Masterpiece Graphix

Would you like to be able to print 24, 30, and 36 mil cards on your HP Indigo roll press? Every Indigo professional knows that the press’s current capabilities limit printing to only 18 mil and thinner stocks.

MGX now offers a revolutionary digital product that allows you to produce double thick cardstock projects: Masterpiece Premium MAX Impact Stock. This innovative MAX Impact solution creates a finished piece that is twice the thickness of a typical “thick” postcard, and is compatible with HP Indigo and other digital press technology. This product is available in rolls or as sheets, and has recently been RIT-Certified for the HP Indigo 5500 & 7000 digital sheet presses. MGX now offers custom roll products in this innovative and versatile stock.

Imagine going to your best customer with hang tags, loyalty cards, postcards, retail tags, greeting cards, gift cards, business cards, and other commercial press projects that are more impactful and higher quality due to the thickness of the stock.

You’re probably wondering how you can produce all of these thicknesses on a digital press, when the maximum thickness you can run may be only 18 mil or less…read on to find out how we can do it.

MGX’s MAX Impact Stock is actually 12, 15, or 18 mils thick, with a specialized no tack adhesive on the back of the sheet and a score down the center. Both sides of your design are printed on the front of the sheet. When the printed piece is folded at the score with a typical bindery folder, the front and back lock together when cut on a guillotine cutter to create an impressive 24, 30, or 36 mil card. After printing, the sheets can be UV coated to add gloss and protection, or add a thin protective lamination layer to make the card thicker and more durable. MGX MAX Impact stocks are available as a custom roll product, and is made to order per your company’s specifications.

Masterpiece Premium MAX Impact Stock is compatible with a wide variety of liquid toner, dry toner, and inkjet digital presses, such as the HP Indigo, Xerox iGen, and Kodak Nexpress. Other digital press models may also be compatible, but we recommend testing the stock first to evaluate compatibility with your particular press model.

Masterpiece Graphix MAX Impact 24 mil Cardstock sheets are currently RIT-Certified for the HP Indigo 5500 and 7000 digital sheet presses, and MGX is working on certifying MAX Impact roll stocks as well.

For pricing and additional information on Masterpiece Premium Double Thick Card Stock options for your digital roll or sheet press, please contact your MGX sales rep or email the sales team.

Fenton, MO January 9, 2012 –

HEADLINE:

Masterpiece Graphix 24 mil MAX Impact Card Stock has been certified by RIT for printing on the HP Indigo 5500 and 7000 digital sheet presses. MGX MAX Impact products are innovative premium card stocks available in 24, 30 and 36 mil thicknesses that are compatible with the HP Indigo, Kodak Nexpress, Xerox iGen, and other digital presses.

FULL STORY:                         

The Printing Applications Laboratory at the Rochester Institute of Technology has certified Masterpiece Graphix 24 mil MAX Impact Stocks for printing on the HP Indigo 5500 and 7000 digital sheet presses. The new revolutionary stock, which enables the production of 24 point postcards on a standard digital press, was given RIT’s highest rating of three stars in every category tested including runnability, fixing and blanket compatibility.

Masterpiece Graphix MAX Impact stocks are actually 12 mils thick, with a specialized no tack adhesive on the back of the sheet and a score down the center. Both sides of the design are printed on the front of the sheet. When folded at the score with a typical bindery folder and cut on a guillotine cutter, the front and back lock together to create an impressive 24 mil card. After printing, the sheets can be UV coated to add gloss and protection, or a thin protective lamination layer can be added to make the card thicker and more durable. Using this technology, digital printers are able to create new applications outside of the typical thickness range for their digital machines, and expand their product offerings to their customers.

Masterpiece Graphix MAX Impact Stocks, a lineup of innovative pre-converted digital-ready specialty substrates, can be utilized to produce high-quality 24, 30, or 36 mil cardstock projects on the HP Indigo, Kodak Nexpress, Xerox iGen, as well as other digital press models. Digital printers can now create thick, impactful commercial print products like postcards, hang tags, business cards, and other digital press projects. Masterpiece MAX Impact Stocks are available in a variety of pre-converted layouts, for easy production of folding cards, postcards, membership cards, various envelope configurations, sweepstakes packets, and other digital press projects. Templates are available for each layout, and custom options are also available.

