WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — March 9, 2016 — A new ASTM International standard will help clothing makers test the thermal properties of their fabrics, keeping consumers comfortable in their products. The new standard will soon be published as D7984, Test Method for Measurement of Thermal Effusivity of Fabrics Using a Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) Instrument.

Measuring the thermal effusivity of textiles reveals the rate at which a fabric absorbs heat when it first comes into contact with skin. ASTM member Shannon Yawney, a research analyst in product innovation at Mark’s, notes that a fabric with a low thermal effusivity would feel warmer to the initial touch and would be slower to transfer heat away from the body, thus keeping the wearer feeling warmer. Conversely, for summer apparel, in which someone wants to stay cool, a higher thermal effusivity is desirable, as fabric will quickly draw heat away from the skin on initial contact.

The new standard will be useful to textile mills as a benchmark test method to compare and develop new technologies for managing heat.  At the same time, clothing developers will benefit from an objective method for evaluating how fabric manages heat from the body.

In addition to clothing, the standard could help designers with their material selection and development for other items such as bed sheets, furniture and automobile upholstery.

Posted March 9, 2016

Source: ASTM

SURREY, United Kingdom — March 8, 2016 — Today witnesses the return of FESPA Digital to its origin, at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam. Throughout the week, thousands of visitors from around the world will soar into the city of Amsterdam to discover the latest technology from over 450 exhibitors across digital, textile, signage and printed interior décor markets.

Four events across seven halls
With four events taking place concurrently, FESPA Digital 2016 (Halls 1, 3 and 7) is displaying the latest digital print technology including equipment, consumables, software and applications from international and local manufacturers. In Halls 4 & 5, FESPA Textile, the largest textile print dedicated, garment décor and soft signage solutions event to date, will inspire those with an interest in textile to explore new applications and techniques.

European Sign Expo (Halls 2 and 3) gathers the newest non-printed signage products and software for channel lettering, illuminated LED and neon displays, and architectural/dimensional signage and has experienced 110% in growth since the initial event in 2013, making it the largest ESE event so far. And, in its second year, Printeriors, the dedicated showcase for printed interior décor (Hall 6) has taken the form of the ‘Print Hotel’, enabling printers and interior designers to visualise the latest trends to inspire and engage with digital print. Room sets include a bar, retail space, meeting room, lounge, bathroom, reception, café and even the interiors of an elevator.

Follow the trails
Available onsite for visitors will be bespoke Textile and Signage Trails, designed to showcase exhibitors who offer textile and signage solutions in addition to their digital offerings. The Trails will be available in map form and enable visitors to plan their visit with particular preferences in mind.

Conferences to inspire and educate
Today, 8 March, the Digital Textile Conference is presenting trends, tips and practical case studies on the growth and future of digital textile printing, with textile experts such as keynote speakers Basso & Brooke, pioneers of the digital print process in fashion; David Schmelzeisen, Institute of Textile Technology Germany; and Alan Shaw, MD, Centre for Advanced Textiles, among others.

The Printeriors Conference on 10 March will feature a host of interior décor experts discussing the latest trends, and how to use print as a tool within the interior space, including: Alberto Alessi, head of Marketing Strategy, Communication and Design Management at world-renowned Italian design company, Alessi; Gemma Riberti, previous Editor of Stylesight; Cholakarn Visuitpitakul, Marketing and Creative Director, Bodhi Tree Décor, and many more.

Seminars throughout the four days
Across two theatres on the show floor, the Digital Seminars and Signage Seminars will enable visitors to gain industry knowledge across varied, in-depth topics, as well as participate in Q&A sessions. Experts will be taking part in varied discussions and presentations throughout the four days of the show.

Hands-on, practical training
Within the Signage Seminars demo area, visitors can also try their hand at signwriting and painted lettering workshops, courtesy of Better Letters and Ghostsigns, as well as observe the experts create examples of traditional hand-painted signage.

Watch wrap superheroes    
In addition to all of this show content, the European Heat of the World Wrap Masters competition (Hall 7, S50) is taking place over the next two days, with the World Wrap Masters Series Final happening on 10-11 March. Competitors from across the globe who have pre-qualified in previous events will join the winners of the European final in a battle to be crowned Wrap Master. With items such as clogs, superhero-related objects and Audi A1 sportback vehicles to be wrapped, visitors thinking about diversifying into graphic wrapping must make sure they come along to this iconic event.

Vote for your favourite print applications in the FESPA Awards The FESPA Awards are yet another reason to visit. . With 17 application-led categories, visitors can see the shortlisted awards in Hall 6, next to the Printeriors showcase. The winners, including the publicly-voted People’s Choice Award will be announced at the Gala Dinner tomorrow at Beurs van Berlage.

Roz McGuinness, Divisional Director, FESPA, comments: “The atmosphere at the RAI today is already supercharged, as visitors have more reasons than ever before to explore the exciting opportunities for business diversification, and witness over 50 new product launches throughout the four events. This year marks our tenth anniversary of the digital show, and it has gone from strength to strength, providing visitors the tools they need to become print superheroes, and ultimately improve their business profits. We want all of our visitors to leave feeling inspired to take their digital offering to the next level.”

