The Pro Printer Picture

The Pro Printer Picture

2015 SGIA Expo to Explore Expanding Wide-Format Opportunities
The 2015 SGIA Expo, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, November 4–6, will showcase hundreds of wide-format technologies on the sold-out show floor. To educate new printers, the program will feature the Wide Format 101: Four Steps to Profitability workshop.

Beginning the day before the SGIA Expo on November 3, the half-day workshop (1:00–5:00 p.m.) will provide the basic training needed to make the best decisions for a wide-format digital printing business. The program is broken down into four sessions:

Introduction to Wide-Format. Dan Marx of SGIA will present an overview of the advantages of wide-format digital technology, an introduction to the printing and finishing technologies used, and insight into today’s most popular wide-format product and market areas.

Understanding Color Management. Jim Raffel of ColorMetrix will discuss how color management for wide-format digital requires specific considerations. Attendees will learn how even a basic, formalized approach to color helps companies successfully integrate this technology.

Mastering Finishing Technologies. Presented by industry consultant David Goetter, this session will cover the materials and finishing technologies utilized in wide-format production that are essential to a successful end product and critical to achieving expected profitability. Goetter will provide easy-to-understand strategies for ensuring quality and maximizing profit.

Pricing & Selling Wide Format.
David King of MarketKing hosts this practical, business-focused session, presenting the final, critical steps to entering and achieving profitability in wide format.

To register for the 2015 SGIA Expo and the half-day workshop, log on to sgia.org.

Mimaki USA Expands Sales Coverage, Launches Mimaki Financial Services

Mimaki USA, a manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutters, welcomed nine companies to the Mimaki distribution team in North America. The company also announced the launch of Mimaki Financial Services to provide consultative financing solutions for Mimaki customers.

Mimaki enjoyed growth of 8.4% in 2Q 2015 over 2Q 2014, and to help support this growth, the company signed the following new dealers in the U.S. and Canada: AB Graphics, Clark, New Jersey; American Print Consultants, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania; Digital Solutions, Las Vegas, Nevada; Digitally Driven, Las Vegas, Nevada; Focus Pre Press, Surrey, British Columbia; H&H Sign Supply, Sturgis, Kentucky; Karl Williams (KW Graphics), Springfield, Illinois; Policrom, Bensalem, Pennsylvania; and RJ Young, Nashville, Tennesee.

“We are committed to continuing our practice of working with knowledgeable dealers that align with our desire to help customers grow their business with Mimaki products,” said Ken VanHorn, director, Marketing and Business Development, Mimaki USA. “We have already started working with this new team and look forward to fostering partnerships that will better serve and facilitate our customers’ success.”

Customers can connect with their dealer representatives through ongoing events, including open houses, private demonstrations, Mimaki Mini-Expos and national exhibitions.

In related news, Mimaki Financial Services provides consultative financing solutions for Mimaki customers, to enable them to overcome budget limitations and acquire the right printing equipment for existing jobs and future growth.

Mimaki Financial Services offers affordable monthly payment plans that can be customized to meet any budget. A comprehensive online Resource Center provides the tools necessary for preapproval, credit decision, document preparation and contract commencement. Customers will know within hours of their credit approval status. mimakiusa.com

Epson Debuts SureColor P-Series Large-Format Printers
Epson’s SureColor P-series large-format inkjet printers incorporate the latest imaging technologies, including Epson’s PrecisionCore TFP printhead with variable-size ink droplet technology as small as 3.5 picoliters and new wave form, which improves dot placement and accuracy.

Leveraging Epson’s UltraChrome HD eight-color ink set, the 24-inch SureColor P6000 and 44-inch SureColor P8000 are marketed for photographers, graphic designers and commercial printers. Successors to the Epson Stylus Pro 900 series, the 24-inch SureColor P7000 and 44-inch SureColor P9000 incorporate a reformulated Epson UltraChrome HDX 10-color ink set for photographers, graphic designers and fine art reproduction houses, as well as commercial and flexographic printers. Epson says both professional ink sets “deliver outstanding color with improved black density; new black ink is 1.5 times denser than previous ink formulation.”

The SC-P7000 and SC-P9000 are available in a Commercial edition that features a new violet ink for expanded color gamut and output said to match 99% of the Pantone Formula Guide Solid Coated. The printers are configurable with an optional SpectroProofer UVS in-line spectrophotometer engineered to provide automated color management and verification-related tasks for proofing applications.

“Epson is committed to bringing the most advanced printing and proofing solutions to market for creative, graphic arts and printing professionals,” said Larry Kaufman, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. “The new SureColor P-series family brings together the most sophisticated printing technologies available to deliver extraordinary results, whether for graphic design, contract proofing for commercial and flexographic printing, fine art, or photography.”

The complete SureColor P-series family—the SC-P6000, SC-P7000, SC-P8000 and SC-P9000 printers—integrates with industry leading workflow software solutions to meet the needs of the proofing and graphic arts community. The printers also support virtually any media type in roll or cut-sheet, from photographic paper to 1.5mm thick fine art media and poster board.

The Epson SureColor P-series will be available in October for the following SRPs: SureColor P6000 24-inch Standard Edition, $2,995; SureColor P7000 24-inch Standard/Commercial, $3,995; SureColor P8000 44-inch Standard, $4,995; and SureColor P9000 44-inch Standard/Commercial, $5,995. proimaging.epson.com

Canon Expands DreamLabo 5000 Media Portfolio with Six Photo Paper Options
Canon USA added six media options to the DreamLabo 5000 production photo printer media portfolio. For the first time in its history, Canon will offer a selection of paper-based photo paper (categorized as Type II photo paper) for the DreamLabo 5000. The line will include Fine Art, Art Matte and Art Glossy paper.

By expanding the portfolio of Canon paper-based photo paper, DreamLabo 5000 printer customers can offer end users more photo application opportunities, such as photo albums, catalogs, calendars and greeting cards, along with other photo products. For the existing resin-coated photo paper lineup (Type I), matte photo paper will be introduced along with the addition of new single- and double-sided options in new thickness to the glossy media.

“Canon understands that each photographer has a unique vision in mind from the moment a photo is taken until it has been developed and printed in the lab,” said Junichi Yoshitake, senior vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions, Canon USA, Inc. “By expanding our portfolio of photo paper options, photo laboratories can now offer photographers even more valuable options for bringing their vision to life.” usa.canon.com

Drytac to Feature Interactive Product Displays at 2015 SGIA Expo
Drytac will highlight its latest product advancements at the 2015 SGIA Expo. Interactive product displays will show how graphics can transform any environment, and attendees are encouraged to take advantage of hands-on demonstrations to learn more about Drytac’s new specialty graphic solutions.

Featured products will include Polar polymeric self-adhesive vinyl, SpotOn printable vinyl and ViziPrint Illuminate backlit window film. Additional unique offerings for window, wall and floor applications will be on display alongside WipeOut dry erase overlaminate, ChalkMate chalkboard film and Reveal backlit film. Drytac will also introduce the newest model in its JetMounter line of roller laminators.

“This year’s exhibition is sure to be our best,” said Marc Oosterhuis, president of the Drytac Group. “We are excited to offer a more interactive booth experience for expo attendees, one that allows them to see direct application benefits our products can provide. We believe we are commanding the market trend toward innovative products that tout easy installation, repositionability and clean removal for installers of all skill levels.” drytac.com

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