Masterpiece Graphix

Fenton, MO September 19, 2011 – Masterpiece Graphix (MGX), a digital material manufacturer and treatment center, has been named as a Certified Color-Logic Partner for digital metalized substrates. Now Masterpiece Graphix can provide compatible solutions for fantastic digital press metallic and special effects with Color-Logic’s Process Metallic Color System™.

Announcing the partnership, Color-Logic director of sales and marketing Mark Geeves commented: “Masterpiece Graphix and Color-Logic have worked together to ensure that Masterpiece Graphix Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361) provides the best possible image quality results on the Xeikon 30000 Series of digital label presses.  As a result, Masterpiece Graphix becomes the first Color-Logic technology partner to qualify substrate for use on Xeikon equipment.  Our collaboration ensures that Masterpiece Graphix is familiar with the Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System™, and stands ready to assist Xeikon users who wish to print on metalized paper to achieve the dramatic Color-Logic effects.”

MGX also offers Xeikon-authorized enhanced metalized material solutions for BOPP and polyester synthetic substrates. In addition, Masterpiece Graphix manufactures a multitude of metalized roll and sheet substrates that are compatible with other digital label presses.

For additional information, please contact:

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.

About Color-Logic:

Color-Logic^™ develops color communication systems and software tool sets for a variety of special effect printing applications.  Color-Logic provides brand owners, product managers, corporations, and their advertising agencies the ability to differentiate themselves and their clients with a simple print production process that yields dramatic results.  Color-Logic special effects utilize the existing workflows of printers and designers, yielding dynamic results without the use of special equipment.  Color-Logic supports the value of print and works with designers and printers to enhance their printed media.  For more information, visit www.color-logic.com or call 513-258-0047.

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 announce a distribution partnership with Lowry Labels & Tape, making MGX’s vast selection of digital sheet and roll materials available in Canada! MGX’s entire product catalog is now available on a custom stock basis for the first time in Canada, thanks to Lowry’s distribution channels. Now HP Indigo, Xerox iGen, Kodak Nexpress, EFI Jetrion, Xeikon, and other Canadian digital press users will have access to more MGX products, as well as regional custom stocking options not previously available.

Lowry offers stocking locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montréal, giving Canadian MGX/Lowry customers a range of warehouse locations that best fit their digital business. Existing MGX customers in Canada now have access to Lowry’s warehouse network. MGX customers can opt to store their desired materials offsite, ready to ship to their pressroom quickly as needed. Canadian customers can expect shorter lead times for commonly ordered materials when they utilize this option.

MGX is in the process of scheduling regular monthly shipments of material from our St. Louis, Missouri facility to Lowry’s warehouse space in Canada to save our customers money and hassles on international shipments. Get in on the savings by scheduling regular orders of your desired material, or package a small order for testing on your press 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 Zoran Culin at Lowry to request pricing and lead time on your requested stock, and set up regular orders to ensure that your desired digital materials are always ready to ship quickly to your facility, when you need them.

Here is the contact information for more information on these new Canadian distribution options from Masterpiece Graphix and Lowry Labels & Tape:

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

Metalized substrates add pizzazz to your digital press offering with sparkle and interest. However it can be tricky to for a graphic designer to create a file that will achieve the desired metalized colors and effect when it goes to press. Color-Logic, a developer of color communication and software tools for special effect printing, The Process Metallic Color System™ by Color-Logic provides a communication system linking graphic designers with printers and converters. Previously only available for offset lithography applications, the Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System Version 2™ now supports digital press, inkjet and flexo printing processes. The Process Metallic Color System Version 2 ™ enables licensed printers to produce remarkable metallic effects on HP Indigo and Xeikon digital presses. The system is designed so that nearly any digital press that can print opaque white ink on a metallic substrate can produce striking images, hundreds of metallic colors and dazzling special effects.

