Established in 2006, Print 2 Media has expanded its offering into other areas, picking up a range of new customers in the process, particularly in the education sector, helped by the launch of its school-focused division, The School Sign Shop. Offering everything from school playground signage to wall murals, The School Sign Shop now works with education settings across Cornwall and the UK.

Most recently, Mousehole School, Penzance, was the recipient of graphics including three large maps; one of the area local to the school that highlighted nearby landmarks, another a UK map showing sites of interest and importance, and the third a world map with postcard pictures of famous sights. A fourth graphic was a timeline detailing major historic events.

For this project, Print 2 Media selected Drytac Polar Grip, a white polymeric self-adhesive vinyl, used in schools before, which offers adhesion to any surface including metal, plastic, wood, glass, and brick. Print 2 Media purchased the film and accompanying laminate from Premier Paper Group, the exclusive Drytac distributor in the UK and Ireland.

Print 2 Media printed all graphics in house using its Canon Océ Colorado 1640 and SwissQPrint Nyala 4, while its specialist team installed the pieces on site at the school.

‘School customers are always the best,’ Print 2 Media founder Glenn Wrigley said. ‘The teachers are so enthusiastic and happy to have such a useful teaching aid and the children certainly let us know their thoughts. They are always so positive and take real pride in their new wall murals. We have been working with Drytac materials for over five years now and are always pleased with the end result.’

The post Print 2 Media uses Drytac option to help educate youth appeared first on Digital Printer.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in signage and speak with experts about how new products and options can help their businesses grow.

Drytac products will be present at Mimaki’s booth, where visitors can see Drytac’s ViziPrint Clear, ViziPrint Deco +, Polar Chrome and both Retac Canvas and Retac Linen being run on Mimaki machinery.

Drytac’s Polar Dynamic Sand will be featured on the Vanguard Digital Printing Systems and Durst Group stand. Elsewhere, Fujifilm will be using Drytac’s Viziprint Impress Clear as part of its live product demonstrations on its booth, while Epson America will showcase the qualities of Polar Grip Air.

Attendees can also visit the Mutoh America stand to view live demonstrations of Drytac’s ReTac Smooth throughout the event. ReTac Smooth will also feature on the swissQprint America stand alongside ReTac Textures Woodgrain.

In addition, Drytac partner HP will demonstrate both Viziprint Impress Clear and SpotOn Clear on its printing machinery.

Glen Fitzgerald, director of sales for the Americas at Drytac commented, ‘The ISA Sign Expo is a highly important event on our US calendar. Running our products on machines from several manufacturers will showcase the flexibility and adaptability of Drytac solutions, as well as the overall quality of these products.’

The post Drytac to showcase adhesive options at ISA Sign Expo 2024 appeared first on Digital Printer.

Speaking about the co-location of SDUK with Printwear & Promotion Live (see preview on p40), event director Tony Gardner said, ‘Sign & Digital UK 2024 is the first SDUK under our ownership, and we are really looking forward to seeing how the co-located event works. All shows must continue to develop their offering and we believe a co-located event is key to help grow the show, and to attract a new audience into the world of sign-making and large-format digital printing. Visitors will have the chance to explore the latest technology and innovations first-hand, with many of these advancements being showcased in the UK for the first time.’

The exhibition will be complemented by the International Sign Association (ISA-UK) Explains Lounge. Now in its third year, the Lounge will host a series of presentations and panel discussions designed to inform and educate visitors to the show on the latest developments, trends and innovations and how they will impact the large format printing, sign-making and visual communications industry.

Topics include managing your sign business, business advice sessions, daily panel and feature sessions. The Women in Sign and Graphics session focuses on their contributions to the industry, while The Printing Charity will share ways to support mental well-being within the sector.

On the show floor, Hybrid Services, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki Europe, is introducing three new printers at the event. These are the Mimaki TxF300-75 direct-to-film printer launched in August 2023, the UJV100-160Plus LED UV printer announced in September 2023, which will have its first UK exhibition showing, plus the first showing of the Mimaki UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/cutter. The latter is a 1.6m production machine that Hybrid says offers ‘highly creative capabilities coupled with ultra-low running costs’.

