By Industrial Print Staff
The ISA International Sign Expo is held this year from April 24 to 26 in Las Vegas, NV at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The event is set to host over 20,000 attendees looking to interact with peers and vendors on the show floor as well as in educational sessions and networking events.
Educational sessions are held Wednesday and Thursday and include tracks on design, digital signage, marketing, and relevant technology. If you aren’t looking to plan your experience that acutely, another option is to take advantage of the Lounge and Learn area located on the show floor. Attendees are invited to sit in on free, 30 minute express talks on topics like outsourcing, digital marketing, fabric printing, color management, and sign permits.
Networking events include ISA Rocks, held Wednesday, April 24 at the Luxor hotel pool. Attendees need a show badge to enter and join in on music, dancing, and fun festivities. And don’t forget the last hour of every day at the trade show is happy hour—bars are set up throughout the expo hall, so enjoy a free beer on ISA.
Above: Learn about new sublimation print applications from Sawgrass in booth 2571.
Vendor Plans
Now let’s get down to what’s on the show floor. Vendors shared their plans for the show with us and we include this information here. Additional vendors are in our March issue, so don’t forget to look through this edition as you plan your visit to Las Vegas.
3A Composites USA, booth 1327, showcases Sintra ECLIPSE—the latest offering in the PRO Series line of graphic display boards featuring enhanced printing surfaces. Designed for the easy production of graphics that pop on black PVC, Sintra ECLIPSE is available in the three-, six-, and 12.7-millimeter thicknesses in 48×96-inch sheets in the one white facer/one black facer/black core color combination. INFO# 168
3M Commercial Solutions, booth 4235, invites attendees to take a variety of films for a test run. From brick and cinderblock surfaces to vehicles, walls, windows, and floors, 3M experts offer tips and tricks on transforming spaces with graphics. INFO# 169
Agfa Graphics, booth 1734, hosts two popular Anapurna systems in its booth. The FB2540i LED is a high-speed UV-curable inkjet system on a moving gantry flatbed. It’s ideal for step-and-repeat work and printing multiple jobs on different sized media. The H3200i LED is a wide format hybrid for users looking to combine board and roll-to-roll jobs. An optional automatic board feeder increases productivity. INFO# 170
Airmark, booth 4859, demonstrates the Summa F1612 digital flatbed finishing system. Summa’s S2 Series vinyl cutters are also on display, as well as the SummaCut Series. Also featured is the popular Epson SureColor S-Series sign printers. The SureColor S‑Series solvent printers enable print professionals to gain advantages in turnaround time, image quality, and total cost of ownership. INFO# 171
AnaJet, a Ricoh Company, booth 1117, encourages attendees to customize clothing, accessories, and keepsakes. The next-generation RICOH Ri 1000 is a direct to garment printer delivering professional-quality at an affordable price. It offers high-performance printheads, automated maintenance, a built-in Interactive Operation Guide, and magnetized quick-change platens for printing a variety of garment styles and sizes. INFO# 172
Banner Ups, booth 2103, introduces the SEGDesign modular silicone edge graphics (SEG) frame system. Made of non-aluminum composites, SEGDesign frames are modular for the creation of any frame size from a few parts. Lighter weight and a lower total cost than aluminum frames, they are 100 percent made in the U.S. of tough ABS plastic. INFO# 173
Bantex Digital Media, booth 1947, features information on expanded national availability of Bantex products. Existing distribution channels and the Bantex Partners program are growing for 2019. Bantex is a flexible composite textile for vinyl banners and signs with exceptional color and image clarity and guaranteed curl-free performance. INFO# 174
Caldera, booth 4247, launches a new version of its RIP software, Version 12. It is configured for an enhanced user experience by bridging the gap between design and business. The suite includes Digital Licences and CalderaDock, new tools that allow quick access to what users need. On the functionality front, faster processing speeds and better colors enhance productivity, and there is an extended range of user applications. INFO# 175
