Friday, 23 May 2014 14:09 GMT

Product Innovations

With sign-makers always keen to differentiate themselves, Rob Fletcher takes a look at the some of the latest products that can help companies push the application boundaries


Thinking outside the box

As competition continues to increase in the sign industry, companies are having to find new and innovative ways to stand out. While some are opting to diversify into new markets, others are instead building on the knowledge they already have to boost their current services and offer something unique to customers.

While such innovation and creativity is only good news for the industry, it is critical for companies that are thinking outside of the box to have the right materials and kit capable of completing the job. Obviously, this is where the many materials suppliers of our industry come into play—with each one of them more than happy to lend a hand.

So, with innovation at an all-time high, what new materials are out there to help those creative sign companies that are keen to push the application boundaries to new, exciting levels?

Innovation and development

Eurobond Adhesives is one company keen to support this creative drive through its supply of performance adhesives and tape products. Simon Dearing, managing director of the firm, says that although he is a fan of such innovation, it is ‘critical’ for sign-makers to select the right materials for applications.

He explains: “No one remembers who came second or third in the Olympic 100m final. New ideas, constant innovation, and product development are key to developing and maintaining a competitive advantage and staying ahead of the game.

New ideas, constant innovation, and product development are key to developing and maintaining a competitive advantage and staying ahead of the game”

“It’s critical for sign-makers to use the right adhesive products for fabricating signs, whether they are simple vinyl signs or large metal and plastic fabricated constructions. Choosing the wrong adhesive can lead to potentially serious consequences.

“For example, the adhesive may not be compatible with the material substrate, it may not have sufficient tensile strength for the load or the environment to which it may be exposed. When a job goes wrong, it not only damages a company’s reputation, it also costs that company more time and money putting it right, and could also have serious health and safety implications.

Dearing continues: “People always reflect that you are only as good as your last installation, so let’s work together to ensure that whatever project you’re working on it’s made with the best materials and the best craftsmen.”

Dearing says Eurobond is committed to developing new products to support sign-makers in terms of bonding and joining during their pursuit of innovation. He singles out Penloc, the firm’s range of fast curing structural adhesives that he says are used for bonding almost any material combination ‘cleanly and efficiently’. Dearing says the ‘unique’ cartridges are designed to use the firm’s ‘minimizer’ nozzle, which is smaller than the standard nozzle and helps save money by using less adhesive.

He also points to Snap&Fix, a new fastening system that was released earlier this year. The system works on the principal of interlocking plastic ‘mushroom’ heads, which Dearing claims offer solid, high-strength connection.


Eurobond recently launched Snap&Fix, a new fastening system it claims can be fastened and released as often as required



He continues: “It can be fastened and released as often as required. Snap&Fix is supplied in a roll length format, with a high-performance, pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive backing, or as small rigid countersunk plastic blocks and squares. It can be fixed to walls or hard surfaces and act as fixing points, which can then be mated with another block to form permanent or temporary mounting of applications, such as facias and sign panels, inspection panels, cover plates, and hoardings. It is also totally weatherproof and is not affected by most contaminants.”

More to offer

Fellow industry supplier Metamark offers a host of application solutions to sign-makers, ranging from sign vinyl to window films. Paul French, chief executive officer, says having a broad range of application options on offer is one of the best ways to set your firm apart from the competition.

He explains: “So much marketing traffic these days is inbound. Customers have preconceived notions of what they might want. How do they get there, what gives them ideas? It’s the things they see around them and the information they can find in print and on the internet. If customers come with a desire to promote brands and look different, the more you’re able to offer, the better your chance of securing business.


Eurobond claims its Penloc range of fast-curing structural adhesives can be used for bonding almost any material combination



“At Metamark, we’re firm believers in extracting the best from every available opportunity and we like to think that we've got a digital media and sign vinyl portfolio that helps our customers take that position.”

Drawing on this, French says that over the years, and particularly since the advent of what he describes as ‘affordable digital printing’, Metamark has applied its effort to develop material systems that are as compliant as possible with modern imaging processes and can address a wide range of applications.