RGB and Oki Europe are teaming up to support motor vehicle number plate printing with a complete ‘business in a box’ solution. They will be featuring the A3+ Oki Pro9542 printer, which includes white toner, and the Oki C650, described as ‘the world’s smallest high performance colour printer’  but still suitable for commercial print.

UK Feather Flags will showcase various products, including a new line of Eco fabric exhibition display solutions that it says demonstrate its commitment to sustainable signage. The company aims to build brand awareness, forge new business relationships, and gain insights into emerging market trends.

Sign Trade Supplies plans to display its range of sustainable aluminium profiles, sign fixings, and components, emphasising value to customers. The stand will also feature an interactive element, adding a ‘fun and engaging dimension for attendees’.

Assured Signage aims to use the show to highlight the potential of digital signage as a new revenue stream for traditional sign-makers and printers. It will present its media player, Sureview Genesis, which is claimed to offer offering exceptional performance and a low cost of ownership. The stand will also feature displays from Papercast, showcasing e-ink displays ideal for outdoor applications.

Roland DG  is taking space at both SDUK and Printwear & Promotion. At the former, it will showcase its new VersaObject MO-240, which replaces the company’s popular LEF2 Series and is designed to enhance direct-to-object printing with new levels of productivity. For those interested in signage, interior design and vehicle wraps, the company will also be showcasing its TrueVIS AP-640 resin printer, plus the popular TrueVis LG-640 UV print and cut device, and the 2.4 x 1.2m VersaObject EU-1000MF flatbed that can handle objects up to 95mm thick. These will be backed by demonstrations of the DG Connect software app.

Brownings, in partnership with Magnwall, plans to showcase novel wireless electrification systems at SDUK 2024. This allows users to mount electrical accessories onto the face of tension fabric systems, eliminating the need for complex wiring. The stand will also feature Brownings’ range, including TexSign tension fabric systems, Flex face products and bespoke snap frames.

BestSub will showcase its latest engraving machine, craft heat presses, Otter DtF system, and a comprehensive selection of craft supplies, materials, and tools.

InkTec had been planning to show a brand new printer, the Jetrix LXa5 flatbed, but the conflict around the Suez Canal has delayed it, so the firm will focus on sustainability, showing how Jetrix printers can be upgraded to move with the times and continue to deliver on their initial investment. The Jetrix LXi8 UV flatbed will be present, sporting a new user interface that improves the nesting and mapping capabilities of the printer to minimise media wastage. There will also be the first showing of the Jetrix XGR320 3.2m UV LED roll printer. Both machines will be printing with GreenGuard Gold accredited inks.

QPS will feature four LED UV printers from ColorJet on its stand – the 49sqm/hr Verve 2513M flatbed, the Verve Mini 1050 x 1650mm compact flatbed, the 2m width Vulcan Hybrid X and the 3.2m Vulcan 3201M which offers at top speed of 76sqm/hr. Collectively these cover a full gamut of wide-format applications from small signage and promotional items to high volume roll substrates, plus rigid materials including ACP, foam, board, flute board, glass, ceramic tiles and wood. QPS will also feature the Nazdar range of inks.

Drytac won’t have a stand of its own, but its products will feature on Epson, Hybrid Services and Roland’s stands, as well as that of exclusive distribution partner Premier Paper Group. While Premier will display a selection of Drytac materials and can advise about the full range, Epson will feature SpotOn Floor 200 and ReTac Textures Sand wallcovering films, while Hybrid will be printing Polar Chrome reflective PET, Polar Choice White film and Visiprint films. Roland’s stand will show ReTac ChalkMate, which yields a blackboard-type finish.

Another first will be the debut of the SC-V1000 A4 flatbed printer from Epson. This is an entry-level flatbed printer aimed at small businesses in the promotional goods industry. Described as highly compact and affordable, V1000 can print directly on a wide range of substrates with a thickness of up to 70mm, including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, aluminium, metal, polyester, foamboard, styrene, wood and stone, making it suitable for creating promotional and personalised items.

