April 2016

The Premier Source for the Visual Communications Industry

2016 Best of the Best: Top Shops & Reader's Choice Top Products

Behind the scenes of WFS’ Top Shop: Coloredge PrintingNews.com/12183347

ISA Showstoppers Pg 29 | Driving Business with Automotive Dealerships Pg 24

For more information, visit PrintingNews.com/10006791

April 2016 | Table of Contents

Features

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Top Shops 2016: It’s Crunch Time Economic uncertainties, a focus on margins, and an ever-consolidating industry force the top shops to examine their businesses and dig in for the long haul. By Denise M. Gustavson

20

2016 Top Products Winners This year, we have a strong line-up of winning products—as voted on by the members of the visual communications industry. Compiled by Denise M. Gustavson

22

24

Regulatory Changes for 2016: Two Concerns for PSPs

Above: Coloredge created all of Kiehls’ digital signage animations, which are new and refreshed every month.

Last June, the Supreme Court rendered a verdict that may have an impact on sign codes nationwide. By Richard Romano

4

Market Opportunities: Driving the Business

42

Automotive dealerships are a great segment to court. By Toni McQuilken

29

On the Cover In July 2015, Identity Signs, one of this year’s Top Shops, worked with Utah Olympic Park to create park signage for the pool jump structure remodel. To learn more about the top print providers, turn to page 10.

ISA International Sign Expo 2016 Showstoppers Be sure to check out these show-stopping products on the exhibit floor in Orlando. Compiled by Denise M. Gustavson

Columns

Editor’s Note The Road of Resilience By Denise M. Gustavson

Industry Insights Dreamweavers By Lori Anderson

Departments 6 41

News Market Place/Ad Index

Wide-Format & Signage, Volume 24, Number 4 is published monthly (6 print issues: February, April, June, September, October, and December. 6 online ebooks: January, March, May, July, August, and November) by SouthComm Business Media, LLC. at 1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. WideFormat & Signage print edition is distributed as a supplement to Printing News magazine. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recordings or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. SouthComm Business Media, LLC does not assume and herby disclaims any liability to any person or company for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident or any other cause whatsoever. The views and opinions in the articles herein are not to be taken as official expressions of the publishers, unless so stated. The publishers do not warrant, either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles herein, nor do they so warrant any views or opinions offered by the authors of said articles.

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

3

Editor’s Note

The Road of Resilience

This year’s Top Shops list is a remarkable tribute to their resilience and continued relevance. By Denise M. Gustavson

F

or me, the April issue has traditionally been my favorite, and gives me the opportunity to reflect and examine the business habits, struggles, and triumphs of some of the best wide-format print and signage providers in North America. In many cases, I’ve had the opportunity to watch some of these companies grow and evolve over the last eleven years. There have been challenges and struggles for everyone. We’ve been through a recession and out the other side, and it only goes to show the resilience of these shops and the industry as a whole. Just look at the definition of resilience (according to Merriam-Webster). Resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. For those who are interested in the history of language, the roots of the word go back to 1620-30 and the Latin word resili is the present participle of resilire, which essentially means to spring back, rebound. I think the Top Shops on this year’s list embody the meaning of the word resilience. Even though they have to fight (in some cases for every job), they power through the challenges of a consolidating industry, increasing price pressures, and declining margins (for some commodity-based applications). They struggle to find and train the right people that will inspire them to even greater heights. And the industry rewards them each and every time. These shops work with some of the top brands and companies because they trust them to honor their brand identity and get the job right. This year, the Top Shops sent in so many fantastic and eye-catching jobs from 2015 that the list almost reads like a who’s who. It includes: Calvin College, Nissan Stadium, San Diego Comic Con, Hugo Boss, Mickalene Thomas and the Queens Museum, Kiehl’s, Nike, BCBGMAXAZRIA, San Diego Padres’ Petco Park, Herve Leger, Faconnable, UnderArmour, Harland Clarke Holdings Corporation, Children’s of Alabama—Gait & Motion Lab, the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium, the Charles & Anne Morrow Lindbergh exhibit at the Morven Museum & Garden, National Geographic, Uber, GE, Utah Olympic Park (check out our cover this month), Outdoor Retailer event, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum, Utah State Aggie Recreation Center (ARC), Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Indiana Goodwill Stores, and Howard Hughes Corporation. And that’s just the start. The Top Shops represent the best and the brightest our industry has to offer, and it brings me a great deal of pleasure to have the opportunity to recognize and honor them every year. These are the shops who “get it,” and who embrace the changes and conquer the challenges. Congratulations to all of this years honorees, and I can’t wait to see the fantastic creativity and innovation the next 12 months will bring.

Find this article at

PrintingNews.com/12186401

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

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Published by SouthComm Business Media, Inc. PO Box 803 • 1233 Janesville Ave Fort Atkinson WI 53538 920-563-6388 • 800-547-7377 Vol. 24, No. 4 GROUP PUBLISHER Kelley Holmes [email protected] | 800-616-2252 x6104 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Denise M. Gustavson [email protected] | 800-616-2252 x6218 Contributing Editors Toni McQuilken Pamela Mortimer Richard Romano Anita Shaw Jeffrey Steele Mark Vruno Joann Whitcher Account Executives Kimberly Jorgensen x6103 | [email protected] Paul Zimmerman x6214 | [email protected] Production Director Steve Swick | 920-568-3796 | [email protected] Production Manager Connie Wolf x1679 | [email protected] Art Director Meredith Pennewell x1304 | [email protected] CIRCULATION Jackie Dandoy [email protected] | 800-547-7377 x1711 For change of address or subscription information, call 877/382-9187, fax 920/563-1704, or [email protected] SOUTHCOMM, INC CEO – Chris Ferrell CFO – Ed Tearman COO – Blair Johnson VP, Production Operations – Curt Pordes VP, Technology – Eric Kammerzelt VP, Marketing Gerry Whitty Excecutive Vice President Gloria Cosby Subscription Customer Service 877-382-9187; 847-559-7598 [email protected] (see attached list) PO Box 3257 • Northbrook IL 60065-3257 Article Reprints Brett Petillo Wright’s Media 877-652-5295, ext. 118 [email protected]

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News Thomas Printworks Enhances Market Position with Strategic Acquisition

FASTSIGNS Cares Initiative Benefits Local Charities and the Red Cross

Thomas Printworks has acquired Seebridge Media in Houston, TX from Steve Johns and Larry Vaughn effective February 1, 2016. Seebridge Media’s core business is offset printing and direct mail but also offers some large format printing. Seebridge Media formed in 2012 when Johns and Vaughn merged their two companies together to become a full-service marketing communications provider. They have grown to 117 employees and operate in a 110,000 sq. ft. production facility on the north side of Houston, TX. Steve Johns will remain with Thomas Printworks as their Regional Vice President and Larry Vaughn will remain in the role as their Sales Manager. This agreement broadens the services that Thomas Printworks and Visualogistix, a division of Thomas Printworks, are able to provide to its customers. “Our acquisition of Seebridge complements our overall vision and goals. With the added capabilities of Seebridge we are better able to provide our customers with creative and innovative solutions to their marketing needs through the use of high-quality print signage and collateral. This acquisition represents an important strategic opportunity for Thomas Printworks, with the goals of adding print capabilities, efficiencies, and expansion across markets,” said Bryan Thomas, President & CEO of Thomas Printworks. PritningNews.com/10209386

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. has launched FASTSIGNS Cares, a philanthropic initiative. FASTSIGNS franchisees who choose to participate in FASTSIGNS Cares may work with causes that are near to their hearts and/or join in raising money for the American Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross. “As leaders in the visual communications industry, we understand the power of a brand,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International. “That’s why FASTSIGNS Cares includes raising money for the American Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross, which are great brands that serve local communities.” FASTSIGNS owners and their teams are involved in their local communities through a variety of business and charitable organizations. Both the types organizations served and the ways FASTSIGNS franchise owners work with them are diverse. For business organizations, this may include serving on committees or boards; for charitable organizations it may include franchisees serving as volunteers, offering their FASTSIGNS location as a collection point or by providing signs and graphics. PrintingNews.com/10054488

Epson Digital Couture Event Offered Stunning Display of Technology and High-Fashion The Epson Digital Couture event was held in advance of Fashion Week in New York City provided a visual representation of how Epson’s digital printing technologies impact the fashion and textile industry. The fashion event, built around the theme “Harmony and Peace through Fashion,” showcased collections from 11 North and Latin American designers created using Epson’s SureColor F-Series dye-sublimation printing solutions. “Epson Digital Couture is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse into how digital technology is poised to dramatically impact the fashion industry,” said Keith Kratzberg, senior vice president, Epson America. “It is truly amazing to see what artists and designers are able to accomplish when there are no limits to creating their vision, resulting in breathtaking designs of the highest

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

quality that conveys each designer’s signature style.” Held in New York’s Meatpacking District, the event showcased the designs made possible by Epson dye-sublimation technology through the featured collections of the following designers: § Chloe Trujillo from Los Angeles, CA § Cristina Ruales from Brooklyn, NY § Fabrizzio Berrocal from Costa Rica § GM by Gustavo Moscoso from Ecuador § Kaleidoscopic by María de Lourdes Ramírez and Isabel Navarro Landa from Mexico § LENERD by Felipe Santamaría Luque from Colombia § Matías Hernán from Chile § Ossira by Agostina Orlandi and Ludmila Osikovsky from Argentina § Pionier by Janet Ríos and Carmen Artica from Peru § Santika by Danny Santiago from Miami, FL § Tigresse by Fabio Yukio from Brazil “The success of the Epson Digital Couture event underscores the synergy of fashion and state-of the-art printing technology for a new era of design creativity and functional versatility,” said Agustin Chacon, Epson America’s vice president of international marketing. PrintingNews.com/10005229

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News Social Media

The WFI LinkedIn group, with more than 6,868 members, continues to grow. Have you joined the conversation yet? linkd.in/a7W6p8

Top Tweets

Twitter: 7,097 people follow Wide-Format & Signage and 20,716 people follow Printing News. § RT @MutohAmerica Have you seen the March cover of @wfi? Story features a great wrap by @MetroWrapz using their VJ1624! t.co/ Ob12InHAes § RT @Drytac Need a reason to go to @isasignexpo, other than the fact that we will be there (booth #1079)? Here’s 5: ow.ly/ZtPRB Thanks @wfi § RT @macfixer_1 2016 World #WrapMaster Champion Announced! PrintingNews. com/12182717 via @PrintingNews @JimMillerdecals @macfixer_1 (Great work Jim!) § RT @LexJet How big of a role does solvent printing play in your business? This @PrintingNews @wfi article takes a look: PrintingNews.com/12156906

Most Popular

§ Article: Rules of the Road: Vehicle Graphics Dos and Don’ts PrintingNews.com/12158259 § Article: The Curious Life of Rigid Substrates PrintingNews.com/12162213 § Video: Tips on How to Wrap a Vehicle Trunk PrintingNews.com/12174359 § Article: Market Opportunities: Pumping Up Your Business PrintingNews.com/12158709 § Product: 4 New imagePROGRAF Large Format Printers PrintingNews.com/12178787 § Article: How to be a Digital Textile Printing Expert PrintingNews.com/10941940 § News: HP Inc. Reinvents Mid-Volume Industrial Category for Sign & Display Print Providers PrintingNews.com/12179127 § Product: SureColor 12177691 PrintingNews.com/10941940 § News: Canon USA Announces New Executive Appointments PrintingNews.com/12176400 § News: Six New Printers from EFI Offering Customers Unparalleled New Opportunities at Fespa Digital 2016 PrintingNews.com/12179078 § Article: Pop Go the Specialty Inkjet Inks PrintingNews.com/12146043 § News: EFI Cretaprint Printer, Ink and Color Management Ecosystem Receives Prestigious Alfa de Oro Award at Cevisama in Spain PrintingNews.com/12169381 § Video: Election Signage - Creating Yard Signs PrintingNews.com/12183372

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

2016 World Wrap Master Champion Announced in Amsterdam Jim Miller, owner of Millers Decals, USA, has won the title of World Wrap Master at FESPA Digital 2016. Sponsored by Avery Dennison and Mimaki, the European leg of the competition, which took place over the first two days of the show attracted 28 competitors from 15 countries and saw Jim named European Wrap Master. He then joined those who had already taken part in Wrap Masters’ events globally for the World Series ‘final battle’. Ruan Greeff, South Africa (Wrap Master Africa 2015) and Michael Szwacki, UK, took second and third place. Wrapping a variety of items, including Audi A1 Sportbacks, clogs and superhero items, the entrants were judged by expert wrappers and trainers; Ole Solskin, Justin Pate, Kiss Lajos (winner 2014/2015), and John Duever. Duncan MacOwan, Head of Events, FESPA, commented: “This year has been a nail-biting, edge of your seat competition as the caliber of entrants has been so high. There could, however, be only one Wrap Superhero, and Jim’s technical abilities shone through. It’s also been great to see non-competitors learn more about wrapping through the daily workshop sessions, as it’s such a rapidly expanding market offering a host of new opportunities that PSPs can begin to offer their clients.” PrintingNews.com/10071490