About Masterpiece Graphix:

Masterpiece Graphix (MGX) is the premier digital substrate manufacturer, providing solutions for liquid toner, dry toner, and inkjet digital press technologies. As the first and only HP-Certified Indigo Treatment Center established in North America, Masterpiece Graphix has successfully treated hundreds of digital sheet and roll materials for the HP Indigo press. Masterpiece Graphix offers turnkey, ready-to-run digital material solutions for HP Indigo, Xeikon, EFI Jetrion, Kodak Nexpress, Memjet RapidX, and Xerox iGen digital presses, as well as solutions for other digital press technologies. As a digital material manufacturer and treatment center, MGX is a one-stop-shop for all traditional commodity stocks and exotic materials, opening up new revenue opportunities for digital press users.

Masterpiece Graphix has several 12″ x 18″ sheet material options with special pricing for your HP Indigo, Kodak, Nexpress, Xerox iGen, or other digital press. Get in on the savings and contact your MGX Digital Material Expert, while our supplies last!

• MGX-1075: Masterpiece Premium 10 pt. Card Stock C1S: This product is RIT-certified, and MGX has 10,000 specially-priced sheets. This product can be treated on one or both sides, depending on your preference.

• MGX-1434: 13 mil PVC: This product can be treated on one or both sides; please specify your preference when ordering. MGX currently has 72,000 sheets in stock, with special pricing.

• MGX-1077: Masterpiece Premium 15 pt. Card Stock C1S: MGX has 5,300 sheets at a special price. This product can be treated on one or both sides specifically for your digital press model.

• MGX-1160: 10 pt. Green Card Stock: We have 1,250 sheets that can be treated on one or both sides for your digital press.

• MGX-1110: 15 mil Opaque Styrene: Masterpiece Graphix is offering 750 sheets of this material, to be treated on one or both sides depending on your preference.

• White & Clear Glassmate: Ideal for space branding, Masterpiece Premium Glassmate is a unique substate engineered specifically for glass applcations.MGX has 500 sheets each of white and clear Glassmate that are HP Indigo-compatible, at special pricing.

For more information on any of these items, including pricing, please contact your MGX Digital Material Expert, or email the MGX sales team.

Are you finding yourself printing on your expensive, mainstay stocks in order to calibrate your HP Indigo roll press? Would you like to utilize the same trusted standard that HP Indigo has used to keep their onsite show demo machines running flawless and trouble-free? Look no further than Masterpiece Premium 100# Gloss Calibration Paper (R1341). This 100# gloss text weight paper not only offers stability and consistency for calibrating your HP Indigo, it also is a versatile stock paper useful for a variety of press projects.

Masterpiece Premium 100# Gloss Calibration paper is a foolproof setup stock, essential for troubleshooting color and registration calibration on the HP Indigo. Glossy 100# calibration paper is recommended by HP to perform correct calibration using the Indigo’s densitometer. An industry benchmark, Masterpiece Premium 100# Gloss Calibration Paper is HP Certified for use on the WS6000, and is an excellent choice for flawless HP Indigo roll press setup and calibration.

HP Indigo has used R1341 to calibrate their demo presses at industry trade shows like Dscoop and Label Expo. Masterpiece Graphix customers trust this versatile setup paper to effectively calibrate their Indigo for easy and worry-free setup. Using setup paper is a more consistent and less expensive alternative to utilizing your costly BOPPs and pressure-sensitive stocks for fixing press issues. With Masterpiece Premium Setup Paper, you can save your expensive stocks for printing jobs, and utilize a less expensive and simple-to-run stock to calibrate your digital press.

In addition, Masterpiece Premium 100# Gloss Calibration Paper is an excellent choice for everyday print projects. It’s an easy-to-run stock, and since it’s a calibration paper, you can rest assured that your job will print with flawless results. Use it to produce books, unsupported labels, and other projects for trouble-free printing.

Masterpiece Premium 100# Gloss Calibration Paper (R1341) is stocked in our St. Louis facility in 12” wide rolls, and is also available in custom widths and lengths to fit your press needs and budget.  For more information on our HP-Certified setup paper, download a spec sheet, talk to your MGX digital expert, or email the sales team.

More and more digital printers come to MGX for security solutions that will print on their digital press. To respond to this growing demand, MGX currently stocks RIT-certified DeterX® Gray “Copy” Security Paper (R1419 as rolls, MGX-1303 as sheets),  a commodity security solution for the HP Indigo. This unique paper is HP Indigo-certified for the WS6000, WS4050, 5000, 5500, and WS45000. This material exhibits a gray/blue pattern that reads “COPY” when duplicated and is perfect for many security applications like checks, coupons, gift certificates, rebates, event tickets and other secure document application. This material can be shipped the same day once ordered, since it is stocked as sheets or in rolls in the MGX warehouse.

