Every once in a while we have to stop what we’re doing for a minute, and check out the rest of the world.  It seems too easy to get “Busy” (you know that word, don’t you…?) and get caught up in the day-to-day workings of a print shop.  We get so focused in on what we are doing sometimes that we forget to look around at what we ‘could’ do.  Every once in a while I like to just browse around the internet and see what the rest of the world is doing, find some inspiration, find something different.

So I hope that this post won’t disappoint, it’s not going to be tips on a workflow process, or some new technology or innovation, it’s just going to be a bunch of inspiration I found around the internet.  I hope you enjoy :)

Combination dimensional and vinyl (from SignAction in Australia)

Outdoor illuminated dimensional signage (sign source unknown)

Nice sign with dibond and crezone (from Right Way signs)

Layered dimensional signage (Sign source unknown)

Another layered dimensional signage (from Colorific)

Really neat idea for a layered metal sign (from Fleetsigns in New Zealand)

I just love this acrylic, very well done (from Artsigns in Toronto)

Good idea for wedding directional sign stuck to a traffic sign post (from Wedding Ideas Now)

A really great display of dimensional room signage (from Andreas Imaging)

Reverse panel dimensional sign on brushed metal, very nice (from JIT Waterjet)

Forced perspective, anyone? (image from Outthere Group)

I think I'd be a little intimidated driving into this tunnel... (Sign source unknown)

And what could be more inspiring than a 'will you marry me' banner (from Easysigns in AU)

Aaron Fay, Technical Manager

About the author

Aaron Fay is the Technical Manager at Anvy Digital in Calgary, Alberta.  Aaron enjoys bluegrass music, weekends away from the city, and watching his kids grow up.

Contact Anvy Digital to make your next print project a satisfying printing experience.

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There are basically 3 different ways to get ink onto your material when talking in terms of “wide format” or “large format”:

• Dye sublimation (diffusion)
• Solvent (piezo)
• UV (piezo)

The first option, dye sublimation, uses heat to transfer pigment onto the substrate.  The advantage of this kind of technology is that the technology can produce continuous tone while printing, it’s easier to print on some special materials (like fabric), and the final print is dry immediately.  Some of the downsides are specialized technology, the print film must match the final print size, prints usually require lamination, and there can be a lot of waste.  Learn more about dye sublimation from Wikipedia.

Solvent-based inks are a pretty common option when getting any wide-format printing done.  These inks generally have the pigment suspended in a petroleum base which must evaporate to allow the ink to become completely dry.  The obvious downsides to this type of printing is that the work environment can be subjected to strong chemical odors, and the prints can take up to 24 hours to dry, depending on the ink and substrate.  The last implication is environmental: spilled or discarded inks become an environmental hazard.

UV-curable inks are dry almost instantly, and present vivid color and detail

Anvy Digital is proud to house Fuji Acuity UV-curable printers for all of our large-format printing.  Our printers can handle rigid print substrates up to 8 feet by 10 feet on a single flatbed and print at speeds of up to 720 square feet/hour. Also, with variable dot technology the Aquity is capable of printing a very high resolution.  To find out more about how we can optimize your next printing experience, contact the wide-format printing experts at Anvy Digital.

Here are some other resources regarding UV printing:

Are UV Inks Right for your Print Jobs?
UV Curable Technology, Benefits of Ultraviolet Curable Inks on SignIndustry.com
Wide-format printing on Wikipedia.

Bob Lush, Business Manager

About the author

Bob Lush is the Business Manager at Anvy Digital in Calgary, Alberta.  In his free time, Bob likes working on home improvement and spending time in the garden.

Contact Bob for specialized advice regarding your next wide format print project.

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Anvy Digital’s exclusive Image-Tex product is so much fun, that we decided to come up with a list of things that we think you could use it for.  (What is Image-Tex?)