Gigantic Color Relocates Dallas Headquarters Gigantic Color is relocating its Dallas headquarters effective April 30. Gigantic Color will remain in the Brook Hollow community with a move from 7900 Ambassador Row to 415 Regal Row. “Since we started this business, our customers have always been our first priority, and they continue to remain our focus through the process of this move. We want them to know that we’re not going too far – only a four minute drive from our previous space – and that we will continue to keep their business needs at the forefront of everything that we do,” said Troy McGinnis, senior vice president and general manager. After 10 years of continuous growth at its current location, Gigantic Color’s new office will boast redesigned sales and project coordination areas, an enhanced digital workflow, and streamlined quality control and fulfillment areas. Gigantic Color has also added a new custom project room to generate innovative ideas and creative thinking. This will enable the company to continue serving its growing client roster with dynamic and effective design, print and installation services. PrintingNews.com/10776694

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Dilli Digital Presses Opens Subsidiary in Europe Dilli has announced the opening of its European development, sales, training, and service subsidiary in Belgium. Purposedly located to service the EMEA region, Dilli S.A. will focus on the further development of a network of professional distributors to cover the regions and support installations of the company’s innovative solutions for labels and packaging digital printing and finishing. The range will include printing, die-cutting, laser cutting varnishing and further embellishment machines. More than 3,000 Dilli installations have already taken foot in EMEA region, opening for the label and packaging business as a natural extension of the well-established wide-format activity. PrintingNews.com/11282943

Avery Dennison Names Mitchell R. Butier President and Chief Executive Officer Avery Dennison Corporation has elected president and COO Mitchell R. Butier as president and CEO, effective May 1, 2016, and nominated him for election to the board. Current Chairman and CEO Dean Scarborough will serve as the Executive Chairman of the company’s board of directors. “Mitch has worked in various businesses and regions across Avery Dennison and in roles of increasing responsibility, including chief financial officer and president and chief operating officer,” said Scarborough. “Most recently, he has been the driver behind increasing the higher-value market segments of our portfolio.” PrintingNews.com/10211158

Roland DGA Announces Keynote Speaker for imagiNATION 2016 Inkjet User Conference Roland DGA has announced that the keynote speaker for the company’s upcoming inkjet user conference, imagiNATION 2016, will be Dr. Chip Bell, a motivational speaker, best-selling author, and expert on customer loyalty and service innovation. Dr. Bell will share his insights and strategies with attendees at imagiNATION 2016, a day of inspiration, educational workshops, and networking to take place on April 20 in conjunction with the ISA 2016 Expo in Orlando. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Bell kick off imagiNATION 2016 with his cutting-edge ideas for better meeting the ever-increasing needs and expectations of today’s more demanding customer,” said Rick Scrimger, president of Roland DGA Corporation. “Attendees will be able to apply his concepts and practical tips within their own work environments immediately after leaving the conference to elevate the quality of their customer service and support to the highest possible level.” The keynote will be followed by 25 educational workshops conducted by industry leaders and experts, all designed to provide Roland owners with information, ideas and resources they can use to help ensure the success of their respective businesses. Upon conclusion of the workshops, the conference will wrap up with a lively cocktail reception, giving attendees an opportunity to unwind, get to know each other, and discuss what they’ve learned throughout the day. PrintingNews.com/10007761

EFI Acquires Dye and Color Systems Developer Rialco Limited EFI has acquired Rialco Limited, one of Europe’s suppliers of dye powders and color products for digital print and industrial manufacturing industries. Based in Bradford, UK, Rialco will now operate as part of EFI’s industrial inkjet business, and will continue to work closely with and support its existing clients as well as expand and grow its capabilities with new products and new customers. EFI plans to improve its inkjet portfolio with Rialco’s advanced ink component capabilities. The dye-sublimation ink market Rialco serves is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global ink industry, with new research from Smithers Pira forecasting 18.4 percent year-over-year growth in dye-sublimated material print volumes through 2021, and a greater than 100 percent increase in volume and value of dye-sublimated

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printed material in that same time frame. Financial terms of EFI’s acquisition of Rialco were not disclosed. “The deal gives EFI the platform to extend the technical advantages we provide to customers in the signage, textile, ceramics and other industries that are rapidly transitioning from analog to digital printing,” said Stephen Emery, vice president of EFI’s ink business. Rialco employees have joined EFI and will continue to work from Rialco’s facility in Bradford. “Being part of EFI gives Rialco an important opportunity to continue growing our offerings as part of a leading developer of advanced industrial ink products,” said Paul Davies, a Rialco co-founder and current director of EFI | Rialco (at left). “Our team is looking forward to working with our colleagues across EFI to bring Rialco’s innovations to a broader range of customers and markets.” PrintingNews.com/10005156

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

9

Top Shops 2016:

It’s Crunch

TIME

Big Ink planned, designed, and produced environmental decor for a gala to feature the accomplishments of the 10-year anniversary of its customer, Bridgewater Bank.

Economic uncertainties, a focus on margins, and an ever-consolidating industry force the top shops to examine their businesses and dig in for the long haul. By Denise M. Gustavson

Comic-Con in San Diego is Off The Wall Signs’ biggest event of the year and something their whole crew looks forward to every year. In 2015 it included these wall and elevator graphics at the Hard Rock. “The amount of signage we need to print, install, and remove and the amount of time we to do it in, is unreal and amazing at the same time,” said Mariela Faith, co-owner.

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

PrintingNews.com

Hackworth worked on a custom wall paper project for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. The project consisted of 35 individual wall graphics.

T

he Top 60 shops had a gangbuster year in 2015, reaching an all-time high just north of $725M and showing nearly 13 percent yearover-year growth. And according to all their comments, most are looking to keep the same momentum in 2016. “Over the past three years we have seen dramatic growth of 10 to 20 percent per year as a company,” said Brent Albers, owner Identity Signs in Sandy, UT. “As for 2015 we saw consistent growth the first three quarters of the year then we saw a cool down towards the end of year. Then, as January hit, the gas pedal was pushed to metal again. Our 2016 outlook is better than ever.” “ER2 Image Group increased volume by 20 percent from 2014. 2015 has been one of the largest revenue increases we’ve seen in the 25 years we have been in business,” reported Gary C. Schellerer, COO/VP of operations of ER2 in Bloomingdale, IL. “Industry revenue has increased steadily over the last couple of years (close to 15 percent annually) and our revenue (color and graphics department) has been on track with that as well. We see the industry to continue this trend in the near future. New technology and applications will continue to increase business opportunities throughout the industry,” said John Davis, CEO, Alabama Graphics, which has locations in Birmingham and Montgomery. However, there is an underlying thread of uncertainty that has weeded its way through shop owners’ insights. Dwindling margins for some

PrintingNews.com

applications like the out-of-home market, pricing pressures, low-bidders, economic uncertainty, consolidation, and market over-saturation has put the warning flags up and is forcing shops owners to yet again find ways to meet these growing business challenges. “2015 was one of the best years ever for Ferrari Color,” reported Shara Meredith, marketing director based in the firm’s Salt Lake City headquarters. “Clients were eager to cement their leadership positions in various markets. They used extensive graphics and signage to communicate with their customers. However, the biggest issue facing the sign and graphics industry is the merging of traditional and digital elements. This is affecting many of our retail ‘brick and mortar’ clients as well as our own markets.” Ferarri also has shops in Sacramento and San Francisco. According to Davis, “Pricing is all over the board, so it takes some digging to really compare apples to apples.” In Paramount, CA, Graphic Trends, Inc.’s VP of operations, Allen Gasper, concurs. “An over-saturation of printing companies and low bidders are making it difficult to stay stable and consistent. Old relationships with clients are put to the test with persuasive low prices and short-term agreements surrounded by poor service from unestablished newbies.” “Companies are killing the pricing on certain work. We all need to truly look at the numbers and not kill the pricing on the work that we are

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

11

Size of Printed Materials

In 2014

There were 50 shops with 147 locations and 14 new locations planned for 2015. doing,” said Howard Weinstein, CEO and co-owner, Candid Litho, Long Island City, NY. “We have seen a steady growth in the sign industry that just continues each day, said Nichole Hargrove, EH Teasley & Company, Dallas. “But some companies seem to be pricing products as a commodity and nearly giving them away with minimal profits.” “I do sense some uncertainty in the economy, which slows everything slightly but there always seems to be new opportunities waiting for those positioned properly,” said Tom Trutna, owner, Big Ink, Eagan, MN. “The sign and graphics industry remains a growth market for those of us keeping our sights open to new technology and striving to provide our customers with high-end graphic solu-

In 2015

There were 60 shops with 167 locations and 18 new locations planned for 2016. tions. These concepts must be followed in today’s market to remain a competitively viable supplier where margins are becoming tighter,” said Pete Gallo, CEO, Vista Color Imaging in Cleveland.

Key Differentiators

One of the key phrases we hear often in regards to future growth opportunities is finding a way to be different from the competition. Everyone is looking for those differentiating characteristics that make them stand neck and shoulder height above everyone else in the industry. The challenge: figuring out the best way to be different. This year much of the talk of differentiation, while including closer partnerships with customers—a peren-

Graphic Innovations printed and installed the graphics for the Charles & Anne Morrow Lindbergh exhibit at the Morven Museum & Garden located in Princeton, NJ, for its client Isometric Studio.

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

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2016 Top 60 Shops #

Company Name

Management

Location

For More Info

1

Coloredge Inc.

Jeb Ball, President & CEO

New York, NY

PrintingNews.com/10211031

2

Duggal Visual Solutions

Michael Duggal, Owner & CEO; Baldev Duggal, Founder

New York, NY

PrintingNews.com/10238971

3

Vision Integrated Graphics Group, LLC

Doug Powell, Owner; Steve Smits & John Tobe, President

Chicago, IL

PrintingNews.com/10654386

4

Thomas Printworks

Bill Thomas, Owner; Bryan Thomas, President; BJ Thomas, Founder

Richardson, TX

PrintingNews.com/10209386

5

Diadeis GSG

Ken Madsen, Co-Founder

New York, NY

PrintingNews.com/10005666

6

Candid Worldwide/Candid Litho

Howard and Scott Weinstein, Co-Owners

Long Island City, NY

PrintingNews.com/10004294

7

Gigantic Color

Ken Holsclaw, President; Troy McGinnis, SVP

Dallas, TX

PrintingNews.com/10776694

8

Ferrari Color

Kirk Green, Dan Spangenberg, Marty McGhie, Co-Owners; Mel Green, Founder

Salt Lake City, UT

PrintingNews.com/10242789

9

reproHAUS

Tito Taing, Owner, President, & Founder

San Diego, CA

PrintingNews.com/10242794

10

Big Mountain Imaging

Jason Cardonick, Owner & President

Philadelphia, PA

PrintingNews.com/10148436

11

Visual Marking Systems

Dolf Kahle, Owner & President; Hermann Kahle, Founder

Twinsburg, OH

PrintingNews.com/10892160

12

Firehouse

Sally Corman, Owner & President

Indianapolis, IN

PrintingNews.com/10242793

13

Vision Graphics

Guy Timothy, Owner & President; Bob & Diane Shupe, Founders

Salt Lake City, UT

PrintingNews.com/10242790

14

Color Reflections Las Vegas

Paul Magaziner, Owner & Founder; Joseph J. Castellano, President

Las Vegas, NV

PrintingNews.com/10264159

15

Graphic Trends Inc.

