design you can compliment virtually any architectural environment by incorporating common design elements (i.e. colors, textures, etc).
Photographic reproduction of the graphics is still the highest quality, most consistent imaging technology available today.
Light box or illuminator design should be minimal (black always offers a nice contrast). Surrounds can be fabricated when common architectural elements are desired.
DDS (Dynamic Digital Signage) can be an effective enhancement to a static menu board environment. DDS offers moving stills, video, and the ability to easily switch out pricing across a large circuit of locations. That said, static graphics (e.g., Duratrans) still offer the most cost effective and consumer friendly method of communicating your offerings in a time sensitive fashion.

Whether you are a fast food operation, a concession operation at a movie theatre, a theme park, or other places of assembly…making it easy for the consumer to make a buying decision is paramount in increasing capita per visit by creating a fast, non confusing offering of your products.

There are many more considerations to developing the most effective menu board campaign for your specific application. Click here to request more information regarding menu board solutions.

New Fixturing Product - ZipLine™

Marty Kauls — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:29:00 GMT

Rose Displays recently introduced the ZipLine™ graphic hanging system. The ZipLine™ is a hanging system that has 60” of cable that is adjustable in 3” increments, making it easy to change the height of your graphics. Just push the release button on the side of the ZipLine™ to lengthen or shorten the cable.

The stock finish of ZipLine™ is off white so that it matches most standard grid ceilings, other colors are available – call or email us for more info.

Key Features:

Cables adjust easily in approximately 3” increments, up to 60” in length.
Easy to attach and reposition on standard grid ceilings.
Secure loop design ensures graphics are held safely.
Use with hole-punched graphics to save money, or with graphic holders for a more upscale look.

Here is a short video showing how to load and adjust graphics into the ZipLine™ Graphic Hanging System.

Please Note: Two ZipLines are recommended per graphic. ZipLines are compatible with standard and recessed grid, Spider™Track, and Tile Divider.

Contact me at marty@graphicsystems.com or click here for more information regarding the ZipLine™ Graphic Hanging System.

We Are Now A Qualified G7 Master Printer!

Marty Kauls — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:36:00 GMT

It’s official - Graphic Systems, Inc. is now a qualified G7 Master Printer!

What is G7?

G7 is a method for managing color across multiple devices – it guarantees that color will visually match throughout the production process – from proof to print. G7 was developed by IDEAlliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) and the GRACoL Committee (General Requirements and Applications for Commercial Offset Lithography). According to The G7 Specification 2008 document, G7 is “a specification that defines the factors that can be used to provide consistent gray scale reproduction across multiple devices, processes, and media.”

The IDEAlliance Web site states that “G7® specifies the components of an image that define a similar "visual appearance" to the human eye. To do this, the G7 Method:

Defines a colormetric definition for gray balance
Specifies gray balance in the midtones, image weight and image contrast from the highlights to the shadows which are the factors that determine likeness of the visual appearance of an image”

What is a G7 Master Printer?

A G7 Master Printer is a printer that has passed all of the testing, training, and all evaluations required by IDEAlliance and GRACoL for this qualification. In other words, we are now qualified to deliver consistent color according to IDEAlliance’s G7 specifications.

What Does this Mean for our Customers?

Being a qualified G7 Master Printer means that:

Our customers are getting the very best color management available at this time – your proof and your prints will match.
Faster turnarounds and less material waste, as the G7 process reduces file preparation time and waste.
We will be able to match prints produced by other G7 Master Printers.

Contact me at marty@graphicsystems.com or click here for more information regarding our status as qualified G7 Master Printer.

Graphic Systems, Inc. on Social Media

Marty Kauls — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:33:00 GMT

Connect with Graphic Systems on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Delicious and join the conversation. We would love to hear from you!

Connect with us on Facebook

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Watch our YouTube channel

Follow what we are reading on Delicious

Finally, our blog's RSS feed

Please Note: I will be periodically updating this post as we add other social media channels. Be sure to check back.

What We’re Reading For The Week of February 22 – 26 2010

Marty Kauls — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:46:00 GMT

Here are some graphics industry related articles from around the Web that we came across this week:

SGIA Backs G7 as the Preferred Color Control Method for Screen and Wide-Format Digital Printing
Author: Wide Format Imaging
SGIA is now backing G7 Color Control. Coincidentally, we will have an announcement regarding G7 very soon…

Colorful World
Author: Dan Marx of the SGIA Blog
A nice post on how digital printing technology has changed the printing industry. Good thing to keep in mind.