Now industrial HP Indigo and Xeikon users with five-color printing capabilities (white plus CMYK) can utilize the Color-Logic process to produce as many as 250 different metallic hues on metalized substrates. The Color-Logic software works by incorporating the metallic substrate into the design, creating an effect equivalent to that achieved when running offset lithographic images with metallic ink. The Process Metallic Color System™ standardizes the process to benefit both printers and designers, to ensure files are correctly printed without the trial and error that can hinder metallic printing projects. The software system produces beautiful special effects for labels, folding cartons, signage, literature, point-of-purchase, and other specialty applications.

The Process Metallic Color System™ by Color-Logic has gained popularity initially for its ability to produce striking metallic images and special effects using offset lithography and flexography. In addition to Xeikon and HP Indigo technology, Color-Logic has recently released the new version of their metallic printing system to be compatible with wide-format inkjet.

The Process Metallic Color System™ software works by providing graphic designers with the ability to add a fifth silver separation to their usual CMYK images, creating designs that were previously impossible to achieve. Many Color-Logic special effects are simple and easy to create, and the system does not require you to purchase additional hardware or software to implement the technology. Files are generated by the same design software press users currently use, so Color Logic’s Process Metallic Color System™ platform is already compatible with your existing workflow. Printers that want to utilize the system are licensed and authorized by Color-Logic after demonstrating their metalized printing capabilities with the Process Metallic Color System™. This certification is a strong selling point when bidding on metallic printing jobs.

Color-Logic sells directly to printing companies who can then license the process from Color-Logic on a one-time basis, for perpetual use. Color-Logic partners with major press and output device suppliers, including manufacturers providing coating and proofing equipment, as well as ink and substrate suppliers, to ensure compatibility with existing printer workflows and practices. Products are thoroughly tested before release to ensure that the metallic printing system produces exceptional results on different digital press models.

Color-Logic, in conjunction with Xeikon, showcased their Process Metallic Color System™ at Graph Expo in October 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Color Logic’s booth distributed printed samples of MGX’s Xeikon-Authorized Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361), which were printed using Color Logic’s metalized printing software on a Xeikon digital press.  Color-Logic’s Process Metallic Color System™ received a coveted MustSee’em Award in the Software category at Graph Expo.

Take a few minutes to see how the Color-Logic Design Suite produces dynamic  effects with the most common design programs available in the marketplace today by following this link.

Masterpiece Graphix can provide digital metalized substrates for HP Indigo and Xeikon that work well with Color-Logic’s Process Metallic Color System™. For more information on our metalized substrates, please contact your MGX sales rep directly or email our sales team.

Metalized prime labels combined with high-impact digital graphics are an eye-catching way to dazzle your customers. MGX offers a full line of digital-ready metalized substrates including iridescent, foil, metalized paper and holographic materials. Many MGX metalized options are competitively priced and can be on your pressroom floor ready to print in a matter of days. No matter your desired product appearance, specific material requirements or budget, Masterpiece Graphix can provide a metalized substrate to suit your digital application.

Silver Metalized Paper/All-Temp Perm/40# SCK(R1172): This premium finished metalized paper material features a bright silver high-sheen face with an acrylic topcoat and excellent HP Indigo printability. The permanent adhesive bonds to many common substrates, is FDA 175.105-compliant and performs well in all temperatures. The material’s versatility makes it an ideal choice for many prime label applications. Masterpiece Graphix is proud to offer R1172 as a readily-available, compatible material solution for the HP Indigo.

Xeikon-Authorized Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361): Masterpiece Graphix is has partnered with Xeikon to offer metalized substrate solutions for the Xeikon digital press series. Xeikon-authorized MGX Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361) is enhanced with a digital topcoat and is authorized for use on all the Xeikon label presses for the best possible image quality and toner adhesion.  MGX also offers Xeikon-authorized enhanced metalized material solutions for other metalized synthetic substrates such as BOPP and polyester.

2 mil Metalized BOPP /Perm/1.2mil PET (R1375): This MGX HP Indigo-compatible material features a bright silver, mirror-like glossy face and a superior wet-out adhesive well-suited for squeezable container applications. Masterpiece Graphix’s R1375 offers resistance to water, oil and chemicals, making the substrate an excellent choice for high-gloss cosmetic and toiletry labeling.