Thinking of attending this not-to-be-missed event? With a €40 on-site entrance fee, last-minute visitors are welcome at all times.

Posted March 8, 2016

Source: FESPA

FREMONT, Calif. — March 8, 2016 — Electronics For Imaging (EFI) will feature six new EFI^™ VUTEk^® printers, including one of the world’s fastest production-class hybrid LED printers, a new, flagship high-volume inkjet press, and a VUTEk textile printer making its worldwide debut, at Fespa Digital 2016.

The 3.2-meter wide EFI VUTEk LX3 Pro hybrid roll/flatbed LED inkjet printer making its European debut at the show is a leader in production-class LED inkjet graphics print engine speeds with fast throughput of up to 318 square meters per hour. The printer also offers high-resolution greyscale imaging and its “cool cure” LED technology is a greener solution that reduces energy usage and costs while giving users the ability to print on a wider range of media, including media that cannot withstand the heat of other curing or drying methods.

High Print Quality At Faster Print Speeds

Early users such as U.S.-based customer Nutis Visual Communications Group in Columbus, Ohio, benefit from producing four-color, true point-of-purchase quality output. The printer’s unique benefits provide maximum versatility for businesses looking to profit from higher volumes and shorter lead times.

“The VUTEk LX3 Pro is a terrific addition that complements our other digital presses and enhances our overall capabilities,” said Nutis Visual Communications Group Vice President of Print Production Joey Nutis. “With the new printer, four-color 600-dpi imaging with light smoothing is now our go-to print mode. We have seen improved quality at faster print speeds at that setting on jobs that would have run at 1,000 dpi with heavy smoothing on our previous printer.”

The 3.2-meter EFI VUTEk HS125 Pro UV inkjet press is also making its European debut at Fespa Digital. It builds on the remarkable success customers have achieved on the 100+ worldwide installations of its predecessor, the EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro inkjet press. The new HS125 Pro model — the fastest VUTEk product ever developed — stands as the new flagship of the VUTEk lineup. It delivers true analogue replacement capabilities with quality approaching offset, production speeds up to 125 boards per hour, unique pin and cure UV LED curing, and a variety of automated material handling options, including one for corrugated board.

The newest-version EFI Fiery^® proServer driving the 3.2-meter VUTEk printers in EFI’s stand deliver productivity and quality well beyond a typical printer RIP. This upgraded Fiery digital front end platform gives VUTEk customers the power to process print files 60% faster than earlier versions of the proServer, or up to 170-percent faster than alternate systems.

EFI printers and Fiery technology connect into a complete ecosystem for end-to-end productivity on display at Fespa Digital, with technologies on display from the industry’s most comprehensive software portfolio featuring the EFI Midmarket Productivity Suite with the Pace^™ MIS/ERP system at its core, out-of-the-box certified workflows, and additional Web-to-print and newly integrated cross media management solutions.

Worldwide Launch Of New EFI VUTEk FabriVU Printers For Soft Signage

EFI also is premiering a new VUTEk printer to help customers capture new opportunities based on surging demand for high-quality, lightweight reusable fabric graphic soft signage used in retail visual merchandising, trade show graphics and other applications.

According to a study from industry research firm IT Strategies, the soft signage market will grow 8-percent annually from 2015 to 2020. EFI is helping signage and display graphics customers capture that growth with new 1.8- and 3.4-meter EFI VUTEk FabriVU^® printers developed by EFI Reggiani — a global leader in aqueous-based textile print technology based in Italy that was acquired by EFI in 2015. The printers run environmentally friendly water-based inks and open the door to new, profitable applications.

This family of printers brings high print quality and speed that will help print providers quickly expand their range of offerings. They feature precise unwinding for smooth, reliable feeding and print direct to fabric or transfer paper. A patented ink circulation system in the printer prevents nozzles from drying out, reducing ink costs by up to 15 percent.

According to Frank Mallozzi, EFI’s senior vice president of Worldwide Sales and Marketing, “With this product line launch, we are making EFI Reggiani’s technology and know-how in textile printing available to EFI signage and display graphics customers to positioning them to grow along with — or even faster than — the soft signage market at large.”

Available now, this printer family offers print speeds up to 464 square meters per hour at 600 dpi and ultra-high resolution up to 2,400 dpi. It also features four-level greyscale printing with 4- to 72-picolitre drop sizes. These printers and their environmentally friendly, water-based sublimation inks help users produce stunning soft signage and banner applications.

EFI will broadcast live demonstrations of the new VUTEk FabriVU 340 printer on Periscope during Fespa Digital on 9 March and 10 March at 10:00 am CET.

Other new printers making their European debut at EFI’s Fespa Digital stand include:
The EFI Matan Quantum LXr LED printer, a dedicated roll-to-roll printer offering a superb price/speed/quality ratio for exceptional versatility, the widest range of substrates, and the lowest total cost of ownership in its class. This economical alternative to latex printers has 7-picoliter imaging, and print resolutions up to 1,200 dpi in four colors with optional white for high-quality printing.