The post Sign & Digital UK 2024 preview appeared first on Digital Printer.

Mr Devlin is based at the Drytac UK office in Bristol and will work with customers across all areas of the UK. The role includes helping customers to identify the most effective Drytac products for their business and ensuring they have access to these solutions.

An experienced professional, Paul has worked in the print and related industries for more than 15 years. During that time, he has served in several senior customer service roles, supporting clients across a wide range of markets and sectors.

‘We are delighted to welcome Paul to our team,’ comments Hayden Kelley, CEO at Drytac. ‘He has a great depth of experience and knowledge in the industry, and we are positive that our customers in regions across the UK will greatly benefit from this.’

The post Devlin takes on UK customer service for Drytac appeared first on Digital Printer.

Scheduled for 28 November 2023, the workshop will be held at Trotec’s showroom near Bristol, and will provide insights into the integration of print and laser technology for print shops, sign makers and promotional product suppliers. The  event will offer an opportunity to explore the synergy between print and laser technology to enhance product quality, streamline workflows and drive competitive advantage.

The day’s programme will cover how to expand product ranges by incorporating innovative print and laser cutting solutions, optimising existing print-and-cut offerings, hands-on print and cut demonstrations, plus experts sharing hints and tips to help attendees make informed material choices and streamline their processes.

Trotec sales director Bryan Jater commented, ‘This workshop is designed to equip businesses with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a competitive market.

‘Our free event will feature expert presentations, live demonstrations, and ample networking opportunities. Attendees will leave with the tools and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about integrating print and laser technology into their operations.’

The post Trio teams up for print and laser finishing workshop appeared first on Digital Printer.

The decision to designate Premier as an exclusive stockist comes after Drytac began working with the supplier in July. Hayden Kelley, CEO of Drytac, explained, ‘We have very much enjoyed working with Premier over the past couple of months and have already felt the benefits of this partnership.

‘In order to streamline our distribution across the UK & Ireland, we have decided to make the stockist arrangement exclusive – making it even easier and quicker for our customers to purchase Drytac products.’

Brad West, Premier’s wide-format media sales director, added, ‘Drytac is trusted by display printers, sign makers and installers alike and we are delighted to be able to now offer this market leading brand to our customers across the UK and Ireland.

‘This is a significant move for us and a great opportunity to further grow our wide format sales. The Drytac range will be stocked throughout our branch network and in-depth at our display graphics centre in Wellingborough.’

Premier will be showcasing various Drytac products on its stand at The Print Show from 19–21 September 2023 at the NEC, Birmingham. The company is also running a promotion for Drytac’s SpotOn monomeric film with dot pattern adhesive material during the last quarter of 2023 in which purchasers of the material may win ‘spot’ prizes.

The post Premier to stock Drytac self-adhesive materials appeared first on Digital Printer.

The award-winning UK-manufactured Drytac range is now available next day from Premier branches across the UK and through GPMI in Ireland. Brad West, Premier’s wide-format media sales director, commented, ‘Drytac is trusted by display printers, sign makers and installers alike and we are delighted to be able to now offer this market-leading brand to our customers across the UK and Ireland.

‘This is a significant move for us and a great opportunity to further grow our wide-format sales. The Drytac range will be stocked throughout our branch network and in-depth at our display graphics centre in Wellingborough. We have a fleet of over 130 vehicles and many are specially adapted for the secure and efficient transport of display materials.’

Drytac CEO Hayden Kelley said, ‘Here at Drytac, we want our products to be easy to print, easy to install and easily available. We are so excited to announce that the Drytac range will be stocked and distributed by Premier from their branches across the UK and Ireland, making it even easier and quicker to get the Drytac product that you are looking for.

‘Also, we are constantly adding to the thousands of colour profiles that we have already made available for all kinds of devices and applications. Working closely with the major printer manufacturers and software developers to assure consistent colour and print quality is achieved on Drytac products, every time. From custom profiling, to fire rating, slip rating and FDA certification, through to specialist coatings and bespoke product development, the UK-based Drytac Technical Team are here to help.’

