For many of us, running to catch a plane leaves little time to stroll through airport retail outlets, but inevitably, there’s that long layover … or the delayed flight. That’s when we end up meandering over to the shops. And to entice our purchases, posters beckon us in with deals and specials.
Chances are, those posters were printed at Paradies Lagardere Travel Retail‘s busy Atlanta printing operation, where the team turns out hundreds of posters and other signage every month that’s displayed in airports all over the U.S. and Canada.
While the signs are replaced each month, they still need to get the job done, says Wade Ervin, who heads up the printing jobs. “Everything is constantly changing,” he says. “That sign goes up in front of an airport gift shop, and after the 30-day sale is over, it gets thrown away.”
To keep the posters looking good, Ervin prints them on LexJet 8 mil Production Satin Photo Paper, which dries instantly and can be finished without a lot of wait time. He then uses the newly launched ClearShield™ 3 mil Gloss UV Premium Low Melt thermal laminate on the back, and the new ClearShield™ 3 Mil Luster UV Standard Low Melt on the front of the posters.
This combination is common practice to give the poster double-sided support, while also saving money with the less expensive gloss version on the back, and getting rich color with minimal glare using the luster version on the front of the poster.
Ervin’s laminated posters are printed on an HP DesignJet Z6200, and are typically 16-by-42-inches and displayed in a metal frame, which, with the two-sided lamination, makes for pretty sturdy signage.
Before working with LexJet, Ervin says he relied on a local mom-and-pop shop for his poster needs, but because the owners were close to retirement, he sought a longer-term partner. Plus, with the LexJet Blue discounted shipping program, it was a win-win.
“When my rep said, ‘We can give you free shipping,’ I said: Well, how about that?” Ervin says with a laugh.
To learn more about LexJet’s full print protection line, visit LexJet.com/PrintProtection.