Some are obvious, some not so much, but we hope you have as much fun reading the list as we had making it! (and yes, there really are 101…)

• Posters
• Indoor sign
• Wall covering
• Wallpaper
• Vehicle Decals
• Photos
• Kids stickers
• Temporary directional signage
• Window graphics
• Elevator graphics
• Table top decals
• Tradeshow graphics
• Bottle labels
• Backlit
• Contour cut displays
• Temporary Floor graphics
• Childs growth chart – won’t damage walls :)
• Contour cut images (lifesize)
• Stickers on bags and other promotional items
• Custom posters
• Window advertising
• Replacing our Imagestyle Graphics!
• Lampshade
• Decorating themed children rooms – can change as they grow up
• Wall mural
• Vehicle wrap
• Warning label
• Advertising signage
• Temp repair covering (hole in the wall?)
• Scribble pad
• Mouse pad
• Office door name tags
• Table top / desk covering
• QR codes
• Glass door display
• Old family portrait
• Floor plans
• Menu pricing
• Welcome mat
• Coffee mug wrap
• Stain protection for a wall
• Birthday sign
• Temporary water protection
• Pillar wrap
• Floor puzzle
• Greeting cards
• Name tags
• Ran out of duct tape? (just kidding)
• Window blind
• Employee of the month
• Team photo
• Fridge sticker
• Wedding decorations (won’t damage walls)
• Band logo
• Instrument decoration
• Temporary tattoo?!
• Customer recognition signage
• Band posters
• Weekly eatery specials
• Signage typo!
• Brainstorming room layouts
• Fanfare items
• Temporary seating labels (wedding or event)
• Coasters
• Street art
• Billboard ad
• Garage door mural
• Scavenger hunt
• DVD case label
• Thermos wrap
• A “Peel and Win” contest
• Cell phone decal
• World map poster
• Safety signage
• Frequently updating signage
• Price kits
• Rules and regulations
• Lettering
• Instruction signage
• Giveaways
• Laptop cover
• Positive affirmations!
• Custom welcome signage
• Sponsor recognition
• Sports memorabilia
• “Kick me” sticker :)
• Food labels
• Custom postcard
• Barcodes
• (this line intentionally left blank)
• Business cards (will stick anywhere!)
• Custom light modifier for photography (think “gobo”)
• Now Hiring stickers (for vehicles)
• Kick Drum decal (you rock!)
• Custom scrapbooking print
• Star chart (on your roof!)
• Wrapping paper
• Binder cover
• Permanent measuring stick
• Did you really read all these?
• Table-top menu
• Home Decor wall phrases
• A giant calendar

There you have it!  If you were paying attention, we had a little fun in there too :)  Got an idea we missed about how you use Image-Tex?  Drop us a line…

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Can you imagine yourself today, getting into your car without a cell phone?  Or having to go to pay phones to call your office twice a day?  In those days, 10:00 AM and 3:00PM were the scheduled times to call in: you received your messages from the secretary or receptionist, and got your dimes out to start responding to your messages.

Back then, orders were sent in by mail, invoices were sent out the same way and of course. “The cheque is in the mail” was often the response when payments fell behind.  We really thought it was amazing when the fax machine came into play.  What a technological advance it was!

Sales persons generally hand-wrote their weekly or monthly reports and handed them to the secretary, who in turn typed it up on the typewriter and distributed it to the various departments and appropriate managers. Eventually, the secretary got a “word processor” and now we were really flying into the “high-tech” world.  All of the processes I speak of suggest that it was expensive, time consuming, and an inefficient way to do business. Consequently, some businesses which were not able to keep pace with the various changes to technology, production advances, design changes, and such were left behind.  Many closed their doors, affecting the lives of people in the process.

Eventually of course we were all dragged into the “high-tech” world of computers and secretaries were no longer needed, and as a result, everyone was expected to get up to speed as quickly as possible with your computer and all the benefits that it would bring.  Companies or people that did not get into the new realities were left behind and some did not survive, generally for many reasons.

This brings me to where we are today.  At Anvy Digital, we continue to look forward to new and innovative products and processes to make our work more beneficial to both our work force, and our customer base as well.  We are continually striving to be at the forefront in service, product design and of course technology.  Just take a look at our new website GotoDisplays (http://gotodisplays.com) and you will see a terrific tool that we are offering to our customer.  We are looking to get this to be a very efficient store front operation, for all our clients.

