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Achieve a New Standard of Excellence with the Right Media
Posted on by Liliana Wright Posted in Marketing & Sales, Technology & Products
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Achieve a New Standard of Excellence with the Right Media

Schools and universities require a high volume of signage throughout various campus locations. One key to a school’s success is choosing the right media that will convey the appropriate message at the right place, and at the right time.

Printing your own signage is a flexible and cost-effective way for your school or university to promote school spirit and safety protocols from the classroom to the football stadium. LexJet offers a complete line of HP products for all your signage needs. Looking for matte, gloss, permanent, temporary, or repositionable vinyl for your indoor and outdoor campus spaces? We have it all with the high-quality, consistency, and performance you expect from the HP brand.

High-impact signage comes alive with HP Prime Gloss CP.  Budget friendly with ease of installation and lay-flat properties. It’s an excellent solution for schools to create colorful displays throughout campus announcing special school events, dressing up boring walls, or displaying safety signs. This product is compatible with latex, eco-solvent, solvent, and UV curable printers.

When searching for outdoor vinyl that is dependable and affordable, two great solutions are HP Prime Gloss Air GP and HP Prime Matte Air GP. Both products feature gray permanent adhesive that provides opacity for maximum coverage and high image quality. These products are ideal for long-term permanent outdoor signs at school bus stops, outside buildings, or as directional signs guiding students and guests. The air release liners also enable fast, easy, and bubble-free installation. Both products are compatible with latex, solvent, eco-solvent, and UV curable printers.

HP Prime Gloss Air GR and HP Prime Matte Air GR both offer outstanding image quality and “pop”. The gray removable adhesives are opaque for maximum coverage, making them a great solution for featuring long-term removable school logos or visually enhancing windows that may also provide privacy, such as locker rooms. This vinyl is easy to install with a low-profile air release liner. HP Prime Gloss Air GR provides a glossy finish with durable print performance with over ten years laminated display permanence. HP Prime Matte Air GR provides a matte finish. Both products are compatible with latex, solvent, eco-solvent, and UV curable printers.

For campuses that have challenging surfaces that make installation difficult, the right solution is HP Grip Matte Polymeric Air. It is a high-performance, calendered vinyl with a high-tack, clear permanent adhesive designed for hard-to-stick surfaces like low-energy plastics and rough or powder-coated surfaces. It’s the tough solution that can handle your toughest challenge.

HP Clear Gloss Cast Overlaminate can withstand many demanding outdoor weather conditions, as well as cleaning. With this overlaminate, long-term applications like school bus or van graphics are built to stand the test of time with UV protection and maximum flexibility. Pair this optically clear laminate with HP Optimal Gloss Air GRP, an easy-to-apply vinyl for wall graphics and fleet graphics, and you have a winning combination. .

Additional powerful solutions are HP Gloss Polymeric Overlaminate and HP Matte Polymeric Overlaminate. These two products offer the extra bonus of being calendered vinyl for long-term indoor and outdoor signs and vehicle graphics with brilliant image quality, as well as being overlaminates for printed images with the utmost protection.

There are countless school signage opportunities to announce career fairs, tournaments, performances, and so much more! For all your education media needs, please contact a LexJet Customer Specialist at 800-4-LEXJET.

For Wall Graphics, HP Adhesive Vinyl Saves Money & Improves Results
Posted on by Jennifer Corn Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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For Wall Graphics, HP Adhesive Vinyl Saves Money & Improves Results

Tyler Birch of Atchley Graphics in Columbus, Ohio, was browsing the LexJet website looking for an alternative to his current vinyl and laminate solution that would still be compatible with his Latex 360 and 570 printers. That’s when he found the HP Prime Gloss Air GP.

“I called Dave [Grotkiewicz], my LexJet sales representative who is very knowledgeable and helpful, especially with new products. We discussed the product and he sent me a roll to try,” Birch says.

With a mission to provide quality and value to his customers, Birch is selective about the products he uses. “It’s about peace of mind and long-term value,” he says. “You don’t want someone coming back in two years because their graphic failed or they had a bad experience. It comes down to the materials that you use, and the people who are printing, laminating and installing.”

Birch looked at what he was paying for his current materials and realized he could save as much as $100 when buying a roll of each vinyl and laminate. Because it’s not just about saving money, he needed to see how well the product would image. “The print quality is great, profiles are set, and I don’t have head strikes or color issues as compared to my other products.”

Birch wears multiple hats at Atchley — “As a press operator, I knew the product was doing its job, just like Dave told me it would,” he says.

He also finishes projects, which includes laminating graphics or working with print & cut. “The Prime laminated great with the HP Polymeric Overlaminates and the print and cut capabilities are also excellent,” he says. “The adhesive is a little different. It’s a bit harder, which means you won’t see gray adhesive poking out of the edges of a cut application.”

Not only has the new HP Adhesive Vinyl line helped Birch improve his output, but it also helps ensure his customers are benefiting from the increase in image quality and the decrease in cost. “HP Prime Air really helps us provide value to our customers and at a price point that makes us competitive, which is great since we are a small shop,” he says.