He continues: “The result is a portfolio of materials that encompasses all of the popularly used material types and a range of specialties that can be used to pursue more exotic applications. For example, we discovered that as wrapping took off in a big way, there was an appetite to wrap interior components in vehicles too—so we introduced materials that address this need.”

French goes on to give an example of how a sign-maker recently used Metamark products in an innovative way to complete an application. Sheffield-based Dyson Signs under-took an end-to-end rebranding for Westfield School in the Sheffield area. Part of the programme involved printed identity continuations in halls and corridors, which were printed on Meta-mark MD-TX and applied to sound-proofing materials. Here, the decorative elements of the rebrand are employed in a functional role as well.

O Factoid:  The late 1950s saw vinyl used for the first time as a decorative consumer product in the form of floor coverings. O


Looking ahead, French says there is plenty to look out for in terms of new products at Metamark: “We’re established on a product development roadmap that takes in some really exciting extensions of the signs and graphics markets and we see opportunities for some innovation taking print to new venues too. The gestation of these developments can be quite extended; revolutionary new materials like the next-generation MetaWrap film don’t happen overnight, while others can come through quite quickly.”

Ahead of the game

Grafityp is another industry supplier enjoying the current levels of demand in the market. Debbie Astle, marketing manager of Grafityp UK, says sign-makers should not be afraid of trying something new with application projects.

She explains: “Sign-makers continuing to push the boundaries of applications and providing new and innovative signage also encourages suppliers to introduce new materials and machinery to stay ahead of the game.”

Sign-makers continuing to push the boundaries of applications and providing new and innovative signage also encourages suppliers to introduce new materials and machinery to stay ahead of the game”


Drawing on this, Astle highlights a number of the firm’s products that are well-suited to this market and could prove useful to sign-makers looking to try something different. In particular, she picks up on the range of Grafitack and Graficast self-adhesive vinyls, as well as GrafiPrint and GrafiWrap print medias and laminates.


Grafityp claims its GrafiWrap solution has become a popular choice for a number of wrapping projects



She continues: “Grafitack and Graficast vinyl comes in a wide range of options to cater for every type of application. With short-term films suitable for indoor signage and graphics up to a high-quality cast carrying a ten-year lifespan tag, which will endure severe weather conditions outdoors on signs, cars, boats, planes and much more. 


Grafityp’s Graficast vinyl comes in a wide range of colour options


“There is plenty of choice in colours and some of the films are available in both gloss and matt options. Grafityp also carries a range of AutoFX and Deco films in a variety of colours and textures, which include leather look, matt and gloss, stardust finish, metallic, army camouflage and many more.

“The GrafiPrint range of media, which includes the popular GrafiWrap vehicle wrapping films is great for creating unique printed signs and advertisements on solvent and eco-solvent printers. Whether gloss, matt or satin, white or clear, short- or long-term, there are films to suit the need and a collection of suitable laminates for use alongside these films should they be required. These are perfect for creating stunning signs and creating exceptional wraps; not only vehicles, but other applications such as furniture and household items, laptops, and shop fittings.”


Dyson Signs used Metamark MD-TX to decorate soundproofing materials for an end-to-end rebranding of Westfield School in the Sheffield area



In addition to material, Grafityp is also a supplier of the complete range of Roland DG?printers and cut machines, as well as a selection of Mutoh ValueJet machines.

She adds: “The latest Roland printer has just been added to the line up available at Grafityp. The VersaUV LEJ-640F is a wide-format flatbed UV printer that will print directly to substrates and objects up to 150mm in height and with a print size of up 1600 x 2500mm.”


Grafityp’s GrafiWrap solution is available in a  number of different styles, including this example of a deco leather version
 


In addition, Grafityp also offers cutting plotter from both GCC and Roland DG, as well as a collection of models in the GCC LaserPro collection of laser engraving and cutting ma-chines—which Astle says are ideal for producing acrylic cut letters amongst other things.

 Although sign-makers are chomping at the bit when it comes to new, innovative projects, it is important to remember to select the right materials if the job is to be completed properly. With the backing of like-minded material suppliers also keen to push the boundaries of applications, it is likely that we will continue to see exciting new work roll out of what is already a creative, innovative industry.

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