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Making the Cut: 3 Ways to Get Creative with a Graphtec Cutter
Posted on by Jennifer Corn Posted in Technology & Products
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Making the Cut: 3 Ways to Get Creative with a Graphtec Cutter

Printers and laminators are standard equipment for PSPs, but often overlooked is the cutting plotter. Adding a Graphtec cutter to your print shop provides your customers with additional ways to explore their creativity.

We explore three ways that a cutter can increase your versatility:

  • Decals – Creating decals involves two different types of cuts: a perforated (perf) cut in the release liner that pop out the decals for easy resale and a kiss (die) cut for the sticker image that will easily separate from the release liner at the time of install.
  • Packaging and labels – The great thing about inkjet printing is the ability to offer personalization for small quantities. If you have a customer requesting a short run of stickers to personalize water bottles, notebooks or any other items, you can easily die cut the labels and send the labels to your client for the final step in the customization project.
  • POP Graphics – Perf cutting cardstock or other media gives you the opportunity to create POP/POS graphics with fold lines for easy display set up.

While cutters work with all types of media, there are some types like high gloss, reflective or highly textured surfaces that can sometimes be difficult to kiss cut or perf cut with accuracy. If you work with those types of substrates and have trouble with registration marks, the Graphtec cutter has Intelligent Scan Mode (ISM) technology that improves the detection for more accurate cutting.

If you would like more information about Graphtec cutters, contact a sales specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit LexJet.com today.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Technology & Products
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Wall Murals and Decals Made Simple with Simple WallCal

Printing custom wall murals and decalsFollowing the recent introduction of Simple Perforated Window Vinyl (70/30), LexJet announces the latest addition to its Simple line of imaging materials for solvent, low-solvent, latex and UV-curable printers: LexJet Simple WallCal (6 Mil).

With Simple WallCal in your media arsenal you can enhance any home, retail or commercial environment with one-of-a-kind custom wall murals and cut-out decals without the added expense of professional installers. Simple WallCal is very easy to install, thanks to the innovative microsphere adhesive that allows the material to be repositioned frequently during installation.

Simple WallCal is removable for up to one year after installation, making it the ideal choice for wall murals and graphics that will be replaced at least once a year. When removed within a year’s time, Simple WallCal will peel right off without damaging the wall or leaving any residue.

With a 6-mil thickness and a lay-flat liner, the semi-rigid premium matte vinyl is also easy to work with in production and will not curl, either in production, during installation or while it’s on the wall. Like all LexJet Simple materials, Simple WallCal images exceptionally well and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For more information about Simple WallCal and other Simple materials for vehicle, window, floor, carpet and other applications, contact a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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Dee-O-Gee on the Windows Update: Win-Win-Win for Print Shop, Client and City

Printing window murals with a large format inkjet printerThe last time we checked in with INK Outside the Box, Bozeman, Mont., and its ongoing project with local pet store Dee-O-Gee, the sign code restricting window murals was still up in the air, but INK Outside the Box was aiming to change that. What wasn’t up in the air was the success of the project, which has led to a change in the sign code.

Justin Lind of INK Outside the Box says Dee-O-Gee has been able to attribute a 35 percent increase in the pet store’s business since the murals went up last year. Over the past year INK Outside the Box has added thematic touches to the original murals that draw additional interest and anticipation from residents, tourists and other passersby in Bozeman. Moreover, INK Outside the Box has realized additional business due to the visibility of the project, not to mention the added revenue from simply changing the mural every season.

“We’re getting a huge response. A lot of Dee-O-Gee’s client base is always curious about what the next theme is going to be. We have a lot of tourists that come through and they’re interested in it as well,” says Lind. “And, all we have to do is tell one of our potential clients that we printed the dogs and they always recognize the project. It was a hot topic for awhile in the paper; it definitely gives us a lot more clout with our customer base, especially customers who have never done business with us before.”

The latest theme, shown here, celebrates spring in the Bozeman area, where the rivers begin to flow from snow melt and fly fishing is king. INK Outside the Box will reveal the summer motif in the next couple of weeks. As Lind puts it, “Summer is finally arriving here in Montana.”

The thematic accessories, such as the hats and fly fishing gear of the spring-themed dogs, are printed on LexJet Simple Low Tack White Vinyl with INK Outside the Box’s HP UV curable printer then die-cut on a Mimaki plotter. Transfer tape is applied to the die-cut images so the customer can easily apply them on top of the original base image, which is about 92 in. x 92 in. The fly fisherman vest is about 24 in. x 36 in., to give you some idea of scale.