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Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in News & Trends, Technology & Products
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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.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Promotions & Rebates
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Year End Sale for the New Year on LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene

Printing promotions, posters and banners with polypropyleneStock up on LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene for the New Year and beyond with a great year-end sale: Save 50 percent when you buy a 36″ x 200′ roll of TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene, and there’s no limit on the amount of rolls you can buy.

LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene is compatible will all aqueous printers and is perfect for short term banners, tear- and water-resistant posters, backlits and banner stands. The 8-mil polypropylene film provides a wide color gamut for all types of quality photographic and graphics reproduction.

“Water-Resistant Polypropylene from LexJet prints nicely, it’s scratch-resistant, easy to work with and quite economical,” says professional photographer David Ziser, who prints hanging display banners for special events and promotions.

This year-end 50% off promotion is good until Dec. 31 or while supplies last. All orders come with LexJet’s $9.99 flat rate shipping from its nationwide network of distribution centers for quick delivery. For more information, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.

And, to find out more about LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene, check out the product video below…

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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Posters for Troops Project: Coloring the Troops’ Surroundings with Inkjet Printing

Support the troops with inkjet printed postersEvery little bit helps, and you would be surprised how much a colorful, artistic poster of home helps our troops overseas. As R.J. LaBarba of LaBarba Fine Art puts it, “Day in and day out of staring at the same monotonous surroundings begins to grate on them.”

The surroundings of our military personnel, particularly in forward operating positions in Afghanistan and Iraq, are rather spartan, to say the least. LaBarba and his brother Mike, owners of LaBarba Fine Art in Huntersville, N.C., just north of Charlotte, set out to do something about it.

What started as printing a few posters from their original artwork gallery for anyone in the military they can find who could use a poster pick-me-up soon morphed into the Posters for Troops Project. At this point, LaBarba estimates that they’ve printed at least 150 posters for overseas personnel, mostly in Afghanistan.

Canvas wrap for the USO of North Carolina
LaBarba Fine Art also donated a custom gallery wrap printed on Sunset Select Matte Canvas, coated with Sunset Gloss Coating and stretched on one-inch bars. The gallery wrap is displayed in the main hallway of the USO of North Carolina's Charlotte Center.

“The Posters for Troops Project came about from a conversation I had with some colleagues mine, one of whom was a West Point grad who fought in the first Gulf War. We talked about the conditions in which they live and then I did some research into their current conditions at forward operating bases in Afghanistan and Iraq,” explains LaBarba. “What you see are these shanty-type structures built out of plywood and converted cargo containers. Everything is plywood walls, army green and sand. They’re getting great support from home through care packages with drink mixes, food, laundry items and whatnot. And not that they don’t need more of that, but we wanted to contribute something they don’t expect at all, and more importantly, something to improve their surroundings and boost their morale with a taste of home.”

A Marine corporal stationed in Afghanistan recently wrote: “Thank you so much for the posters! The Marines here at HMH-463 have received care packages in the past, but I must say that this was the first time we have been sent posters, and it was a wonderful and refreshing surprise… Many of us have grown homesick for the beautiful scenery of the Islands [HMH-463 is based in Hawaii] and the posters have definitely brought a little bit of home here to us. The one of the beach scene is taped up next to my workspace and it brightens my day. Your thoughts, prayers and support mean the world to all of the Marines here, and we thank you again for all you do to keep our heads up and spirits high.”

Creating banners for the troops with inkjet printing
Thank-you banner for a Special Forces unit stationed in Afghanistan.

And that’s the point of the Posters for Troops Project. The troops are fortunate that R.J. and Mike LaBarba are master photographers and meticulous fine art and photo print producers, running two Epson large format inkjet printers. The troops not only get a touch of home, but a touch of home with a true-color artistic flair.

LaBarba struck up a special relationship with a Special Forces group in Afghanistan that also helped those troops with their “hearts and minds” mission. In addition to sending the group posters, LaBarba donated colorful 4×6 prints for the troops to pass out to Afghani children under the care of the forward surgical unit the Special Forces group supports.

That led LaBarba to donate two 28 in. x 50 in. custom thank-you banners printed on LexJet Sunset Select Matte Canvas, one to hang proudly outside and the other for the commanding officer’s office. The banners were given three coats of LexJet Sunset Gloss Coating to weather the harsh conditions and LaBarba says they both came through the tour of duty with flying colors.

Now back at their base in Florida, the company requested a similar banner they could sign and present to the commanding officer, who’s retiring in June. LaBarba was happy to oblige and printed the presentation piece on LexJet 8 Mil PolyGloss Banner.

Inkjet printed decor art for home and office
A sample of LaBarba Fine Art's fine art photography and inkjet reproduction for wall decor.

“We’re continuing this program and getting more interest from people who want to participate. We operate it as a non-profit, but we’re getting to the point where we need to set it up as an official non-profit. It’s an expensive and time-consuming process but it is absolutely worth it for those who put their lives on the line every day,” says LaBarba.

For more information, to get involved and to donate, go to www.labarbafineart.com/p631253190

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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Talk of the Town: Printing for the Traverse City Film Festival and Much More

Graphics for the Traverse City Film FestivalGlobetrotting photographer and Renaissance man John Williams claims that Traverse City, Mich., is the “center of the known universe.” Be that as it may, Williams may very well have a point… to a point. Traverse City is one of the few bright spots of growth in Michigan, and the State Theatre that Williams bought and remodeled as a community-based, not-for-profit, volunteer-run movie theater is consistently among the top grossing theaters in North America.