In today’s growing marketplace, many digital press users demand a unique, custom security option tailored to their application. Thanks to Masterpiece Graphix’s partnership with Document Security Systems (DSS), MGX can offer a multitude of digital security paper options. With all of the available constructions, you are surely able to find a security paper solution that best fits with your product.

While MGX stocks our 60# Gray “Void” DeterX paper, many other custom constructions are available to fit your needs.  The DeterX technology (a hidden message revealed when the printed piece is scanned or copied) can be applied to a variety of substrates, including papers, board stocks, and plastics.  These hidden message pantographs can come in an assortment of colors, such as blue, red, yellow, and green, and the wording on the pantograph can be designed with a variety of standard messages, such as “void” or  “copy”.  We can even work with you to create a custom message or embed an end user’s logo!

Besides MGX’s stocked gray “copy” DeterX®, MGX in conjunction with DSS offers several other options for the DeterX® stock. DeterX® is a warning paper that contains hidden messages that are revealed once copied or scanned, making the difference between the original image and its copy unmistakable. MGX stocks the paper in a gray “copy: pattern, but the same stock is also available as a custom product in blue, red, yellow, and green. In addition, other messages can be embedded into the copy such as “void” or “unauthorized copy”.

Digital press users who desire a more covert security paper may prefer the DeterX® basket weave option. This paper disguises the hidden message with a complex basketweave pattern that is also pleasing to the eye. The basketweave pattern is available in gray, blue, green, red, and yellow. In addition, this paper stock has the option of adding a custom message to your stock, creating a proprietary digital security stock tailored to your specific application.

Blackout technology can give your secure document an extra layer of protection from unauthorized use. ObsureX is another MGX digital-ready stock available from DSS as a custom product. This gray stock is available with your choice of three hidden messages. What makes this digital security stock unique is its block-out pattern: copies on many high-end color copiers will show up severely distorted or even blacked out and unreadable. This function is very useful for obscuring highly sensitive information in addition to preventing unauthorized reproduction.

All of the MGX/DSS security products listed above can be formulated as sheets or rolls for the HP Indigo. Sheet products can also be made compatible with dry toner technology like the Kodak Nexpress or the Xerox iGen. Other constructions  can be engineered to your specific press technology.

Besides security paper, Masterpiece Graphix has many other substrate options available for security printing applications. Holographic materials, exotic substrates, tamper-evident polyester and self-destructive labeling materials are all available through MGX, ready to run on your digital press. For more information and substrate consultation for all of our security options, please call your MGX sales rep or email the sales team.

Masterpiece Graphix, the only HP-Certified Treatment Center in North America, is participating in the Midwest’s first and only package printing forum, Follow Possible. This event is being sponsored by HP Indigo and Innovative Labeling Solutions (ILS) to showcase how HP Indigo digital printing technology works to the packaging community, and how packaging professionals can leverage it to maximize relevance and connection with their customers. Follow Possible will be held at Innovative Labeling Solutions in Hamilton, Ohio, so attendees can see ILS’s full-scale HP Indigo operation at work.

This unique event will guide attendees through the entire process of HP Indigo prime label, folding carton, flexible packaging and shrink film production. Digital packaging capabilities will be showcased on ILS’s 3 HP Indigo WS6000’s and finishing equipment from AB Graphic, Delta, and Karlville. Masterpiece Graphix is providing its HP Indigo-certified Premium 18 pt. Board Stock to demonstrate folding carton and hot stamping production on ILS’s AB Graphic Digicon Series I.

Attendees will enjoy a presentation on key packaging trends by Tim George, editor of Shelf Impact, as well as other informative seminar s on packaging and digital printing. The event is free and open to packaging industry professionals. You can learn more information on this event, including the itinerary and attendee information, at the Follow Possible website.

Masterpiece Graphix offers many options for prime labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons and shrink film production on the HP Indigo. For more information on our HP Indigo products, please contact your MGX sales rep directly or email our sales team.

In this new economic climate, consumers are carefully planning purchases and are less likely to make an impulse purchase. Retailers are looking away from traditional advertising means and considering new avenues to engage the customer. In 2009, there was an 11% drop in traditional advertising spending in the typical television, print and billboard ad categories. This shows that brands and retailers are seeking out new and unique ways to draw attention to their products by utilizing in-store promotions, commonly referred to as “space branding”. According to the In-Store Marketing Institute’s (ISMI) Shopper Marketing Trends, in-store branding has a formidable impact on consumers, with 70% attracted to aisle displays, 63% to merchandising displays, and 52% to shelf talkers.

