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Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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A Growing Market for Wide Format Printing at PostNet North Port

PostNet North Port Showroom
PostNet North Port’s show room features numerous samples of the store’s wide-format inkjet capabilities with a Canon printer and LexJet inkjet media.

 

The PostNet store in North Port, Fla., like other PostNet locations across the world, provides a full slate of printing-related services. Over the past three years or so, the North Port location has seen its wide-format printing operation grow substantially each year.

North Port PostNet owner Joyce Klingle estimates that wide-format printing now accounts for about 30 percent of the store’s sales, which is quite a jump over three years given the plethora of products and services the store offers its clients.

PostNet North Port Storefront
PostNet North Port’s storefront features LexJet Aqueous Perforated Vinyl used to promote the store’s printing services.

A big break came when a local Perkins Restaurant manager noticed samples of perforated window graphics at North Port PostNet. The manager asked for pricing and a sample to send to Perkins’ headquarters, which led to a contract to ship window graphics all over the U.S.

“Our customer specialist at LexJet, David Iannotti, first told us about what we could do with perforated window film. Any time we have a question about anything all we have to do is call David; he’s our go-to guy for information about wide-format printing,” says Klingle. “We printed more than 1,500 window perf graphics for this project and laminated them since we knew they would be displayed outdoors.”

Backlit Prints by PostNet North Port
This sample at PostNet North Port is printed on LexJet 8 Mil Absolute Backlit.

The project came off without a hitch and helped contribute to the positive word of mouth so crucial to this PostNet location since it’s not located on busy Highway 41, which bisects North Port.

“We’ve been at this location for three years. We were located across the street from here for about two years before we moved into this location,” explains Klingle. “We rely a lot on word of mouth and people coming in to see what we can do.”

And they can do just about anything with their Canon iPF8000S, though the bulk of their wide-format printing is for canvas gallery wraps printed on LexJet Sunset Select Matte Canvas and coated with Sunset Satin Coating, banners typically printed on LexJet TOUGHcoat ThriftyBanner and window graphics on LexJet Aqueous Perforated Vinyl.

“Every year our wide-format printing increases by about 50 percent,” adds Klingle.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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On Target with Inkjet Canvas Reproductions Benefitting Wounded Veterans

Canvas Gallery Wraps
Gallery wrap reproductions by PostNet Norfolk for the UNTIL It Hurts project benefitting Wounded Wear.

Amanda Crow, who owns a PostNet store in Norfolk, Va., knows the value of teamwork. She’s part of a team dedicated to honoring the 74 Naval Special Warfare members who have fallen in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as another team helping out Purple Heart recipients called Wounded Wear.

Wounded Wear provides free clothing and modifications for combat-wounded warriors while raising awareness about their sacrifice. PostNet Norfolk does Wounded Wear’s printing and graphic design and brought the print shop’s expertise to a joint fundraising program featuring art reproductions on canvas and archival paper.

The artwork was created by Dave Hall, a retired Navy SEAL sniper and Ellwood T. Risk, an artist based in Los Angeles. Hall set up a target 911 yards away on 9/11 2012 and fired a shot to the target for each fallen SEAL teammate. Risk took that target and combined it with newspaper clippings to create a 50″ x 73″ piece of artwork.

That artwork was then auctioned off at a benefit for the Navy SEAL Foundation and Wounded Wear called Toast to the Heroes. The artwork was sold to local philanthropist and business owner Todd Grubbs for $18,000.

Printing Canvas
The canvas reproductions of UNTIL It Hurts were printed on LexJet Sunset Reserve Bright Matte Canvas on PostNet’s new Canon iPF9400 inkjet printer from LexJet.

As if that wasn’t enough, Grubbs began looking for ways to provide a steady income stream to Wounded Wear through the artwork. Enter Amanda Crow, who would provide printed art reproductions that would be sold through the Wounded Wear website.