HP Bans Export of Non-Working Electronics to Developing Countries
Author: Gail Nickel-Kailing of What They Think Going Green Blog
It is nice to see a business make a stand on this issue. Hopefully, there will be more that follow…

A Resource for Today’s Green Business - Reading List
Author: What They Think Going Green Blog
A handy list of books for businesses wanting to go green.

New Product: Active Wall™ Magnetic Receptive Primer

Marty Kauls — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:54:00 GMT

Last month, we began experimenting with Active Wall™ Magnetic Receptive Primer, which is made by MagnaMagic and distributed by Xcel Products. It is very similar to a traditional primer. Once dry, Active Wall™ can be painted over with regular wall paint. Like Xcel’s Visual Magnetics Magnetic Receptive Media (Visual Magnetics – which I wrote about here), Active Wall™ allows users to easily apply their graphics (we print on Xcel’s Invisilock™ double-sided magnet with our Durst Rho UV printers) directly to treated walls without adhesives or traditional graphic holders, making this an ideal solution for long-term wall graphic applications. It also makes changing out graphics quick and easy.

We tested Active Wall™ in our facility by painting a wall with three coats of the magnetic primer (the manufacturer states that one gallon yields approximately 100 -ft²). Once this dried, we painted it over Active Wall™ with standard latex paint. We were able to hang our magnetic graphics onto the treated wall with ease. Active Wall™ was also able to hold up multiple layered graphics without any slipping. To say that we were impressed with Active Wall™ Magnetic Receptive Primer is an understatement!

Contact me at marty@graphicsystems.com or click here to request more for more information regarding Active Wall™ Magnetic Receptive Primer.

What We’re Reading For The Week of February 8 – 12 2010

Marty Kauls — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:13:00 GMT

Here are some (mostly) graphics industry related articles from around the Web from this week that we found interesting:

Print Service Providers Are Going Social!
Author: Barb Pellow of What they Think
A very insightful post about several printing companies and their adoption of social media.

Resisting The Road Map of Change
Author: Howie Fenton of Graphic Arts Online
Mr. Fenton writes about those who “get” the changes currently affecting the graphics industry (and every other industry for that matter) versus those who don’t. It will be interesting to see how these changes play out over the next few years… Perhaps a reading The Cluetrain Manifesto is in order for those that don’t...

Plugin’ in to the Creative Suite
Author: Chris Main of Layers Magazine Blog
A comprehensive list of plug-in for the Adobe CS4 Creative Suite – very helpful! A great resource.

The Customer CAN Handle the Truth
Author: Gerry McGovern of Customer Carewords®
Not necessarily graphics related, but a common sense plea to honesty in business.

Why We Jumped into the UV Screen Printing Pool

Marty Kauls — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:04:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, I came across Darren Gapen’s blog post UV Printing: Can You Afford Not to Make the Investment? on his blog on the PIWorld site. In his post, Mr. Gapen pondered the question of purchasing UV printing equipment and asked if printers could afford to not take the UV printing plunge. His blog post resonated with me because we were faced with those same questions nine years ago.

In 2001, we were primarily known in the printing industry as a large-format photographic printer. We were printing with Durst Lambda digital photographic printers in addition to traditional photographic printing with negatives and enlargers. The industry at that time was in a in a state of flux – it seemed like our niche was going to move towards ink jet based printing, but we were not sure if it would settle on solvent or UV inks. In a fortunate stroke of serendipity, Durst informed us that they would be introducing their first UV digital screen printing press – the Rho 160. We were able to get a preview and see some samples produced by this machine. We were impressed enough to take the plunge – we purchased one of the first Rho 160s in the US.

It took us several weeks to get the Rho 160 integrated into our production flow, but once we did, it slowly but surely began to change our business – for the better. We could now offer our clients new products and services produced more efficiently and economically. As we began to experiment with the Rho, we began to realize that we could also begin producing brand new products as well. We installed two more Rho 160s within six months of our first installation. Over the next few years, we added two Rho 351s, a Rho 600, and two Rho 800s. We are now running seven UV digital screen-printing machines around the clock.

