May 2009 Issue

• Kentucky legislature passes made-in-America flags bill

  U.S. flags purchased by government agencies in Kentucky will have to be made in America under a measure passed by the state legislature.

• Office of Management and Budget accepts “printing workers” recommendations

  The Office of Management and Budget has accepted the Education Summit for Graphic Communication’s recommendations for structure changes to “printing workers” detailed occupational groups for the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).

• PDAA and SGIA merge

  The Professional Decal Application Association (PDAA) has voted to merge with SGIA to offer PDAA members and the SGIA community better services, support and business development opportunities.

• Report predicts increased demand for printing inks

  The report says the U.S. demand for printing inks is forecast to reach $4.8 billion by 2013.

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  Truck wraps promote NASCAR event

  Arlon, Santa Ana, Calif., sponsored the NASCAR premier of the Auto Club Speedway, wrapping 10 tractor trailers to promote the race in southern California.

• Avery terminates distribution relationship with Grimco

  Grimco will no longer distribute Avery Graphics’ screen print and sign cut vinyls, and line of digital vinyl media.

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  GatorWraps opens new showroom

  The company recently opened a new, high-visibility showroom to demonstrate its products on a grand scale.

• Glen Raven launches new Sunbrella web site

  The site is designed from the consumer’s perspective, including a searchable fabrics library that assists in locating the right fabric for every use.

• Herculite and 3P Inkjet Textiles form distribution partnership

  The 3P products are complementary to Herculite’s Bantex Digital brands and will be available to authorized distributors through Herculite Inc.

• Neschen introduces inventory classification system

  SEAL and Neschen Brand Products, Elkridge, Md., have announced a new, customer-focused inventory classification system called “Super A.”

• Printing company responds to recovery bill

  Printing Industries of America, Washington, D.C., says it is encouraged by President Obama’s plan to unlock credit for small businesses.

• Wasatch updates software

  Wasatch has updated its SoftRIP software user interface for Version 6.5. It now includes all 24 supported languages.

• SIF technology used to produce digitally printed leather

  The most interesting application for fabrics using digital printing I have seen lately is digitally printed leather, available from SIF Technology Corporation, Sarasota, Fla.

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  Theaters present new opportunities for print shops

  Although sets have traditionally been hand-painted, theaters are now discovering that fabric printing is a viable choice.

• Green cost savings

  Cost-saving techniques companies implement regarding recycling and textiles.

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  Start “going green”

  If it’s time for your company to “go green,” the Fabric Graphics Association (FGA) wants to help.

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  Aggressive adhesive designed for rough surfaces

  This media can create the look of painted graphics on a challenging surface, such as a brick wall.

• Pacific Coast Fabrics stocks water repellent fabric

  Pacific Coast Fabrics, Gardena, Calif., now stocks Deko-Tex Lotos 7058FLBN, a water repellent polyester outdoor fabric.

• SolvoTex textiles offer easy-to-handle finishes

  The finishes are light weight, flexible and non-reflective.

• Ultraflex Systems introduces new fabrics

  The fabrics include SuperPrint Lite FL, SuperPrint Plus FL and Normandy Lite FL.

• AW Specialty Papers introduces litho transfer paper

  AW Specialty Papers, Elk Grove Village, Ill., announced T75, a new heat transfer paper designed for cold peel litho printing.

• Bleach allows low temperature bleaching of textiles

  The solution bleaches textiles in a more environmentally friendly way and allows for low temperature bleaching of textiles at 65 degrees Celsius.

• Brother releases direct-to-garment printer

  The Brother GT-541 is small enough to sit on a desktop, yet large enough to print up to 14-inch by 16-inch graphics.

• Condé introduces professional inkjet sublimation printer

  The printer offers 42-inch wide output, fast print speeds, a bulk ink delivery system, optional media take-up reel and an economical price point.

• EFI expands VUTEk line

  EFI, Foster City, Calif., introduced two VUTEk wide format UV printers.

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  Graphics One launches direct-to-fabric printer

  Graphics One LLC (GO), Burbank, Calif., is launching the first direct-to-fabric printer under $15,000.

• JS Humidifiers launches wall mounted spray humidifier

  JS Humidifiers, Littlehampton, West Sussex, U.K., launched a wall mounted spray humidifier for textile processing areas up to 1,000 square meters.

• Pacific Coast Fabrics releases swatch book and updates web site

  Pacific Coast Fabrics completed its latest Digital Print Fabrics swatch book and updated its web site.

• Practix Manufacturing introduces super-wide format printer

  Practix Manufacturing USA, Acworth, Ga., introduced the OK-405RW-5M wide format rotary heat transfer printer.

• PrintVillage Inc. releases new printing system

  The self-contained, single-step textile printing system is designed specifically for the trade show graphics, sign and flag industries.

• Sublimation transfer printers suitable for sport apparel

  Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd., Nagano, Japan, introduced new sublimation transfer printers for sport apparel, the TS3-1600 and TS5-1600AMF.

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  Graphics transform Wrigley Field

  Wrigley Field was transformed into a wintery setting for the game, paying tribute to the history of the venue and hockey as American icons.

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  Keeping up with advances in backlit applications

  Staying on top of advances in fabrics and techniques for backlit applications offers a promising opportunity for growth.

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  Truck wraps promote NASCAR event

  Arlon, Santa Ana, Calif., sponsored the NASCAR premier of the Auto Club Speedway, wrapping 10 tractor trailers to promote the race in southern California.

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  Proper printer maintenance

  Proper printer maintenance can make or break your ROI.

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  Utilizing three-dimensional design

  Working with 3-D forms to create visual themes.

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  Considering business expansion

  With a well-developed plan and an understanding of your products and markets, your business may have untapped opportunities.

• Maintaining quality in a tough economy

  When times are tough, don’t cut corners to compete.

• Green cost savings

  Cost-saving techniques companies implement regarding recycling and textiles.

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  Custom fabric crafter provides graphics for various applications

  Baraboo Tent & Awning is a custom fabric crafter with a number of businesses under one “tent,” so to speak.

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