The old way of calling in and getting a quote, getting a revised quote, calling or e-mailing to place the order, getting an order docket made and brought to production was a time consuming and costly process.  Much too much handling, inefficient and ultimately, expensive.

Hence our move to a web based, store front operation that will be very effective and efficient for our clientele.  Prices will be established beforehand and the customer can just go on line, find the product or material they require, look at the number of pieces and sizes required, and place their order, directly to our production department.  Simple, efficient, cost effective and very, very innovative.

At Anvy Digital we continue to strive to be the best we can be and we continue to offer better service, more efficient delivery, and newer and innovative product lines.  We hope you will look to us to meet your various product needs.

Chuck Collins, Senior Account Executive at Anvy Digital

About the author

Chuck Collins is a senior Account Executive at Anvy Digital in Calgary, Alberta.  Chuck spends his free time with his grandchildren and volunteering in his community.

Contact Chuck for specialized advice regarding your next wide format print project.

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Managing a business these days is hard: between reviewing finances and managing staff or customers, how much time do you really have to put into thinking about your next print campaign?  We’ve put together a list of things to help you get more out of your next print job, everything from files to materials to getting it in place.  Here’s the list:

File Preparation

Make sure you have adequate resolution

Resolution is extremely important when printing with wide-format, and is often overlooked or misunderstood.  Print resolution is exactly how many ‘dots’ of color there are per inch.  The screen you are looking at right now is either 72dpi (dots per inch) or 96dpi (if it’s a newer monitor).  The ideal resolution for a print file is 300dpi, with the absolute minimum of 100dpi.  Remember: the higher the resolution, the higher quality your final print will be.  Here’s an example of low resolution vs. high resolution:

Comparing the same image in high resolution (left) with low resolution (right)

So how do we calculate dpi?

It’s quite simple.  Let’s take an image from out 10 megapixel digital camera.  The dimensions of an image from this camera are (roughly) 3872 x 2592.  If we wanted to print this image at 300dpi, we would use simple math to calculate the idea size for print:

• 3872 / 300 (dpi) = 12.9”
• 2592 / 300 (dpi) = 8.64”

Very easy to see an 8” x 10” print would be very good quality, since we can get almost 13″ by 9″ out of the hypothetical image.  But what if we wanted to print a 4’ x 8’ banner using the same image?  At 8 feet (96 inches) the longest side of the image would  be:

• 3872 / 96” = 40.3dpi

Now in this scenario, 40 dpi is much too low to print, so we would use software to upsample the image to at least 100dpi.

What about really big prints?

In some scenarios, it’s going to be impossible to provide a print file at the minimum requested dpi, for instance, if we are printing a 10’ by 100’ banner, a 120, 000px wide file would be ridiculous.  The point to keep in mind is: the higher the resolution, the better quality the print printing will be.

Very large prints can be lower resolution because they are seen from a distance, but 100dpi should still be the minimum resolution. This banner was printed on our Latex roll printer.

Understanding Raster versus Vector

Another area where there seems to be some confusion is in raster vs vector.  Raster images use ‘bits’ or ‘pixels’ to represent dots in an image (ergo “bitmap”), and have fixed dimension.  A prime example of this is the image that comes from your digital camera: it has a fixed width and height in pixels.  This is a “raster” image.

A vector image can be generated using a program like Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.  These images use ‘paths’ to represent the lines, curves, and shapes within an image.  Raster images can be embedded in vector files, but they will still maintain their raster nature.  A perfect example of a ‘vector’ is a font.  Open up Microsoft Word or another editor on your computer and type in some text.  Now select that text and change the font size to something much, much larger (say 100pt).  The text gets bigger but remains smooth and readable; this is because the font outlines are represented as path shapes, and can be scaled to any size while maintaining quality.

Comparing Raster (left) and Vector (right) text enlargement

Vector files are always preferable when possible for printing, as they maintain the highest quality when they are scaled up for printing.  All files are converted to raster by a Raster Image Processor (RIP) for printing.