Adding UV digital screen-printing capabilities was more than just a good move for us – it was transformative. UV printing allowed us to enter markets that had previously been closed off from us, in addition to giving us a whole new set of products to offer our clients. We went from competing against other photographic printers to contending against screen printers. Most importantly, UV printing helped us move into the realm of green printing. A quick word on the environmental benefits of UV printing:

UV inks are environmentally friendly because UV ink printers don’t emit volatile organic carbon compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted by traditional solvent-based screen printing inks. UV inks have three major green benefits:

UV inks are healthier for the employees working around these machines.
UV inks use less energy to print, because the ink is dried as it is printed – the inks do not require the lengthy drying period that solvent-based inks do.
UV ink is easily liberated from the substrate when the substrate is pulped; it does not permanently stain the substrate fibers (like traditional printing does), allowing for better greater yield with material recycling.

Reading Mr. Gapen’s post reminded me how far we have come in the last nine years. In reflection, I think that had we not jumped into the UV screen-printing pool, our business would be struggling or we would be out of business completely. With that in mind, I do not know how any large-format printing company could not afford to add UV printing to their repertoire. I understand that each company’s circumstance is different, but for Graphic Systems, the advent of UV printing was a significant game changer as the move from traditional photographic printing to digital photographic printing. For us, there is no going back. We wouldn’t want to.

Green Product Update - ACT II Recycled Fabric

Marty Kauls — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:31:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the addition of ACT II Recycled and Renewable fabric to our line of environmentally friendly products. ACT II is part of Aurora Specialty Textiles Group’s Weaves of Green® fabric collection. This fabric is composed of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, which gives this fabric a real, positive impact on the waste stream and our environment. The fiber source for ACT II fabric is recycled plastic drinking bottles.

ACT II Fabric is a plain weave, 7.5 oz fabric with a canvas-like texture. It’s been scoured and heat set for direct, UV cure digital printing. It’s available in 60” and 120” widths, making it an ideal fabric for most large format printing needs.

Key Features:

Made from 100% post consumer polyester.
Source of polyester is clear plastic drink bottles.
Perfect for in store graphics, banners, POP displays and signs.
Also well suited for short term outdoor signs (6 months).

We can usually have this material in house with in 3 – 4 working days. Contact me directly for a sample of our printing on this product at marty@graphicsystems.com, click here for more information, or give me a call at 800-235-0387.

New Product: Wincos UV Custom Designed Glass Film

Marty Kauls — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:40:00 GMT

Last fall, we began testing Wincos UV Custom Designed Glass Film, which is made by the Lintec Corporation. Wincos UV Glass Film is a UV ink receptive, optically clear polyester film that is an excellent solution for window graphics. It can also be used on any transparent glass surface, such as doors, skylights, glass dividers – basically any glass surface.

The transparency of this product is really quite remarkable; it is truly optically clear. The test graphics we produced and applied to our windows looked like the graphics were hanging in mid-air. The ability of this product to create optical illusion effects such as waterfalls, exotic gardens, landscapes, and directional queues is ideal for creating a visual impact that will pull people into your store. Wincos UV Glass Film is also ideal for increasing store banding – you can put your logo, promotional images, basically any image or text onto a glass surface.

We were also impressed with its ease of installation. Wincos UV Glass Film is easily installed on a pre-cleaned glass surface with water and a squeegee. We created a simple, five-step set of instructions and a companion video of an installation of this product. Installing Wincos UV Glass Film is a snap!

We are always exploring new materials to print on, but its not often that we truly get excited about them – in this case, Wincos UV Custom Designed Glass Film is an exception. It is an impressive product that we are proud to add to our arsenal of materials that we can offer our clients. Contact me directly for a sample of our printing on this product at marty@graphicsystems.com, leave a message below, or give me a call at 800-235-0387.

Digital File Preparation Tips Pt. 2: Prepping CMYK Files for Digital Screen Press Output

Marty Kauls — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:44:00 GMT

In this, the second part of our two part series on digital file preparation, I will focus on the proper set up for CMYK files for output on our digital screen press devices (Durst Rho digital screen presses). This information is very similar to our previous post on preparing files for RGB output. The differences are subtle, but very important. Make sure that you are setting up your files for the proper output device or the final product will be less than satisfactory.

