Print service providers (PSPs) look to wide format flatbed printers for a variety of applications that require the ability to print directly onto rigid substrates, at production speeds, and in high quality. However, recently, smaller format UV flatbed printers have gained attention among wide format professionals.
These devices tend to offer a minimized footprint, lower investment cost, and support thicker materials, enabling them to print to objects like phone cases and golf balls. They are also enticing for industrial environments enabling mechanical components printing.

The history of Canvey Island, which lies off the South Coast of Essex in the Thames Estuary, is one of community, invention and survival. Measuring seven square miles, the island – which is below sea level – is home to some 45,000 people living behind 14 miles of high sea walls.

Sign makers have so many varied choices for creating products their customers are looking for—from vinyl cutting and laser engraving to traditional printing, sand blasting and more. Each technology offers distinct benefits and challenges, while delivering a specific look and feel to reflect the message being conveyed.
Within this realm, sublimation has become a powerful contender, offering sign makers full-color digital capabilities, high-definition graphic output, economical start-up and production, and the ability to diversify their product offerings to deliver increased value to customers. Here is a look at some of the ways sublimated signage can help your business grow.

In this presentation, Product Managers Daniel Valade and Lily Hunter will walk you through the process of creating profitable customized apparel and accessories using Roland’s advanced TrueVIS technology. Learn how combining Roland TrueVIS printers, HeatSoft PLUS and HeatSoft SATIN transfer films can help you transform textiles made from cotton, polyester blends, Lycra/ Spandex and even leather to highly desirable and valuable goods, maximizing your sales potential.

Earlier this year, Nazdar Ink Technologies promoted Laura Maybaum to Director of Product Marketing – a position perfectly suited to her passion for print.
Laura has been part of the Nazdar team for 15 years, most recently managing product life cycles and consistently hitting the leading ink manufacturer's targets for marketing, financial and corporate growth. As Director of Product Marketing, Laura is sharing her expertise and enthusiasm in a new way – introducing Nazdar's complete product portfolio to print businesses across the globe.

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Brothers Tej and Pratt Pande of SAI Netcom in Alpharetta, Georgia, believe in the personalized touch. Their business uses dye-sublimation printing to offer customized textiles and gifts, which are sold directly via SAI Netcom’s website as well as through a range of retail outlets.  
“Dye-sublimation lets us capture the true essence of photos or artwork on textiles, at costs far below traditional textile printing methods,” said Tej. To provide quality dye-sublimated products, SAI Netcom relies on Roland’s Texart™ RT-640 64-inch and VersaArt® RS-640 64-inch dye-sublimation printers.  

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. has announced commercial availability of its newest launched printer, the EFI Pro 24f.
First exhibited at the recent SGIA Expo, it is the only dedicated flatbed wide-format printer featuring EFI's proven LED and variable drop greyscale head technologies. It provides precision imaging, fine detail and outstanding image quality for a broad range of applications.
U.S. customer Superior Signs & Engraving in Wichita, Kansas, is the very first user for the printer. The printer's premium quality imaging capabilities, with white ink included, and the high versatility and productivity of EFI's "cool cure" LED technology, have vastly improved throughput and quality at the company.

Over the last decade, digital printing within the sign and commercial graphics markets has proven to be a very lucrative business for savvy output providers who did their homework and kept up with market trends. Many of these thriving shop owners gazed into the future, looked at emerging trends and then invested wisely in new equipment and materials to meet the demand for these future revenue streams. Those shop owners who are paying attention to the direction of the industry and who keep abreast of the latest technology developments have the best chance of success because markets are always changing.