With many more projects lined up, Birch is excited to try other products as well, including HP Optimal Gloss Air GRP – a high-performance product that offers a gray repositionable adhesive – and the new Prime Matte Air GR, which offers a gray removable adhesive.

To learn more about the HP Adhesive Vinyl products, visit LexJet.com or call one of our sales specialists at 800-453-9538 to find out which solution is right for your next project.

FREE Downloads: Tips for Installing HP Adhesive Vinyl
Posted on by Jennifer Corn Posted in Tips & Tricks
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FREE Downloads: Tips for Installing HP Adhesive Vinyl

Our customers have spoken, and the feedback on the new HP Adhesive Vinyl line has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve heard it time and again: It’s so easy to handle and install. To ensure that your installation goes smoothly, too, HP created three helpful “Tips & Tricks” guides.

1. “HP Adhesive Vinyl and Overlaminate Installation Tips and Tricks” covers the wide variety of retail, POP and fleet applications this suite of vinyl can cover and offers installation and surface preparation suggestions for general use. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE

Additional applications for HP Adhesive Vinyl and Laminates include:

  • Wayfinding
  • Indoor/Outdoor signage
  • Promotional decals
  • Advertising

2. “HP Adhesive Overlaminates for Windows” discusses how to properly prepare the surface and install the clear Gloss and Matte Polymeric Overlaminates for window applications. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE

Common applications include:

  • Indoor/Outdoor signage
  • Special effects
  • Privacy
  • Décor
  • Promotional decals
  • Increasing brand recognition
  • Lamination

3. “HP Adhesive Vinyl and Overlaminate Wall Covering Tips and Tricks” addresses the use of these products in the ever-growing market of digital wall décor. This guide offers suggested paint finishes and surface preparations. As always, we recommend testing the painted surface prior to installation. Pair HP Optimal Gloss Air GRP with either the matte or gloss laminate for long-term wall graphics. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE

To learn more about these game-changing products and additional ways to grow your business, visit LexJet.com or call your LexJet sales representative at 800-453-9538.

5 Creative & Inspiring 2018 Customer Projects
Posted on by Shellie Terry Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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5 Creative & Inspiring 2018 Customer Projects

Every year, we look back on the innovative work our customers have created, and we’re never anything less than amazed. This year has been no different. Take a look back through five of the coolest projects our customers printed for their customers in 2018.

Reproducing Art for a Good Cause at A-R-T & Associates Each year, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Coca-Cola Company commission an art partner to create an original painting that is auctioned during a fundraising event to raise money for the charity, which provides housing for a family while a child is receiving life-saving care at hospitals around the country. This year, A-R-T & Associates won the bid to do the poster printing. Check out how they created this year’s super cool poster using LexJet TRIBUTE Satin Photo Paper 240g. READ MORE

Printer Challenge: Reproduce the 30-foot Painting, African Menagerie Christopher Glassman, general partner at Casual Graphics in Hays, Kan., was asked to reproduce an enormous painting by Brian Jarvi titled “African Menagerie.” The painting, which captures 210 species living in Africa now, was 17 years in the making. It’s been part of a traveling exhibit and Jarvi wanted a more manageable version for smaller venues, as well as prints for reproductions. Check out how the Casual Graphics team made it happen. READ MORE

LexJet Print-N-Stick: Encouraging Students to Explore the World Year after year, LexJet Print-N-Stick Fabric continues to be a customer favorite, especially for temporary wall murals. Elementary school teacher Rachel Montisano is thrilled with the results of the images on Print-N-Stick and says that the size and scope of the graphics played a huge part in bringing the environments to life in her classroom, which continue to generate excitement and learning among the students. READ MORE

HP Adhesive Vinyl Case Studies: ‘The Best We’ve Ever Used’ Whenever we launch a new product, our hope is that customers gain the most value possible from it, and the new line of HP Adhesive Vinyl did not disappoint for AlphaGraphics in Rexburg, Idaho, who used HP Prime Gloss Air GP and the Polymeric Matte Overlaminate to create a wall mural that was full of detailed text, spot-on colors, and multiple image depths. READ MORE

Listen Up: Before & After Acoustic Sound Panels + EnduraFab OK, we admit it — we’re suckers for musicians, but that doesn’t take anything away from the cool acoustic panels that Ryan Moore, Vice President of DFMGraphics in Newnan, Ga., made using EnduraFab™ Frontlit Premier and Rockwool acoustic boards. You can even hear the difference in the sound files Moore recorded. READ MORE

Do you have print projects that you’d like to share with the LexJet blog? Email us your story!

Top 5 Hottest Launches of 2018
Posted on by Shellie Terry Posted in Technology & Products, Tips & Tricks
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Top 5 Hottest Launches of 2018

Looking back on 2018, we’ve seen a lot of much-needed innovation, as well as power-house collaborations. Our top five launches of the year answered customer demand for versatile, cost-effective, application-driven solutions across the board in the wide-format market. If you haven’t tried these new options, what are you waiting for? The year’s almost over!