“We’ve already had over 500,000 patrons come through the doors since we opened in November 2007. The movie studios have taken notice, but they just can’t figure out how Traverse City on the back side of nowhere has this unbelievable theater doing unbelievable ticket business,” says Williams.

Perhaps it’s related to the incredibly successful Traverse City Film Festival that Williams helped launch in July of 2005. It also helps to have connections, like Williams’ long-time friend, film maker Michael Moore.

“For about a decade previous to starting the film festival, I had wanted to get one together and Michael is an obvious connection. He said, ‘Let’s do it in July,’ which was only eight weeks away, and we put it together. With his connections in Hollywood and my connections in town, we got it going and hung our hat on the motto, Just Great Movies. Now we’re one of the largest festivals in the U.S. in terms of paid attendance; we had over 110,000 people attend last year,” explains Williams.

Now the film festival board is filled with Hollywood luminaries and the film festival draws some of the brightest talent to showcase their work on what is at one time “the backside of nowhere” and the “center of the known universe.” This year, the film festival will be held July 26-31.

Williams also prints all the posters and signage for the event on his ancient Epson 10000. He’s had the printer since he first delved into inkjet and ditched the chemical process eight years or so ago. He has since added a Canon iPF8300 to the mix, but uses that for the bulk of his fine art and photography printing.

Producing inkjet prints for a film festival
John Williams, with the help of college volunteers lining up to help with the Traverse City Film Festival, prints all the calendars, posters, signs and playbills on LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene.

“I print a lot of the LexJet Sunset Photo Gloss Paper on the new Canon printer, and that stuff is magic on the printer. The gamut, range, saturation and sharpness on that paper are amazing. I also do a lot of fine art reproduction here and use the Sunset Textured Fine Art Paper or LexJet Premium Archival Matte Paper for most of those prints,” says Williams.

Though the Epson 10000 has plowed through more than 8 kilometers of paper over the years, and Williams has to plug it into an older Windows system since there are no compatible drivers for his latest operating system, it fits the bill for the rolls and rolls of LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene he prints for the event.

“It’s pretty simple; I just take care of my stuff,” says Williams about the printer’s longevity. “It’s been a real workhorse and shows no sign of quitting. For the film festival, we go through about 1,100 feet of the Water-Resistant Polypropylene just making the posters.”

To help with the artwork and workflow, Williams employs a bevy of college interns who vie for the opportunity to work on the film festival. “Some of them are graphic artists who funnel the art to me that gets printed here at the studio. They do all the trimming and mounting on foam board for the signs that aren’t going into windows,” adds Williams. “We buy cases of 40×60 foam board and keep laying them out on the board using spray mount, trim and apply them. We have a good system where you start at one end of the board, hold the material up high, and slowly put it down like a bed sheet. Doing it this way we never get bubbles in the material.”

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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Affordable Inkjet Printed Posters Contribute to Cash Flow

Posters fine art inkjet printing

When you think “Colorado vacation” you normally think of skiing and other snow sports, but Colorado’s busiest tourist season actually occurs between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That’s when it starts really hopping in Georgetown, an old mining community – now a tourist destination – that sits in a valley on the approaches to the Eisenhower Tunnel and the alpine areas for which Colorado is famous.

In downtown Georgetown you’ll find Grizzly Creek Gallery and its proprietor, Gary Haines, featured here at the LexJet Blog previously for his high-end, award-winning outdoor landscape photography and printing.

The problem, if you can really call it that, is that Haines’ work fetches a high price, as well it should. The stunning work of masterfully captured light in beautiful alpine meadows and woods from around Colorado is painstakingly rendered on the finest LexJet Sunset fine art and photo papers and framed to perfection.

Posters inkjet printing fine art photographyFor those who can’t afford finished fine art pieces but love the images, Haines started printing and offering posters of his high end work earlier this year. It’s the proverbial win-win. Haines captures buyers who would have otherwise walked out empty handed, while retaining those who want something of exquisite quality and at a much larger size hanging up in their home or office.

He prints the 19 in. x 38 in. panoramas with his Epson Stylus Pro 9900 on LexJet 8 Mil Production Satin Photo Paper. The paper is an excellent choice because it dries quickly for long runs and retains a quality look you simply don’t get from a typical poster paper.

“It’s relatively inexpensive to print when you’re designing and printing them yourself, they dry quickly and people who buy the posters really like it. We just roll them up, put them in a nice tube with an attractive sticker that displays the image, along with the price and bar code,” says Haines. “They’re designed in Photoshop and printed through the driver. I have a LaCie monitor calibrated to the printer, so whatever I see on the screen is what will print out.”

Haines is currently offering six different panoramas on posters, including the image that won the Landscape/Nature/Fine Art category in LexJet’s Shine On! photo contest, Winter Serenity.

“Since the posters are such a new item, I’ve seen a small uptick in sales of five to ten percent,” explains Haines. “As spring and summer approaches I expect to see more sales, especially from the tourists who purchase images of Colorado at a more affordable price.”