As we look back on the year that 2017 was, there’s no denying that our customers are branching out into new areas and looking to offer their customers better performing, more cost-effective wide-format solutions. At LexJet, we strive to stay in-step with those demands. Our 2017 product launches brought to market everything from new outdoor banner materials and high-end fine-art paper options to all new technology portfolios and exciting, versatile media for multiple applications. Let’s take a look back at the changes 2017 brought in media products and equipment advances:
NEW MEDIA:
A Glossy, Opaque Banner: Many of our aqueous printer customers were requesting a glossy version of our ThriftyBanner, so we answered with LexJet Gloss Blockout ThriftyBanner. Not only does the gloss finish add extra pop to graphics and photos, it also eliminates the need to add a gloss laminate when requested, making it a one-step, cost-effective option. The 100% opaque blockout adds another unique feature for one of our most popular launches of 2017.
Print Protection Portfolio: If you’re looking for any type of print protection, LexJet is the go-to source. We relaunched some products and added many new items to our Print Protection portfolio, which includes thermal laminates, water-based liquid coatings, UV liquid coatings and pressure sensitive laminates. This line includes nearly 70 options from the best brands in the industry: Marabu, ClearShield, Sunset, EnduraCoat, MaraShield and LexJet. If you need to protect a print in any application, our Print Protection page is the place to start.
Latex-compatible Textiles: Without a doubt, one of the most anticipated product launches of 2017 was latex-printable textiles that offer durable print output and a nice hand feel that could compete with dye-sublimation. When we launched the EnduraFab™ Textiles line, there were less than a handful of options for latex-printable fabrics. The EnduraFab™ portfolio, which includes six lightweight, fire-retardant and stretch options, has a cult following thanks to the specialty coating that makes it work so well on latex printers for trade show displays, SEG frames, signage, table skirts and more. We expect its popularity to grow in 2018, too.
A Super Versatile Film for Windows, Coolers & More: We know retail graphics need to be both great-looking and eye-catching, but they also need to be quick and easy to install. LexJet WR Window Graphic Film offers extreme ease of use, plus the durability of a polypropylene film paired with a high-performance, water-resistant adhesive that’s both reusable and repositionable. Anyone can put up graphics and remove them with ease and without any residue left behind. This mess-free aqueous- and latex-compatible film is ideal for windows or cooler doors in a wide variety of retail environments.
A High-end Fine-art Paper: We ventured into the world of mould-made papers with our launch of LexJet Sunset Copperplate Rag 315gsm. This beautiful, thick fine-art paper can complete with any others on the market, with the added benefit of being free of optical brighteners, acid and lignin. It’s a great option for limited-edition prints that can be produced at a competitive price point.
High-end Photo Paper at a High-production Price: This year we disrupted the photo paper market with LexJet TRIBUTE Satin Photo Paper 240g, a quality paper with the added incentive of a super-low volume price when purchased by the pallet. One of our customers summed it up: “Thanks for always introducing me to great products. The heavier weight as well as the fantastic price point is awesome. The boss is thrilled, needless to say!”
Gorgeous Wallcovering Options: Vescom Digital Wallcovering answered a few customer demands: Stunning, unique finishes; an environmentally “cleaner” vinyl option; and the ability to order lower volumes for shorter runs with quick turn-arounds for customers. Vescom’s new line of digitally printable wallcovering delivers all of these in its nine finishes that range from the super-smooth Matte to the linen-like Tabby to the award-winning Metallic Sand. Not only a printer’s favorite, installers love Vescom, too, which allows them to use their traditional application techniques.
NEW EQUIPMENT:
Diving Into Dye-sublimation: One of our huge initiatives this year was breaking into the dye-sub market, along with many of our customers. In the Spring, we announced our expanded partnership with Epson to include three dye-sub printers, inks and transfer papers. Throughout the year, our offerings continued to grow with ChromaLuxe Metal Photo panels, a hugely popular dye-sub application that our customers embraced. We’re excited to see how the new ChromaLuxe EXT products work outdoors, too. We’ve also added heat presses, a vital piece of the dye-sub printing process. In 2018, keep an eye on our Dye-sub page as we bring on new transfer paper options, dye-sub printable fabrics and more!
A Better Way to Organize Media Rolls: When we brought a Stock & Roll media storage station to this year’s SGIA expo, we were blown away by the great reception this new piece of equipment received. Made in France, the Stock & Roll stores up to six rolls of media with either 2- or 3-inch cores that are elevated on a platform to keep them neat and clean. The device’s high-performance wheels makes it even more appealing and easy to transport around a print facility.
Print, Cut & Create: We watched with excitement as HP rolled out its HP Latex Print & Cut Bundle, a great entry-level solution for those wanting to add sticker, decal, magnet and contour cutting capabilities to their operation. The super-sleek pair of machines takes up a small foot print while providing a big money-making opportunity. The bundle is available with three latex printers, the HP Latex 115 Print and Cut Solution, the HP Latex 315 Print and Cut Solution and the HP Latex 335 Print and Cut Solution.
The One-step Digital Fabric Printing Answer: We’re thrilled to partner with Kornit as the only U.S. distributor of the Kornit Allegro print system that makes custom fabric printing a simple one-step operation that eliminates the need for pre- and post-treatment of fabrics. This cutting-edge innovation provides printers the ability to produce micro-runs as small as a few yards, and eliminates the need for their customers to store massive amounts of pre-printed inventory that may or may not move off the shelves. The Kornit Allegro allows consumers to use their own designs to create small amounts of finished fabrics to be used for everything from signage to clothing to bedding. “This is a remarkable new system that some of our customers can really use to expand their operation into fabric and décor printing,” says Matt Radauscher, LexJet Enterprise Account Executive.