Fabric transferred using InFuze transfer paper

LexJet InFuze® Dye-Sublimation Papers — Adding to our dye-sub portfolio was a top priority for our customers who were bringing this new technology to their tool kits. We created the fresh InFuze brand, and brought to market four high-end, competitively-priced transfer paper options that our customers couldn’t refuse:

Outdoor signage transferred to ChromaLuxe EXT

ChromaLuxe EXT — Another important product line for our dye-sub customers is the stunning ChromaLuxe metal photo panels, a high-demand item. This year, ChromaLuxe introduced its EXT line, geared toward extended outdoor use — something dye-sub wasn’t able to achieve previously. The EXT innovation won ChromaLuxe an SGIA Product of the Year award, and it’s not hard to see why. Check out this story about how the panels were used as wayfinding signs for Felts Audubon Preserve.

AveryxLexJet — In one of the wide-format industry’s biggest news stories of the year, LexJet partnered with Avery Dennison, adding more than 200 calendared and cast vinyl, film and laminate products to our product line. Now, LexJet customers have access to all the vehicle and fleet wraps, wall films and so much more.

LexJet Flex Tek used for banners

LexJet Flex Tek — One thing so many print shops struggle with is inventory space, that’s why we love all-in-one media products like LexJet Flex Tek 170g for aqueous printers and LexJet Flex Tek SUV 200g, compatible with eco-solvent, latex and UV-curable inks. This non-woven technical fabric is lightweight and easy to use, making it a go-to option for hanging banners, retractable banners and even wrapped canvas.

HP Vinyl + Overlams — What the world needs now is a line of vinyl products that work well and are priced right. That’s what we delivered with the massive launch of the new HP Vinyl line of products.

We brought them big time with our 2018 SGIA Expo booth, where the colors were bright and installation was a breeze. But don’t take it from us — listen to what customers have said:

HP Vinyl for walls
  • “The colors are truer than with my previous material and the gloss is more vibrant.”
  • “We did an install onto a gym wall mat and it went on without a hitch! The rigidity of the material and the strength of the backer lead to a smooth installation.”
  • “My guys love the HP. They grab it for every application they can use it on, and they tell me that the air-release component is the best they’ve ever used.”

Now that you know all the hottest launches of 2018, stay tuned to this blog to discover the trends you need to keep an eye on in the New Year!

HP Adhesive Vinyl Case Studies: ‘The Best We’ve Ever Used’
Posted on by Jennifer Corn Posted in Case Studies & Profiles, Technology & Products
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HP Adhesive Vinyl Case Studies: ‘The Best We’ve Ever Used’

Last month, the launch of the new HP Adhesive Vinyl products had everyone talking at SGIA. By the sound of it, they’re still talking! For the print service providers who work with calendared vinyl every day, the new line has proven to be an easy and profitable alternative to other major brands.

Whether applying to rigid substrates, wall graphics, outdoor signs or die-cutting for stickers, LexJet’s customers are excited about a versatile product that reproduces images well, is easy to install and is cost-effective:

Sara Smith with Goodyear, Ariz., based Needle Supply Printing, recently purchased the HP Prime Gloss CP to print custom stickers. “The print was very fluid and made the colors pop,” she says. “There is very little deviation from the colors printed to the proof PDFs and the cuts are nice and crisp.” When compared to working with other brands available, she says, “the colors are truer than with my previous material and the gloss is more vibrant.”

William Roll of Signarama in Dothan, Ala., used the HP Prime Matte Air GP, laminated with the HP Matte Polymeric Overlaminate to create outdoor signage. For Roll and his team, the HP products are preferred over other options that are in the print shop. “My guys love the HP,” he says. “They grab it for every application they can use it on, and they tell me that the air-release component is the best they’ve ever used.”

Tyler Birch of Atchley Signs & Graphics in Columbus, Ohio, used HP Prime Gloss Air GP for an indoor application at a local gym. “We did an install onto a gym wall mat and it went on without a hitch! The rigidity of the material and the strength of the backer lead to a smooth installation,” Birch says.

Rounding out the first wave of customer reviews is Mason Ross of AlphaGraphics in Rexburg, Idaho. To create an in-house wall graphic, pictured at top, Ross chose the HP Prime Gloss Air GP and the Polymeric Matte Overlaminate to create a wall mural that was full of detailed text, spot-on colors, and multiple image depths. “The printing quality is just as good, if not better than other products I’ve used,” he says. “Since (LexJet sales specialist) Vince told me about the new HP products, I’ve switched completely from other brands.”

Due to the enormity of the project, with the various relief aspects, Ross estimated the whole install took about six hours; however, he said, “the vinyl installed very smooth and then when it came time to put the vinyl on the wall, that took the least amount of time for the whole project.”

These examples showcase the versatility of the new product line, giving PSPs the ability to condense the number of items kept on hand, freeing up space and reducing costs. If you are interested in trying one of the new HP Adhesive Vinyls, contact your LexJet sales representative at 800-453-9538 or visit us online at LexJet.com.