“We wanted to reproduce the artwork, and because it’s art we wanted it done right; it’s not just a poster,” says Crow.

In order to get the printing just right, Crow starting doing research on the most effective and efficient way to do it.

She spoke with Chris Shigley, her customer specialist at LexJet, who provided a plethora of resources and advice on materials, print settings and workflow.

The first order of business was a new printer that could handle the 50-inch width she required. Shigley was able to tie in all the available rebates, promotions and bundle packages for a Canon iPF9400 60-inch inkjet printer that fit Crow’s budget.

“Chris got me an amazing deal on the Canon printer. I never could have done this project without Chris. Or, if I could have done it, it would have taken a lot more time. Chris was great about getting me the information I needed,” says Crow. “In addition to videos on how to use the Sunset Stretcher Bars for our canvas prints and setting up our printer, Chris even sent us videos on how to use the Photoshop driver to print at a higher resolution.”

Coating and Wrapping Canvas
After printing, PostNet’s Amanda Crow applied Sunset Satin Coating and then wrapped the canvas onto Sunset Stretcher Bars.

Crow would reproduce the artwork, entitled UNTIL It HURTS, on LexJet Sunset Reserve Bright Matte Canvas wrapped onto LexJet Sunset Pro Stretcher Bars and finished with LexJet Sunset Satin Coating. Framed reproductions are printed on LexJet Sunset Hot Press Rag 310g.

“The stretcher bars are similar to what we were using before, but you couldn’t get custom sizes like you can with the Sunset Stretcher Bars, and I can get them right away from LexJet,” says Crow. “Plus, the bars that go in the sides that keep the canvas taught are actually screwed in; the other ones we were using before don’t have those. We would see problems where the canvas started to sag and I had to beat the bars back in; the Sunset Stretcher Bars alleviate that issue.”

Crow adds that she had a laptop by her side to watch the how-to videos while she wrapped the canvas onto the Sunset Stretcher Bars. “I’m glad we had the videos and that such a valuable resource is available from LexJet. If I can find the information, rather than calling someone to walk me through it, I would rather have that video or blog resource. I think the videos are amazing. They’re very professional, and I know that making a good video is difficult,” she adds.

Now that Crow has an efficient production process in place, the orders are taken directly from the Wounded Wear website, they wrap the canvas, finish it with Sunset Satin Coating and ship them out. Crow says the print quality “has been amazing;” so good, in fact, that you can see where the names of each fallen Navy SEAL were penciled in, even though they’re faint on the original.

“As soon as we made the prints live, people started purchasing them. The Facebook page has been up for three or four weeks; we have 1,800 likes and we’ve sold 22 prints,” says Crow. “We also sent some prints out to the artist to sign and those will be auctioned off as signed limited edition prints.”

For more information and to help the cause:

UNTIL It Hurts Facebook Page

Wounded Wear

Navy SEAL Foundation

Sunset Stretcher Bars Demonstration on YouTube

LexJet’s YouTube Site

Canvas Wrap Guide

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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Building Business with In-House Inkjet Printing and Samples at Arc Studios

Printing Promotional Graphics with an Inkjet PrinterAaron Thomason, owner of Arc Studios Photography in Dalton, Ga., knows the value of a print. It’s what helps showcase and sell his artistic portrait photography.

With a variety of inkjet-printable media from which to choose through LexJet, Thomason is able to present his work in a variety of formats, each with its own unique look.

“I don’t have to do any advertising other than the promotional printing I do for my studio and storefront. I can place a banner stand next to the street so people driving by can see it, so I get a lot of people stopping in who saw it when they drove or walked by the studio,” says Thomason. “I typically use a big image with just a few simple words so that my studio is in the back of their mind when they need something I can provide.”

For banner stands, Thomason uses a LexJet Blizzard Outdoor Stand with LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene, and on his storefront windows he uses Photo Tex Repositionable Fabric. “I change those images up regularly and they work great. They see some rain and other weather, but the images have held up fine,” says Thomason.