Dull Silver Foil/Perm/40# (R1497): MGX currently offers HP Indigo-compatible Masterpiece Dull Silver Foil/Perm/40# (R1497) as a readily available metalized option. In addition, Masterpiece Graphix offers several other HP Indigo-optimized foil materials. Other available materials include a silver or gold face with a dull (matte) or bright (mirror-like) finishes. Laminated foil offers exceptional durability and excellent color reproduction. Some press operators opt to flood-coat silver foil stocks to produce custom tinted metallic and color matched foils. The permanent adhesive used on MGX laminated foil stock is suitable for virtually all prime label applications.

Holographic Iridescent Metalized Paper/ Perm/40# SCK (R1187): This substrate is one of our most commonly ordered HP Indigo-compatible metalized materials. Featuring a two-dimensional holographic diffraction pattern and an FDA 175.105-compliant adhesive, MGX’s Holographic Iridescent Metalized Paper/Perm/40# SCK is eye-catching and is more economically-priced than many metalized substrates. HP Indigo-optimized MGX R1187 is a competitively priced roll product with that can be quickly treated and shipped to your pressroom.

Custom Material Options: The highlighted products above are just a few of the metalized substrates Masterpiece Graphix can provide for use on your digital press. Do you have a specific material in mind that’s not mentioned here? No problem. MGX can help you select, trial, and digitally optimize the specific material you want with our custom substrate options. Masterpiece Graphix offers short lead times and competitive pricing from the industry’s top suppliers. If you plan on regularly ordering the same metalized facestocks to run on your digital press, custom stocking options are available. For additional information on all of MGX’s metalized material options, please contact your MGX sales rep directly or email our sales team.

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.

Digital technology was at the forefront at Graph Expo 2010 October 3-6 in Chicago,

Illinois. Many digital press manufacturers like HP Indigo, Kodak, Xerox, Kip, Ricoh, Fugifilm, Oce, and EFI Jetrion showcased their newest technology. Masterpiece Graphix staff were on hand at the show, connecting with clients and learning about the newest innovations in digital press technology.

Color Logic & Xeikon

Color Logic, in conjunction with Xeikon, showcased their Process Metallic Color System™ in conjunction with the Xeikon 3000 digital press. Color Logic’s booth distributed printed samples of MGX’s Xeikon-Authorized Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361), which were printed using Color Logic’s metalized printing software.

EFI Jetrion

EFI’s booth showcased the EFI Jetrion 4380 UV inkjet digital press. MGX is a supplier partner for the EFI Jetrion, providing semigloss and gloss paper solutions for the digital press. MGX provided EFI with Jetrion-certified 54# Semigloss/Perm/40# (R1338), which ran on the EFI Jetrion 4380 demo machine throughout the duration of Graph Expo.

Digital on Center Stage…Where was Offset?

One notable point at the show was the lack of traditional offset machines; missing from this year’s Graph Expo were offset giants Heidelburg and Komori, who both pulled their booth reservations for the show. Offset press manufacturers KBA, Manroland and AGFA did exhibit, but did not showcase any traditional offset equipment.

2010’s Graph Expo was definitely a digital press show: the plethora of digital technology was very apparent to show attendees, especially inkjet technology. HP showcased their new HP T350 inkjet press, as well as the rest of their digital technology as the flagship display at this year’s Graph Expo. Ricoh had their InfoPrint 5000 family of presses. Screen and Fujifilm also exhibited their newest inkjet technology. Dry toner digital technology was also big at this Graph Expo. Kip displayed their Color 80 wide-format toner press, and both Kodak Nexpress and Xerox iGen showcased new machines with a larger maximum sheet size than previous models.

On September 14-16, the label and packaging industry gathered in Chicago, IL to share, learn and demonstrate the latest in offset and digital press technology at Label Expo 2010.  Masterpiece Graphix was on hand throughout the conference, meeting with clients, watching demonstrations and learning about the latest digital technology in the label industry. You could find MGX products and services in action at several events and booths throughout this year’s Label Expo.

