Epson Introduces Five New Printers at ISA 2019

Thursday, Epson announced new additions to the SureColor P-Series and S-Series printer families. There will be production versions of the Standard P10000 and P20000:

  • SureColor P10000 Production – 44-in aqueous printer designed to create high-quality sign and graphics in fast-paced production environments. Perfect for signage, indoor displays and photographic/fine art printing.
  • SureColor P20000 Production – 64-in aqueous printer designed to create high-quality sign and graphics in fast-paced production environments. Perfect for signage, indoor displays and photographic/fine art printing.

What’s different? ONYX RIPcenter, a workflow software that incorporates Adobe Postscript® and is a powerful color management tool is now included.

The new Production printers offer the same 2.6” wide Epson PrecisionCore® MicroTFP printhead as the Standard edition and the Epson UltraChrome® PRO nine-color pigmented ink set will still be available with high-capacity 700 ml ink cartridges which, along with more efficient ink usage, allows for an extremely low cost per print.

These printers will be available to order starting in May.

In addition to the Production P-Series printers, Epson also announced the availability of Print and Cut bundles for the SureColor S-Series.

Available for order in June, these bundles will include an S-Series printer, and FC8600-130 cutter and Onyx software.

The S60600 is one of the fastest production printers on the market and now, combined with the Graphtec cutter and Onyx GamaPrintPro with Onyx CUT-Server, a premium print and cut solution is available.

The S80600 partners photographic image output with a top-of-the-line cutter and Onyx Thrive, to provide color-critical clients a reliable print and cut option.

Ordering details are not available for these new Epson printers, but if you would like more information, please call one of our printer specialists at 800-453-9538.

Printing Unique Promotions that Stick at the Point of Sale

Printing cornhole boards for tournamentsPrinting point of sale promotions and advertising can become a bit humdrum: banners, cooler wraps, window signs… They’ve all been done, but that’s the beauty of the plethora of the latest printer technology and printable materials; you can advertise on just about anything.

At Caffey Distributing in Greensboro, N.C., production manager Bob Korabek has been finding new places to stick adhesive-backed materials to boost their brands at the point of sale, like cornhole boards for tournaments and on mini-fridges.

Cornhole, in case you’re not familiar with it, is a bean bag toss game that has swept through bars and pubs across the nation. Rumor has it that the game, at least the version now being played, was popularized in Cincinnati, moving its way south as transplanted Ohioans moved to warmer climates.

Whatever its origin, Korabek saw promotional opportunity and ran with it as local bars began holding cornhole tournaments. It’s a simple process: Korabek prints LexJet Extreme AquaVinyl w/ PSA on one of his HP Z6100 inkjet printers, applies it to the approximately 4′ x 2′ board and cuts out the vinyl where the hole at the top of the board is located.

“The bars set up four sets of boards for the tournaments, and the winners get some kind of big prize. I printed some with Miller Lite, Blue Moon and other beers we wanted to promote, usually tied in with a beer special,” explains Korabek. “Instead of just a logo in the middle of the board, I covered the entire board to give us more promotional space.”

Printing mini fridges with logos and promotionsThe printed cornhole boards have been a huge hit in the market, creating widespread interest and driving demand for both the game and the printed versions of the game.

Another popular application for adhesive-backed materials that Korabek introduced to the market is decorated mini-fridges. The graphics are usually tied to whichever sport is in season, whether it’s football or basketball.

Because the temperature of the mini-fridges can vary, Korabek was looking for a material that wouldn’t expand and contract as the fridge got colder or warmer. His customer specialist, Kelly Price, recommended LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Self Adhesive Polypropylene.

“They’re very popular and our accounts will often buy a couple of extra ones. For one of the March Madness promotions the contest winner got a fridge with the team they wanted on the fridge. It’s a little perk that our competitors don’t provide; it’s something extra special we do for those accounts,” says Korabek.

