Masterpiece Graphix

MGX’s exclusive Transilwrap 3D Large Bubble Sheets (MGX-1267) have been a big hit with HP Indigo sheet press users. MGX-1267 is a stocked non-certified Masterpiece product for HP Indigo presses with a thick substrate upgrade. This non-certified product was initially designed to run on the HP Indigo S2000 press, but many HP Indigo 5000/5500 customers have ran the material even though it is technically out of spec (the material thickness ranges from about 18-20 pts.). Masterpiece Graphix recently showcased Transilwrap 3D bubble sheets as well as other digital-ready products available through MGX’s partnership with Transilwrap at Dscoop6.

Transilwrap® 3D Large Bubble Sheets is an innovative material that when printed creates a 3-D effect that is similar yet different to the 3D look of lenticular, which can be utilized without costly software or art setup charges.  The final effect creates the illusion of 1-2” of depth of the printed image in front of the substrate’s bubble pattern, and the finished look is reminiscent of raindrops on a windowpane. Transilwrap 3D bubble sheets are also available in a small bubble variation as a custom product (MGX-1265). The material is incredibly unique and versatile, lending itself to creating eye catching business cards, marketing collateral, direct mail, POP displays or indoor signage. Because of its unique visual qualities, many of our HP Indigo 5000/5500 customers have expressed interest in using Transilwrap 3D in their commercial print projects.

MGX has been working with Transilwrap in getting this unique material within the parameters for HP certification on the HP Indigo 5000/5500. At this time, Transilwrap 3D Bubble sheets are offered as a non-certified MGX product until the material can be manufactured in the 16-18 pt. range, the maximum thickness recommended for an HP Indigo 5000/5500 with a thick substrate upgrade. In spite of this rating, several HP Indigo 5000/5500 customers have successfully printed on Transilwrap 3D Bubble sheets, despite the material being slightly thicker than HP’s recommendations.

No matter which press you run the material on, Transilwrap 3D Bubble sheets can be tricky to print on due to the textured surface inherent of both sides of the material. MGX customers have achieved exceptional print results when using these press settings on their particular machine:

HP Indigo 5000/5500 with a Thick Substrate Upgrade:

• Stock set to 400 GSM
• 155°F Blanket Temperature
• The substrate works best on a new blanket and current machine LUT
• Please note: Transilwrap 3D Bubble sheets will only run on an HP Indigo 5000/5500 that is equipped with a thick substrate upgrade.

HP Indigo S2000 Press

• 130.5°F Blanket Temperature
• 0.08 Pressure
• Black blankets were used when printing by our testers

It is important to note that Transilwrap 3D Bubble Sheets are only HP Indigo-printable on the front side of the substrate.

For additional information on Transilwrap 3D Large Bubble sheets or printed samples from Masterpiece Graphix, please contact your MGX sales rep directly or email the sales team.

St. Louis, MO January 27, 2011 – Masterpiece Graphix is proud to announce new sales and distribution partnerships with Leed Consultancy and Lowry Sales B.C. Ltd., making MGX’s vast selection of digital sheet and roll materials available in Canada and throughout Europe. Now HP Indigo, Xerox iGen, Kodak Nexpress, EFI Jetrion, Xeikon, and other digital press users in Europe and Canada will have access to MGX’s expansive catalog of digital-ready products. Digital press users throughout Europe and Canada will also be able to utilize custom stocking options not previously available in their region.

“Masterpiece Graphix is tremendously excited to offer high-performance digital materials throughout Canada and Europe,” said MGX President/CEO Doug Watson. “We’ve received many requests for our digital materials to be readily available in international markets. European and Canadian digital press users will now enjoy shorter lead times, reduced shipment rates and access to more materials as a result of our new relationships with Lowry Sales and Leed Consultancy.”

Alan Steenson of Leed Consultancy is MGX’s European Ouside Sales Agent based in the United Kingdom. Leed Consultancy is in the process of finalizing European warehousing options, and is currently taking orders for MGX digital materials in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.

Masterpiece Graphix’s Canadian distributor Lowry Labels & Tape currently offers warehousing options in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montréal. MGX Customers can opt to store their desired digital materials in these locations, keeping their digital stocks ready to ship quickly as needed. Canadian and European customers can expect shorter lead times for commonly ordered materials when they utilize MGX’s new warehousing and distributorship options.

MGX is scheduling regular monthly shipments of digital material from their St. Louis, Missouri facility to warehouse space in Europe and Canada to save customers from the additional expense and hassle indicative of international freight. Interested parties can get in on the savings by contacting MGX to schedule regular orders of their desired material, or to package a small order for testing along with other orders for reduced shipping rates.

Digital press users in Europe and Canada can contact MGX’s regional distributor to request pricing and lead time on desired digital roll and sheet stocks.

Contact information for Masterpiece Graphix digital material sales and distribution in Europe:

Contact information for Masterpiece Graphix and Lowry Labels & Tape Canadian distribution options:

For additional information, material samples or images please contact:

Click Here to Download a PDF of this News Release

In retail, direct mail, and manufacturing, companies are struggling to differentiate themselves from their rivals by utilizing eye-catching characteristics in their product offerings. As a digital printer, it is important to be able to offer clients materials and options that will help them stand out from their competitors. 3D substrates are an excellent way to help your customers literally “stand out” from the rest by displaying text and high-quality graphics that jump off the page or change images. Masterpiece Graphix currently stocks HP Indigo-compatible Lenticular and Azuna® 3D Bubble sheets. Both plastic substrates are durable and extremely diverse, and are both applicable to a multitude of similar end-uses. However, there are advantages as well as limitations to consider when utilizing either substrate.