HP Indigo Label & Packaging Awards:

As an HP Indigo Media Partner and the only HP Certified Treatment Center for HP Indigo in North America, Masterpiece Graphix offers HP-Indigo certified materials and custom material solutions. Masterpiece Graphix provided several rolls of HP Indigo-certified stock that ran on the WS6000 demo machine throughout Label Expo. One featured MGX material was Masterpiece Premium 18 pt. C1S Board Stock (R1275). This HP Indigo-certified substrate was requested by HP to run on the WS6000 during the show. The printed rolls were then finished by AB Graphic, who die cut the material into small boxes.

One highlight of the HP Indigo display was the long wall of labels and packaging samples that were nominated for the 2010 HP Indigo Label & Packaging Awards. This wall along the back of the HP Indigo booth showcased the beautifully-produced labels competing for awards in several categories of the 2010 HP Indigo Global Awards Competition. On Wednesday, September 15, HP hosted an awards banquet, and announced eleven companies as winners. Several MGX clients were nominated for awards. One Masterpiece Graphix customer, Dion Label Printing, located in Westfield, MA, won two HP Indigo Global Awards in the food and neutraceutical categories. Dion Label Printing’s Hay River Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil label, awarded best-in-category for food, was printed on MGX pressure-sensitive 2 mil silver metalized BOPP.

Metalized Substrate Solutions For Xeikon:

Recently, Masterpiece Graphix partnered with Xeikon to offer metalized substrate solutions for the Xeikon press series. As a supplier partner with Xeikon, MGX materials were on the Xeikon 3500 demo machine all day Thursday, along with September 16 at Label Expo. Xeikon and MGX showcased MGX’s Xeikon-authorized MGX Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361), as well as other Xeikon-ready metalized materials from Masterpiece Graphix. Xeikon displayed MGX signage and material samples all day on Thursday, September 16 in front of the new Xeikon 3500 roll press at their Label Expo booth.

EFI Jetrion & The Label Expo Technology Workshop:

MGX is an EFI Jetrion partner, supplying high-performance semigloss and gloss papers engineered for the EFI Jetrion UV inkjet digital press. EFI Jetrion printed a label job on MGX-treated high gloss pressure-sensitive label stock as part of the Label Expo Technology Workshop Food Label print demonstration. The Label Expo Technology Workshop showcased four different printing technologies from HP Indigo, EFI Jetrion, Xeikon and Nilpeter, all running the same job at once. This unique press demonstration allowed attendees to compare print quality and performance across the board. The EFI Jetrion food label job was produced on 60# pressure sensitive semigloss that was optimized specifically for the Jetrion print demonstration by Masterpiece Graphix.

On September 14-16, the label and packaging industry will gather in Chicago for Label Expo 2010, to learn about the many innovations in the marketplace including advances in digital press technology. Masterpiece Graphix will be on hand to showcase their high-performance digital material on three different digital demo machines. MGX staff will also be available to meet with you personally at your convenience.

HP Indigo:
As the only HP Certified Treatment Center for HP Indigo in North America, Masterpiece Graphix offers HP-Indigo certified materials as well as custom material solutions for HP Indigo presses. Masterpiece Graphix HP Indigo-certified stocks will run on the HP Indigo WS6000 demo machines during the exhibition. In addition, MGX promotional brochures will be available by request at the HP Indigo booth #3223.

Xeikon:
Masterpiece Graphix has recently partnered with Xeikon to offer metalized substrate solutions for the Xeikon press series. As a supplier partner with Xeikon, MGX materials will be on press on the Xeikon 3500 demo machine all day Thursday, September 16 at Label Expo. Xeikon and MGX will be showcasing MGX’s Xeikon-authorized MGX Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361), as well as other Xeikon-ready metalized materials from Masterpiece Graphix. Additional MGX information and Xeikon-printed material samples will be available at the Xeikon booth #6135.

EFI Jetrion:
MGX is an EFI Jetrion supplier partner, supplying high-performance semigloss and gloss papers engineered for the EFI Jetrion UV inkjet digital press. EFI Jetrion will be printing samples on MGX-supplied high gloss pressure-sensitive label stock as part of the Label Expo Technology Workshop. EFI Jetrion will be demonstrating the print quality and ease of roll changes with MGX-supplied material throughout the three days of Label Expo. Additional information on MGX’s Jetrion materials will be available at the EFI Jetrion booth #6423.

