Posted by Marty Kauls on Wed, Jan 20, 2010 @ 11:31 AM
We are pleased to announce the addition of ACT II Recycled and Renewable fabric to our line of environmentally friendly products. ACT II is part of Aurora Specialty Textiles Group’s Weaves of Green® fabric collection. This fabric is composed of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, which gives this fabric a real, positive impact on the waste stream and our environment. The fiber source for ACT II fabric is recycled plastic drinking bottles.
ACT II Fabric is a plain weave, 7.5 oz fabric with a canvas-like texture. It’s been scoured and heat set for direct, UV cure digital printing. It’s available in 60” and 120” widths, making it an ideal fabric for most large format printing needs.
Key Features:
- Made from 100% post consumer polyester.
- Source of polyester is clear plastic drink bottles.
- Perfect for in store graphics, banners, POP displays and signs.
- Also well suited for short term outdoor signs (6 months).
We can usually have this material in house with in 3 – 4 working days. Contact me directly for a sample of our printing on this product at
marty@graphicsystems.com,
click here for more information, or give me a call at 800-235-0387.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 @ 01:40 PM
Last fall, we began testing Wincos UV Custom Designed Glass Film, which is made by the Lintec Corporation. Wincos UV Glass Film is a UV ink receptive, optically clear polyester film that is an excellent solution for window graphics. It can also be used on any transparent glass surface, such as doors, skylights, glass dividers – basically any glass surface.
The transparency of this product is really quite remarkable; it is truly optically clear. The test graphics we produced and applied to our windows looked like the graphics were hanging in mid-air. The ability of this product to create optical illusion effects such as waterfalls, exotic gardens, landscapes, and directional queues is ideal for creating a visual impact that will pull people into your store. Wincos UV Glass Film is also ideal for increasing store banding – you can put your logo, promotional images, basically any image or text onto a glass surface.
We were also impressed with its ease of installation. Wincos UV Glass Film is easily installed on a pre-cleaned glass surface with water and a squeegee. We created a simple, five-step set of instructions and a companion video of an installation of this product. Installing Wincos UV Glass Film is a snap!
We are always exploring new materials to print on, but its not often that we truly get excited about them – in this case, Wincos UV Custom Designed Glass Film is an exception. It is an impressive product that we are proud to add to our arsenal of materials that we can offer our clients. Contact me directly for a sample of our printing on this product at marty@graphicsystems.com, leave a message below, or give me a call at 800-235-0387.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Wed, Dec 02, 2009 @ 12:40 PM
GS Snaprails are poster mounting backbones with a bottom-feed feature for quick sign changing.
Key Features:
- Ideal for large signage.
- Reusable, great for long term signage programs.
- Friction bar holds slippery sign materials fast.
- Rounded toe on swinging door skims over delicate sign stocks, reducing crumpling and scratching of your printed material.
Note: Stock colors are black, clear, white, or silver PVC. 1” high x 1/4” wide. Five stock lengths available, from 22” to 72”.
Media: Use on sign materials from .005” to .070” thick. For Varied Sign Stock Usage. Works especially well on soft, flexible and slippery poly stocks. Works on styrene, Tyvek™, soft vinyl, nylon, aqueous coated papers, sheet poly and card stocks.
Product Codes:
SP'R-22 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-24 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-36 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-48 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
SP'R-72 GS Snaprail Black/Clear/White/Silver
Price: Click here for pricing information.
Click here to request more information about our line of graphic holders.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @ 12:41 PM
Graphic Systems is pleased to introduce the SaverStand, its proprietary, high impact, and freestanding graphic display! The SaverStand has an eye catching elliptical shape and is printed single or double sided onto cardstock with UV inks – making it 100% recyclable. It comes in two standard sizes (27” x 60” & 19” x 35”) as well as custom sizes. SaverStand can also be customized with die cut headers and brochure holders.