Unique productivity options for the printer, including ink and media efficiencies, advanced roll handling technologies, increase productivity, minimize waste, reduced labor and exceptional ease of use with dramatically lower power consumption.

The EFI H1625-SD, an entry-level, 1.65-meter UV hybrid production printer that uses award-winning EFI SuperDraw UV ink for near-photographic imaging direct to thermoformable substrates. The printer runs four colors plus white with high-quality greyscale imaging.

For the industrial textile market, including digital printing for home décor and apparel, EFI also features the Reggiani ReNOIR NEXT 180 at Fespa Digital. This highly versatile product runs fabrics and papers with a common ink set using a 1.8-meter beltless digital printing system.

The printer offers simplified material handling, a compact footprint and lower acquisition cost, making it an ideal entry-level production device for industrial décor and apparel applications.

The printer can be used with water-based dispersed, acid, pigment and reactive dye printing inks, offering users greater flexibility in production applications while providing users with high-speed throughput and some of the lowest total running costs in the market.

“The complete showcase of print workflow, Fiery technology and our broad industrial inkjet portfolio at Fespa Digital provides the innovations signage and display graphics professionals need to distance themselves from competitors using less-efficient or lower-quality technologies,” said Scott Schinlever, senior vice president, EFI Inkjet Solutions. “The combination of high-end imaging, sustainability, and streamlined productivity from the products EFI is showing this year put our customers further ahead on the leading edge of business success.”

EFI’s exhibit is in hall 1, stand E40 at Fespa Digital, March 8-11 in the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition Centre.

Businesses worldwide create a wide range of innovative, high-value and high-quality imaging applications with EFI printers. EFI’s printer portfolio features the industry’s top industrial LED, UV and water-based narrow web, wide- and superwide-format printers, including leading ceramics and textile print technologies. This portfolio gives printing companies profitable opportunities in The Imaging of Things, delivering greater product customization and appeal in everything from signage and packaging to décor, apparel and industrial manufacturing.

Posted March 8, 2016

Source: Electronics For Imaging (EFI)

MUTTENZ, Switzerland — March 8, 2016 — Clariant has released the Automotive Edition of ColorForward^® 2017. This is the second year Clariant has formatted its color/trend analysis tool to meet the needs and interests of automotive designers and marketers.

Clariant’s groundbreaking ColorForward trend-analysis and color-design tool has been released every year since 2006 to help plastic product designers and marketing professionals make more informed color choices. It presents four global societal trends that can be expected to influence consumers and then links them to colors that evoke an emotional response related to each trend.

The Automotive Edition is the work of the Clariant Masterbatches European Automotive Team in collaboration with the color specialists at the Clariant ColorWorks^® design and technology centers. It presents 20 colors, linked to the four trends, in several different forms:

• Large, textured plastic plaques
• Fiber pompons and yarn wrap cards (to illustrate carpet and textile options)
• Small “concept” cars molded in plastic
• Leather swatches (new in the 2017 edition)

These samples are packaged in a presentation box and are meant to be handled, rearranged and studied as part of a creative exercise. “We are not trying to teach our automotive customers about color,” explains Laura Carrillo, Head of Market Segment Automotive, Clariant Masterbatches Europe. “They are already experts. We want to start a dialogue with them about global societal trends and, at the same time show them these different materials so they become more aware of possible color harmony issues. In any case it should be fun and inspirational.”

The colors for 2017 are more muted than in years past. People are a bit more fearful, more introspective and reflecting the disconnectedness that many seem to be feeling today. In general the colors are softer, darker and even ambiguous. The trend themes for 2017 are as follows:

ANNOY FIRM OMIT
An anagram of the phrase “my information” is intended to capture the ambiguous, yin/yang nature of the information universe. Data mining, or the systematic sifting of digital information to achieve a specific purpose, is central to this trend theme. The duality of the web-world is captured in the annoy firm omit trend colors. Two of the five are dark and sinister.
DELONELINATION
In a connected world, the last taboo is being lonely. “Delonelination is a wake-up call,” says Judith van Vliet. “It is a warning that loneliness is on the rise, particularly among young people. The five colors representing this trend are generally pale and muted, ranging from a beige to suggest the human need to be handled with care, to a plain brown.

NEBULOVE
This theme can almost be seen as the antithesis of loneliness because it recognizes a trend toward complex connected relationships between multiple people who may be married or not depending on what gives them fulfillment. Colors representing this theme include a light green/yellow like the inside of a cucumber, and a diffuse red. There is a lilac purple and a brownish orange, almost cognac-colored shade.

IT’S A TRAP!
“Life can be a trap,” says van Vliet. “It can be hard and stressful — or just plain dull — if you allow it to become that way, and so people are beginning to seek new ways to break out, to be curious and explore the limits of the human mind. This trend is about escapism and finding new modes of perception.” Not surprisingly, the colors of this trend theme tend toward a funky new aesthetic.

Posted March 8, 2016

Source: Clariant International Ltd.