Canon Solutions America, booth 2143, shows the Océ Colorado 1640 printer, which offers high print speeds, unattended operation with new levels of automation, low cost of operation, and the ability to print on most common media as well as specialty media. The UVgel inks provide a large color gamut, delivering exceptional image quality. The new Océ Arizona 1300 series delivers great print quality and productivity. It has productive print modes, optional light and white ink support, optically clear varnish, and enhanced screening to deliver outstanding print quality. INFO# 176
Coastal PRO, booth 954, supplies attendees with the education required to ensure business advancement. Many companies base reputations solely on helping with equipment purchases, but Coastal PRO knows there’s more to running a successful high-volume business than having good gear. Visit its team of experts to help evaluate your production needs and find the best solution to make your success a reality. INFO# 177
Colex, booth 819, is an industry leader in wide format finishing solutions. The Colex Sharpcut Flatbed Cutter is an ideal companion to the bestselling flatbed printer. Versatility, speed, and price are the best combination for affordability and productivity. Models are available in 5×5, 5×10, 10×5, and 10×10 feet. INFO# 178
Corebridge, booth 2809, highlights the CoreBridge Management System, which enables sign and print businesses to quickly and profitably estimate jobs, manage production queues with visual boards, automate communication and daily tasks, collect payments, manage their accounting, integrate shipping, and sell products online with ecommerce. With a new interface built for ease of use, users can take control and dive into their workflow from day one. INFO# 179
CutGuru.com, booth 1035, supports over 1,200 customers worldwide with application know-how and better than OEM pricing for everyday cutting blades, router bits, mats/conveyors, and spindle replacements. Supplying industry standard products to popular machine manufacturers, it buys in much higher volume and passes on the savings to customers. INFO# 180
CWT Worktools USA, booth 943, displays finishing equipment. APEX and APEX PLUS digital flatbed cutting systems are designed with accuracy and speed for cutting, trimming, routing, and creasing of flexible or rigid media. NOVA and NOVA PLUS are automated XY cutters of flexible materials from rolls and sheets of vinyl or fabric with an optical sensor for registration and accuracy. Express and Galaxy laminators with heat-assisted top rollers are designed for reliability and ease of use. CWT Premium and Platinum Application Tables are ideal for laminating and mounting finished graphics. INFO# 181
Denco Sales, booth 1717, invites attendees to take advantage of special equipment promotions. In the business of supplies and equipment in visual communications, the company offers great show specials on various pieces of equipment, including CWT flatbed laminating and application tables, HP Latex printers, Roland eco-solvent printers, plotters, laminators, and a variety of other equipment options. INFO# 182
DigiFab Systems, booth 2753, develops and integrates digital textile printing equipment and supplies. Its range of products include Evolution software RIPs; premium inkjet inks—Vibra dye-sublimation, pigment, reactive, and acid and dyes—for use on a large range of printers; StampaJet, Mimaki, and Mutoh printers; DigiHeat oil and electric rotary heat presses; sublimation papers; and printable fabrics. INFO# 183
Direct Color Systems, booth 2425, offers UV printing ADA-compliant/Braille signs with patented technology that saves time and costs compared to other production methods. A new solution is available for those looking to get into the ADA/Braille sign production market at a price point never offered before. Every Direct Jet 1800BG Braille and Graphics printer package includes a vacuum table and ADA Software Module. INFO# 184
EFI, booth 535, exhibits the new EFI VUTEk h5 LED inkjet printer, at 126 inches wide with a 1,200 dpi maximum resolution and a top throughput of 109 boards per hour. The company also debuts its Fiery proServer Premium digital front end, offering twice the RIPing speed for jobs produced on EFI superwide format printers. EFI partners Nazdar and Ricoh also feature hybrid and roll-to-roll printers from EFI’s wide format portfolio in their booths. INFO# 185
Epson, booth 1334, demonstrates the SureColor T5470 36-inch wireless printer delivering precise printing within a compact, robust design. Ideal for high-production output of blueprints, line drawings, and posters, it produces A1/D-size prints in as fast as 22 seconds. Leveraging a PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead it achieves outstanding clarity and reliability while high-capacity UltraChrome XD2 pigment ink ensures durable, vibrant prints. INFO# 186