This unique display assembles in less than a minute without any tools and can be broken down just as easily. It ships in its own lightweight shipping box that folds flat for easy and economical direct shipments. SaverStand is a great way to economically display your POP graphics.
Key Features:
- 100% Recyclable.
- Economical.
- Customizable.
- Easily assembled.
Price: Click here for pricing information.
Note: UV inks on cardstock. Individual shipping available.
Media: UV inks on cardstock.
Click here to request more information.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Mon, Nov 02, 2009 @ 03:38 PM
Graphic Systems is pleased to announce the addition BioBoard™ to our growing line of environmentally friendly products. It is specifically designed for the printing industry and is the perfect replacement for most types of foam boards commonly used for large-format printing.
BioBoard™ offers the benefits of traditional sheet material and is extremely lightweight due to the special core properties. BioBoard™ can be easily cut, joined, and drilled with traditional tools and fasteners. Its lightweight enables large sheets to be easily maneuvered and carried by one person.
Key Features:
- BioBoard™ can take the place of any foam core product.
- Excellent Printability single or double sided.
- Approximately 63% post consumer waste content.
- 100% Recyclable, and is made in the USA.
Thicknesses: 7mm, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”
Sheet Sizes: 4’ x 8’, 4’ x 10’ and 5’ x 8’
Click here to request more information.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 @ 09:28 AM
Wall coverings offer many advantages over traditional wall mounted graphics, the most important of which is their ability to create complete environments. They enhance the spaces in which they are used, helping to connect the brand message to the viewer by immersing them in the graphic’s message. Wall coverings also offer several other advantages.
- Wall coverings are fully customizable. We can print any image you desire directly onto wall covering materials – from logos, product shots, to program themes. The sky is the limit.
- Wall coverings can be printed on demand. They are the perfect solution for store rollouts.
- Wall coverings can be used for temporary or permanent applications. We use removable adhesives for temporary installations and vinyl-to-vinyl adhesives for permanent installations.
We have found the Dreamscape’s Textured Wall Wraps to be one of the best wall covering products that we have tested and used at Graphic Systems. It is a textured vinyl media with excellent hiding power and the ability to reduce glare and light reflection superior to any other material available today.
Textured Wall Wrap material is more than twice as durable and four times as thick as other peel and stick films, so they won’t stretch out of form or shrink during installation. Its 13mil thickness coupled with its unique, textured surface helps Dreamscape Textured Wall Wraps mask imperfections in walls and display substrates.
This material meets our standards for textured materials that enhance image impact and color, depth, dimension and durability. It works perfectly with our Durst Rho UV digital screen presses.
Dreamscape Textured Wall Wrap material is available in over a dozen textures. The wall coverings with removable adhesives are Caviar and Monet. Caviar is a fine pebble surface and Monet replicates a textured fabric weave. Additionally, these materials have outstanding adhesion capabilities for any installation where easy application and repositioning are required. Textured Wall Wraps are perfect for wall graphics, trade show displays, wide format murals, point of purchase displays, and signage, particularly in short to mid-term applications where images need to be changed frequently and efficiently.
To protect wall coverings, we recommend Dreamscape’s DreamGUARD Protex3 Clear Liquid Topcoat, which provides extreme scratch and abrasion resistance. It also keeps wall coverings from cracking and makes cleaning a cinch!
Click here to request more information.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Tue, Oct 13, 2009 @ 02:37 PM
Graphic Systems now carries StretchFrame™, the frameless graphic display. StretchFrame™ takes your images “to the edge”, eliminating the conventional “framed in” look. Your images are printed onto environmentally friendly fabrics using UV inks, and are retained by a simple, invisible and easy-to-use perimeter tensioning feature. This innovative fame eliminates acrylic faces, reduces shipping weight, and cost. The result—your graphics have greatly-enhanced visual impact, using a simple, economical, and eco-friendly system.
StrecthFrame™ is available in all popular sizes, custom sizes, and in “mega” sizes. It can be made in virtually any size, but the practical size limit is 10’ by any dimension.