Using the right file type

A common problem with files that come in for print is that they are in some interesting format.  Some file types are conducive to a print environment, and some are not.  It can help expedite the preparation of your print job if you are submitting the print files in a printable format such as Photoshop (.PSD), Illustrator (.AI), or a high-resolution PDF.  Print jobs that are layed out in document publishing applications like Microsoft Word or Excel have to be redesigned in a printable format before we can send them to the press, and can result in extra costs.  If you need tips or help in preparing your file, feel free to contact our customer support team to get you started.

Design for your intended material

Another tip that can help you get more out of your next job is to “think around your material”.  It’s commonly though that 24” x 36” is a standard size (which it is), however, if you are working with a rigid substrate (let’s say acrylic), you can get more mileage out of a standard sheet (48” x 96”) if you designed for 24” x 32”.  This dimension will fit perfectly 6 times onto a full sheet of acrylic, which results in less waste and cost savings.

The left layout wastes about 1/5 of the material, whereas the right layout uses 100% of the sheet.

Some other considerations

Some other things to think about when your are preparing your print job are:

• Is this indoor or outdoor?
• Is this a long-term installation, or short-term?
• How many do I need?
• Will this be in direct sunlight?
• Do I need high visibility?
• Are my fonts readable?
• Am I using images from a low-resolution source (web/clipart)?
• Consider hiring a print designer who is aware of many or all of the implications of creating print files.

Submitting your print job

The entire print process can become effortless by keeping a few things in mind when you’re ready to start a job:

Allow for sufficient time

Rush jobs are going to happen.  Given that, things will always go smoother with a little extra time.  We like to allow for 3-5 business days to print an approved job.  Planning early, finalizing design, and setting up a quote in advance can help make the whole print process much more smooth.

Supply finished files

A lot of time can be eaten up in sending file back and forth for revisions an approval.  If you are designing, or have a designer working on your print, having the file finalized before sending it in can help make the process seamless.

Give advance notice

If you have a custom or large print job coming up, a little advance notice can go a long way.  With notice, we can make sure to have custom or extra materials in stock to accommodate your job.

Installation

Consult with your installer early on in the project; many installation issues can be avoided before your graphics are even designed.  A short consultation with your installer can save you a lot of time and money later on in the project.

A short consultation with your installer can save some headaches later on in the project.

Banner Graphic Design - Handy Randy, Integrated Online Marketing - Kayak Creative

Get advice from the Pros

As a leading print agency, we can help make your next print job painless.  The world of print is complex but it doesn’t have to be complicated.  Here are some ideas to help you out:

Research your print options

The print industry has changed dramatically over the last decade, and continues to do so.  We talk to people every day who don’t realize many of the possibilities that are available in print today.  Even the idea of ‘direct print’ is widely misunderstood, and could change how you look at your print strategy.  Take a little time to understand some of the options that are available to you when moving forward in your next campaign, the result can save you time and money.

Call ahead and ask questions

Regardless of your provider, a quick call can iron our the wrinkles when you’re getting ready to start a print job.  Calling ahead can not only answer questions, but also spot issues that may not have been previously obvious.

Understand your service provider

Getting to know the company that is providing your print service can go a long way in helping you make confident decisions in print.  We gladly offer facility tours and product training for your marketing department so you can make printing decisions with confidence.

Feel free to contact us to get started on your next print project.

Alyssa Hoyrup, Project Manager

About the author

Alyssa Hoyrup is Project Manager and head of the Customer Service department at Anvy Digital.  Alyssa enjoys spending time outdoors, photography, and visiting her home in BC.

Contact Alyssa for more tips and information about Direct Print.

Looking for some new ideas to help promote your next idea?  We’ve made a short list of sign ideas we think have been quite popular lately:

1. Perforated Vinyl

Perforated vinyl

Banner Stand

Floor graphics

Image-Tex

LED Backlit signage

Here are some options to consider for your next project:

Banner Materials

Aurora Specialty Textile Group’s REPLAY 2 and Act II textiles are roll media products made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.  REPLAY 2 is suitable for indoor use and has a smooth weave, weighing in at 4.6 oz per square meter.  Act II is a heavier 7.5 oz per square meter, has a heavier weave, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.  Both products are highly flame resistant.