The goal of space branding is to engage the consumer, creating a shopping experience and a personal connection to the brand. Retailers can apply space branding concepts to canvas an entire area of a store by using the aisles, walls, floors, shelves, windows, signage, and even its product packaging to create a uniform appearance. Space branding can create “a store within a store” environment, to engage consumers, guide them to your products within the store and create a dynamic shopping experience. Retailers are already utilizing in-store tactics to promote their brand; a recent Retail Systems Research report indicated that 70% of retailers use in-store technologies to improve the customer experience. Other businesses like event marketing, restaurants, and corporate offices can also utilize space branding to create a compelling message-centric experience on location.

Masterpiece Graphix’s digital lineup of materials allows printers to create custom colorful graphics for any locale: be it a retail store, an event, or an office.  Now your clients can effectively brand their entire location with floor graphics, wall graphics, counter talkers, shelf signage, POP displays, window decals, and even protective skins for electronics. Here are just a few of the available digital materials from MGX that can be used to produce elements of a space-branded locale:

Masterpiece Premium Wall Graphix: This unique substrate is useful for removable graphics on walls as well as shelf strips and counter talkers. This material is available as RIT-certified sheets for the HP Indigo 5000/5500 (MGX-1141) or as HP Indigo-compatible rolls (R1413). Dry toner-compatible sheets for presses like the Xerox iGen & Kodak Nexpress are also offered. Use in conjunction with our digital overlaminate materials to create durable or UV-resistant graphics. MGX uses Premium Wall Graphix and textured overlaminate to create branded, ultra-thin mousepads. Premium Wall Graphix can even be used in conjunction with specialized overlaminate for floor applications to create durable floor graphics; use alone or in a tiled pattern to make the most of prime branding space for your message. MGX offers specialized floor overlaminate with textured, non-slip, and gloss configurations; contact us to inquire which option would be best for your application conditions.

Masterpiece Premium GlassMate®: Window graphics are an excellent way to take advantage of prime unused advertising space both indoors and outdoors. Other overlooked benefits are the potential energy savings by blocking sunlight and the added security feature of blocking out windows. Masterpiece Premium GlassMate® is the ideal substrate for indoor and outdoor window applications. The material is available as white or clear sheets or rolls and is treated for use on HP Indigo, Xerox iGen or Kodak Nexpress. Please specify your press model when inquiring about available materials to ensure you get the right material for your machine. The material features a solid non-gummy adhesion system that works only on glass surfaces. If the material is applied properly to a clean glass window, the printed piece will remain indefinitely until removal. The specialized adhesive system allows the piece to be removed cleanly and easily without leaving residue behind. What also makes this specialized substrate unique is that the material and adhesion system is completely washable, so the printed piece can be cleaned and reused again and again. Premium GlassMate® is also weather-resistant and does not yellow or become brittle from UV exposure.

Static Cling: An economical window application standby, static cling is useful for indoor graphics that are viewable indoors or out. Static cling options include white or clear sheets or rolls, and the material is available as a compatible product for HP Indigo, Xerox iGen, and Kodak Nexpress. As with any digital material, please specify the press model you are using so that we can provide the right product for your machine.

Pressure-Sensitive Vinyls for iPad, smartphone, or other electronic covers: MGX offers several variations of pressure-sensitive 3.25 white vinyl for “skinning” personal electronics such as smartphones, iPads, and even computers. Electronics are important elements in any business location. Retail locations utilize cashier stations, self-checkout lanes, and computer kiosks. Even event marketing requires the use of smartphones, tablets, netbooks, and lead retrieval systems by staff. Branding these high-traffic, high-visibility components with colorful custom graphics is a new way to garner attention to your message and to complete the branded environment. There are many low-tack adhesive options available in sheets or as rolls for many electronic and appliance “skinning” applications. Please contact your MGX sales rep for substrate consulting for your specific application.

PVC, Styrene, Transilwrap 3D, and more POP signage options from MGX: Any traditional in-store branding includes the use of point-of-purchase (POP) signage. Conventional options include PVC vinyl for indoor use and styrene for outdoor use. Another interesting possibility to consider is Transilwrap 3D bubble sheets for indoor POP signage. The material creates a three-dimensional look like lenticular without the expensive software or setup costs. Besides PVC, styrene and Transilwrap 3D, MGX offers many other sheet and roll options for indoor and outdoor signage. With any unsupported sign material, a frame or stand will be needed to finish the sign. You may consider utilizing a clear substrate in conjunction with a backlit sign holder to make your message glow! For more information on the multitude of signage options from Masterpiece Graphix, please contact your MGX sales rep directly or email our 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

Masterpiece Graphix is proud to offer its vast selection of digital sheet and roll materials in Europe! MGX’s entire product catalog is now available on a custom stock basis for the first time in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. Now HP Indigo, Xerox iGen, Kodak Nexpress, EFI Jetrion, Xeikon, and other digital press users have access to MGX products not previously available in the European marketplace.

