2016 Wide-Format & Signage Top Products Winners

Each 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 member of the visual communications industry.

To be considered for these awards, a product had to 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.

G3 cutter, model XL-3200 from Zund America, Inc.

Finishing: Cutters & Routers

Digital cutting equipment specialist Zünd offers packaging producers greater flexibility and productivity with the XL-3200 cutter. Thanks to a re-engineering of the system to double the beam height to 120 mm, the XL-3200 can accommodate thicker materials up to 110 mm enabling packaging printers to achieve new levels of performance. Corrugated cardboard, solid cardboard, foam, sandwich material and corrugated plastic are just a few of the substrates that can now be processed by the widely-appreciated G3 digital cutting system.

Wrap Overlaminate Series 8900 from 3M Commercial Graphics

Finishing: Laminates

The 3M Wrap Overlaminate Series 8900 includes Carbon Fiber and Brushed finishes, offering unique textures and visual effects that will spark new life into projects and provide graphics installers with a medium to produce distinctive vehicle wraps and sign installations. It is made in 60-inch wide rolls, to better match base wrap film, and are backed by the 3M MCS Warranty.
3MG Wrap Overlaminate Series 8900 Carbon Fiber 5637a5c44b7e4

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

Finishing: Laminating Equipment

Tthe Easymount Air from Vivid Laminating Technologies features pneumatic air pressure to control the laminating rollers. Reaching speeds of up to 33 feet a minute and able to mount to boards up to 13⁄16 inches in thickness, the system also features a multilingual digital control panel, in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German languages.

The large 5-inch adjustable cambered rollers evenly distribute pneumatic pressure across the full width of the system. It can also mount prints and vinyl to many different materials, including aluminum substrate, fluted boards such as Correx, foam boards and even glass. The system can also be used to apply tapes and adhesive films.

With a maximum width of 63-inches and featuring a release liner take-up and optional media take-up unit, the new Easymount Air is solidly built from heavy duty steel and is the ideal solution for sign makers, wide format printers and vehicle graphics companies.

UltraChrome DS Ink from Epson America

Ink: Dye Sub /Textile Inks

Epson UltraChrome DS ink, used in the 44-inch Epson SureColor F6200 and 64-inch SureColor F7200 and F9200, offers an all-new high density Black ink to deliver improved ink efficiency and black density with better tonal transitions and grayscale for high quality results in the roll-to-roll fabric production, customized promotional production, soft signage, and cut-and-sew sports apparel, fashion, and home décor markets. Epson UltraChrome DS produces an extreme color gamut with improved black density for rich blacks and provides fast drying times and improved ink efficiency for a low total cost of ownership. The four color ink set offers vibrant colors, neutral blacks, sharp contours, and smooth gradations.

UltraChrome GSX ink from Epson America

Ink: Solvent Ink (Eco, Mild, & Hard)

Epson UltraChrome GSX solvent ink, leveraged in the 64-inch SureColor S70675, features newly formulated Cyan and Light Cyan inks, plus an all-new Orange Plus ink to produce vivid output with an expansive color gamut for outstanding results in the signage, vehicle graphics, fine art, and packaging markets.
Improvements to the yellow, high-density white and all pigment construction with zero nickel or fluorine compounds promote high user and environmental safety, while the new high-density white ink, with high levels of opacity, opens up a range of specialized applications such as window graphics. In addition, because the optional silver ink can be printed simultaneously with other colors, users can produce a wide range of metallic effects.

LUS-120 UV-LED Inks from Mimaki USA

Ink: UV Ink

Mimaki original LUS-120 UV-LED inks deliver superior adhesion and expanded color gamut at a price point that is approximately 50 percent less than LUS-200 inks that carry the 3M MCS warranty. The LUS-120 UV-LED inks also offer excellent scratch resistance provide up to 170 percent flexibility making them ideal for foldable and easy to handle banner applications. Additionally the high image quality delivered with the LUS-120 inks yield exceptional results on PVC for high value applications such as POP and backlit displays.

Light Fabric from HP

Media: Fabric & Textiles

HP’s 100 percent knitted polyester fabric for HP Latex Printers is wrinkle-resistant, soft to the touch and features an excellent color gamut for a range of high-profile display applications. It has been tested for harmful substances and is certified according to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, and is REACH-compliant, providing confidence that the material poses no health risks when used as intended. Moreover, the fabric flame-retardant to B1, M1, and NFPA 701 standards.