Kieu Tran, Owner, President, & Founder; Allen Gasper, Vice President of Operations

Fontana, CA

PrintingNews.com/12052444

16

Source One Digital

Randy A. Crow, Owner & Founder; Abby Crow, President

Norton Shores, MI

PrintingNews.com/10008024

17

Sharpe Images

Greg Sharpe, Owner; Terri Sealey, President; Bud Sharpe, Founder; Zach Sharpe, VP & Owner

Winston-Salem, NC

PrintingNews.com/10007931

18

Brand Imaging Group powered by Fastsigns

Scott Snoyer, Owner

Antioch, TN

PrintingNews.com/10171191

19

ER2 Image Group (Formerly Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow)

Gary C Schellerer, Owner; Gary R Schellerer, Owners, President, & Founder

Bloomingdale, IL

PrintingNews.com/10110764

20

Pictura

Paul Lilienthal, Owner

Minneapolis, MN

PrintingNews.com/10242795

21

DGI Invisuals

Glen Fairbanks, President

North Billerica, MA

PrintingNews.com/10242791

22

Cushing

Joseph X. Cushing, Owner; Cathleen Cushing-Duff, President; F. John Cushing Sr., Founder; Brian Burke, Plant Director

Chicago, IL

PrintingNews.com/10004705

23

Alabama Graphics

John A. Davis, Owner; Jeff W. Davis Jr., President; Jeff W. Davis Sr., Founder

Birmingham, AL

PrintingNews.com/10003691

24

E.H. Teasley & Co., Inc. & Inkjet International

Jeff Teasley, Owner

Dallas, TX

PrintingNews.com/10006031

25

ImageKing Visuals

Spencer Jacobson, Owner

Carlstadt, NJ

PrintingNews.com/10242798

26

Hackworth, The Graphics Shop

Dorothy Hackworth, Owner; Charlie Hackworth, Founder; Charles Hackworth II, Vice President

Chesapeake, VA

PrintingNews.com/10005750

27

NorthWest Visual

Chad Nannenga, Owner

West Fargo, ND

PrintingNews.com/12182486

28

Colorchrome Atlanta Inc.

John Rhodes, President & Founder

Atlanta, GA

PrintingNews.com/10242812

29

BPI Color

Steve Mueller, Owner & President

Milwaukee, WI

PrintingNews.com/12182490

30

Art Advertising, Inc.

Gary Gestring, Co-Owner; Stacy Gestring, Co-Owner & President; Paul Grimm, Founder

Jonesboro, AK

PrintingNews.com/12182492

31

Influence Graphics

Ronald Sizemore, Owner

New York, NY

PrintingNews.com/10006020

32

Big Ink

Thomas Trutna, Owner, President, & Founder

Eagan, MN

PrintingNews.com/10114650

33

FastSigns of Glendale

Robert Schmit, Owner

Glendale, WI

PrintingNews.com/10242815

34

Excelsus Solutions, LLC

Mark Laniak, Owner, President, & Founder

Rochester, NY

PrintingNews.com/12052452

35

Hunt Graphics, Inc. d/b/a Signs By Tomorrow, Rockville, MD

Mary Lou Goehrung, Owner & President; Mary Lou Goehrung, Sr. and Glenn Goehrung, Co-Founders

Rockville, MD

PrintingNews.com/12182494

36

Filmet Color Laboratories, Inc

Richard Bachelder, president

Cheswick, PA

PrintingNews.com/10242808

37

Identity Signs

Brent Albers and Kyle Germer, Owners

Sandy, UT

PrintingNews.com/12182499

38

image360 - RVA

Dorothy Hager, President; Scotty Hager, COO

Richmond, VA

PrintingNews.com/12182502

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

PrintingNews.com

Calvin College approached Source One Digital about a project to renovate and update its aquatic center. Through the renovations, the Grand Rapids, MI school wanted to create a much warmer environment that also incorporates the Knights’ team and individual accomplishments, performance records, and traditions in swimming, diving, and water polo. nial comment when it comes to this discussion—has been focused more on technology, specifically automation and web-to-print. “I see more automation in our digital communications and data resources (hardware and software),” said Gallo. “The challenge for the next five years will be to distill the most appropriate technologies for our individual business models, and integrate only those into our production, marketing, and sales future.” “Change has been technology-driven for us,” said Jon Heilman, marketing director at Firehouse, Indianapolis, “and not printing technology or even production technology: it’s order-pro-

cessing technology. That will be our primary focus for 2016 and beyond to help differentiate our company.” Web-to-print technology is not new to the printing industry, but for wide-format providers, setting up online stores for products that in many cases are custom solutions could prove to be a challenge. But as we observe more and more commercial printers adding wide-format signage as part of their application mix, the commercial printing staple of web-to-print technology has started to draw more interest and acceptance in the sign and graphics market.

“We have had to improve our efficiency and speed with which we turn around large projects. I believe that more of the future business will be captured using e-commerce solutions with an increase in the use of automation technologies,” said Scotty Hager, partner, Image360 – RVA, Richmond, VA. There does seem to be a consensus that stock call-off or tightly controlled template-based work are the best candidates for online ordering, though it may be possible to add up-sell options for premium substrates or finishing. Web-to-print storefronts and automation software can help streamline

#

Company Name

Management

Location

For More Info

39

Sign Works, Inc.

Greg Janowiak, Owner, President, & Founder

Bensenville, IL

PrintingNews.com/12182506

40

Vista Color Imaging Inc.

Paul E. Gallo, Co-Owner; Kevin C. Vesely, Co-Owner & President; Paul B. Gallo, Founder

Cleveland, OH

PrintingNews.com/10242814

41

Graphic Innovations

Jim Larkin, Owner & Founder

Warwick, RI

PrintingNews.com/10743268

42

Dimensional Digital Graphics Solutions

Mike Tardy, Owner

San Diego, CA

PrintingNews.com/10242817

43

MegaPrint

Jay Buckley, Owner, President, & Founder

Plymouth, NH

PrintingNews.com/10184508

44

VistaCraft, Inc.

Bill Feighner, Owner & President

Columbus, GA

PrintingNews.com/12182509

45

Cold Fire Signs

Chris Jackson, President

San Antonio, TX

PrintingNews.com/12182513

46

i3 Imaging Group

Jonah Thiem, Owner, President, & Founder

Bennington, VT

PrintingNews.com/10242829

47

Off The Wall Signs & Graphics

Rocky and Mariela Faith, Co-Owners

Las Vegas, NV

PrintingNews.com/12182515

48

FASTSIGNS of Naperville, IL

Shane Beard, Owner

Naperville, IL

PrintingNews.com/10625372

49

Premedia Group LLC

Brian Criscuolo and Toni Hasler, Co-Owners

Greensboro, NC

PrintingNews.com/10625371

50

Capital Wraps

Keoni Denison, Owner & Founder

Raleigh, NC

PrintingNews.com/10210364

51

Academy Repro

Kevin O’Hea

Albuquerque, NM

PrintingNews.com/10003525

52

FASTSIGNS Louisville

Susan Cilone, Co-Owner, CEO, & Co-Founder; and Sam Cilone, Co-Owner, President, & Co-Founder

Louisville, KY

PrintingNews.com/10688528

53

BIGraphics, Inc.

Joe Dumont, VP of Operations

Nashua, NH

PrintingNews.com/10167649

54

Original Impressions

Roland B Garcia, Owner & Founder; Roli Garcia, President; Henry Herrera, Vice President

Miami, FL

PrintingNews.com/10107869

55

Chicago Print Group, Inc.

Paul Denst, Co-Owner & President; Ryan Walsh, Co-Owner

Chicago, IL

PrintingNews.com/12182519

56

Harmonic Media, Inc.

Tyler Lindvall, Owner, President, & Founder

Englewood, CO

PrintingNews.com/10242820

57

IMS Printing & Signs

J.J. Heim, Owner, President, & Founder

Lone Tree, CO

PrintingNews.com/12182522

58

Bay Area Printing & Graphics Solutions, Inc.

Michael Wallace, Owner; Stephanie Justice, Operations Manager

Pensacola, FL

PrintingNews.com/12182526

59

AlphaGraphics Carmel

Michael Kile, Owner

Carmel, IN

PrintingNews.com/12182527

60

FASTSIGNS Lexington

Don Marcum, Owner

Lexington, KY

PrintingNews.com/12052495

PrintingNews.com

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

15

Brand Imaging Group designed, color-corrected, printed, welded, and had the back of the scoreboard installed to be structurally sound. This colossal sign is over 50 feet tall and 117 feet wide.

Employees: The 60 top shops have 4,496 total employees. 321 part-time 4,118 Full-time

Breakout by department Prepress ...............................................................20% Output ..................................................................25% Finishing ..............................................................23% Sales ......................................................................11% Customer Service...............................................11% Management ......................................................10% 16

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

some of the in-shop processes as well as reduce touchpoints, increae accuracy, decreae waste, and give customers an easy way to order simple or recurring jobs easily. “Our workflow continues to change rapidly as we try to keep up with demand, faster print times, and almost instant deliveries,” said Albers of Identity Signs. “We have seen technical advances in software, mobility solutions, and mobile apps to capture data in the field both pre- and post production. Making information and asset gathering very streamlined, and having a cloud-type storage system to access files and information anywhere has been a great asset and continues to increase our response times. Our workforce is changing too; we have to employ the most skillful and tech-savvy people compared to five years ago. Technology has ingrained itself in PSP operations like we haven’t seen before. The increase in monthly technology subscriptions to make the day-to-day tasks mindless seems to be endless, making throughput faster than ever.” “We are launching websites that allow signage to be purchased online. We are paying close attention to how we can streamline the ordering process for Corporate America that results in a more unified outcome,” said Ronald Sizemore, Influence Graphics, New York City.

PrintingNews.com

The Numbers Sixty-three percent of this year’s Top Shops classify themselves as a “Digital Color Shop/ Digital Printer,” up substantially from last year’s 48 percent. The sign shop designation was down from 34.52 percent in 2014 to 17 percent in 2015. Reprographic Shop was up slightly to seven percent from last year’s 5.95 percent. The other categories remain somewhat similar, with “Other” making up five percent, screen printer and service bureau each taking three percent, respectively, and commercial printer making up the last two percent. The average age of the shops in our list is 35.12 years, with our oldest founded in 1910, 106 years ago: Filmet Color Laboratories, Inc. from Cheswick, PA. This year, we have 11 shops with 50 or more years in business: Cushing (87), E.H. Teasley & Co., Inc. & Inkjet International (66), Alabama Graphics (62), Thomas Printworks (60), Candid Worldwide/Canon Litho (60), BPI Color (60), Duggal Visual Solutions (55), Vision Integrated Graphics Group (55), Visual Marking Systems (54), Sharpe Images (52), and Vision Graphics (50). Shops at the 10-year mark and under include Identity Signs (10), AlphaGraphics

TOTAL

Carmel (10), reproHAUS (9), Harmonic Media (9), Cold Fire Signs (8), Off The Wall Signs & Graphics (7), and Chicago Print Group, Inc. (3). Comparing the top 50 shops in 2014 and 2015, the total number of locations is up only two shops this year to 149 from 147 last year. Adding in the additional 10 shops (for this year’s Top 60) we had 167 locations. Thirty-four shops only have a single location, but nine of our Top 60 list have five or more locations, with Richardson, TX-based Thomas Printworks topping out with 27, up two from last year. New York-based Diadeis GSG has 19 locations also up two, Duggal Visual Solutions has 10 up three from seven last year. Both reproHAUS and Sharpe images are up one (eight and seven, respectively). Gigantic Color, Coloredge, Inc., Color Reflections Las Vegas, and Big Mountain Imaging all have five locations a piece. Additionally, the Top 60 Shops have plans to open up 18 new locations in 2016, up four from last year’s projected number. According to the survey, 58 percent of the shops produce both black-and-white and color graphics whereas the remaining 42 percent produce only color graphics. As an average, 52.59

percent of the top shops’ output is wide-format (36-96 inches in width). Grand-format (96-inches plus) grabs the next largest share with 22.71 percent. Medium-format (24-35 inches) has 14.86 percent of the share, leaving small-format (14-inches and smaller documents) the remaining 9.84 percent. Application-wise things have remained pretty similar to last year’s report. Banners and signs take up the lion’s share of the work, with shops reporting that it has nearly 20 percent of the overall graphics mix (19.23 percent) with the retail/POP displays and signs (including floor graphics) the next in line with 14.41 percent. The next largest category is exhibit and trade show graphics (8.25 percent) followed closely behind by fleet and vehicle graphics (7.67 percent), specialty printing & graphics (7.18 percent), building signs (6.08 percent), and engineering drawings (5.99 percent). Fabric and textile graphics is on the rise, up from last year’s numbers to 5.59 percent. Rounding out the rest of the applications we have: Décor printing (5.17), posters (4.9 percent), backlit display graphics (4.8 percent), other (4.26 percent), billboards and building wraps (3.43 percent), and fine art and museum graphics (3.05 percent).