Image Preparation: Images should be saved as CMYK TIFF or EPS files at 100 - 150 dpi final size. For example, if a 10x10 InDesign document needs to be output at 400%, the placed image file needs to be 40x40 at 100 dpi or equivalent.

Program Support: InDesign up to CS4, Illustrator up to CS4, and Photoshop up to CS4.

Filename Extension: Ensure filenames are properly updated in all layouts. Please include appropriate extensions (for example, filename.eps).

Layout Accuracy: Provide one accurate and fully updated color copy of each layout for proofing and placement checking purposes. If discrepancies exist between hard copy and supplied digital files, indicate and initial changes.

Color Matching: Include Pantone® numbers or their equivalents for all solid colors. For continuous tone images, provide a hard copy or a sample that is color accurate.

Bleed: Include .25” bleed on all jobs that require mounting or die cutting.

Fonts: Always supply all font suitcases, including both screen and printer fonts. Whenever possible, convert type to outlines.

PC Files: Please follow these guidelines for file creation on a PC:

Illustrator - convert text to outlines and save as an EPS file
Photoshop - render text, do not use text layer files, and include all elements associated with the file (for example, vector graphics and image files)

InDesign: When creating layouts in InDesign, the maximum document width is 216”, making it easier and more accurate to create large layouts at 100% size.

Illustrator: When creating layouts in Illustrator, use a minimum document size of 25% of the final size. Include all linked images. Save files as AI format. Convert strokes to outlined paths on all vector artwork and text. Important - convert all fonts to outline.

Logos: For best results, supply all logos as VECTOR files from Illustrator, not as raster files such as PhotoShop EPS, JPEG, GIF, or TIFF.

If you have any questions regarding digital file preparation (or anything else) shoot me an email at marty@graphicsystems.com or leave a comment below. I will get back to you ASAP.

Digital File Preparation Tips Pt. 1: Prepping RGB Files for Digital Photographic Output

Marty Kauls — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Getting your digital files to print correctly does not have to be a frustrating endeavor; you just have to make sure that your files are correctly prepared. Over the next two blog posts, I will describe file preparation tips for RGB (digital photographic) and CMYK (digital screen) output. I am splitting this topic into two posts because we output to both RGB and CMYK devices (Durst Lambda and Durst Rho, respectively), both of which have different requirements. This post will focus on preparing RGB files for photographic output.

Image Preparation: Images should be saved as RGB TIFF or EPS files at 200 dpi final size (a minimum of 100 dpi). For example, if a 10x10 InDesign document needs to be output at 400%, the placed image file needs to be 40x40 at 100 dpi or equivalent.

Program Support: InDesign up to CS4, Illustrator up to CS4, and Photoshop up to CS4.

Filename Extension: Ensure filenames are properly updated in all layouts. Please include appropriate extensions (for example, filename.eps).

Layout Accuracy: Provide one accurate and fully updated color copy of each layout for proofing and placement checking purposes. If discrepancies exist between hard copy and supplied digital files, indicate and initial changes.

Color Matching: Include Pantone® numbers or their equivalents for all solid colors. For continuous tone images, provide a hard copy or a sample that is color accurate.

Bleed: Include .25” bleed on all jobs that require mounting or die cutting.

Fonts: Always supply all font suitcases, including both screen and printer fonts. Whenever possible, convert type to outlines.

PC Files: Please follow these guidelines for file creation on a PC:

Illustrator - convert text to outlines and save as an EPS file.
Photoshop - render text, do not use text layer files, and include all elements associated with the file (for example, vector graphics and image files).

Stay tuned - our next post will focus on setting up files for CMYK output.

Happy Holidays from Graphic Systems, Inc.

Marty Kauls — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:00:00 GMT

We will be closed December 24th, 25th, and January 1st.
As always, you can contact us at 1-800-235-0387, email us at sales@graphicsystems.com, visit us on the web
at www.graphicsystems.com, or leave a comment below.

New Fixturing Product - GS Snaprail

Marty Kauls — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:40:00 GMT

GS Snaprails are poster mounting backbones with a bottom-feed feature for quick sign changing.

Key Features:

Ideal for large signage.
Reusable, great for long term signage programs.
Friction bar holds slippery sign materials fast.
Rounded toe on swinging door skims over delicate sign stocks, reducing crumpling and scratching of your printed material.