Printing Promotional Graphics Inkjet PrinterOn the inside of the studio, Thomason showcases canvas gallery wraps printed on either LexJet Sunset Reserve Bright Matte Canvas or LexJet Sunset Production Matte Canvas, and Photo Tex for wall murals.

He also uses LexJet Sunset Photo Metallic Paper for images that lend themselves to the pearlescent pop of the paper.

“Before I started doing my own printing I was lucky if I sold one canvas print per session. Now I’m able to sell three or four canvases per portrait client since I was able to bring the price down by doing it in-house,” explains Thomason. “We stretch the canvas here on a 1 1/2″ frame and add the UV coating, so I’m able to produce canvas less expensively for my customers, deliver it on time and ultimately sell more canvas.”

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Promotions & Rebates
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Fredrix Print Canvas at LexJet: Buy Two Rolls, Get One Free

Buy Two Rolls of Fredrix Print Canvas at LexJet and Get One Roll FrreeAs noted here earlier on the LexJet Blog, LexJet is now the exclusive distributor of Tara Materials’ venerable Fredrix Print Canvas line. To celebrate this partnership, get a free roll of Fredrix Print Canvas when you buy two rolls with your first order from LexJet. To take advantage of this offer, call a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538. The offer ends April 30 and is not available online.

The Fredrix Print Canvas line now available exclusively at LexJet includes…

Compatible with Aqueous Printers

  • Fredrix 901WR Pulse Matte Canvas is a 19-mil, neutral-white, poly/cotton canvas with a 2-over-1 weave. This water-resistant canvas is the perfect choice for artistic reproductions that require the look of a traditional artist canvas.
  • Fredrix 901VWR Crystal Matte Canvas is a 19-mil, bright-white, poly/cotton canvas with a 2-over-1 weave that renders an expansive color gamut and incredible Dmax. This matte canvas is the perfect choice for fine art or decorative gallery wraps that require a smooth yet subtle texture.
  • Fredrix 777VWR Vivid Matte Canvas is an 18-mil, bright-white, poly/cotton canvas with a 2-over-1 weave. This water-resistant canvas is the smoothest of the Fredrix aqueous canvas line, making it the perfect choice for highly detailed, photographic, decorative gallery wraps on canvas.

Compatible with Solvent, Low-Solvent, Latex and UV-Curable Printers

  • Fredrix 575SMJ Tempo Semi-Matte Canvas is a lightweight, poly/cotton blend canvas with a 1-over-1 weave and a semi-matte finish. It is perfect for high-value products created in high production environments, and is well-suited for gallery wraps, décor, point-of-purchase, and more.
  • Fredrix 901SJ Select Matte Canvas is a high-performing, natural white, 2-over-1 poly/cotton blend canvas that is the perfect medium for artistic reproductions. The matte finish very closely emulates true artist canvas, and is perfect for gallery-wraps, art reproductions, décor, and point-of-purchase displays.
  • Fredrix 901SGSJ Artisan Semi-Gloss Canvas is the perfect choice for a high-quality, high-value semi-gloss canvas.  This poly/cotton blend, 2-over-1 canvas is specially engineered to create beautiful prints with the latest solvent, eco-solvent, and latex inks, providing a wide color gamut, exceptional Dmax, and a consistent, subtle texture.

For more information, and for help finding the right inkjet media for your project, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538 or go to www.lexjet.com/fredrix. Be sure to ask about the Buy Two Get One Free Fredrix Print Canvas promotion, which ends April 30.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in News & Trends, Technology & Products
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LexJet Named Exclusive Distributor of the Fredrix Print Canvas Line

LexJet and Tara Materials Inc. have entered into a partnership whereby LexJet is now the exclusive distributor of Tara Materials’ Fredrix Print Canvas line. The partnership allows Tara Materials to concentrate on its U.S.-based manufacturing and better serve Fredrix Print Canvas customers with LexJet’s enhanced customer service and nationwide distribution.