AUTOMATION

– Router with automatic bit changer – Automatic QR-code capture – Tandem operation, semi and fully automated material handling – Wide range of tool options – Fully modular, upgradeable – Non-stop cutting, finishing – Unsurpassed productivity

See us at ISA 2016 April 21-23, Booth 2171

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T: 414-433-0700

For more information, visit PrintingNews.com/10008759

PrintingNews.com

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

17

Growth Areas for 2016 Fabric: “People are looking for something nicer than vinyl.” —Jay Buckley, owner, MegaPrint “I believe we will experience continued growth in soft-signage printing opportunities. These market segments appreciate a more thoughtful and cost effective manner to sell the message, and a greater ease of production, finishing, shipping, and installation. They will also prove to be popular as Green product opportunities.” —Pete Gallo, CEO, Vista Color Imaging Retail: “Even smaller companies are learning the importance of having a consistent brand identity and want to carry that through to all their products and promotions.” —Stacy Gestring, owner, Art Advertising “Retail continues to grow as bricks and mortar businesses need to compete with online businesses.”—Ronald Sizemore, owner, Influence Graphics

What Else Can You Do?

As Graphic Trends’ Gasper pointed out, “Printing services is an assumption, quality is expected, and short turn-around times is an assumption. Customers want to know, ‘What else can you offer?’” Going along with the technology part of the conversation is the increased emphasis on data and personalization. “We are working more and more with our clients’ data, including generating, storing, and providing metrics on the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns,” said Ed Zelasko, VP of sales & client

“Retail, retail, retail! We are seeing the biggest opportunities there and continue to make investments to support these opportunities.” —Steven Saltzman, east coast sales manager, Big Mountain Imaging Out-of-Home and Grand-Format Signage: “Grand-format will have the largest growth due to more advertising agencies understanding how to use superwide formats in the public’s eye.” —Allen Gasper, owner, Graphic Trends, Inc. “Building construction, consisting of grandformat graphics, including barricade structures, and building wraps, will have big growth. Transit stations, subways, and train stations are all being updated. Signage will continue to grow both with paper and digital ads.”—Howard Weinstein, CEO & co-owner, Candid Litho “Outdoor signage is a wide area but building signage, event signage, directional signage, etc.

services, Vision Integrated Graphics Group, Chicago. One of the challenges facing CMOs and marketing directors is the ability to provide detailed analytics on the real ROI of their various marketing campaigns. Consider that in 2015 the Fournaise Group reported that: “90 percent of marketers are not trained in marketing performance and marketing ROI and 80 percent struggle with being able to properly demonstrate to their top management the business effectiveness of their marketing, spending, campaigns, and activities.” Shops that can provide numbers and metrics

continues to grow and as the economy improves new companies need signage and existing companies need to upgrade signage.” —Mark Rowan, marketing director, Hackworth Digital Signage: “Digital signage is easy to change and promote the latest product, event, or company.”—Robb Schmidt, owner, Fastsigns Glendale “Dynamic digital signage technology is improving and the cost is coming down as the segment matures.”—Scotty Hager, partner, Image360 – RVA Wraps: “I believe this has greater potential with the introduction of solid color wrapping materials and various laminates.”—Schmidt, owner, Fastsigns Glendale “Wraps are now more commonplace and everyone is asking about them. I tell clients they are the best ROI ever and there are so many applications and materials available.” —Mark Rowan, marketing director, Hackworth

can be an important service to their customers—and, in turn, become more closely integrated with them, essentially aligning with them as a partner in their marketing process. In this day and age it is also vital to measure social media marketing efforts. Savvy wide-format print providers can provide reports and help with social engagement. The trend toward multichannel marketing—including social media—is not going to end and customers will want to see reports that detail how their marketing message—and their spending—is aligning with sales pipeline and revenue goals.

EH Teasley & Company printed and installed a large, 16,000-square-foot window perf job for the 80th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic game in Dallas and decorated the AT&T Stadium with the Goodyear Blimp and Cotton Bowl logo for the game.

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

PrintingNews.com

Do It My Way

gaining immense popularity.” clear acrylic printing. The print Identity Signs’ Albers concurred. quality that we can deliver with our Personalization, as discussed in the “Corporate office branding is direct to fabric printing is vibrant, Wide-Format & Signage March Edchanging, and employees are takconsistent and when it comes off itor’s Note, is a growing trend and ing notice. If a company has a mathe printer it’s ready for finishing,” one that print providers can take to nila-cube type work environment said Randy Crow, owner of Source the bank. employees are often jumping ship One Digital, Norton Shores, MI. Brands are discovering that they to the next, new exciting company. “The décor sector is growing for us, can elevate customer loyalty and enTo keep up with the shift, compatoo. Our capability to print custom gagement—and use their customer nies are decking out workplaces to wallpapers, window films, and ceilbase as an engine of advocacy to be more comfortable and workable. ing tiles all with dynamic graphic potential buyers. Product customiEnvironmental graphics and branddesigns that just are amazing when zation helps brands boost sales on ing is increasing in the workplace seen in finished application.” their own websites or gain share on and are not just plain graphics on a “The corporate office décor/wall a retailer sites. wall anymore.” graphics segment This customization and personThe overall takehas a lot of alization is translating to sales for away from many shops in various applications Backlit Display the Top from vehicle graphics to interior Other 4.8% Graphics decoration, and savvy top shops are 4.26% Specialty Printing looking for growth in both these & Graphics 7.18% markets in 2016. 19.23% “Clients want unique and Banners and Signs are usually willing to pay 14.41% for it,” said Davis. Retail and POP “We just invested in an Displays and Signs HP LX3500, anticipating growth in interior décor,” Billboards and said Schellerer of ER2 Building Wraps Image Group. “We feel 3.43% wallpaper, canvas wraps, pillows, furniture, light Posters Building Signs shades, decorative tex4.90% tiles, and other elements 6.08% within this space are still at the beginning stages Decor Printing of a digital revolution. The Fleet and 7.67% sign and display market has Vehicle Graphics 5.17% over 72 billion square feet of media. Of that number, over 40 Engineering Drawings Fine Art and 3.05% percent of it is being produced Museum Graphics 5.99% digitally. The decoration industry Exhibit and Trade produces a staggering 250 billion Fabric and Textile Show Graphics Shops of square feet of output, and only one Graphics 5.59% 8.25% 2016 is the percent is produced digitally.” need to constantgrowth “Although the majority of our ly be innovating. None of potential for business is commercial, we see these shops have rested on their years to come, said Chris Jacka huge opportunity in residential previous successes, and they are son, owner of Coldfire Signs, San business. So many people are into always looking for new applications, Antonio. “This is due to the fact DIY and love to be able to express new customers, new markets, and that more and more businesses are their creativity,” said Mariela Faith, new ways to make their shops more seeing the value of changing the co-owner, Off the Wall Signs & efficient. At the end of the day, that work environment both for employGraphics, Las Vegas. “We recently is the type of thinking that makes ees and customers.” moved into a new facility and have a shop stand out and takes them “Interior Designers are pushing loved the process of decorating our from simply surviving to being one environmental art graphics for shop with wall wraps, acrylic and of the most influential and profitable offices,” said Mary Lou Goehrung, aluminum stand-offs, canvas, dieshops in the country. owner of Signs By Tomorrow in cuts, floor graphics, etc. Everything Rockville, MD. “Use of large-format is completely custom and interfabrics, wallpaper, vinyl in office changeable.” spaces, store fronts, stairwells, “We are definitely seeing a big Find this article at PrintingNews.com/12181373 walls, decorative privacy films are increase in our fabric, décor, and

PrintingNews.com

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

19

2016 Wide-Format & Signage Top Products Winners By Denise M. Gustavson

E

ach year, Wide-Format & Signage turns to the industry to help us name the winners of the Readers’ Choice Top Product Awards. This year, we have a strong line-up of winning products— as voted on by the members of the visual communications industry. To be considered for these awards, a product had to

Finishing

be released, commercially available, and shipping between September 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015. Voting was open to all print service providers worldwide from January 1 through February 1, 2016. For a more detailed look at each of the products mentioned in this list, please visit PrintingNews.com/ 12176737.

Cutters & Routers: G3 cutter, model XL-3200 from Zund America, Inc.

Window Graphic Media: IMAGin WindowVIEW Cling from Mactac Distributor Products

Laminates: Wrap Overlaminate Series 8900 from 3M Commercial Graphics

Output Devices

Laminating Equipment: Easymount Air EM-A1600 SH Single Hot Wide Format Laminator from Vivid Laminating Technologies

Aqueous Printer / Durable Aqueous / Latex (24-95 inches) and Textile (24 inches +): Latex 370 Printer from HP Engineering Printer (24-95 inches): PageWide XL 8000 Printer from HP

Ink Dye Sub /Textile Inks: UltraChrome DS Ink from Epson America

Flatbed Printer (24-inches +): Scitex FB750 Industrial Printer from HP

Solvent Ink (Eco, Mild, & Hard): UltraChrome GSX ink from Epson America

Grand-Format Printer (96-inches +): Latex 3500 Printer from HP

UV Ink: LUS-120 UV-LED Inks from Mimaki USA

MFP (24-95 inches): DesignJet T830 Multi-function Printer from HP

Media

Solvent Printer (24 inches +): SOLJET EJ-640 Large-Format Printer from Roland DGA

Fabric & Textiles: Light Fabric from HP Fine Art & Photography: Legacy Paper Line from Epson America Media for Rough Surfaces and Vehicle Wrap Media: Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 P40 from 3M Commercial Graphics Rigid & Semi-Rigid: White Valuboard from 3A Composites USA Inc. Wall Graphic Media (Interiors): PVC-Free Durable Smooth Wallpaper from HP

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

UV Printer (24-inches +): Scitex FB550 from HP

Prepress Wide-Format Scanner (24 inches +): Designjet SD Pro Scanner from HP

Software RIP, Web-to-Print, & Workflow Software: V10 from Caldera

PrintingNews.com

Thank you, for voting us winner of two Wide-Format & Signage’s

2016 Reader’s Choice Top Product Awards

HP PVC-free Durable Smooth Wall Paper HP Light Fabric

For more information on these products and other HP Large Format Media, visit us at HPLFMedia.com or call 888-896-4668 For more information, visit PrintingNews.com/10006398

Regulatory Changes for 2016:

Two Concerns for PSPs By Richard Romano

I

t isn’t very often that Supreme Court decisions affect the graphic arts industry, but last June, the Supremes rendered a verdict that may have an impact on sign codes nationwide, although what that impact and its extent may be are not entirely known. The case was Reed v. Town of Gilbert, and was the result of inconsistent and unconstitutional regulation of temporary signage. In Gilbert, AZ, the Good News Community Church had no fixed location, so it erected temporary directional signs to let congregants know where services were being held. The town, like most towns, had sign codes that placed restrictions on the size of the signage, as well as how long it could be displayed. So far, all well and good, as most temporary signage is regulated this way. The problem was that the church’s signage ended up being more highly regulated than other similar types of temporary signage, such as that which was commercially or politically oriented. The court ruled—unanimously—that this regulation was content-based, limited speech, and thus was a violation of the First Amendment. (The International Sign Association discussed it at length here: www.signs.org/Newsroom/PressReleases/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3316.) “The case basically says that the church wasn’t allowed to have a sign based on it being a religious sign, or an event sign for their religious services,” said Rick

Hartwig, EHS Specialist, Government and Business Information, for SGIA. “Other signs that were identical to theirs were allowed to be up longer and had fewer restrictions. So this sign had fewer allowances and more restrictions based on its content.” What this will specifically mean for those in local governments who create and modify sign codes—and thus what signage producers and their clients will need to comply with—remains to be seen. Ultimately, municipalities will reevaluate their individual sign codes to ensure that regulations are applied consistently and without regard to what the signs actually say. “It will primarily look at putting people on notice who are making these codes to make sure the codes are content-neutral,” said Hartwig. “You can make as many regulations as you want, but they can’t interfere with Constitutional rights.” Hartwig doesn’t feel there are going to be any massive, universal changes in sign codes as a result of the Gilbert decision, but city planners may take the opportunity to look at their sign codes sooner rather than later. “It’s going to happen on more or less an individual basis,” said Hartwig. “Most of the changes that are going to be occurring in the first quarter [of 2016] are either going to be changes they had coming down the pike for some time, but they’re implementing now because of this decision, or they realized their codes were really bad and they wanted to avoid the same pitfalls as Gilbert.” Regardless of the Gilbert decision, sign codes are always changing, and while, as we pointed out in a story last year, the physical producer or printer of signage doesn’t necessarily have to be the one who is an expert on local sign codes—that’s really the responsibility of the sign owner (that is, the customer) him- or herself— sign shops can and do keep track of the latest regulations as a value-added service.

A day after the Supreme court ruled in favor of the Good News Presbyterian Church in Gilbert, its Pastor, Rev. Clyde Reed, put up the signs that inspired the case.