Note: Stock colors are black, clear, white, or silver PVC. 1” high x 1/4” wide. Five stock lengths available, from 22” to 72”.

Media: Use on sign materials from .005” to .070” thick. For Varied Sign Stock Usage. Works especially well on soft, flexible and slippery poly stocks. Works on styrene, Tyvek™, soft vinyl, nylon, aqueous coated papers, sheet poly and card stocks.

Product Codes:
SP'R-22 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-24 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-36 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-48 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-72 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver

Price: Click here for pricing information.

Click here to request more information about our line of graphic holders.

New Fixturing Product - SaverStand

Marty Kauls — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:41:00 GMT

Graphic Systems is pleased to introduce the SaverStand, its proprietary, high impact, and freestanding graphic display! The SaverStand has an eye catching elliptical shape and is printed single or double sided onto cardstock with UV inks – making it 100% recyclable. It comes in two standard sizes (27” x 60” & 19” x 35”) as well as custom sizes. SaverStand can also be customized with die cut headers and brochure holders.

This unique display assembles in less than a minute without any tools and can be broken down just as easily. It ships in its own lightweight shipping box that folds flat for easy and economical direct shipments. SaverStand is a great way to economically display your POP graphics.

Key Features:

100% Recyclable.
Economical.
Customizable.
Easily assembled.

Price: Click here for pricing information.

Note: UV inks on cardstock. Individual shipping available.

Media: UV inks on cardstock.

Click here to request more information.

Green Product Update – BioBoard™

Marty Kauls — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Graphic Systems is pleased to announce the addition BioBoard™ to our growing line of environmentally friendly products. It is specifically designed for the printing industry and is the perfect replacement for most types of foam boards commonly used for large-format printing.

BioBoard™ offers the benefits of traditional sheet material and is extremely lightweight due to the special core properties. BioBoard™ can be easily cut, joined, and drilled with traditional tools and fasteners. Its lightweight enables large sheets to be easily maneuvered and carried by one person.

Key Features:

BioBoard™ can take the place of any foam core product.
Excellent Printability single or double sided.
Approximately 63% post consumer waste content.
100% Recyclable, and is made in the USA.

Thicknesses: 7mm, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”

Sheet Sizes: 4’ x 8’, 4’ x 10’ and 5’ x 8’

Click here to request more information.

Graphic Systems in The Big Picture Magazine

Marty Kauls — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:16:00 GMT

We are featured in the October issue of The Big Picture Magazine in an article about wide-format printers who do package prototyping. Our section of the article has been published on The Big Picture Website. You can find the article here: http://bigpicture.net/content/putting-digital-packaging-graphic-systems-inc

Graphic Solutions: Wall Coverings

Marty Kauls — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:28:00 GMT

Wall coverings offer many advantages over traditional wall mounted graphics, the most important of which is their ability to create complete environments. They enhance the spaces in which they are used, helping to connect the brand message to the viewer by immersing them in the graphic’s message. Wall coverings also offer several other advantages.

Wall coverings are fully customizable. We can print any image you desire directly onto wall covering materials – from logos, product shots, to program themes. The sky is the limit.
Wall coverings can be printed on demand. They are the perfect solution for store rollouts.
Wall coverings can be used for temporary or permanent applications. We use removable adhesives for temporary installations and vinyl-to-vinyl adhesives for permanent installations.

We have found the Dreamscape’s Textured Wall Wraps to be one of the best wall covering products that we have tested and used at Graphic Systems. It is a textured vinyl media with excellent hiding power and the ability to reduce glare and light reflection superior to any other material available today.

Textured Wall Wrap material is more than twice as durable and four times as thick as other peel and stick films, so they won’t stretch out of form or shrink during installation. Its 13mil thickness coupled with its unique, textured surface helps Dreamscape Textured Wall Wraps mask imperfections in walls and display substrates.

This material meets our standards for textured materials that enhance image impact and color, depth, dimension and durability. It works perfectly with our Durst Rho UV digital screen presses.

Dreamscape Textured Wall Wrap material is available in over a dozen textures. The wall coverings with removable adhesives are Caviar and Monet. Caviar is a fine pebble surface and Monet replicates a textured fabric weave. Additionally, these materials have outstanding adhesion capabilities for any installation where easy application and repositioning are required. Textured Wall Wraps are perfect for wall graphics, trade show displays, wide format murals, point of purchase displays, and signage, particularly in short to mid-term applications where images need to be changed frequently and efficiently.