The post Premier adds Drytac to its wide-format portfolio appeared first on Digital Printer.

Suitable for self-adhesive applications on glass and other smooth, flat surfaces, the improved ViziPrint Impress White is said to let users achieve vibrant colours to make applications stand out. The material is designed for either dry or wet installation, according to the size of the graphic, on glass, mirrors or other similarly smooth surfaces.

Drytac says it is ideal for applications such as window advertisements, screen displays and appliances or white goods decoration, and that it creates a strong bond in both high and low temperatures without leaving residue behind, eliminating bubbling, making installation easier while being unaffected by moisture.

The ultra-white PET film can be moved and repositioned multiple times and will remove cleanly, without leaving residue. It is printable with eco-solvent, latex and UV print technologies and offers three years’ interior and two years’ exterior durability.

‘We are delighted to make the improved ViziPrint Impress White PET film available to our customers around the world,’ commented Drytac CEO Hayden Kelley. ‘It is an incredibly flexible material and can be used for multiple indoor and short-term outdoor applications including window advertising, graphics, decals, stickers and privacy and decorative glass applications.

‘Add in clean removability and excellent durability, and ViziPrint Impress White PET film is the ideal solution for a wide range of graphics projects.’

The post Drytac enhances the view with ViziPrint Impress White appeared first on Digital Printer.

Quinn has been a long-time proponent of Epson’s dye-sublimation technology, using a SureColor SC-F9200 printer, and has won the H&M Design Award and the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design, presented by her late majesty in 2018. His Autumn/Winter 2023 collection again heavily featured dye-sublimation’s role in fashion and was enhanced with the runway’s Secret Garden-inspired decor.

Digital printing also played a role in the surrounding, with Epson’s SureColor SC-R5000 resin printer being used to print the black and white diamond-patterned floor graphics. Using water-based resin inks, the printer imaged onto scuff and tear-resistant PVC-free polyester floor graphics containing 40% recycled material, provided by adhesive-coated products manufacturer Drytac and installed by specialist Max Media Prints. The Epson inks offered a durable solution for the catwalk and make the substrate recyclable and free from environmentally harmful substances.

The catwalk in use as one of Richard Quinn’s dye-sub printed designs is modelled

This is the second year running that digital textile and signage printing have helped bring to life Mr Quinn’s fashion collection and catwalk themes respectively.

Phil McMullin, head of sales for ProGraphics at Epson UK, commented, ‘t’s always a delight to see Richard Quinn’s designs brought to life through digital textile printing and I’m pleased that this has also offered such a great chance for our signage printing technology to shine. The SureColor SC-R5000 takes all the proven technology of our successful SureColor printer range and adds our new resin ink set to deliver improved abrasion resistance without lamination as well as enhanced recyclability. In combination with the Drytac media it provides a perfect result for this application.’

The post Epson aids production of clothing and catwalk at London Fashion Week appeared first on Digital Printer.

The free-to-attend session will be held via Zoom and will explore print’s role in retail and the importance of printed media for vendors to capture the attention of consumers. Key talking points will include the role of display and point-of-sale in the retail space and collaboration with the supply chain to generate growth.

Olga Munroe, head of the Retail Institute at Leeds Beckett University and chair of the BPIF Display & PoS Group, will facilitate the roundtable and also host a Q&A and discussion session with a number of specialist speakers.

Other industry experts due to take part include Yucel Salih, UK Production Wide Format Specialist at Ricoh UK and a representative from substrates manufacturer Drytac.

Marcus Clifford, regional director at BPIF commented, ‘This event is part of our Display and PoS group which brings networks together to help the sector sustain and grow, from all parts of the supply chain. The solutions we provide, combined with our relationships with POPAI and The Retail Institute and our showcase at the Visual Media Conference, provides the sector with insight, information and knowledge. We want to champion the sector and provide inspiring solutions for the future.’

The post BPIF online roundtable to address retail spaces appeared first on Digital Printer.