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

PrintingNews.com

The new GHS labeling requirements include standard symbols for different types of hazardous chemicals, identifying those that are (top, l to r): hazardous (in general), explosive, flammable, oxidizing; and (bottom, l to r) corrosive, hazardous to health, toxic, and environmentally hazardous.

OSHA’s HCS Changes Continue There is also a deadline looming in 2016 that print service providers should be aware of, which is related to the ongoing changes to Hazard Communication Standards (HCS) mandated by OSHA. There are three basic components to the new requirements, which apply to anything that can be considered a hazardous chemical: § new Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that replace the older Material Safety Data Sheets § new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) labels on these products § workplace labeling and employee training programs The first two predominantly apply to manufacturers and distributors of materials like ink, toner, solvents, adhesives—“anything that’s a hazardous chemical,” said Hartwig—while the third is the responsibility of print service providers. December 1, 2015 was the deadline for transitioning to new GHS labels and new SDSes, and after that date manufacturers and distributors must be using the new system and technically cannot ship materials using labels and SDSes created under the old system. The next important deadline is June 1,

PrintingNews.com

2016, which is the deadline for employers—that is, printers—to have completed new workplace labeling and training programs. The GHS was launched as long ago as 1992—and has been a long time coming—and the new standards were designed, as part of a worldwide United Nations initiative to make hazardous chemical labeling and reporting consistent. “Historically, Materials Safety Data Sheets were horrific,” said Hartwig. “Every sheet was in a different format, some were complete, some were not. There was no set standard.” The same was true of product labels. So countries across the globe pulled together to create a global standard, and tasked the regulatory bodies in each country—in the US that’s OSHA and the EPA—to adopt the Globally Harmonized System and oversee its implementation. That was easier said than done. “Everyone agrees it’s a good thing, but during the transition period it’s really causing a lot of problems.” In essence, manufactures and distributors of these materials need to get the information from their raw materials suppliers in order to produce the new SDSes and GHS labels—which for many has proven to be a challenge. Not all of this is of vital importance to print service providers (if you want more information about all the aspects of GHS, see here), but they have some degree of leeway on making sure their product inventories conform to the new SDS and labeling standards, since they are often at the mercy of their suppliers. However, said Hartwig, “there’s no excuse for not having a training program in place.” Hartwig also offered a reminder that in 2015 OSHA changed its reporting requirements for on-thejob injuries, although it has not been communicated particularly well. “If you have a fatality, a single employee has been hospitalized—actually admitted into the hospital and not just observed—or experienced an amputation or loss of an eye, you automatically have to report that to OSHA,” he said. What used to be the rule was that

a fatality and/or three or more people hospitalized from a single incident had to be reported, and that was it. “Now they’ve added a single person being admitted to the hospital, a minor amputation, or loss of a single eye,” he said. At last fall’s SGIA Expo, Hartwig conducted an extensive OSHA workshop that walked print facility owners and managers through the salient regulations—specifically the GHS-related changes—as well as offered a heads-up about a revised set of reporting requirements for workplace injuries that OSHA

One of the signs that caused a furor—and a Supreme Court ruling on temporary signage— in Reed v. Town of Gilbert. has proposed, but has not officially mandated…yet. Currently, injury and illness information records (Form 300) are required to be kept for five years, although OSHA never felt compelled to go back that far—or very far at all—and cite employers who had inaccurate or incomplete records. Now, OSHA is considering tweaking its regulatory language so that they can. “It’s really a ‘gotcha’ kind of thing that they’re trying,” said Hartwig. So in the workshop he emphasized the importance of keeping complete and accurate injury and illness records for the full five years, in the event OSHA does pull the trigger on its revision. Rules and regulations are always in flux and while they may not change in dramatic ways, being aware of even small changes from year to year can go a long way to keeping from falling afoul of OSHA and other agencies. It also helps protect your employees.

Find this article at PrintingNews.com/12148556

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

23

Market Opportunities:

Driving the Business Automotive dealerships are a great segment to court. By Toni McQuilken

T

his month, the market opportunity we’ll be taking a closer look at is one that everyone touches in some way: the world of automotive dealerships. They are in every city, usually with multiple brands competing for business, and nearly every family in the country owns at least one vehicle, with the need to upgrade on some kind of schedule. Not to mention the need for repairs and maintenance that very car, truck or other automobile needs. And the world of automotive dealerships is highly competitive as well. Every dealership or dealer group, whether they carry a franchise flag or operate as an independent, is competing for the same business in their town. They are constantly looking for ways to stand out and get noticed. And this is where a print service provider can find lucrative opportunity.

One of the most obvious needs is for the graphics and signage that give the dealership its overall look and feel. This includes wayfinding signage, wall graphics, banners, door wraps, and every other piece of print that comes together to create the atmosphere the dealer is going for. One thing to keep in mind: dealerships selling new cars under a franchised brand are required to stick with the corporate-approved graphics. In some cases, corporate will even have printers who are approved to do the work, while in other cases, the dealership can contract with a PSP of their choice, as long as they stick with the approved graphics. It’s important to research that before going in with a pitch. The other type of dealership is the independents, who often specialize in pre-owned vehicles. Because they aren’t directly affiliated with a specific brand, they have much more leeway when it comes to their graphics. Long Island Ferrari Maserati is one of those independent dealerships, with a focus on selling pre-owned, high-end luxury

At Luther Auto, one of the projects the in-house shop produced was canvas artwork that was designed and printed to look like old-fashioned oil paintings. This type of artwork project is a great example of one way PSPs can get their foot in the door at a dealership.

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vehicles. Because they sell high-value cars to high-income customers, they needed graphics to match, an opportunity that Christopher Fragala of Dolce Design New York took advantage of. “We were referred to the owner by a friend of theirs we wrapped a boat for,” he said. “We were attracted to the project for many reasons, especially since we were given full control of the design aspect of the project. They were looking for a design company that had extensive background in design and interior media application. We had a brief interview with the project manager who upon reviewing our portfolio and with the strong recommendation felt we were suited for the project.” But while a word-of-mouth recommendation to an independent dealer looking for a PSP to design and create eye-catching art work is the holy grail of auto dealership clients, it’s not the only way for printers to get into this market. There are several other very distinct types of printing that dealerships of all types are need of. Some of the larger groups have created small shops in-house to help with projects, but even then they still do look for partners to outsource certain types of jobs to. The key is to know what types of print products the dealership might need, and be able to pitch them accordingly.

ers saw success taking cars the dealership was having issues selling—tough colors that sit around for a while—and doing small things like the mirrors, roof or trunk. Accent pieces to take away from bright color on car that wouldn’t sell. They were amazed at success people have with that, spending $500 on graphics and if it sells a car

immediately it’s a positive.” Driving onto the lot with a wrapped car, or offering to wrap one or two of their vehicles is a good way to get a foot in the door. Also, walk in prepared with a portfolio to show a wide range of wrap ideas, from just doing small advertisements for the dealership to full custom wraps that the dealership

Vehicle Wraps

It should be no surprise that vehicle wraps are a big potential market when it comes to printing for automotive dealerships. And the fact is, while it seems like an obvious fit, many dealerships haven’t given much thought as to how wrapping can help them sell more cars. “A lot of people running dealerships may not know as much about vehicle wrapping as someone like a fleet company,” noted Tommy Fricano, regional manager at Avery Dennison. “A lot of times it’s having that face time with the dealership and showing them what it really is, and even doing a test run.” Fricano also noted that wraps don’t necessarily have to be over the entire vehicle. “A lot of custom-

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The first point of contact many dealerships have with potential customers is when they first walk in the door. PSPs can help them create an eye-catching and memorable graphic can help set the tone for the entire sale. Driver’s Expressions, which is the in-house printer for the Driver’s Village auto mall in Cicero, NY, which is a converted shopping mall that houses 16 dealership franchises under the same roof. Evans noted that one of the big draws is when he and his team wrap a vehicle right in the middle of the mall. “People stand around and watch,” he said. “It’s a show, and it’s really cool to see. It will get them thinking about what can they buy themselves.” While Evans runs an in-house shop, that has expanded and today about 30 percent of his work comes from outside sources, and is all acquired via wordof-mouth and demonstrations like wrapping the middle of the mall. It is a method any PSP can take advantage of—one way to form a lasting partnership might be to arrange with a local dealer to do wraps in their lot on the weekends, when there will be high amounts of traffic. If they—and the PSP—promote it as events, it can turn Unlike dealerships that focus on a single into a win-win situafranchise, those that own independent lots tion, with the printer selling used cars have much more leeway in showing off what they their look and feel. PSPs like Dolce Design can can do and getting have a lot more input into the creative process. people thinking, and can turn around and sell to their own clients. “One shop I talked to recently was visiting a couple of dealers and I asked what angle he was using. He said when he walked in, he was offering to do a free vinyl wrap on the vehicle that picked up their customers and dropped them off if they don’t have a rental,” said Shawn Crandall, business development manager for Avery Dennison. “He just walks in and offers to put stuff on their shuttle van, usually something simple on the door. But it’s a foot in the door.” Wraps are a big business for Chris Evans, the graphics manager at

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the dealership increasing the traffic through their lot. And it’s not just wrapping consumer vehicles. Many of the dealership groups also deal in fleets, which are large numbers of vehicles sold to and maintained for businesses, including things like cargo vans and trucks. This is another opportunity for wrapping PSPs should consider. Luther Auto is a mid-western dealer group with 43 stores across several states. They specifically decided to bring some print capabilities in-house because they decided they wanted to start offering wraps to their fleet customers. For Matthew Nelson, the graphic design manager at Automotive Performance Studio, Luther Auto’s print arm, the key is knowing your audience. “No two jobs are ever the same,” he said. “We are in the car industry and everyone wants it right now. Being able to take what they want, put it together and make it cost effective, getting it out there and on time, is important. This is a very deadline-oriented business.”

When looking for ways to help a dealership use graphics to stand out, don’t just think about the large, uninterrupted walls. Doorways and other nooks can be a great opportunity for a PSP to pitch unique graphic ideas.

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When pitching wrap projects to dealerships, it doesn’t just have to be traditional advertising. Another option is to pitch wraps for specific events the dealership is involved with, like this on Driver’s Village did to promote the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Marketing Materials Perhaps the biggest volume of business a PSP can see from a dealership will be the smaller projects. It is tempting to walk in and target the huge amount of wall murals, signage and branding materials dealerships use to help win customers. But the fact is, most brands have strict rules about what a dealership can and can’t display, even down to the fonts they use for their wayfinding signage. And while some brands do allow the dealers to choose their own print provider, others have a list of PSPs the dealer must go through. To start, it is far better for a PSP to target the smaller pieces of collateral and marketing materials the dealership has far

more control over. “You have to focus on advertising,” Crandall said. “You have to offer specific marketing to a niche type of group. If I was still running a sign shop today, I think I would get the best response by scheduling an appointment and walking in with sample books. Most of the dealerships signage is already there, I would focus on getting a foot in the door with ‘what can I do for you today’ pieces like a banner that day or that week. Start small and ensure they know what you have and what you can provide. From a sign shop perspective, the goal is to help the dealership get their message out and grow, so focus on that versus showing off your capabilities.”

Nelson pointed out that one of his single biggest requests at Luther Auto are for window signage. “Any time they’re running a special we do the windows,” he said. “The different manufacturers have different campaigns every month, so we print it out and put it on the windows. We’ve actually started doing more of the windows than wrapping vehicles. The vehicles we wrap every two years, and once we get through with them, until they come back into service we don’t do more with that vehicle. But windows change every month.”

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Evans agreed that window signage is huge for his dealer group, but even working from within, he’s up against an old-school mindset that any PSP looking to target this market will need to be aware of. “It’s coming from the traditional car dealer mentality where they would just use a marker on the windshield to producing something professional and world class. Changing that mindset from the old-school style of doing media or ads on vehicles to something fresh and new and clean is not that difficult, but it is one of my biggest challenges.”

Training and Support

It might not seem like a great in, but another angle to consider is those large dealer groups that do have a print shop in-house. As Evans pointed out, his group’s partnership

Some dealerships, especially large groups, have separate fleet divisions that cater to businesses that want to purchase multiple vehicles at a time, or want to buy larger trucks and vans. Offering dealerships another product to sell their fleet customers—vehicle wraps—is a great way to build a solid relationship that could expand to other print work down the line. with PSP Grant Graphics in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. has been a relationship that both sides benefit from. While Driver’s Village does its own printing, they rely on the PSP for parts, materials and even training. “We were buying thousands of dollars of preprinted materials to slap on the cars, so we talked to Skip [Grant, founder, business development, Grant Graphics] and he hooked us up with the right equipment. He taught us how to use it, and we started out producing year ovals and price stickers for the cars. As we grew and experimented, we started getting into wall graphics and vehicle wraps. And Skip sent one of his guys to teach us how to do wraps. Now we’ve got car wraps, signs, vehicle decals and it’s gotten

PSPs can look outside the traditional box when looking for ways to work with dealerships. Many have displays at automotive shows, and booth graphics like this one produced by the Driver’s Village in-house shop is a great example of another way to get a foot in the door.