Meet Up With MGX:
You can contact your MGX sales rep directly to schedule a personal conversation at the conference. You can also connect with MGX on Twitter. Masterpiece Graphix will be “tweeting” throughout the entire conference, uploading news and pictures remotely from Label Expo in Chicago. Direct Message MGX on Twitter during the conference to set up a personal meeting at Label Expo, and stay tuned to MGX’s Twitter feed to get up-to-the-minute updates straight from the convention. You will also find knowledgeable MGX staff at the three stands mentioned above throughout the duration of Label Expo. For more information or to set up a meeting, email MGX at sales@mgxdigital.com.

Fenton, MO August 24, 2010 – Masterpiece Graphix (MGX) of St. Louis, Missouri, has partnered with Xeikon, a pioneer in digital color printing, to offer metalized substrate enhancement services for the Xeikon label presses. Xeikon-authorized MGX Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361) will be one of the substrates running on the Xeikon 3500 digital press at the Labelexpo 2010 show in Chicago, IL. Xeikon is exhibiting at Booth 6135, Hall F at Labelexpo.

MGX’s R1361 has been enhanced with a digital topcoat and is authorized for use on all the Xeikon label presses for the best possible image quality and toner adhesion.  MGX also offers Xeikon-authorized enhanced metalized material solutions for synthetic substrates such as BOPP and polyester.

According to Filip Weymans, Business Development Manager – Labels & Packaging, Xeikon, “We are excited about our partnership with MGX. Our presses work exceptionally well with most standard self-adhesive label substrates without any pre-treatment or coating (Paper and BOPP). In case of MGX’s R1361 Metalized substrate, a digital topcoat is required to optimize the image quality and adhesion. All the MGX substrates that we have tested work really well with our presses. We will demonstrate this at Labelexpo.”

“We are all about creating materials that enhance digital printing performance,” said Doug Watson, President of Masterpiece Graphix. “We have a high regard for Xeikon and it is a privilege to develop materials for them.”

The Xeikon 3500, launched at IPEX 2010, addresses the need for more production capacity. It can handle scalable media widths up to 20.3 inches, a significant size increase that allows label converters to digitally address a wider range of applications with 1200 dpi imaging quality. In addition, it can handle monthly duty cycles up to 3.8 million square feet.

The Xeikon 3500 is ideal for the production of self-adhesive and heat transfer labels. Equipped with high-precision LED-based imaging heads, it generates excellent image quality. The press is equipped with 5 color stations, 4 for the standard process colors while the 5th allows the use of spot colors. Print speed of the press is unaffected by the number of colors used as well as the repeat length of a label. The Xeikon 3500 can also apply a special security toner for anti-counterfeiting applications, and ‘one-pass’ opaque white to create a desired ‘no-label/label-less look’ on transparent labels. It runs on Xeikon’s new QA-I toner, which meets all the applicable FDA standards for indirect and direct contact with dry food items.

About Masterpiece Graphix

Masterpiece Graphix (MGX) is a digital coating company, supplying digital-ready roll and sheet materials for liquid toner, dry toner and inkjet press applications. Masterpiece Graphix is the only HP Indigo Certified treatment center for HP Indigo optimized materials in North America. Serving customers with short lead times, certified as well as custom digital material solutions, competitive pricing, and substrate guidance, MGX’s team of coating experts has proven themselves to be the unrivaled competitor in quality and service within the digital materials industry.

About Xeikon

A pioneer in digital printing, Xeikon designs, develops and delivers high-end digital color printing systems for the industrial, document and commercial printing market segments. These systems are composed of advanced web-fed printing engines using LED-array-based, dry toner electrophotography, open workflow software, exclusive toner and other consumables. Xeikon’s production and R&D operations are based in Belgium and its solutions are distributed and supported through a worldwide sales and service network. Xeikon is a division of Punch Graphix. For more information, visit www.xeikon.com.

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