“When I first started here 16 years ago all I had was a Gerber EDGE and a plotter. The technology has moved so quickly since then and Kelly is awesome because she keeps me up to date on new products and she gives me great suggestions that work for my printers and any application I’m trying,” adds Korabek. “Plus, with LexJet’s distribution network I get everything on time; turnaround time for me is super-fast.”

LexJet Expands Avenues for Government Agencies to Procure Inkjet Plotter Products

Public sector agencies and government authorized contractors that use wide format inkjet plotters, supplies and media can now access LexJet products through GSA Schedule 70 and Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs).

LexJet, a small business based in Sarasota, Fla., can be accessed directly through GSA Schedule 70 contract number GS-35F-0129Y. LexJet can also be accessed on GSA Schedule 70 through Triad Technology Partners, a woman-owned small business, at contract number GS-35F-0298W.

Wide format inkjet plotter products for government, public sector agencies and government contractors
Rohmann Services Inc., a contractor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, produced this shield for one of the Academy's squadrons on Photo Tex from LexJet. Photo courtesy Lt. Col. James Cunningham

For users of SEWP, LexJet supplies and consumables are available on Four Point Technology’s SEWP IV Contract NNG07DA16B. Four Points Technology is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

“First and foremost, I couldn’t be happier with LexJet’s customer service. Our account specialist, Patrick Callaway, is the bomb, and if he’s not available there’s always someone right on the spot to help us out,” says Mark Watkins, Graphic Lead at Rohmann Services Inc., a contractor at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. “LexJet goes above and beyond, researching products, printers and inks, even if they’re not related to what we’re going to order from LexJet; it’s like having our own technical expert.”

Public sector agencies can also procure LexJet products with GSA pricing by calling LexJet directly at 800-453-9538 or by visiting the website at www.lexjet.com. LexJet has been serving both private and public sector organizations since 1994 as one of the trailblazers in the wide format inkjet printing market.

“We’re working on providing public sector agencies with as many options as possible so they can choose the procurement method that works best for them,” says Jason Metnick, LexJet vice president. “Our goal is to provide government agencies with the best customer service experience they’ve ever had and to make everything they do related to printing as easy and hassle-free as possible.”

In order to meet the goals stated by Metnick, LexJet has developed a nationwide network of distribution centers, backed by a state-of-the-art logistics system, to make shipping quick and painless. Moreover, each public agency account is supported by a personally-assigned account specialist who provides free and unlimited product and technical support.

LexJet carries an extensive line of wide format printers and inks from Canon, Epson and HP, as well as its own line of inkjet media developed for almost every application imaginable, including posters, signs, banners, exhibits, maps, official photo prints, wallcoverings, window graphics, backlits, laser printer applications, and more.

Government agencies looking for sustainable alternatives can take part in LexJet’s inkjet cartridge and banner recycling programs and choose from a wide range of recyclable materials and papers made from wood products grown in sustainable forests.

For more information about LexJet programs, products and services for public sector agencies, GSA Schedule 70 and SEWP GWACs, or if you just need help, email gsa@lexjet.com, go to www.lexjet.com/government.aspx, or call a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538. And, to find out what others are saying about LexJet, its customer service and products, go to www.resellerratings.com/store/Lexjet.

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.

Canon iPF8300S/iPF8300 Printer Setup Videos

How to load roll paper on a Canon iPF8300S or iPF8300When purchasing a new wide-format printer, a little extra help with setup never hurt. The manual that accompanies the iPF8300S does a great job, but being able to see how everything comes together can be even more helpful. Please note that these videos also apply to setting up an iPF8300.

The Canon iPF8300S Printer Setup videos embedded below in the order shown include:

  • Stand Assembly
  • Paper Basket Assembly
  • Removing the Belt Stopper and Installing Printheads
  • Installing Ink
  • Loading Roll Paper and Printer Calibration

If you have any questions about setting up or using a Canon iPF8300S or other Canon imagePROGRAF Printers contact a LexJet Account Specialist at 800-453-9538.