Esko, booth 2125, highlights its Automation Engine, an automated production workflow server that automates prepress tasks. It ensures efficiency and throughput while increasing quality, reducing errors, and driving cost out of the process. Also on display, the multi-function, superwide Kongsberg C cutting table is the ideal companion to faster large format printing presses. INFO# 187
FDC Graphic Films, Inc., booth 4835, showcases Lumina by FDC products. The portfolio contains Lumina Digital, Lumina Heat Transfer Vinyl, and Lumina Sign Vinyl. Stop by for a relaxed environment and coffee. INFO# 188
Fisher Textiles, booth 4017, displays a selection of printable knit, stretch, and woven fabrics. The F7 Certified Fabric line—specially designed for direct print—is made with a multi-chemical treatment process dialed-in for thorough and consistent application to facilitate outstanding print quality and control of ink migration. INFO# 189
Gans Digital, booth 2303, celebrates nearly 70 years of experience supporting and offering solutions to wide and grand format, along with its traditional commercial print customers. Gans brought to market a number of successful products, such as Holographic Window Perf, iDot, and Duravibe’s line of latex-printable fabrics. It is excited to showcase its versatile offering of equipment, media, and solutions knowledge to new customers. INFO# 190
GBC/SEAL, booth 2825, features its cutting-edge, fully automated laminator that allows for feeding up to 30 sheets at one time. The Foton 30 changes the way you approach everyday lamination jobs. For signage and other wide format graphics, the SEAL 65 Pro MD showcases advancements in optimizing productivity with features including bi-directional operation, pneumatic rollers, and infrared quartz-heated rollers. INFO# 191
Gerber Technology – MCT Cutters, booth 4107, hosts a 3.2×3.2-meter device laser cutting digitally printed textiles and 1.6×3.2-meter solution routing and knife/creasing rigid materials with full conveying and automation for all materials. All-new ImagePerfect large format media, EDGE READY heat transfer textile film, and GERBER EDGE FX printer and envision 375 cutter are showcased alongside Gerber’s small format design-print-cut system powered by OMEGA software. INFO# 192
Gfp, booth 816, previews the new 663TH Top Heat laminator. This system features digital electronics; touch screen display; operation, service, and help tutorials; roller tension sensors; and electronic roller gap and pressure adjustments. Also on display, the FT60 Finishing Table featuring a roller ball transfer surface for feeding boards and reversible backlit cutting surface, for use with any laminator. INFO# 193
GMG Americas, booth 861, demonstrates PrintFactory, integrated with GMG ColorServer. It is a complete production workflow software suite for banner, sign, and superwide format printing. Centralized GMG color management and smart profiles deliver color control to guarantee consistent, high-quality color reproduction across multiple devices. INFO# 194
GSG, booth 2509, combines a unique understanding of digital printing technologies with a half a century of knowledge and experience in traditional sign, digital printing, screenprinting, embroidery, and textile decorating. INFO# 195
Gyford Décor, booth 2418, designs and manufactures precision aluminum and stainless steel decorative mounting hardware. It offers six product lines that include a variety of standoffs, rod hardware, and wire suspension systems. Stop by the booth to see its latest innovations—custom engraved standoff caps—and next-generation LED standoffs. INFO# 196
Leister Technologies, booth 4828, offers the HEMTEK ST banner welder. According to the company, the stationary welder is one of the most efficient and affordable banner finishers of all time. Capabilities include hem welds, pole pockets, and hems with rope. INFO# 197
Lintec of America, booth 1254, manufactures optically clear and VisionControlFilms for window and glass. Digital print companies have used its products to decorate stores, conference rooms, as well as galleries for more than seven years. Lintec’s VisionControlFilms consist of specialty privacy films. INFO# 198
Magnum Magnetics, booth 1946, introduces DigiMaxx EnGage—an easy to install, printable magnetic-receptive media that is durable and features excellent adhesion. EnGage media is engineered with an optimized surface for superior print quality and a neutral white point. It offers benefits including large format printer compatibility and no edge chipping without sacrificing performance at an affordable price point. INFO# 199