Foam boards

The Gillman Brothers Company has a line of biodegradable foam boards that measure up in performance with standard foam-center substrates.  Insite® and Duraplast® foam boards are manufactured with bio-resins that fully decompose within a bateria-rich environment.  ”These bio resins actually transform the structure of the polystyrene, while attracting microorganisms that metabolize and neutralize the plastic”, according to the Gillman Brothers website.

Coroplast

How about considering recycled coroplast for your next campaign? Plasticor Whitecap is a minimum 50% recycled material coroplast alternative that is suitable for all applications.

Backlit & LED

Optically-brightened Lexan* sheets are now available from Sabic Innovative Plastics, designed for use with LED and other lighting, less lighting can be used with these sheets while generating the same results as traditional lighting methods.

LED (light emitting diode) lighting is a good choice for backlit applications as LEDs operate at a much lower voltage and consume much less power than conventional lighting.  LEDs also open the door for all types of creative applications, like snap-panel backlit frames that allow for easy replacement of your graphic.

Don’t hesitate to contact one of our representatives to discuss how your next project can have a more positive impact on the environment.

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What is Image-Tex?

Image-Tex is a thin, high quality, virtually indestructible, adhesive fabric with limitless application potential. It sticks to any non-porous flat surfaces in all weather and room  conditions. It is also safe to put on wallpaper.  Removable, reusable, and repositionable, Image-Tex is the perfect choice for non or semi-permanent graphics and since there is no glue necessary, there is no residue or annoying cleanup. It’s as easy as peel, stick and enjoy!

What can I use Image-Tex for?

When it comes to the application of Image-Tex, your imagination is the limit! It is perfect for wall graphics throughout your home or business, whether it be for large boardroom murals or smaller graphics for a nursery, Image-Tex is perfect! We have seen it used for stickers and decals, seasonal window graphics, monthly or weekly or even daily promotional graphics and advertisements,  non-permanent vehicle graphics and even as removable clothing graphics! With Image-Tex, the potential is almost limitless!

How much does it cost?

Its cost can vary and is based on the square footage desired, but with our current limited time offer, you can purchase Image-Tex for as low as $4.95 Sq/ft!

How can I buy?

Call one of our sales representatives at 403-291-2244

You can also visit our Image-Tex site here.

Anvy Digital has once again proven we are a “leader in innovation” after recently installing the largest Flatbed Digital Printer in Canada. The FujiFilm Acuity Advance HS X2 is the largest and first of its kind in Canada and has enabled Anvy Digital to continue to stay a step ahead of the competition.

The Acuity Advance HS X2 has allowed us to move in amazing and un-expected directions, offering a wider and greater selection of products, services and capabilities to our customers.

“We’ve doubled the speed, with the same quality. We now have state-of-the-art equipment. We can offer customers new capabilities. The increase in productivity has lowered the costs, and we can pass those savings on to the customer.” -John Phan, founder of Anvy Digital.

The advanced technology the HS X2 offers, has also allowed Anvy Digital to introduce a line of new products and substrates that to most other printers are impossible and unthinkable.  Our new Home Décor line, ImageStyle by Anvy, includes such groundbreaking products as Alloy Image Box, Canvas Wrap, Acrylic Photo, Sinta Photo, Fari-tex, and the ImageStyle by Anvy signature product “ImageStyle”.

The HS X2 rounds off our digital arsenal nicely, complementing a lineup that includes an existing Acuity HS, an HP Scitex LX800 latex printer, a Drytac VersaCoater XL60 UV Coater liquid laminator, and a Kongsberg MultiCut contour cutter.

Contact Anvy Digital, your premiere wide format, digital printer in Calgary for any of your printing requirements.  You can count on our expertise and commitment to innovation to help you solve your most challenging printing problems.