To protect wall coverings, we recommend Dreamscape’s DreamGUARD Protex3 Clear Liquid Topcoat, which provides extreme scratch and abrasion resistance. It also keeps wall coverings from cracking and makes cleaning a cinch!

Click here to request more information.

New Fixturing Product - StretchFrame™

Marty Kauls — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:37:00 GMT

Graphic Systems now carries StretchFrame™, the frameless graphic display. StretchFrame™ takes your images “to the edge”, eliminating the conventional “framed in” look. Your images are printed onto environmentally friendly fabrics using UV inks, and are retained by a simple, invisible and easy-to-use perimeter tensioning feature. This innovative fame eliminates acrylic faces, reduces shipping weight, and cost. The result—your graphics have greatly-enhanced visual impact, using a simple, economical, and eco-friendly system.

StrecthFrame™ is available in all popular sizes, custom sizes, and in “mega” sizes. It can be made in virtually any size, but the practical size limit is 10’ by any dimension.

Key Features:

Eliminates the “framed in” look.
Lightweight.
Environmentally friendly.
Economical.

NOTE: Constructed out aluminum and plastic.

MEDIA: Works with most printable fabrics.

Click here to request more information.

Graphic Systems Now Has a Metropolitan Optical Ethernet Connection

Marty Kauls — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:56:00 GMT

Are you tired of slow speeds when uploading files to our FTP server? We know that we were! That’s why we finally solved that problem by upgrading our Internet connection to a MOE, or Metropolitan Optical Ethernet via our IP provider ipHouse. It has drastically increased our upload and download speeds!

Our MOE connection runs at speeds over 5 Mbps, allowing us to send and receive files quickly. This means less time waiting around for you! Our MOE also allows us to co-locate some of our servers offsite – allowing for greater security for your files.

Key Features:

Speeds over 5 Mbps.
Less time to upload/download files.
Greater redundancy – more security for files.

Green Product Update – DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia

Marty Kauls — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:28:00 GMT

We are now printing on DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia! This material represents a sustainable solution for wide format printing—delivering a rich, velvety finish that’s easy to print, with excellent drapeability and durability. Resembling scrimless vinyl, yet more luxurious to the touch, DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia combines the trusted performance of DuPont™ Tyvek® print media with a proprietary coating developed by DuPont to deliver superior print quality, drapeability and flexibility in wide format applications. Just as with traditional Tyvek®, Tyvek® Vivia can also be recycled at centers that recycle flexible high density polyethylene products—a meaningful advantage for today’s environmentally-sensitive printers.

DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia has a soft, fabric-like drape with subtle substance that allows it to hang exceptionally well. In addition, it has low memory which helps resist creases, curls and wrinkles for an appearance that continues to look like new. It also has excellent UV inkjet and screen printability along with all the benefits of traditional Tyvek® print media. This unique balance of properties makes DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia an excellent choice for most wide format applications.

Key Features:

Recyclable.
Soft, velvety finish.
Low memory – resists creases, curls, and wrinkles.

Click here to request more information or give us a call at 800-235-0387 or email us at sales@graphicsystems.com.

Update to the Post on Digital Printing on Magnetic Receptive Media

Marty Kauls — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:05:00 GMT

We have added time-lapse video of the installation of Xcel Product’s Visual Magnetics magnetic receptive media to the original blog post (found here: http://blog.graphicsystems.com/graphic-systems-blog/bid/9896/Digital-Printing-on-Magnetic-Receptive-MediaDigital-Printing-on-Magnetic-Receptive-Media) and to this entry.

The actual installation took a little over an hour. The video has been sped up to show the complete installation in 90 seconds.

Indoor Floor and Carpet Graphics

Marty Kauls — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:40:00 GMT

Floor graphics take retail graphics to a new level by putting graphics directly on the floor near the items being advertised! Floor graphics amplify your marketing message while using a previously underutilized advertising area – the floor! We currently offer two floor graphic options: indoor floor graphics and carpet graphics.