Marabu, booth 2324, encourages attendees to discover the doors Marabu’s UltraJet UV-curable digital inks can open at zero risk. Marabu launches DI-TV, a new ink for Roland TrueVIS printers and highlights Frog Juice alternatives ClearShield and ClearJet liquid laminates. ClearShield water-based liquid laminate and ClearJet solvent-based laminate in aerosol and liquid form, are specifically formulated to offer optimal protection for various applications. INFO# 200
Miller Weldmaster, booth 3753, exhibits some of the fastest and easiest heat sealing machines. Eliminate seaming bottlenecks with the T300 Extreme. Finish a banner in under one minute. The Digitran is a sewing system designed for silicone edge graphics systems. See options for smaller sign shops like the T3 Extreme, a robust tabletop welder; and the newest and affordable T2 Extreme. INFO# 201
Mimaki USA, booth 3935, highlights an array of digital printing solutions for sign graphics, textile, apparel, industrial, and 3D. This includes the UCJV300 Series—now available in four efficient sizes. In addition, the TS55-1800 dye-sublimation printer with optional units, the UJF MkII Series tabletop flatbed printers, and the CF22-1225 wide format cutting plotter are on display. INFO# 202
Miratec Systems, booth 2325, brings its most recent innovation—an invisible way to join two pieces of clear vinyl using PureColor Technology. The Miratec Systems Super Splice gives the stability needed to prevent light leaks, and most excitingly causes the splice line to disappear when backlit. It performs as though there is no splice whatsoever. INFO# 203
Montroy, booth 753, showcases the latest in print and finishing technologies from HP, Graphtec, Roland, and Summa. It shows rigid substrate applications using 3A Composites, Cyro, Lexan, and UltraBoard. Montroy features traditional print media applications from 3M, Avery, and Arlon and backlit applications from Sihl. INFO# 204
MultiCam, booth 3007, demonstrates the APEX3R CNC router, which offers cut speeds of up to 2,000 inches per minute. Designed and built in the U.S., the APEX3R is constructed from a robust, single-piece welded steel frame. INFO# 205
Mutoh America Inc., booth 3035, displays the PerformanceJet 2508UF 4×8-foot flatbed UV LED printer and 1627MH 64-inch hybrid multipurpose printer, along with many of its hottest and top selling favorites like ValueJet 1624X, ValueJet 1938TX, and VJ1948WX. INFO# 206
Nekoosa, booth 2422, adds eight new color/pattern combinations to its VinylEfx metalized, adhesive-backed vinyl portfolio. New colors include champagne, rose gold, copper, and bronze and are available in both smooth and fine brush finishes. INFO# 207
Newlife Magnetics, booth 3926, launches its new 60-inch wide printable magnet sheeting. It also introduces its new premium line of wide format magnetic-receptive printable films. In addition, its complete lineup of magnet products as well as magnetic wall display materials and micro-suction window films are displayed. INFO# 208
OKI, booth 1545, knows that when it comes to color vibrancy, print durability, and production speeds, OKI’s ColorPainter wide format printers lead sign and graphics in their class. Utilizing advanced print technologies, industrial printheads, and low odor, eco-solvent ink, ColorPainter printers produce vibrant, glossy graphics with durability of both indoor and outdoor applications. INFO# 209
Onyx Graphics, Inc., booth 2347, features ONYX 18.5 software, which takes print production to the next level with the distinction of being the first wide format RIP solution with Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) 5.1. With APPE 5.1, users benefit from the latest technological advancements for complete design-to-print workflows. INFO# 210
Palram Americas, booth 4205, exhibits Palboard 3D. It features a bright white, rigid, ultra-smooth PVC surface with a black or white foam PVC core. Rigid exterior layers offer better structural strength than standard foam PVC. Palboard 3D is almost 50 percent lighter than aluminum composite material with easier workability. INFO# 211
Piedmont Plastics, booth 2719, is a national distributor of plastic sheet, rod, tube, and film products with over 40 locations across North America. Print materials include rigid substrates, flexible media, and accessories from its Piedmont Sign Grade product line. Sign materials include polycarbonate, acrylic, ACM, aluminum coils, and LEDs. INFO# 212
Ricoh, booth 735, invites attendees to take a look at the RICOH Pro TF6250 flatbed and RICOH Pro L5160 roll-to-roll wide format printers. INFO# 213