Legacy Paper Line from Epson America

Media: Fine Art & Photography

Designed in collaboration with many of the world’s greatest artists, Epson Legacy Papers were developed for those who intend to exhibit and sell their prints, both to art collectors and investors. The line introduces four papers that utilize an industry leading microporous inkjet receiver layer to produce deep, rich blacks, expanded color gamut, and smooth tonal gradations with outstanding image permanence. Using old world craftsmanship, along with the latest technological advancements in papermaking, allows for a consistent line of high-end papers printmakers can rely upon.

Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 P40 from 3M Commercial Graphics

Media: Media for Rough Surfaces and Vehicle Wrap Media

This wrap film goes beyond the performance of 3M’s cast vinyl wrap films. This is the first and still the only non- PVC true wrap film on the market. By “true” we mean one that is compatible with latex, UV and solvent inkjet printers. It can stretch 150 percent and not lift when wrapping vehicles, and even textured surfaces like brick, stucco and cinder block.

White Valuboard from 3A Composites USA Inc.

Media: Rigid & Semi-Rigid

The Fome-Cor ValuBoard line has been expanded with new White ValuBoard sheets as a fresh, clean-looking decorating option. White ValuBoard features white extruded polystyrene foam sandwiched between two white non-coated kraft liners.

ValuBoard now is available with white kraft liners/white foam as well as natural kraft liners/white foam and natural kraft liners/black foam in the 3/16-inch thickness and standard 48-inch by 96-inch sheets. Additionally, all ValuBoard color options are available as custom cut-to-size orders.

PVC-Free Durable Smooth Wallpaper from HP

Media: Wall Graphic Media (Interiors)

HP PVC-Free Durable Smooth is the only product that meets Type II criteria without the need for a topcoat. That saves the installer and the customer precious time and money. HP PVC-free Durable Smooth wallpaper is available in 42- and 54-inch width.

IMAGin WindowVIEW Cling from Mactac Distributor Products

Media: Window Graphic Media

Mactac Distributor Products developed and launched its first-ever non-adhesive window cling – IMAGin WindowVIEW Cling.

Featuring Mactac’s proprietary film technology, WindowVIEW Cling allows for optimal printability on all wide-format inkjet printers. Its 8-pt. liner offers excellent lay flat and sheet ability and the cling product is available in two options: clear (WVC199) for a see-through appearance or white (WVC109) for opaque applications. Easy to install, IMAGin WindowVIEW Cling provides wet or dry installation by the most novice installer and delivers simple, clean removability – with no chance of residue left behind.

Latex 370 Printer from HP

Output Devices: Aqueous Printer / Durable Aqueous / Latex (24-95 inches) and Textile (24 inches +)

Designed for confident, unattended printing in high production PSP environments, the 64-inch HP Latex 370 Printer with the new 3-liter cartridges helps keep running costs low. It prints from traditional signage substrates like vinyl and banners to temporary textiles, canvas and wallpapers, increasing margins and productivity via the ability to change cartridges while printing and maintaining the high quality at high speed, instant dry and scratch resistance benefits of the third generation of latex inks.

PageWide XL 8000 Printer from HP

Output Devices: Engineering Printer (24-95 inches)

The HP PageWide XL 8000 Printer is the fastest large-format monochrome and color printer ever, offering up to 50 percent savings in total production costs. It provides high-end production printing at revolutionary speeds up to 30 D/A1-size prints per minute. It also offers two 775 milliliter ink cartridges per color with automatic switching and up to six rolls—more than 3,900 feet—of media for sustained productivity.

Scitex FB750 Industrial Printer from HP

Output Devices: Flatbed Printer (24-inches +)

The HP Scitex FB750 offers a tabletop roll holder design for flexible substrates enabling easy, fast and efficient short-run printing, and new tapered wheels for easy and safe media loading, preventing media edge damage. It also offers greater image quality and full bleed on max widths with the same capability of printing on virtually any rigid or flexible media (up to 2.5 inches). The printer increases productivity by 12 percent in indoor signage print modes and delivers orders quickly by loading, printing and collecting media simultaneously.

