Visual Impact Sydney Day 2 highlights

Day two at Visual Impact was another busy show day, with seminars delivering educational content, ending the day with the traditional drinks on the show floor from 5 pm.

In no particular order, show highlights from Day two are listed below:

HEXIS

The centrepiece of the HEXIS stand is the BodyFence PPF adhesive vehicle protection films. With demonstrations taking place daily, the HEXIS team showcases the self-healing, chip-resistant film that is also ultra-transparent and protects the vehicle without altering its appearance. “Developed by HEXIS R&D, the BodyFence range is designed to protect against scratches, stone chips, abrasion and UV rays while making vehicles easier to clean by preventing dirt from sticking to the paintwork,” says Ian Parsonson, Managing Director of HEXIS Australia

Velflex

The Velflex team is showcasing a wide range of single and full-colour heat transfers. They also have a range of hardware, including a new sheet fed DTF machine designed and engineered by Australian company Impression Technologies. Also on stand is the Stahls Hotronix heat press machine.

Amari

As well as Roland DG and HP hardware, Amari is demonstrating and featuring Caldera PrePress Software. The software helps customers to manage their workflow before the job gets to the printer and before the job goes to the RIP. The software helps with cutlines, bleed and automatic proofing, which gives more control to the person building the artwork, allowing them to send print-ready files directly to the printer. 

Mutoh

A highlight of the Mutoh stand is the XpertJet 1682SR Pro offering eight instead of four colours, eco-solvent inks excelling in colour reproduction, gamut,  weather resistance, and ease of maintenance. The ink is certified UE GREENGUARD GOLD. The model allows for many applications in indoor and outdoor signs, POP displays, vehicle wraps and more.

KIWO

Showcasing their new partnership with Mutoh, the new DTF system from Kissel + Wolf is a must-see. “This new system is a good fit for KIWO”,  says Andrew Marrs from Kissel + Wolf, “it’s the traditional technology of DTG [Direct -to-garment]  and heat transfer materials partnering with the reliability of Mutoh, giving added support to our customers with the back up of Mutoh.”

Pozitive

See the new swissQPrint Nyala 4 up front and centre on the Pozitive stand. The best-selling printer in Europe for several consecutive years comes with increased energy efficiency, is FOGRA certified, and holds GREENGUARD GOLD certification. The printer has excellent energy efficiency according to ISO 20690:2018.  Phil Trumble, Managing Director of Pozitive, says, “  This is an exceptionally versatile flatbed printer. Including both roll-to-roll printing as well as flatbed capability. It offers our clients unmatched print quality and is the first flatbed printer in Australia that can print in neon inks.”

Spandex

A must see on the Spandex stand is the Colour change PPF (Paint Protection Films) from STEK Automative, showcased on wrapped BMW in the centre of the stand. The films are exclusive to Spandex and come in various colours and patterns. “The PPF will last seven to ten years and gives car owners something that allows for a unique colour change but comes with the added benefit of protection,” says Ben Clarke, National Sales Manager Spandex Asia Pacific.

Stick on Signs

The centrepiece of the stand is the Dimense system. Dimense combines the best of digital printing, vivid images, lively colours, and customisation; with textured wallpapers that have physical structures and repeating patterns;  to deliver fully customised, textured 3D effect prints that visually transform any interior space. New to the Dimense system is the ability to print on canvas instead of wallpaper. The canvas prints can be framed, allowing for multiple creative installations and applications beyond the wallpaper and tactile marketing applications the machine is known for.  

Ball & Doggett

After seventeen years selling media and consumables, Ball & Doggett have entered the hardware market and are demonstrating the HP Latex 700 W on their stand. The demonstrations include optically clear films to demonstrate the white printing capabilities of the printer. The company says that entering the hardware space is closing the loop for its offering, bringing innovative products, hardware, consumables and media to its clients and the Australian market in a complete package.

GJS

A must see on the GJS stand is a unique application using the Roland VersaUV LEF2-200, where the team have printed customised objects which have been decorated with a DTF transfer instead of using a rotary attachment or jig inside the printer for direct printing. This method is a unique application for irregularly shaped objects, where a jig may not be cost-effective for a one off print.

Spicers

The Spicers stand is showcasing the 3M DI-NOC Architectural Films. The finishes and films are used by designers and architects around the world as a decorative material. These finishes offer creative freedom, while the possibility of application on site allow for restructuring of spaces and renewal interventions at low cost. The range includes films suitable for indoor use and a wide selection of durable outdoor products. Clinton Cunningham, Business Development Executive , Architecture & Interior Design for Spicers, says, “It’s been exciting to speak with customers today and assist them understanding the architectural products and how these can be used upgrade surfaces and redesign spaces, for example in office spaces; this is an opportunity for them to expand into new markets.”

Epson

A highlight of the Epson stand is the F2260, the direct to garment (DTG) printer, updated to now include Direct-to-film (DTF) . This update allows for the transfer of designs onto polyester fabrics that are not suited to the DTG process. Gordon Kerr, Business Marketing Manager , Epson Australia says, “Direct to Film is the biggest, fastest growing aspect of this market. And it's over the last 18 months it's just skyrocketed. The  F2260 was designed specifically to do both DTG and DTF, the software has a DTF mode, and the printer works with a wide range of films and powders.”

HP

HP is showcasing the speed and quality of the Pagewide Pro1000. The pigment based printer is aimed at the graphics market, and while it is a roll printer, like previous PageWide models, this new model can print on rigid boards. It is a 1-pass printer capable of 700 sqm/hour on paper and up to 100 boards on the rigid thicker media. The print quality is astounding for a single pass. Multiple finishing options can be added on to allow for stacking and faster production workflows.