SBI Essentials

One-way vision graphics film manufacturer Contra Vision is proud to present a great value product that makes signs stand out both day and night. Contra Vision® Performance™ Black Perforated Film in 20 percent transparency is a black-on-black perforated film intended for the production of dual-color backlit signage. The film is applied to the outside surface of built-up channel letters. During the day, when it is not backlit, the letters appear black; when the sign is backlit at night, it takes on the color of the translucent sign face used. This 20 percent transparency film gives greater night-time light output than other lower transparency products currently available on the market. This means signage will stand out to passers-by due to its vibrancy. This product is already being successfully used by sign makers in the United States with increasing use in other countries. Alternatively Contra Vision also offers a white-on-black perforated window film in 20 percent transparency, which can be printed to produce channel lettering that is colored by day and white at night.

Original HP printing materials are designed to provide image quality, durability, and consistency you can rely on. The company’s breakthrough innovations give users real alternatives to traditional materials that, by nature, must trade-off quality, durability, and even environmental considerations. With this in mind, HP has announced the availability of its HP Splash-resistant Bond Paper, a durable and splash-resistant paper that’s compatible with dye-based ink technology. This remarkable bond paper is perfect for applications in outdoor environments or conditions with excessive moisture. Graphics printed with dye-based inks will be protected when they are exposed to moderate moisture. HP Splash-resistant Bond Paper is a 21-pound (80gsm) bond paper designed to produce maps, plans, blueprints, and posters with striking color and crisp text and graphics. This recyclable paper also helps meet environmental objectives without sacrificing quality. Even better news is that there are many sizes and options available (including multi-packs to reduce shipping costs).

Trotec Laser, Inc., is pleased to announce the official launch of its Ruby® laser software and the new Speedy 400 Run on Ruby®. This new release combines the most intelligent laser software on the market with the industry’s fastest laser machine, thereby making the work of every laser user (engravers, print shops, manufacturers, etc.) faster and easier than ever. Ruby software—whether used with the new Speedy 400 Run on Ruby or a different Speedy laser—includes all the graphics tools that laser users need. You can create graphic, photo, and text elements and make adjustments quickly with the integrated workflow, eliminating the need to purchase additional design software. It also allows the direct import of files such as PDF, SVG, PNG, AI, and more. The complicated process of printing out the laser job from the graphics program is no longer necessary. Ruby connects all laser machines in one network, locally or remotely. In this way, jobs can be distributed from multiple PCs or Macs to multiple machines. Thanks to the innovative workflow, jobs can be prepared by one user and produced by another, anytime and anywhere, whether in the office, at home, or in the workshop. The Speedy 400 Run on Ruby includes a touch panel on the machine that makes it possible to operate the laser in the network via Ethernet or WiFi without an additional PC. With the official release, all Speedy laser owners can upgrade their Speedy lasers to Ruby for free until October 31, 2021.

Roland DGA Corporation has announced the addition of new 64-inch GR2-640 and 54-inch GR2-540 large format vinyl cutters to the Roland DG CAMM-1 series. These next-generation machines are capable of cutting almost any shape quickly and cleanly from a broad range of materials, including everything from thin automotive films and heat transfer sheets to thick reflective sheets and sandblast masks. This makes the GR2-640 and GR2-540 ideal for applications such as signs, decals, window film, vehicle wraps, sports apparel, and more. The new GR2 series cutters, which are designed to integrate seamlessly with Roland DG’s large format inkjet printers, offer superior cutting versatility and accuracy, plus unmatched reliability, at affordable pricing. With a top cutting speed of 60.1 inches (1,530 mm) per second and a maximum downforce of 600 gf, the GR2-640 and GR2-540 provide the precision cutting quality and high-volume productivity required by professional users. GR2 series cutters pair perfectly with Roland DG’s large-format inkjets using the identical VersaWorkS® 6 RIP software for seamless Print-then-Cut production. Contour lines can be added and crop marks generated automatically to imported printing data from VersaWorks 6, ensuring that the outlines of graphics are cut accurately and eliminating the need to switch back from graphics software like Adobe® Illustrator®, or CorelDRAW® to complete production. Users will also appreciate the included multi-crop mark function that allows for more precise contour cutting of large quantities of printed material, as well as the Roland DG AAS II plug-in software, which allows for easy pairing with other large format printers.