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to the point where we’re going to have to start adding to our crew. And we still work with Skip—he services our machine and we buy all our materials from him. It has been a hand-in-hand relationship with him, and it is nice to have someone who has grown up with us.” For PSPs, partnering with either small independent dealers or franchise with only a few locations as the sole print provider, or working with big groups that have some on-site print capabilities can both be lucrative paths. In the first, the shop can build a relationship that can grow as the dealership grows, with a steady need for new, innovative graphics that catch consumers’ eyes. For the second, it’s all about finding the areas the dealership needs help with, and then providing solutions. The automotive market is all about relationships. Cars are sold and deals are signed based on the strength of the relationship between the salesperson and the consumer. And that same philosophy applies to the vendors the dealership works with. For a PSP looking to break into this market, start small and be willing to demonstrate the real-world applications that can bring tangible results. Go in expecting to be there for the long-term, creating a partnership that will both last the test of time and result in both parties coming out ahead. That is the way to win the auto dealer business.

Find this article at PrintingNews.com/12168248

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Be sure to check out these showstopping products on the exhibit floor in Orlando. By Denise M. Gustavson

W

hen the ISA International Sign Expo sets down its roots at the Orange County Convention Center, South Building in Orlando, FL, April 20-23, 2016, nearly 600 exhibitors will have their latest products on display. But where do you start? Wide-Format & Signage has done some of the leg-work for you. The products listed on the next few pages include a selection of the newest and most interesting on the trade show floor. Use these pages to plan your stops on the exhibit floor before you go.

Altec—Booth C10, C11, & C12

Altec’s AT40S features a large, two-man aluminum platform with a reach-through design, allowing easy access to the work area for positioning, fastening and attaching lighting and sign hardware. The unit has a 180-degree platform rotator and an adjustable material handling jib with up to 600 pounds of capacity. This aerial features a working height of 45 feet and a side reach of 30.8 feet. Altec has many purchasing options for all your “Lights and Signs” aerials, including rentals and new and innovative leasing solutions.

Marabu—Booth 237

Marabu North America LP presents ClearShield, a water-based liquid coating line that offers the same protection as film laminates at a fraction of the production costs. UV-protection, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and flexibility are just a few of the benefits protecting your digital prints with ClearShield liquid coatings.

Avery Dennison—Booth 284

Avery MPI 2600 wall film

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Avery Dennison added three new digital textured wall films, Pure Canvas, Crushed Stone and Natural Stucco featuring dimensional finishes, to the MPI 2600 wall film

portfolio. The new films provide quick, customizable and creative wall decoration and come in both permanent (MPI 2630) and removable (MPI 2631) adhesives. MPI 2600 films are 6 mil calendered and digitally printable with solvent, eco/mild solvent, latex and UV curable inks to create stunning visual graphics. The films are ideal for short- and longer-term wall vinyl graphics in hotels, commercial space, retail areas, and exhibitions.

Element Graphics—Booth 634

MagStrapz are the installer’s new best friend. They are magnetic straps that allow your heat gun or torch to stick directly to any vehicle. They are made with a heavy-duty, durable magnet, so your heat gun or torch will no longer fall, slide, or break. MagStrapz also use a specially formulated rubber that leaves no marks or imprints in the vinyl. The straps keep your heating gun a safe distance away from the vehicle so no paint or vinyl will be damaged. Save your back from bending over and your heat gun or torches from breaking with MagStrapz.

Roland DGA—Booth 734

Roland DG’s completely new TrueVIS VG Series takes wide-format print/cut technology to its most advanced level yet. TrueVIS 64- and 54-inch models incorporate four

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FASTSIGNS International—Booth 844

newly developed FlexFire print heads, new cost-effective TrueVIS INK in 500 ml pouches with reusable cartridges, new cutting technology, new Bluetooth-enabled Roland DG MobilePanel functionality, and much more. All of these advanced capabilities work together to ensure unsurpassed graphic results, maximum productivity and greater efficiency. The TrueVIS VG-640 and VG-540 each come with powerful, new VersaWorks Dual RIP software, an included TU-2 take-up system, and an industry-best Two-Year Trouble-Free Warranty.

Many print operators turn to FASTSIGNS to sell wide-format signage. The FASTSIGNS Co-Brand program puts the strength of the FASTSIGNS brand to work for you and turns non-productive square footage into revenue generating space for only $10,000 down. Converting your existing sign business to a FASTSIGNS franchise is easy and costs less than you think. Because you have an existing customer base, royalties are lower than a start-up franchise.

Rolinx USA — Booth 757

Inteplast Group Ltd—Booth 907

The Mistral 1650 is testament to Kala’s devotion to design and technology, giving even the most demanding of users an easy to use and efficient machine and offering by far the best value for money in its class. It handles single side lamination with the option of simultaneous mounting (substrates up to two inches thick), single pass encapsulation, tape application and colored backgrounds. The stand out features of the Mistral are its light self-blocking roll shafts bringing a valuable time saving to roll changes and a patented pressure adjustment system which maintains a uniform pressure across the rollers. It even saves on workshop space with a small footprint and convenient low-level storage for four rolls.

Easy Mount—Booth 779

EasyMount, LLC offers its narrow 3.5x6-inch channel letter raceway extrusion that features a true, two-piece system. It features a front and back piece that requires no in-shop fabrication. Once the back piece is mounted to the façade, the front piece (with letters already mounted) can be “dropped and locked” into place. To finish up, simply fasten the end caps and administer fasteners along the bottom tabs. Its sleek, solid face makes it aesthetically smooth for ANY channel letter job. Power supplies are accessible by slide out pan on left or right side of sign.

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Available in 5mm thickness and standard sheet sizes, IntePro PS is a unique Polystyrene faced graphic board that is a durable material with very smooth printing surface. Unlike traditional polystyrene faced boards, IntePro PS uses adhesive free co-extrusion technology to create a smooth solid print surface that will not delaminate.

Esko—Booth 923

Digital finishing can be a bottleneck, requiring faster turnarounds on an increasing variety of materials. The Kongsberg C is a 3.2-meter finishing system that completes the vast majority of finishing without losing quality or productivity—at speeds never accomplished before. More than 10 feet across the table, its unique, extremely rigid, carbon-composite traverse assures excellent precision and high speed, fast acceleration, high quality cutting, creasing and powerful 3kW milling capabilities.

Arlon—Booth 935

Arlon is excited to debut our new cast digital wrap film, DPF 6100XLP at ISA which features a new low profile, air egress liner. DPF 6100XLP has a low initial tack allowing for a speedy installation while ensuring a smooth paint-like finish. DPF 6100XLP is recommended for full and partial vehicle and fleet

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Scaled Royalty Program Conversion Allowance FASTSTART training on efficiencies and procedures Buying power with vendors, helping lower your costs Respected and recognized brand State-of-the-art technology and training programs Proven effective local and national marketing

For information on our Conversion Program: www.fastsigns.com

Mark Jameson 214-346-5679 [email protected] For more information, visit PrintingNews.com/10054488

wraps providing superior conformability around rivets, curves, contours and channels.

EL Hatton Sales—Booth 954

Banner Ups TexTape is a double-sided, pressure-sensitive adhesive hemming tape that sticks to polyester and nylon woven or knitted textiles. TexTape allows printers to finish textile banners and flags instantly in-house in minutes. Works great on latex or dye sublimation printed textile banners and flags. Creates a clean crisp edge that looks great. No sewing labor required. Just peel, stick, and fold hem that is super-strong and UV durable indoors or out. No cost of expensive sewing equipment or skilled operator and maintenance needed. Available in 3/8- and ¾-inch widths.

Mutoh America—Booth 959

The new ValueJet 405GT is here! Customize your world with personalized t-shirts, hats, workout apparel and more. No screens to burn or messy inks. Print custom designs and photographic art work directly onto your t-shirts with vibrant CMYK ink for incredible “pop” on white shirts and use white ink for printing on black and colored t-shirts. A large easy to use seven-inch digital control panel, expanded print area and fast print speeds are only a few of the features that make the ValueJet 405GT a valuable addition to any print or screen shop.

Orbus Exhibit & Display Group—Booth 1012

Embrace Tension Fabric displays from Orbus Exhibit & Display Group feature a collapsible straight silver frame and support a fabric graphic that attaches by simply pushing the graphic into a thin channel. State-of-the-art printed

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fabric graphics feature silicone-edge beading, allowing for simple application to lightweight silver frames. Bars around the frame perimeter support the push-fit fabric graphics, and create an edge-to-edge seamless display. Graphics quickly slide into the thin channels for setup or messaging changes. Embrace displays range from tabletop to full height 10 feet wide straight backwalls, with stabilizing feet included for a sturdy display solution.

Royal Sovereign International—Booth 1051

Produced by Bobis Engineering and distributed in the US by Royal Sovereign International, the Multi-Applicator is the easy choice for your flatbed application needs. Best-In-Class Features include: Precise laser cut aluminum profiles offering the truest table size, full-length dust free table illumination with no unsightly gridline and a maintenance free roller transport. The Multi-Applicators also comes standard with a Swiss engineered hydraulic system that will raise and lower the work table from 32 to 41 inches. Adapt your worktable to your needs instead of adapting to meet the needs of your worktable.

Drytac—Booth 1079

Visit Drytac at the ISA Sign Expo 2016 to see the newest JetMounter model—the JM55 Force. This entry level roller laminator boasts a heavy-duty metal construction for users who require long-term durability and functionality. It is excellent for mounting, laminating and decaling pressure sensitive materials. Noteworthy features of the Force include a maximum laminating width of 55 inches (1397mm), large 4.7-inch (119.4mm) diameter non-stick rollers, speed control up to 20 feet (6m) per minute, a maximum nip opening of one inch (25mm), top and bottom auto-grip supply shafts with brake tension control on the operator side, and an interchangeable 110V or 220V electrical configuration.

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STS Inks—Booth 1161

STS Inks has announced a new neon fluorescent ink set for most major manufacturers’ printers. The neon ink can be printed as spot colors or mixed with standard CMYK process colors. Mixing the neon fluorescent colors with standard CMYK colors opens up a wide range of custom colors and effects. These prints can be view under normal lighting conditions or get an even wider range of effects by viewing under black light. No need to buy an additional printer to add new output possibilities, just add STS Inks neon fluorescent ink set to your existing printer.

Oki Data—Booth 1171

The ColorPainter M-64s from OKI

Data is a 64-inch wide-format printer that delivers rich, glossy output for indoor and outdoor use, and high-density images on media including backlit signs, banners and vehicle wraps. Its distinct competitive advantages equate to higher productivity and profitability. Recent upgrades include enhancements to the Smart Nozzle Mapping

What's In Your Magnet?

ACCO Brands—Booth 1135

The SEAL 62 Base pressure-sensitive wide format laminator with top heat assist ensures the perfect finish every time. Ideal for mounting and laminating pressure-sensitive graphics up to 61 inches wide, this machine offers a flexible package at an affordable price. Equipped with adjustable pressure and speed settings, a two-inch nip opening and the option for roll-toroll, the SEAL 62 Base delivers genuine flexibility and high performance levels perfect for the small to medium sized user.

A lot goes into Magnum Magnetics® brand printable magnets: • World-class product innovation and quality control • Pleasant and responsive customer service and technical support • The hard work of dedicated Americans working in a safe and respectful environment Experience the quality, service, lead times, and custom solutions you deserve from your flexible magnet supplier. Experience the Magnum Difference – call us today at 800.258.0991

800.258.0991 magnummagnetics.com [email protected] For more information, visit PrintingNews.com/10006517

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Technology, and the device’s six- or seven-color SX eco-solvent, low-odor inks have achieved the GREENGUARD Gold Certification for the UL 2818 - 2013 Standard for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes and Furnishings. OKI Data will host live in-booth vehicle wrap demonstrations during ISA.

3A Composites—Booth 1217

Gatorfoam consists of polystyrene foam bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneer laminate. This unique construction makes Gatorfoam rigid yet lightweight and warp-resistant; its surface also is exceptionally smooth and strong, offering superior dent- and scratch-resistance. Gatorfoam is available in several combinations of white and black facers and white or black foam as well as natural facers with white foam. Gatorfoam is available in seven standard thicknesses ranging from 3/16 inches to two inches and in 48x96inch, 60x96-inch, and 60x120-inch sheets. Gatorfoam Exterior—available in the one inch, 1.5inch and two inch thicknesses—is manufactured with a specially formulated adhesive that improves both bond strength and moisture resistance in exterior signage and displays. When installed outdoors, it is recommended that Gatorfoam edges be painted to protect the foam from UV exposure.