Key Features:
- Eliminates the “framed in” look.
- Lightweight.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Economical.
NOTE: Constructed out aluminum and plastic.
MEDIA: Works with most printable fabrics.
Click here to request more information.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Tue, Oct 06, 2009 @ 03:28 PM
We are now printing on DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia! This material represents a sustainable solution for wide format printing—delivering a rich, velvety finish that’s easy to print, with excellent drapeability and durability. Resembling scrimless vinyl, yet more luxurious to the touch, DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia combines the trusted performance of DuPont™ Tyvek® print media with a proprietary coating developed by DuPont to deliver superior print quality, drapeability and flexibility in wide format applications. Just as with traditional Tyvek®, Tyvek® Vivia can also be recycled at centers that recycle flexible high density polyethylene products—a meaningful advantage for today’s environmentally-sensitive printers.
DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia has a soft, fabric-like drape with subtle substance that allows it to hang exceptionally well. In addition, it has low memory which helps resist creases, curls and wrinkles for an appearance that continues to look like new. It also has excellent UV inkjet and screen printability along with all the benefits of traditional Tyvek® print media. This unique balance of properties makes DuPont™ Tyvek® Vivia an excellent choice for most wide format applications.
Key Features:
- Recyclable.
- Soft, velvety finish.
- Low memory – resists creases, curls, and wrinkles.
Click here to request more information or give us a call at 800-235-0387 or email us at
sales@graphicsystems.com.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 @ 10:40 AM
Floor graphics take retail graphics to a new level by putting graphics directly on the floor near the items being advertised! Floor graphics amplify your marketing message while using a previously underutilized advertising area – the floor! We currently offer two floor graphic options: indoor floor graphics and carpet graphics.
Indoor Floor Graphics
Our traditional indoor floor graphic material of choice is FLEXmark®V 400 F White Opaque A-109 90 PFW base film coupled with their FLEXmark®OV 600 Frosty Clear Safari V-29 71B PMO-8 overlaminate. While indoor floor advertising is ideal for attracting heavy foot traffic, it must also endure the associated wear and tear to be completely effective throughout the life of the graphic. This product system meets all of the graphic and functional requirements. The adhesive provides an exceptional bond to most indoor floor surfaces, and maintains clean removability up to 180 days from installation. It also meets industry standards for non-slip performance.
Our experience with this product has shown us that it withstands abrasion from heavy foot traffic, floor buffers, chemicals, waxes, solvents, and wax strippers. It also meets ASTM non-slip standards. The adhesive holds the graphic in place, and is easily and cleanly removable once the promotion is over. For the longest-term use of your indoor floor advertisements, this product is the guaranteed choice!
Key Features:
- White opaque vinyl provides excellent whiteness for cover-up of floor surface colors.
- Film is designed for durability and removability up to 180 days following installation.
- Removable pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive bonds well to waxed commercial PVC tile, ceramic tile, sealed concrete and linoleum.
- Excellent printability with UV inks.
Indoor Carpet Advertising System
We recommend FLEXmark®V 400 F White Opaque A-120 90 PFW base film and FLEXmark®OV 650 R Clear Velvet V-29 71B PMO-8 overlaminate for indoor carpet graphics. While indoor carpet advertising is ideal for attracting heavy foot traffic, it must also endure the associated wear and tear to be completely effective throughout the life of the graphic. FLEXcon’s product system ensures application success with complete satisfaction. This product system provides an exceptional bond to many indoor low pile carpet surfaces, maintains clean removability up to 6 months from installation, and meets industry standards for non-slip performance (ASTM D 2047). For the longest-term use of your indoor carpet advertisements, FLEXcon’s Indoor Carpet Graphics Product System is the guaranteed choice.
Key Features:
- Thicker gauge and embossed velvet finish minimizes wrinkling and endures heavy foot traffic when applied to an indoor carpet surface.
- Film exceeds industry standards for non-slip performance (ASTM D 2047), when used as the overlaminate with FLEXmark®V 400 F.
