The What’s Happening February 25, 2019 installment looks at two photo printing apps as well as two large-format printers for print service providers. In addition, it includes the 2019 schedule for the Avery Dennison Business Boot Camp Schedule for wrap professionals.
What’s Happening February 25, 2019
Fujifilm Adds Acuity Led 40 Flatbed Printer Series
Fujifilm’s Graphic Systems Division introduced the Acuity LED 40 series of flatbed printers with instant-on LED curing.
“With a variety of productive print modes, light and white ink options, and also an LED curing system demonstrating excellent environmental benefits with significant cost benefits to users, the new Acuity LED 40 series delivers superior print quality,” said Ramona Serafino, associate product marketing manager, Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division. “This new series of UV flatbed printers will appeal to print service providers with a desire to output on substrates such as canvas, wood, tile, glass and heat-sensitive films.”
The printers are designed as cost-effective solutions for growing print service providers as well as existing Acuity customers considering an upgrade. The mid-volume UV flatbed printers are also a solution for customers in the sign and display graphics industry. They offer application versatility with rigid or flexible substrates.
Acuity LED 40 printers can print at 538 square feet per hour. The standard model enables users to print on media or objects of any size up to 49×98 inches. The X2 (double bed size) model increases that to 98×121 inches. The series also features instant-on for immediate printing. Fujifilm eliminated the need to wait for the printer to warm up—a benefit to customers who are not involved in all-day production runs.
Furthermore, Acuity LED 40 printers utilize new LED ink by Fujifilm, Uvijet KL. The printers are also available with four, six or eight color channels. Users have the option to add light inks and varnish for high-value applications. They can also upgrade to Fujifilm’s brightest white UV ink for backlit and fine art applications.
WhiteWall Augmented Reality App Visualizes Pictures on Any Wall
WhiteWall recognizes that consumers are often unsure of how their favorite pictures will actually look when they are framed and hanging in their home. As a result, the company developed the WhiteWall Augmented Reality app. Using the app, customers can view and experiment with their pictures on any wall before placing an order.
Available for iPhone and iPad, the WhiteWall AR app creates to-scale 3D renderings instantly. After calibrating the device and selecting an image from their photo library, users can change its size and frame. 
They can also reposition the picture and move about the room to view the hung picture from every angle—without a hammer or nails. Moreover, users can change the selected image at any time with a couple of taps of the finger. It’s also possible to save the previews and take a screen shot to share, as well as order directly through the app.
Users can visualize their pictures as frameless acrylic-mounted photo prints in sizes ranging from 3.5×3.5 to 106×70 inches. Or they can see the photo in a wood frame (black, white or brown) with a museum mat, in sizes from 5.9×5.9 to 43.3×27.5 inches.
WhiteWall is a professional online photo lab based in Berlin, Germany, with a showcase store in New York City. The New York City showroom/retail store gives customers an opportunity to see all the WhiteWall options on display. They also receive professional assistance on-site before placing their online orders directly to WhiteWall.com from kiosks located in the store.
ER2 Image Group Debuts VUTEk h3 Hybrid Printer
A full-service grand-format printing company, ER2 Image Group is now offering output from its new EFI VUTEk h3 series next-generation 10.5-foot hybrid printing platform. Specifically designed for high-speed, wide-format inkjet printing, the VUTEk h3 “delivers unmatched reliability and quality,” the company announced.
The printer employs three rows of printheads and achieves speeds up to 74 boards per hour at 1,200-dpi resolution. Moreover, the VUTEk h3 printer has eight color modes, plus white. In addition, it offers a five-layer print capability in a single pass.
“We are pleased to be one of the first U.S. companies to implement this new technology,” said Gary C. Schellerer, ER2’s vice president/partner. “Layers add texture, and wide-format textures really make graphics pop!” The VUTEk h3 attains maximum accuracy from laying down ink in the right place every time, Schellerer added.
Another feature is its high-velocity UltraDrop technology 7pL grayscale printheads. They are said to deliver precision dot placement and consistency from print to print at high production speeds. Other features include: magnetic linear drive control; step mechanics and electronics; and a camera-based vision system for subpixel alignment, printhead density balance, as well as step and bidirectional setup.
“The VUTEk h3 will help us deliver high-quality, ultra-crisp images,” Schellerer added. “It’s also going to make us more efficient on larger runs, which means we can offer customers competitive pricing on high production projects.”
As one of the largest full-service graphic solution providers in the nation, ER2’s areas of expertise include visual communications, interior décor, banners, murals, vehicle wraps, events and environmental graphics.
MailPix Launches Photobucket Print Shop App
MailPix, a photo printing, canvas and gifting site, launched its latest app, Photobucket 1 Hour Photo. The app, for iOS and Android, is available now for Photobucket users. The app connects to more than 20,000 retail locations for print product pickup. The locations include CVS pharmacy, Walmart, Walgreens, Duane Reade and Target.
Users can choose glossy photo-quality prints from 4×6-, 5×7- and 8×10-inch sizes. They can also select their choice of portrait and landscape orientation, plus full-bleed options. Among the custom photo products available for order via the app are photo magnets, photo panels and greeting cards. Orders are generally available in an hour.
“With just a few taps, you can create amazing gifts and prints using your favorite photos,” said Fred H. Lerner, CEO and founder, MailPix. “Choose your pictures right from your phone and print stunning photos to be picked up in about an hour.”
Last August, MailPix acquired the photo printing business of Photobucket. Adding mobile printing for Photobucket users is the natural evolution to building this brand, added Lerner.
MailPix has added six brands since 2014: 1 Hour Photo, MyPix2, RitzPix, Winkflash and Print Shop Lab. Apps in the MailPix family deliver to more than 20,000 U.S. retail locations. Photobucket 1 Hour Photo is available from the App Store and Google Play.
Avery Dennison 2019 Business Boot Camp Schedule
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions announced its Business Boot Camp for Wrap Professionals schedule for 2019. The workshop, introduced in 2018, is focused on how to successfully run a business in the vinyl wrap industry. Each session is led by Justin Pate of The Wrap Institute and John Duever of Vinyl Images and Design.
During each session, Pate, Duever and other industry leaders take turns focusing on important aspects that contribute to long-term success in the vinyl wrap industry. Some of these topics include staffing, equipment, sales, design, production, marketing and day-to-day record keeping. 
The first Business Boot Camp of 2019 was February 15–16, 2019 at Car Wrap City in Dallas, Texas. Attendees had the opportunity to network with the guest speakers and members of the Avery Dennison Graphics Team during a reception held in the evening on the first day of the class.
Also included in the February course was a special presentation from James “Ruggs” Kochevar, the publisher of Sign & Digital Graphics and Wraps magazines. Kochevar is known for his presence in print and online media, as well as his role in organizing WRAPSCON. During his presentation, he offered his unbiased perspective on wrap trends, mobile advertising, image awareness, branding and overall marketing strategies that utilize wraps.
The second Business Boot Camp will be a daylong event, included as part of the pre-conference at ISA International Sign Expo 2019. This special session is on Tuesday, April 23, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