Indoor Floor Graphics

Our traditional indoor floor graphic material of choice is FLEXmark®V 400 F White Opaque A-109 90 PFW base film coupled with their FLEXmark®OV 600 Frosty Clear Safari V-29 71B PMO-8 overlaminate. While indoor floor advertising is ideal for attracting heavy foot traffic, it must also endure the associated wear and tear to be completely effective throughout the life of the graphic. This product system meets all of the graphic and functional requirements. The adhesive provides an exceptional bond to most indoor floor surfaces, and maintains clean removability up to 180 days from installation. It also meets industry standards for non-slip performance.

Our experience with this product has shown us that it withstands abrasion from heavy foot traffic, floor buffers, chemicals, waxes, solvents, and wax strippers. It also meets ASTM non-slip standards. The adhesive holds the graphic in place, and is easily and cleanly removable once the promotion is over. For the longest-term use of your indoor floor advertisements, this product is the guaranteed choice!

Key Features:

White opaque vinyl provides excellent whiteness for cover-up of floor surface colors.
Film is designed for durability and removability up to 180 days following installation.
Removable pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive bonds well to waxed commercial PVC tile, ceramic tile, sealed concrete and linoleum.
Excellent printability with UV inks.

Indoor Carpet Advertising System

We recommend FLEXmark®V 400 F White Opaque A-120 90 PFW base film and FLEXmark®OV 650 R Clear Velvet V-29 71B PMO-8 overlaminate for indoor carpet graphics. While indoor carpet advertising is ideal for attracting heavy foot traffic, it must also endure the associated wear and tear to be completely effective throughout the life of the graphic. FLEXcon’s product system ensures application success with complete satisfaction. This product system provides an exceptional bond to many indoor low pile carpet surfaces, maintains clean removability up to 6 months from installation, and meets industry standards for non-slip performance (ASTM D 2047). For the longest-term use of your indoor carpet advertisements, FLEXcon’s Indoor Carpet Graphics Product System is the guaranteed choice.

Key Features:

Thicker gauge and embossed velvet finish minimizes wrinkling and endures heavy foot traffic when applied to an indoor carpet surface.
Film exceeds industry standards for non-slip performance (ASTM D 2047), when used as the overlaminate with FLEXmark®V 400 F.
3.5 mil flexible white opaque vinyl film that resists tearing and abrasion.
Excellent printability with UV inks.
Flexible white opaque vinyl provides excellent cover-up for indoor low pile carpet.
Removable pressure-sensitive adhesive is designed to bond well to indoor low-pile commercial grade, stain resistant or non-stain resistant carpet.
Graphic will remain intact for the life of the promotion and still be cleanly removable at the end of promoting up to 6 months after installation.

In addition to indoor floor and carpet graphics, we are also testing new products that allow for outdoor floor graphic applications. These products will be covered in future blog posts.

Click here to request more information or give us a call at 800-235-0387 or email us at sales@graphicsystems.com.

Case Study: A Custom Graphic Solution for Sunglass Hut

Marty Kauls — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:34:00 GMT

At Graphic Systems, we pride ourselves on our ability to find custom solutions to fit our clients needs, whether it’s creating custom graphic effects or finding ways to print specialized graphic promotions quickly and economically. Earlier this year, Sunglass Hut put us to the test by asking us to create a version of a Prada graphic that could be produced at a lower cost, in large quantities, and with a quick turnaround time.

The prototype consisted of a piece of .125 clear acrylic with multiple layers of vinyl that were applied to the back of the acrylic. It also had hand cut gold foil applied to different areas of the image to give it a unique “printed on gold” visual effect. Sunglass Hut was pleased with the prototype but wanted to produce the graphic quickly and cost effectively, which was when they challenged us to find a more effective way to produce this graphic.

We readily accepted the challenge! Our first step was to create a team to work on the project from inception to completion, ensuring the consistency and quality of the project. Once assembled, our Prada team analyzed the prototype and began working on a solution that would allow us to reproduce the graphic quickly and efficiently.

They explored several different printing options including: screen printing, testing multiple substrates, and using white ink. After several days of research and testing, our team found a solution. They would:

Remove the “gold” areas from the digital image file so that those areas would not print on the graphic.
Reverse print the graphic on our two Durst Rho 800 printers on clear .020 and .125 PETG.
Apply white ink behind the image (minus the “gold” areas).
Apply a thin layer of gold foil to the back of the PETG so that the gold foil was visible through the clear areas of the graphic, creating the desired “printed on gold” effect. This also eliminated the need for hand cutting and applying the foil.