Top Value Products—Booth 1259

Supernova is a high-performance backlit fabric that features a smooth, elegant drape and offers a sensational illuminated quality that demands attention. This bright white polyester fabric yields excellence in backlit graphics and extra appeal that is most popular in high-end retail and tradeshow settings. Supernova is an advanced platform for rich, vibrant graphics. This media is REACH Compliant, which is a strict EU standard certifying it is free of substances of very high concern. After imaging, this advanced media platform yields outstanding color consistency, excellent image sharpness and a beautifully vibrant color range.

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RTape—Booth 1309

Synaps OM is a next generation synthetic print media made from high grade polyester film, not vinyl. Polyester films have superior dimensional stability and unmatched lay-flat characteristics. The result: great looking prints that hold their shape and color without extra laminating or mounting. With Synaps OM you can say goodbye to bowing, curling, delaminating and fading, in the toughest environments, inside or out. Engineered to deliver outstanding image quality on UV inkjet and latex printers—Synaps OM delivers effortless, efficient processing combined with beauty and strength to create high impact, high margin, large-format graphics.

Agfa Graphics—Booth 1335

At Sign Expo, Agfa Graphics will be showing a brandnew version of the Jeti Mira UV inkjet printer with a new RTR system designed to minimize waste. Agfa Graphics’ 2.69m (105.9-inch) true flatbed printer with moving gantry is built for heavy industrial workloads. The Jeti Mira produces outstanding quality in six colors plus white with optional primer or varnish. The 7pl droplet size produces stunning detail and razor-sharp text as small as four-point type. The ‘Print & Prepare’ mode offers non-stop printing while its six vacuum zones with four sets of registration pins enable fast, accurate double-sided printing.

Direct Color Systems—Booth 1585

With a printable area up to 23.8x48 inches (24 inches in certain circumstances), the 7200z printer provides digital printing benefits like one-ups or short runs, but it is also an ideal solution for those customers that require the larger print area, the automation, and industry leading production speeds and resolution. Designed for automation and enhanced

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throughput, options include a Pallet Shuttle System for automated and continuous printing, a patent pending ADA/Braille signage process, and cylindrical printing with the EasyCyl 7200.

3M—Booth 1700

3M Envision Flexible Substrate FS-1 allows manufacturers to build signs that use less energy and require less maintenance, and also gives graphics manufacturers increased design versatility, with options to decorate with cut vinyl or direct print with solvent, UV or latex inks. The seamless, wide width flexible substrate is backed by the industry-leading 3M MCS Warranty, and can be combined with other LED-enabling products in the 3M Envision line of products for illuminated signs.

General Formulations—Booth 1715

Concept 252 Wall-Tux is an adhesive backed wall fabric with added opacity and a superior white point. This wall product will indeed “Dress Up” up any smooth dry wall surface. Wall-Tux is a 6 mil Matte White Polyester with a clear low-tack adhesive that allows for clean removability up to six months. It resists fraying when contour cutting and is printable with solvent, eco solvent, latex, UV curable screen and offset inks. Concept 252 is designed for temporary application of decals and graphics to most types of painted interior smooth walls.

Verseidag US—Booth 1723

Verseidag US is excited to offer the North American market our new line of seemee Select printable fabrics. These high-quality, economical transfer dye sublimation and latex printable fabrics include a 5.5 oz Poly Light, 8.1 oz Poly Heavy, 7.5 oz Tri White and 7.9 oz Blockout. Available in widths of 60 inches and 122 inches to 126

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inches (product dependent), and offer both NFPA 701 and CA Title 19 fire retardancy.

Foster—Booth 1744

Foster is demonstrating a new Low Profile On-a-Roll Lifter at ISA 2016. The perfect companion to HP Latex 3000, 3100, and 3500 series printers, this innovative lifter enables a single operator to quickly and easily manipulate rolls as heavy as 660 pounds (300 kg) and as wide as 16.4 feet (5 m), even in shops with limited floor space. The rugged Foster construction guarantees long lifter life, and a new ergonomic pull bar reduces operator effort. Foster is an HP Partner, and the new Foster Low Profile On-a-Roll Lifter is available through HP dealers worldwide.

Miller Weldmaster—Booth 1761

Our fastest, most precise welder for welding long straight seams with a large range of welding capabilities built to fit any company size and application. The 112 Extreme is built to take your production to the next level. An all in one sign seaming solution… cut, weld and grommet!

Mimaki USA—Booth 1770

New Mimaki UJF-7151 plus UV-LED flatbed printer is designed for high-precision printing on rigid substrates up to 28x20 inches, and up to six inches high. Unlike conventional models, a print table moves during printing for reduced printer unit vibration, which contributes to very high positional accuracy for producing fine lines, edges and small point text. Produce wayfinding signage, POP displays, lenticular panels,

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nameplates, and more, or add to your existing sign business by offering custom decorated goods such as phone covers, promotional giveaways and packaging.

Encore Products—Booth 1853

EnCore Products is launching a new foam board: Brushed Aluminum. With its dramatic visual appeal, this product’s potential is limitless. Brushed Aluminum is an easy and faster to cut, printable surface board available in 3/16-inch thickness.

ONYX Graphics—Booth 1879

Ultraflex Systems Inc.—Booth 1925

Ultraflex Systems Inc. is unveiling a new two-story booth featuring the launch of Signetics, the latest innovation in magnetic receptive media. Signetics’ benefits include easy, on-site installation, no-edge chipping, neutral white point, and exceptional durability. The Signetics line features three product offerings: Signetics Select (74 inches wide), Signetics LTX (latex printable), and Signetics Duo (two-sided and latex printable).

ONYX 12 software delivers faster RIP performance, a simplified user interface and advanced finishing tools to do more in less time. Specifically developed to make printing more predictable, ONYX 12 software enables large format print operators to produce jobs right the first time. It utilizes the complete 64-bit platform to harness full processing capabilities, delivering not just faster speeds but greater responsiveness as well. It seamlessly handles varied file formats and reproduces the client’s intent in an accurate, predictable manner. Users can be confident in the printed output and avoid the costs associated with handling unexpected results.

Colex specializes in wide-format finishing for all your finishing needs. Colex offers the Colex Sharpcut 5x10-foot flatbed cutter featuring a triple interchangeable tool head, energy efficient six-zone vacuum system, and vision registration camera and software. Optional conveyor model with automatic roll feeder and board loader is available.

AGL—Booth 1913

HP—Booths 1957 & 1971

AGL will be showcasing its Patriot laminator. This laminator is designed to address the issues associated with finishing UV, Latex and Solvent based printing technologies. With AGL’s Proprietary nip roll design and the Industries best heating and nip pressure design, this Laminator solves the problems associated with poor laminate adhesion and silvering. AGL will also debuting a new medium life polymeric adhesive backed vinyl media/over-laminate solution for indoor or outdoor signage. In addition to our Digital Imaging equipment we will be highlighting our full line of media, adhesives, PSA vinyls, and laminating films.

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

Colex—Booth 1949

The HP Latex 370 Printer helps sign shops, quick printers and small-to-medium print service providers expand large-format printing capabilities, offer new applications and build healthier production environments. Designed for confident, unattended printing in high volumes, the 64-inch HP Latex 370 Printer features three-liter ink cartridges that can be changed while printing, increasing margins and productivity, while keeping running costs low. The printer is compatible with traditional signage substrates, like vinyl and banners, as well as canvas and wallpapers. Third generation HP Latex inks provide high-quality prints that are scratch resistant and do not require drying time.

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Canon Solutions America—Booth 2011

During this year’s International Sign Expo in Orlando, Canon Solutions America will feature some of its leading large-format printing solutions that continue to redefine the industry. Guests will see first-hand the diversity of the Canon and Océ machines, and the equally impressive range of potential money-making applications associated with the award-winning products. In particular, guests can expect to see the recently launched Océ Arizona 1280 GT flatbed printer. The launch of the fourth generation of the Océ Arizona printer series has set the industry abuzz, with enhancements to the technology set to offer even wider application versatility. The newest series was designed for sign and display graphics print providers and developed to support a broad range of rigid and flexible media applications.

AXYZ International—Booth 2035

The Trident machine from AXYZ International revolutionizes the digital finishing industry with an innovative hybrid CNC cutting solution. The most versatile router/ knife combination in its class delivers a unique triple-head system which consists of a twin-knife head and a heavy-duty routing spindle. These tools allow processing of almost any sheet material from vinyl, leather, gasket and foams to natural woods, acrylic and non-ferrous metals up to 6 inches thick. Performance enhancements such as a servo motors and helical rack and pinion drive systems guarantee fast and precise cutting while a fully automatic tool changer further optimizes productivity.

Adams Tech—Booth 2123

Adams Tech offers the fastest, most precise, most reliable, most versatile automated channel letter bending systems available to the sign making industry. The ChannelBender series is our solution for both traditional and

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Trimless channel letters. We are truly automated metal bending experts, the inventors and original patent holders of this type of technology. We have been manufacturing and servicing automated precision bending systems for more than 20 years and we hold more than15 patents. Other manufacturers have tried to imitate our machinery design but not one has been able to duplicate our precision, accuracy, nor our versatility.

CET Color—Booth 2153

CET Color’s newest K2-1000 UV wide-format printer features state-of-the-art Kyocera print heads with 2,656 nozzles per head. The printer’s LED UV lamps instantaneously cures UV ink to produce prints at an efficient speed of up to 1000 sqft/hour. With a maximum media size of 5x10-feet and a precise five-picoliter drop size, the K2-1000 offers application versatility and unparalleled quality for every business need.

Summa, Inc.—Booth 2161

At the 2016 ISA show, Summa will be demonstrating their new F2630 grand format professional flatbed finishing system. This latest addition to the affordably priced F Series is now available in a size designed to expand your capabilities and dramatically increase productivity. With a highly versatile cutting area measuring 104.33x 120.07 inches (265 cm x 305 cm), this is the breakthrough cutting solution you’ve been dreaming about. Be sure to visit the Summa booth for a full demonstration.

Zünd—Booth 2171

A huge success since its recent introduction, Zünd’s automatic router bit changer—ARC significantly reduces setup and processing times for routing applications on Zünd G3 digital cutting/routing systems. The user can freely combine up to eight different bits in a fully integrated tool magazine. From there, Zünd Cut Center, the workflow suite that powers Zünd cutters, automatically takes care of picking and changing bits

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

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based on the job, processing method (cutting, polishing, etc.), and material at hand. This all but eliminates the potential for operator error, a common problem in higher-volume routing applications, and dramatically increases overall productivity.

Novus Imaging—Booth 2185

Novus Imaging will introduce the ULTRA, the UV LED flatbed printer that everyone is talking about at the ISA Expo booth 2185. ULTRA is FAST, producing outstanding greyscale print quality at 1300 ft2; per hour. UV LED curing and ink technology deliver low temperature curing and reliability without sacrificing print speed, color gamut, ink adhesion or media versatility. ULTRA includes an auto mask system to save hours of set up time. ULTRA is affordable and field upgradeable to allow for additional capacity as your business grows. Available auto loader / unloader. The ULTRA is proudly made in the USA.

LexJet—Booth 2197

LexJet Simple Grip Backlit. Get ready to take window graphics to the next level with this extraordinary removable, self-adhesive product that is easily installed on the inside of a window with the graphic viewable from either indoors or out. What makes this polyester film special is that when paired with light—either a spotlight from the front, lighting from the back or even natural sunlight—the frosted finish really pops, bring images to life. Product highlights: § High-impact, vibrant graphics during the day or night § Easy one-step installation and removal § Great for windows or lightboxes § Compatible with latex and UV-curable inks

Advantage Sign & Graphic Solutions –Booth 2245

Did you know that Advantage Sign & Graphic Solutions offers its own Optima portfolio of media and equipment

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products for high quality results, without the high price? Designed specifically for use in the sign and outdoor graphics industry, there’s an Optima product for all your printing needs. All Optima products have been thoroughly tested and validated for compatibility on various printing platforms including solvent, latex, UV, and thermal. Save up to 35 percent just by switching to high quality OPTIMA brand media.