Latex 3500 Printer from HP

Output Devices: Grand-Format Printer (96-inches +)

The 126-inch HP Latex 3500 Printer handles high-volume, dedicated application production, boosting productivity and helping to reduce production costs. With heavy-duty roll handling up to 660 pounds and 10 liter ink supplies, the printer enables more unattended operation, such as overnight printing. Additionally, dual-roll split spindles offer easier, safer handling of oversized rolls; in-line slitters reduce bottlenecks in finishing; and built-in LED lights support on-the-fly proofing.

DesignJet T830 Multi-function Printer from HP

Output Devices: MFP (24-95 inches)

Ideal for construction professionals, general contractors, and computer-aided design (CAD) teams, the HP DesignJet T830 MFP is the industry’s most affordable, compact and transportable integrated large-format MFP.

Recommended for tough environments where the MFP must endure dust, frequent transportation or potential hits, such as in mobile offices at construction sites, an optional HP DesignJet Rugged Case offers enhanced damage and dust protection. In addition, reinforced wheels and feet on the device’s stand make printing at job sites more convenient.
A 36-inch wide, integrated scanner enables users to modify, scan and share plans in the office or on construction sites from a mobile device, and its intuitive touchscreen offers realistic print preview and document cropping.

SOLJET EJ-640 Large-Format Printer from Roland DGA

Output Devices: Solvent Printer (24 inches +)

Roland DGA’s SOLJET EJ-640 is a 64-inch eco-solvent inkjet printer designed to optimize productivity and quality while minimizing operating costs. It incorporates dual staggered print heads, an integrated tri-heater system, a rigid industrial design and high-capacity 1-liter ink cartridges available in 4- or 7-color configurations for unsurpassed performance and production capability. The EJ-640 uses new EJ INK, with an ink cost up to 35 percent lower than comparable printers’ inks. In a mirrored CMYK ink configuration, the EJ-640 achieves speeds of up to 1,098 square feet per hour (102m2/h). In addition to dual CMYK, a seven-color ink configuration consisting of CMYK plus Light Cyan (Lc), Light Magenta (Lm), and Light Black (Lk) is available for a wider color gamut and finer details. New Roland VersaWorks Dual RIP software, included with the EJ-640, processes both PDF and PostScript files, including files with transparencies.

Scitex FB550 from HP

Output Devices: UV Printer (24-inches +)

Print Service Provides can expand their portfolio to reach new customers with the HP Scitex FB550 Industrial Printer. They can produce quality results on virtually any rigid and flexible media with a device that fits their budget and workspace.

Features:

• Print on almost any rigid/flexible media up to 64 mm (2.5 in); HP inks for high durability and flexibility
• Get into specialties, attract new customers; do more—white ink, double-sided prints, matte/gloss, and textured effects
• Print indoor quality productively—up to 18.5 m2/hr (199 ft2/hr), and manage long runs with 3-liter HP ink supplies

Designjet SD Pro Scanner from HP

Prepress: Wide-Format Scanner (24 inches +)

HP’s Designjet SD Pro Scanner delivers image reproduction of large-format prints at high speeds without compromising image accuracy. It features a new contact image sensor (CIS) technology with a dual-illuminating system and image enhancement software, helping users accurately reproduce detailed large-format documents at high speeds. It scans images up to 44 inches wide and reproduces color and black-and-white images with resolutions of up to 1200 dots per inch (dpi). The scanner also has a nine-level adjustable stand, allowing users to place the device above their HP Designjet printer to save space.

V10 from Caldera

Software: RIP, Web-to-Print, & Workflow Software

V10 of the suite doubles previous average RIP speeds to provide printers of all sizes and types with the independence to print what they wish without having to sacrifice speed or complexity. It unleashes the power of smart algorithmic processing, APPE 3.3 and new remote management capabilities within a svelte yet fully-featured new interface. Designed for ergonomy and efficiency, it allows users to streamline their screen to focus only on live tasks, while icons and markers have been standardized throughout in a modern style. Caldera's use of HTML5 provides cross-platform, cross-OS support for remote management via new module VisualRemote which recognise the nature of today's print room by providing different levels of off-site access to operators.