There was also an unintended positive side effect to our prototyping: printing on .020 PETG would allow us to roll the graphics for shipping, thus significantly reducing Sunglass Hut’s shipping costs! We sent our prototype to the client to get their input.

Sunglass Hut loved our solution and gave permission to proceed with the project. We ended up producing several versions of the graphic as well as managing the production of related graphics by other printers that were used for this promotion. We also managed the distribution of all the graphics via our online Promotions Management Program, ensuring that the correct graphics got to the correct locations.

The result of this exercise was that we were able to value engineer a complex graphic that met Sunglass Hut’s expectations quickly and efficiently, as well as managing the production and distribution of their entire Prada promotion.

Sunglass Hut/Prada Job Overview:

Quantity – 1525.
Sizes – 38” x 84”, 30x72, and 10x14.
Material – .020 and .125 PETG.
Print process – Reverse printed on our Durst Rho 800 using UV inks – 6 color plus 2 levels of white.
Finishing – Gold foil backer.
Shipping – Rolled and tubed.

Click here to request more information or give us a call at 800-235-0387 or email us at sales@graphicsystems.com

Digital Printing on Magnetic Receptive Media

Marty Kauls — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:56:00 GMT

Advances in large-format commercial imaging technology must address a range of factors – from image quality to the user interface, from media handling to print speed – to satisfy an increasingly sophisticated customer and an increasingly demanding market. With the right printer, a commercial imager can take on the most challenging and creative new applications.

For example, when national U.S. retailer Wilsons Leather needed dramatic wall-sized in-store images that could be changed quickly and easily to reflect seasonal changes in its product line, Graphic Systems of Minneapolis matched an innovative new magnetic-receptive media with its Durst Rho 351R UV inkjet grand-format printer to deliver a highly effective solution.

The process began last fall at the SGIA trade show. Representatives from Graphic Systems saw a new magnetic-based substrate developed by Xcel Products. Soon after, the print buyer from Wilsons Leather toured Graphic Systems and described its plans for new Wilsons concept stores, to be decorated with several 8x10-foot murals. The buyer said the murals, in addition to being visually striking, needed to be easy to change out on a quarterly basis.

Marty Kauls, Graphic Systems’ Vice President of Marketing, says a quantity of magnetic backing and magnetic-receptive media were ordered from Xcel, and a fashion image was received from Wilsons Leather. Tests were run in January. The performance of the Rho 351R’s precision media handling system and Quadro™ Array print head technology resulted in an image that fully met Wilsons Leather’s needs. In less than an hour, a Graphic Systems team mounted the magnetic backing to a wall and the image to the backing. That success led to an “official” test at Wilsons Leather headquarters (also in Minneapolis), and later to implementation in several stores.

“The magnetic media system from Xcel is an excellent product,” Kauls says. “Just as important to the success of this project, however, was our Rho 351R, which accurately fed the media through and printed on it flawlessly. It isn’t an automatic thing to be able to print effectively on magnetic sheets. But we’ve done work for Wilsons Leather before – and they know they can expect creative solutions, professional execution and quality printing from our team and from our equipment.”

Media handling was a critical aspect of printing the Wilsons Leather images. The Rho 351R comes equipped with innovative brush-stretch rollers and a tension regulation device to transport even the thinnest fabrics precisely and crease-free through the printing process. Printing also is enhanced by the Rho 351R’s precise registration for accurate two-sided printing, dual media roll loading positions and motorized roll take-up unit.

The printer’s ability to lay down quality images acceptable to Wilsons Leather onto the magnetic-receptive media opened the door to the many advantages the substrate system offers. For example, the printed media can be rolled up, placed in tubes and shipped more easily, safely and inexpensively than images printed on rigid material. While initial installation of the backing requires some expertise and a strong adhesive, the subsequent image change-outs can be handled by store employees – who simply line up the edge of magnetic-receptive image to the backing and unroll it. If the image is crooked, the employees simply roll it back up, reposition it and try again.

Steve Reudelsterz, an account executive at Graphic Systems, says Wilsons Leather originally was considering images on pressure-sensitive vinyl, changed out by professional crews at individual concept stores. “But we thought the magnetic system would be the perfect solution for what they were trying to accomplish, and it’s worked out extremely well.”

Reprinted courtesy of Durst Image Technology U.S., LLC.