LexJet Exclusive Distributor of Fredrix Print Canvas“The basis of our relationship is our expertise in manufacturing joining LexJet’s expertise in sales, customer service and distribution,” says Mike Ecker, general manager, Tara Materials Inc. “It’s really a perfect fit. We can focus on our core abilities, allowing us to make product improvements, while LexJet’s customer focus and ability to deliver product in one day will be a huge benefit to our customers. You put those together and you’ve got one dynamic partnership.”

The exclusive distribution agreement is effective April 3, 2013, when all Fredrix Print Canvas will be stocked throughout LexJet’s nationwide distribution center network. The agreement covers customers in the U.S. and Canada, who will now work with LexJet directly for all their canvas and canvas finishing needs.

Moreover, the two companies will begin jointly developing new inkjet canvas products – compatible with aqueous, solvent, low-solvent, UV-curable and latex inks – to address every potential application and market need for their customers, from fine art reproduction to interior décor.

“For almost 150 years Fredrix has been the standard in the art market. It is an honor for us to partner with a company and product that has such a unique, rich history and a reputation for quality and workmanship in its canvas,” says Alex Ried, LexJet product manager.

Fredrix Canvas was founded in 1868, and was the first true cotton-based artist’s canvas to be produced in the U.S., rather than imported from Europe. Acquired by Tara Materials in the 1960s, the company has been a leading innovator, bringing inkjet-printable canvas to the market in the early ’90s and continuing to improve its product line in step with the latest ink and printer technological advances.

Founded in 1994, LexJet has also been a leading innovator in the digital imaging market, developing and bringing the first reverse-print inkjet-printable polycarbonate to market, LexJet Clear. Since that time, LexJet has developed a wide-ranging portfolio of digital imaging products for its customers, and carries top brands that address each aspect of the digital workflow.

LexJet will provide all Fredrix Print Canvas customers with free and unlimited product and technical support, a 30-day money-back guarantee, a personal customer specialist dedicated to each customer’s needs, one-day, flat-rate shipping to most of the U.S., and more. For more information, go to www.lexjet.com/fredrix, or contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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Promotional Production with Sunset Production Matte Canvas

Printing photos on canvas

Always looking for an edge, Dan Johnson, owner of Dan Johnson Photography in Grand Rapids, Mich., has found one with LexJet’s new Sunset Production Matte Canvas.

A longtime proponent of the Sunset canvas line, particularly Sunset Select Matte Canvas, Johnson was looking for a canvas that would split the difference between consistent quality and economy for his “mass market” work.

When it comes to custom canvas projects, Johnson generally sticks with the more high-end Sunset Select Matte Canvas, but he also prints what he calls a “promotional” product: consumers find Johnson through an online promotional site and send Johnson a photo they want on canvas. It’s quick and easy for Johnson to produce and provides a consistent cash flow, he says.

The Sunset Production Matte Canvas helps boost margins a bit and those on the receiving end are quite happy with what they’re getting.

“We got our first roll of the canvas recently and printed 10 to 12 pieces from it right off the bat. Within a couple of days, clients who received their canvases left really positive comments on Facebook or directly through email,” says Johnson. “My first impression of the canvas was that it lets light through, but once you coat it, paper the back and hang it on the wall it doesn’t matter. No one hangs it with light purposely showing from the back. Ultimately, I was impressed: the color comes off just right and it works perfectly with Sunset Satin Coating. And, because it’s not as thick, it’s easier to stretch and make the corners look really nice.”

When Johnson fulfills the order he includes a coupon that sends these customers to his website for more.

“We hope we get them back and that they’ll want more canvas or other types of prints. We can provide a fairly consistent cash flow with these promotional offers. The cost savings with the Sunset Production Matte Canvas is fantastic and is very helpful for us with these promotional products,” says Johnson.