MGX has a dedicated sales rep who is handling all material orders in Europe. Alan Steenson of Leed Consultancy is our MGX sales rep based in the United Kingdom and will have European warehousing space available soon to MGX customers. Alan can help your business with pricing and material selection for your specific application. Alan Steenson can also help your company determine the best supply chain solution for your digital business.

MGX is in the process of scheduling regular monthly shipments of material from our St. Louis, Missouri facility to warehouse space in Europe to save our customers on international freight charges. Get in on the savings by scheduling regular orders of your desired material, or package a small order for testing along with other orders for reduced freight charges.
Is there a digital sheet or roll material you are interested in, listed on our website or otherwise? Contact Alan to request pricing and lead time on your requested stock, and set up regular orders to ensure that your desired digital material is always ready to ship quickly to your facility, when you need it.

Here is the contact information for MGX digital material sales in UK and Europe:

For more information, please contact Alan directly or email our sales team.

Masterpiece Graphix offers many roll and sheet substrate solutions for folding carton production, including two HP Indigo-certified substrates.  Recent innovations in HP Indigo press technology has made folding carton production a new revenue opportunity for both roll and sheet HP Indigo users.

As digital printing evolves, more short-run applications are becoming possible (and profitable) via digital press technology. According to a recent L&NW article, HP Indigo is focused on digital press applications “beyond labels”, and have made improvements to the roll-fed WS6000 and even the sheetfed HP Indigo 5500 to facilitate additional production options such as folding carton. Now, both presses can print on board stock up to 18 points thick with the necessary upgrades, offering new revenue opportunities for digital printers. Currently HP Indigo is the only press vendor that offers both sheet-and roll-fed presses that are engineered to support folding carton substrate printing up to 18 points thick.

Narrow web roll presses are best equipped for producing larger folding cartons. The HP Indigo WS6000 is especially suited for printing folding cartons, with its nearly 12 ½ inch narrow web width and over three foot repeat. These options giving press operators a much larger printing surface to lay out a product carton job. The press efficiently utilizes each repeat frame, minimizing material waste.

Recent developments in HP Indigo sheet press technology have made the HP Indigo 5500 a viable candidate for small folding carton production. Recently HP showcased the Indigo 5500 with its new thick substrate upgrade at Label Expo 2010 in Chicago. Now the HP Indigo 5500 can print on sheets up to 18 points thick. This new capability, combined with near-line systems for diecutting and folding manufactured by HP Indigo partners (see this HP news release), opens up a whole new market for commercial printers who currently utilize the HP Indigo 5500 for their digital press jobs.

Masterpiece Premium 18 pt C1S Board Stock (R1275) is certified for use on the WS6000, and is perfect for folding carton applications as well as business cards, direct mail pieces and postcards. Masterpiece Premium 18 pt Card Stock is available as a C1S or C2S product and can be optimized for Indigo printing on one or both sides of the substrate. The material offers superior printability and excellent ink adhesion on either side. In addition, Masterpiece Graphix offers many HP Indigo-compatible folding carton substrates at varying weights and thicknesses, tailored to your unique application. You can view a partial list of MGX’s roll-fed digital folding carton substrates here.

MGX offers several in-stock solutions for sheetfed digital folding carton production. Masterpiece Premium 10 pt. Card Stock (MGX-1075) is an HP Indigo-certified substrate for the 5000 & 5500, offering exceptional printability and ink adhesion. MGX also stocks many HP Indigo-compatible substrates that are suitable for folding cartons: 80# C2S Gloss Cover (MGX-1326), 100# C2S Gloss Cover (MGX-1327), and Masterpiece Premium 15 pt. Card Stock (MGX-1077). All of these sheet products are always in stock and are also compatible with dry toner technology like the Xerox iGen and Kodak Nexpress. You can view all MGX stocked sheet products here.

Is there a digital folding carton material that you desire, but it isn’t mentioned here or on our website? No problem! Masterpiece Graphix can source your desired material and engineer it to your digital specifications. For more information on all of our options for folding carton production, please contact your MGX sales rep.