Roland DGA, booth 1419, debuts new digital imaging technologies for sign, graphics, and apparel. Be among the first to see Roland’s next-generation TrueVIS VG2 series printer/cutters, the new VersaUV LEF2 flatbed printer, and new VersaSTUDIO BT-12 desktop direct to garment printer in action. INFO# 214
Safety Speed, booth 4711, shows its DFC-H5 Panel Saw and Dust Free Substrate Cutter Combo. Additionally, Safety Speed offers the first look at its new and improved line of Vertical Substrate Cutters. INFO# 215
Saw Trax, booth 2667, highlights its Sign Maker Panel Saw and Substrate cutter, providing sign shops with one machine for all cutting needs. The Rack & Roll is a sheet cart designed to carry multiple substrates for signs. It easily separates substrates by section, while being faster and safer to load. INFO# 216
Sawgrass, booth 2571, brings its Virtuoso HD Product Decorating Systems, featuring SG400, SG800, and VJ 628 printers. It shows new sublimation print applications that enable product decorators to offer prints for outdoor use and cotton fabrics. INFO# 217
Stimpson, booth 4606, founded in 1852, is a leading U.S.-based manufacturer and supplier of grommets and washers, eyelets, snaps, hole plugs, and attaching machinery. Over 160 years later, its 278,000 square foot facility in Pompano Beach, FL is furnished with advanced, state-of-the-art, high-speed automated equipment. INFO# 218
Summa America, booth 2255, demonstrates a multitude of finishing solutions, from roll cutters with True Tangential Technology, to Summa’s latest and largest asset in the F Series range—the F3232. More focused on cutting dye-sublimated shirts and apparel, the L1810 from the L Series makes its debut at the booth. INFO# 219
Tekra, booth 1165, offers a portfolio that contains films for UV, latex, and solvent inkjet, as well as HP Indigo and traditional print methods. At the booth, learn about new JetView Latex Clear Polyester Film as well as backlit and blockout films and 3M bonding solutions. INFO# 220
Trotec, booth 3853, displays the SP2000 large format laser, which combines a robust, ergonomic, and low-maintenance design with high-speed precision processing capabilities. It features a working area of 66×98 inches, access from all four sides, processing speeds of up to 6.5 feet per second, and laser power up to 400 watts. INFO# 221
Ultraflex Systems, booth 3653, encourages attendees to learn more about popular products in its range of flexible, semi-rigid, and specialty lines for solvent, eco-solvent, latex, UV, screen, and dye-sublimation. In addition to front lit, backlit, blockout, mesh, textiles, film, and specialty media; printable wallcoverings, HP certified media, and magnetic-receptive solutions are displayed. INFO# 222
Vision Engraving & Routing System, booth 2918, suggests giving your business a boost of revenue possibilities by increasing signmaking capabilities. With a Vision Engraving 25 Series CNC router/engraver you can make a variety of custom signage in house including ADA Braille signs, dimensional letters, and print to cut. INFO# 223
Vista System LLC, booth 1554, offers a range of wayfinding signage solutions. Vspec is a complete sign schedule, including location plan, BOQ, and unique design features. The service is provided to sign professionals, architects, designers, contractors, entrepreneurs, and project managers. INFO# 224
Vycom Corp., booth 4853, invites visitors to see what’s new in durable display graphic and sign building materials. Featured is the Celtec signboard line, a premium rigid substrate that improves throughput in finishing. Available in several colors, size formats, and thicknesses, Celtec materials offer superior UV performance with a satin finish. INFO# 225
Yard Sign Ninjas, booth 2771, provides custom printed yard signs and point of purchase work to the trade only at wholesale pricing. Stop by the booth to see how to increase margins and wow customers with the company’s full-color gloss finish. INFO# 226
Zünd, booth 3907, presents fully configured G3 and dual-beam D3 cutting systems equipped with the high-speed Over-Cutter Camera system OCC, a registration system that captures all registration marks in the cutting area with one image. Various automated production workflows are on display for cutting a full gamut of substrates, from fabric and corrugated cardboard to MDF and acrylics. INFO# 227
See You in Vegas
We look forward to visiting the ISA International Sign Expo in April in Las Vegas. Industrial Print is in booth 4411. Stop by and pick up copies of the March and April issues of the magazine or say hi. IPM
Apr2019, Industrial Print Magazine