- 3.5 mil flexible white opaque vinyl film that resists tearing and abrasion.
- Excellent printability with UV inks.
- Flexible white opaque vinyl provides excellent cover-up for indoor low pile carpet.
- Removable pressure-sensitive adhesive is designed to bond well to indoor low-pile commercial grade, stain resistant or non-stain resistant carpet.
- Graphic will remain intact for the life of the promotion and still be cleanly removable at the end of promoting up to 6 months after installation.
In addition to indoor floor and carpet graphics, we are also testing new products that allow for outdoor floor graphic applications. These products will be covered in future blog posts.
Click here to request more information or give us a call at 800-235-0387 or email us at sales@graphicsystems.com.
Posted by Marty Kauls on Tue, Sep 15, 2009 @ 10:56 AM
Advances in large-format commercial imaging technology must address a range of factors – from image quality to the user interface, from media handling to print speed – to satisfy an increasingly sophisticated customer and an increasingly demanding market. With the right printer, a commercial imager can take on the most challenging and creative new applications.
For example, when national U.S. retailer Wilsons Leather needed dramatic wall-sized in-store images that could be changed quickly and easily to reflect seasonal changes in its product line, Graphic Systems of Minneapolis matched an innovative new magnetic-receptive media with its Durst Rho 351R UV inkjet grand-format printer to deliver a highly effective solution.
The process began last fall at the SGIA trade show. Representatives from Graphic Systems saw a new magnetic-based substrate developed by Xcel Products. Soon after, the print buyer from Wilsons Leather toured Graphic Systems and described its plans for new Wilsons concept stores, to be decorated with several 8x10-foot murals. The buyer said the murals, in addition to being visually striking, needed to be easy to change out on a quarterly basis.
Marty Kauls, Graphic Systems’ Vice President of Marketing, says a quantity of magnetic backing and magnetic-receptive media were ordered from Xcel, and a fashion image was received from Wilsons Leather. Tests were run in January. The performance of the Rho 351R’s precision media handling system and Quadro™ Array print head technology resulted in an image that fully met Wilsons Leather’s needs. In less than an hour, a Graphic Systems team mounted the magnetic backing to a wall and the image to the backing. That success led to an “official” test at Wilsons Leather headquarters (also in Minneapolis), and later to implementation in several stores.
“The magnetic media system from Xcel is an excellent product,” Kauls says. “Just as important to the success of this project, however, was our Rho 351R, which accurately fed the media through and printed on it flawlessly. It isn’t an automatic thing to be able to print effectively on magnetic sheets. But we’ve done work for Wilsons Leather before – and they know they can expect creative solutions, professional execution and quality printing from our team and from our equipment.”
Media handling was a critical aspect of printing the Wilsons Leather images. The Rho 351R comes equipped with innovative brush-stretch rollers and a tension regulation device to transport even the thinnest fabrics precisely and crease-free through the printing process. Printing also is enhanced by the Rho 351R’s precise registration for accurate two-sided printing, dual media roll loading positions and motorized roll take-up unit.
The printer’s ability to lay down quality images acceptable to Wilsons Leather onto the magnetic-receptive media opened the door to the many advantages the substrate system offers. For example, the printed media can be rolled up, placed in tubes and shipped more easily, safely and inexpensively than images printed on rigid material. While initial installation of the backing requires some expertise and a strong adhesive, the subsequent image change-outs can be handled by store employees – who simply line up the edge of magnetic-receptive image to the backing and unroll it. If the image is crooked, the employees simply roll it back up, reposition it and try again.
Steve Reudelsterz, an account executive at Graphic Systems, says Wilsons Leather originally was considering images on pressure-sensitive vinyl, changed out by professional crews at individual concept stores. “But we thought the magnetic system would be the perfect solution for what they were trying to accomplish, and it’s worked out extremely well.”
Reprinted courtesy of Durst Image Technology U.S., LLC.