Clear Focus Imaging, Inc.—Booth 2317

Ideal for retail window graphics, new translucent 24-Vue Two Way Vision Film maintains its visual impact when frontlit during the day as well as when backlit by interior store lighting at night. An additional advantage of 24-Vue over traditional one-way-vision films is that the graphic can be seen from both sides. 24-Vue features a 70/30 perforation pattern (70 percent print surface) and a clear pressure-sensitive adhesive for interior or exterior mounting. Its universal release liner is compatible with UV-cure, latex, solvent, eco-solvent, and other print technologies.

Fisher Textiles—Booth 2335

Stand out from the competition with attention grabbing floor graphics printed on Fisher’s Rebound printable carpet. Rebound has an anti-skid rubber backing, doesn’t hold a form when pressure is applied and released and is perfect for corporate and promotional eventing applications. Uses include short-term carpet for events, trade show floor graphics, POP displays, bar mats and floor mats. Compatible with Dye Sub transfer and UV curable printers, it is FR and meets 16 CFR Part 1630, which is required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for carpet materials. Free sample rolls are available for testing.

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Caldera—Booth 2371

TextilePro offers companies creating long runs of functional or patterned fabrics using digital print technology a powerful, streamlined production suite that guarantees consistency of output despite rapid turnaround. TextilePro harnesses Caldera’s extensive experience in color control while introducing practicalities intended for those creating industrial-scale products.

Vanguard Digital—Booth 2399

The VR5D utilizes the latest RICOH GEN 5 print head technology. Banding is virtually eliminated with the VR5D. The mirrored head arrangement (YMCKW - WKCMY) in each pass not only helps eliminate banding, it allows for more sell-able output in less time. The VR5D can print materials up to 4 inches thick and with its standard LED curing system it can also print the thinnest of materials without any heat distortion. With print head scalability between 2 & 10 print heads, additional print heads can be added on the 2-8 head units, on-site, to increase productivity and output quality.

Photo Tex Group—Booth 2441

Photo Tex will be displaying the Photo Tex (OPA/ OPAS) Block-Out self-adhesive removable fabric. This bestselling Self-Adhesive Fabric is wonderful to use when overlapping/ paneling to hide those overlap seams. This and all Photo Tex materials are Class A fire rated, non-toxic and can remain installed for a day or a decade. Stop in our booth and sign up for a free sample roll to be sent directly to your shop at no charge.

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EFI—Booth 2507

The new EFI VUTEk FabriVU product line includes the 3.4-meter VUTEk FabriVU printer being shown for the first time in North America at the International Sign Expo. Developed by EFI Reggiani, the Italy-based global leader in aqueous-based textile print technology, FabruVU printers run water-based inks and provide stunning print quality and speed to help print providers quickly expand their range of offerings with profitable soft signage, banners and other applications. Available now, the printer offers print speeds up to 1,500 square feet per hour at 600 dpi, ultra-high resolutions up to 2,400 dpi and four-level grayscale printing with four to 72-picoliter drop sizes.

Palram America—Booth 2510

The PALIGHT family of foam PVC products provides printers with options for high-volume, value-oriented printing, as well as premium quality printing. PALIGHT EPS is an economical print substrate that offers excellent printability and ink adhesion at an attractive price point, ideal for price sensitive jobs. PALIGHT Premium has developed a reputation as the “best all around” foam PVC because it scores well in so many performance categories: excellent ink adhesion, surface smoothness, white point and workability. It’s versatile, flexible, lightweight and durable. Also available with an embossed Woodgrain surface allowing you to add more dimension and character to signs & displays.

Orafol—Booth 2535

Join ORAFOL Americas and watch daily vehicle wrap demonstrations of Oracal 970RA Premium Shift Effect Cast with RapidAir technology. Series 970RA Premium Shift Effect Cast is a wrapping film unlike anything you’ve seen before. Shift your view and watch the color change before your eyes. It’s engineered with cutting edge technology that produces mesmerizing multi-color effects combined with RapidAir technology to make installation a breeze.

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Epson—Booth 2557

Epson is showcasing its next generation SureColor S-Series solvent inkjet printers: the 64-inch production S40600, S60600, and S80600. Developed over a four-year period, Epson engineers incorporated the latest imaging technologies—including fourth-generation Epson UltraChrome GS3 solvent ink chemistry, an all-new precision media feeding system, and a high performance Dual-Array PrecisionCore TFP print head—to provide unparalleled levels of productivity and image quality, plus improved reliability, to the signage, vehicle graphics and fine art reproduction markets. The SureColor S-Series redefines the price-performance equation, delivering high-quality, sellable output at impressive production speeds.

Magnum Magnetics—Booth 2701

DigiMaxx super-wide magnetic media is direct-printable, flexible magnetic material from Magnum Magnetics designed for super-wide signage and graphics applications (40 inches and above). We offer 24-hour turnaround on stock products, and custom material delivered in days, not months. Rolls and cut sheets available. DigiMaxx is made in the USA, meaning excellent lead times, outstanding and consistent product quality, and unbeatable customer service.

Nazdar SourceOne—Booth 2715

Nazdar SourceOne will be exhibiting the latest in digital ink technology, including the newest addition to the line, Nazdar702/703 Series UV Inkjet Inks. These new inks are plug-and-play and qualified to run in the Oce Arizona and Fujifilm Acuity printers.

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Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

§ Close color match and chemical compatibility: Nazdar ink uses the OEM color profiles § No ink conversion required, replace the OEM ink and continue printing § Flexible ink with reduced chipping on edges when router or guillotine cut § Much improved ink adhesion and performance on acrylic and Dibond § Up to 35 percent less expensive than OEM inks § Industry’s strongest third party warranty

ATP Adhesive Systems—Booth 2727

Introducing GP-410 wg g AE2, a low-cost, 4mil gloss vinyl with Air Escape Liner for bubble-free application. It is easy and economical. ATP Adhesive Systems offers a full line of mounting films, laminates, and self-adhesive vinyl.

Continental Grafix USA — Booth 2727

Introducing CourtWrap, the solution for athletic court floors. CourtWrap is a laminated Polyester / Vinyl film with a revolutionary, proprietary, long-term repositionable / removable adhesive. CourtWrap is especially designed for indoor sporting hall floors, but can also be used on other smooth, flat surfaces, such as painted metal, glass, tile, sealed concrete, sealed wood, etc… Extremely easy to install and remove. Repositionable, Dimensionally Stable & Durable. No adhesive residue. You can even wash dust and dirt off the adhesive and reapply the graphic. For Indoor Athletic Court Floors, use with CourtWrap Protect, textured non-slip laminate. (ASTM D-2047 certified).

Vista System—Booth 2823

Vista System is proud to launch the best solution for large signs: Vista Expand. This revolutionary signage system ranges in size from 700-1400mm wide

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and up to four meters height, yet it can be literally expanded to any length, by a special hidden internal element. The series’ ultra modern design is supported by exceptional strong aluminum extrusions that are both vandal-proof and elegant at the same time. Vista Expand is available with whole aluminum end caps; only extrusion-covering end caps or none at all. Its clever design ensures that inserts remain protected and secured when exposed to the elements.

full automation available. The devices are now made and supported in the USA. See our fully automated solutions at ISA, where we will show a VersaTech 1.6m wide X 3.2m long system fully functional with conveying and all tools from laser to router to knife cutting and creasing. MCT also operates CutGuru for blades, bits and more.

Anajet—Booth 2954

MCT—Both 2927

MCT delivers the industry’s most innovative grand-format digital flatbed cutting solution, VersaTech. At MGE, having pioneered optical registration with i-cut software, our team now introduces the most intuitive vision software, TigerVision. Systems come from 1.6m to 3.2m wide with 3.2m to 9.4m cutting lengths for laser/routing/knife cutting applications,

Discover the next generation mPower i-series from AnaJet; now a Ricoh Company. Print vibrant full color graphics on light and dark t-shirts and other substrates in as little as 20 seconds for a light shirt or 45 seconds for a dark shirt with the mP10-i model. The industrial strength Ricoh print head is built for speed and durability, and the AnaRIP and Spark for AnaJet graphics programs make the printer incredibly user-friendly.

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Market Place

April 2016 Ad Directory

Advertiser ............................... PG#

Advertiser ............................... PG#

Advertiser ............................... PG#

Caldera Software ............................. 27 PrintingNews.com/10004280 www.caldera.com

Magnum Magnetics ......................... 33 PrintingNews.com/10006517 www.magnummagnetics.com 800-258-0991

Mutoh America ................................. 2 PrintingNews.com/10006791 www.mutoh.com | 800-99MUTOH

Canon Solutions America ............... 7 PrintingNews.com/10006967 www.csa.canon.com | 800-714-4427 FASTSIGNS Int’l .............................. 31 PrintingNews.com/10054488 www.fastsigns.com | 800-827-74518 LexJet ................................................ 21 PrintingNews.com/10006398 HPLFMedia.com | 888-896-4668

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Master Magnetics ............................ 25 PrintingNews.com/10111182 www.magnetsource.com/one 888-293-3534 Mimaki USA ...................................... 5 PrintingNews.com/10006709 www.mimakiusa.com | 888-530-4021 Mohawk............................................. 13 PrintingNews.com/10006743 www.MohawkConnects.com 800-the-mill

Oki Data ............................................ 43 PrintingNews.com/10007892 www.okidata.com/wide-format 800-264-1272 Signs 365 ........................................... 44 PrintingNews.com/10449454 www.signs365.com | 800.265.8830 Zund .................................................. 17 PrintingNews.com/10008759 www.zund.com | 414-433-0700

Wide-Format & Signage | April 2016

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Industry Insights

Dreamweavers One of the great things about being in the sign and graphics industry is making people’s dreams come true. By Lori Anderson

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s owner of a Signarama franchise and SAR DesignStudio, Kip Greer sees it frequently: the joy when a new sign is installed. He knows what customers are feeling, the thrill of seeing an ambition come into being. Greer has owned his own business for more than 40 years. In fact, out of his career, he only worked for others for about two of those years. “I prefer to work for myself because I reap the full benefit of my efforts. To be able to set your own agenda and get your own things done is the most important thing. When other Lori Anderson decision-makers are involved, it hampers your ability to accomplish things,” Kip said. He understands then, the pride and promise that are tangibly represented in a new business sign. “Being in the sign business, which is a very visual business, you get to see people’s reactions, reactions that you wouldn’t think would exist. When you make a sign for somebody just going into business, they’re passionate about that business and the sign represents that. They see the sign, they are giddy and excited. It’s always exciting to me when it occurs.” Kip hasn’t lost his excitement in all of his years of owning the Signarama franchise in Durham, NC. As part of the SAR DesignStudio, his shop offers interior and exterior signs in addition to the vehicle wraps,

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banners and graphics. His client base runs from the small business to the larger institutions. And he says he sees the same level of excitement on larger projects—even when the employee doesn’t have the same vested interest as a small business owner. That’s one of the great things about being in the sign and graphics industry: we get to help make people’s dreams come true. Granted, before the sign goes up, there are 100 other ways that their businesses come together. But there’s just something about seeing that sign that makes it seem real. They’ve dreamed of and planned for this business for months or years. The sign speaks that dream to the world. It is a dream that an increasing number of working adults hold. According to a 2014 study, those in their 20s in particular want to own their own businesses, with 52 percent of those surveyed said so. That’s just slightly higher than the number of those in their 30s with the same desire. Those in their 40s-60s desire business ownership much less. The sign and graphics industry is the backbone of making this dream come true. It’s something that many in our industry experience as well. Maybe the company was started a few generations ago by a relative. Or maybe it’s just a few years old. But many in our industry enjoy those same feelings of pride that we help small business owners experience. If the sign and graphics industry is at the core of helping achieve the American dream, ISA International Sign Expo is the backbone of helping the industry do that. Just spend a few minutes wandering around

the tradeshow floor—which is sold out at just over 200,000 square feet this year—and imagine the possibilities, not only for your own business but also for those who will come through your door, asking you to help bring their dreams to life. I hope you’ll join me at ISA International Sign Expo 2016 April 20-23 in Orlando, FL. Kip will be there, too, as part of the 2016 Signarama International Convention which is co-locating with ISA Sign Expo 2016. Kip has attended ISA Sign Expo before, but sees the co-location as a chance to maximize his most valuable asset. “Time is something I don’t have a whole lot of,” he said. “That’s the best part of the whole thing. We can combine both trips into one.” We understand the value of time, especially to a small business owner. But I promise you, these four days will spark your imagination in all that you can create. You’ll find resources to help you run your own business as well. And it will help you understand more about the promise and potential that faces every one of your customers as they come into your shop, waiting to see their dreams come alive. Because we get to enjoy this every day, we may forget how important it is. So the next time you install or deliver a sign to a new business owner, take a few minutes to get caught up in their excitement. It’s a good reminder of why we do what we do.

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