Technology in Action

Are you in the Atlanta, Georgia area and looking to learn more about the latest and greatest in printing technology? Look no further! We are excited to invite you to a demonstration day event for Mimaki printers.

This event will provide an opportunity for you to see the printers in action and learn about their features and capabilities. Our team of experts will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and provide demonstrations of the newest UV-LED, dye sublimation, eco-solvent, and 3D printing technology.

At this event, you will have the chance to see the latest Mimaki printers in action, and learn more about their capabilities, including their high-quality print output, speed, and ease of use. You will also have the opportunity to speak with our team of experts and ask any questions you may have about these printers and how they can benefit your business.

This event is valuable for anyone in the Atlanta area who is interested in learning more about Mimaki printers and their potential for your business. With the latest technology and features, these printers can help you streamline your operations and increase your productivity.

The demo day will be held on February 23rd from 10AM to 3PM at the Mimaki Atlanta Technology Center in Sewanee, Georgia.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the latest technology in the printing industry and learn how it can benefit your business. We hope to see you at our demo day event.

Where:

Mimaki ATL Technology Center
150 Satellite Blvd. NE
Suwanee, GA 30024

LexJet Demo Day- Mimaki in Atlanta, February 23 – Registration closed.

3D Prints on a Wide-Format Printer? Thanks to Lumii, Now You Can

In anticipation of the impending 3D content that’s sure to hit our smart phones, cameras and web browsers in the coming years, the clever minds at the Boston-based start-up, Lumii, have developed a way to print 3D photos on films using a standard aqueous wide-format printer.

“When we look at the next generation of content, we believe it’s going to be 3D content,” says Lumii CEO and founder Tom Baran. “When we talk to printers about it, they get very excited about the prospect of using the equipment they’ve already invested in.”

Baran, along with Matt Hirsch, Lumii CTO and founder, collaborated while pursuing their Ph.D.s at MIT to develop the technology that makes the 3D prints possible. Using light field technology, Lumii creates unique patterns from 3D scans or photos and then prints those patterns on two films — one clear and one translucent — to create the 3D effect once the layers are joined. When those prints are lit from behind, the 3D image pops out even more.

The key, Hirsch and Baran say, is using very high-resolution printers and the right materials. When searching for their translucent film for the rear layer of the 3D prints, they inquired at a local print shop, which is where they discovered LexJet 8 Mil Absolute Backlit film.

“We did a very unconventional analysis in that we looked at [the backlit film] under a microscope,” Hirsh says. “We looked at: How well does it hold ink; does it have the right opacity; did it bleed, etc. We tried a variety of things, and we really like the way this backlit performs.”

Although Lumii is still in its early stages, the plan is to offer their 3D prints to customers who upload their own 3D files to an ecommerce site. Lumii will then manage the fulfillment of those orders by working with print shops that have the right type of printer and use Absolute Backlit and other qualified products.

Possible applications for the technology could be endless — bus stop signage, movie theater posters and promotional graphics, to name a few. Hirsch and Baran certainly see digital décor, interior design and art installations as big potential, as well.

“It’s interesting how there’s a lot of room to add value in the print world that’s yet to be tapped,” Baran says. “Especially when you couple that with this massive 3D content that’s going to grow exponentially over the next five years.”

Check out another recent example in this video:

SGIA Offers Free Webinars for Graphics Providers in 2014

SGIA has released its 2014 schedule of free Webinars, which SGIA says presents unique information and fosters important discussion about industry topics in 60 minutes or less.

SGIA WebinarsThe upcoming Webinars cover a variety of topics, including: Business management, sales advice, 3D printing techniques, color management, garment decorating methods, setting up and creating screen printing artwork, wide-format dye sublimation, installing window films and more.

The 2014 Webinar series starts with the session Finding Savings Before & After the Print on Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. ET. SGIA’s Dan Marx will moderate a discussion panel between industry experts on the topic of how companies can differentiate themselves and carve out a competitive advantage by looking to become leaner and seeking new profit opportunities.

Here’s the SGIA Webinar schedule in 2014…

  • 3D Embellishment Technologies: Jan. 29
  • Way To Grow: Feb. 12
  • Who is Responsible for Correct Color? Feb. 19
  • Water Based Garment Inks: Feb. 26
  • Creative Art for Screen Printing: March 5
  • Seven Highly Effective, Low-Cost Marketing Habits: March 12
  • Top Ten Sign Code Considerations: March 19
  • QC for Curing of Screen Printing Inks: April 9
  • Steps for Wide-Format Dye-Sublimation Success: April 16
  • Pricing the Print: April 23
  • What is Your Break-Over Point? April 30
  • Navigating the “Green” Jungle: May 7
  • Selecting the Right Sales Compensation Plan: May 14
  • UV LED Curing Case Studies: May 21
  • Understanding and Installing Window Films: June 11
  • OSHA Came to Call – And Found A Problem! June 18
  • Digital Textile Finishing Technologies: June 25

All Webinars are subject to change and free unless otherwise noted. Webinars are 60 minutes long, beginning at 2 p.m. ET and broadcast online. A complete schedule can be found at SGIA.org.