Lenticular

With lenticular sheets, you can produce a 3D effect, do 3D imaging, demonstrate movement with multiple frame animation, “flip” from one image to another, or “morph” two dissimilar images together, or any mix of the aforementioned processes. MGX Lenticular allows an image to be reverse-printed on the smooth side of the plastic on an HP Indigo S2000 press. The ink can then be laminated for additional image protection.

Masterpiece Graphix offers two types of in-stock Lenticular material: 75 LPI and 100 LPI Lenticular as 12”x 18” sheets. LPI, or lenticule per inch, determines the resolution capacity of the substrate. A higher LPI equals a higher resolution image. MGX 100 LPI Lenticular is a higher-quality substrate that is unavailable through other suppliers.

For any MGX Lenticular image effect to work, multiple images must be properly aligned, or interlaced, and the material must have a square, even cut prior to printing. Interlacing is when the multiple images that create the desired effect are “cut up” and strategically reassembled via specialized software to complete the visual illusion of depth or movement. A misaligned cut can slice into part of the morphed image which can ruin the desired finished effect. A perfectly parallel straight cut is guaranteed on all MGX Lenticular sheet products to ensure the quality of the finished image.

There are a few limitations in utilizing Lenticular in an application. MGX Lenticular sheets are only recommended for use on the HP Indigo S2000. Furthermore, specialized software such as HumanEyes or PhotoIllusion, is required in order to morph the images together and to create the finished piece.

Azuna® 3D Bubble Sheets

Azuna® 3D bubble synthetic sheets is an innovative material that when printed creates a 3-D effect that is similar yet different to the 3D look of lenticular, which can be utilized without costly software or art setup charges. In addition, Azuna® 3D bubble sheets are compatible with any HP Indigo sheet press with a thick substrate upgrade.

Masterpiece Graphix currently stocks Azuna® 3D Large Bubble 12”x 18” HP Indigo-compatible sheets.  The substrate is also available as a small bubble pattern by request. The look of the substrate reminds one of raindrops on a windowpane; the final effect creates the illiusion of 1-2” of depth, with images appearing at the front or back plane of this depth.

With Azuna® 3D, text and images appear to float which creates a three-dimensional look similar to that of 3D lenticular. The substrate is optimized to be printable on either side, allowing printers to choose the desired finished look depending on which side of the material is printed on. If the Azuna® sheet is surface-printed, the floating text and image look is achieved with the printed image appearing to be in front of the bubbled material. If the image is reverse-printed, the “bubble” look of the material appears to be in front of the printed image.

Although images still “pop” off of the substrate with a 3D effect, Azuna® 3D bubble sheets don’t have quite the versatility of lenticular. The substrate cannot demonstrate movement or morph between two dissimilar images like lenticular can. However, any HP Indigo sheet press user can utilize Azuna® without specialized 3D software like HumanEyes. The substrate prints on any HP Indigo sheet press with a thick substrate upgrade, and is not limited for use only on the HP Indigo S2000 model.

Other custom 3D substrates are also available through Masterpiece Graphix. For substrate samples or more information on 3D substrates and how to apply them to a particular end-use, please contact your MGX sales rep.

Masterpiece Graphix has added an incredibly unique and stand-out material to their HP Indigo-compatible sheet line: Azuna 3D bubble synthetic sheets. This innovative material when printed creates a 3-D effect that is similar to the look of lenticular, without the costly software or additional art charges. Azuna 3D bubble sheets are a stocked box product and are available in two styles: large bubble and small bubble.

Masterpiece Graphix currently carries two lenticular sheet products, but the sheets are limited for use on HP Indigo S2000 presses, and also require specialized, expensive software to create finished effect. With Azuna 3D, text and images appear to float, creating a three-dimensional look similar to that of lenticular, without having the expense of design time or software costs. In addition, the bubble sheets are compatible with any HP Indigo sheet press.

Azuna 3D is optimized to be printable on either side, so printers can choose the desired finished look depending on which side of the material is printed on. If Azuna 3D is surface-printed, the floating text and image look is achieved, with the printed image appearing to be in front of the bubbled material. If the image is reverse-printed, the “bubble” look of the material appears to be in front of the printed image.

The possibilities for use of Azuna 3D is limitless: creative POP displays, direct mail and promotional pieces just to name a few. The material can be folded or die-cut, and is recyclable. For more information on this exciting new product offering, please contact the MGX sales team.

Few digital substrates have the versatility and eye-popping properties of lenticular.  Lenticular sheets can be used to produce a 3-D effect, demonstrate movement, “flip” from one image to another, or “morph” two dissimilar images together. The material’s unique and durable characteristics make it multipurpose, appearing in anything from product packaging to footwear embellishments. Masterpiece Graphix lenticular is unique in that it allows an image to be directly printed on the smooth side of the plastic on an HP Indigo press, eliminating the costly additional lamination process.

Masterpiece Graphix offers two types of lenticular material to our sheet customers: 75 LPI and 100 LPI lenticlar sheets. LPI, or lenticule per inch, determines the resolution capacity of the substrate. A higher LPI equals a higher resolution image. Masterpiece Graphix offers the hard-to-find 100 LPI lenticular, a superior material not available through other sheet suppliers.

A lenticular substrate’s quality is crucial in producing a fantastic finished image. For any lenticular image effect to work, the two images must be properly aligned, and the material must have a square, even cut. A misaligned cut can slice into part of the morphed image, ruining the effect a lenticular product produces. Masterpiece Graphix guarantees a perfectly parallel straight cut on all lenticular sheet products.

For more information on our lenticular sheet products, visit our store site or contact your MGX sales rep.