TOP BRANDS IN THE PRINT INDUSTRY

Printing - the act of making reproductions of a single, original image - dates back to before 3000 BC, when round seals were used to roll impressions onto clay tablets. While technology has come a long way since then, the reason for printing has remained relatively the same: it is a way to disseminate visual information to a larger group of people. Over the years, many brands have made a name for themselves as a producer or supplier of various tools and materials required for printing. Below is a list of companies who contribute to the printing profession in some way.

AGFA / PITMAN In addition to offset products, security printing software, and inks, mounting tapes and more for commercial packaging, Agra Graphics and their sub-company Pitman offer printers for solvent, UV-curable, aqueous and latex ink systems, with print capabilities up to 60 inches wide. The company offers their own brand of each ink type, while also serving as a distributor of printable media from a wide variety of well-known brands.

ASTRO MACHINE CORP A manufacturer of stacking machines, feeders, tabbers and other professional finishing products, Astro Machine Corp also produces a line of small scale, high quality inkjet printers with up to 1600 dpi at very high speeds. Commonly used in label, brochure, and envelope printing, Astro devices nevertheless produce finely detailed graphics using aqueous inks.

AVATREX Avatrex produces a transferable adhesive for use with inkjet printers, that can be affixed to a wide range of materials including window glass, vehicles, signs and billboards, ceramic tile, and more. It can be used with HP Indigo presses, as well as inkjet printers using aqueous, solvent, UV-curable, and latex inks. The same substrate can be used, regardless of the material to which the decal will be attached. Both glossy and matte finish adhesive sheets are available.

CANON Perhaps best known for their cameras, Canon also manufactures a line of large format roll-based and flatbed printers, and finishing machines for commercial reproduction. Their flatbed printers offer a print size of up to 100"x120", and use UV-curable inks. Some printers even come with roll and flatbed functions. Their large format roll-based printers use pigment-based ink and can hold rolls up to 60" in length.

CANSON Established in 1557, Canson has manufactured traditional paper products for almost 500 years. In addition to fine art papers for drawing, painting, and mixed media, the company also produces two lines of digital papers, one for use in etching and lithography, the other for inkjet printing. The latter line includes a variety of textured papers that produce different visual results - from thick watercolor art papers to satin finish photographic papers.

CORTECH Cortech is a manufacturer of single- and double-sided regular and wide format laminating machines, and laminate films, pouches, papers and more. In addition, they offer a range of industrial-sized guillotine and rotary paper cutters and trimmers, perforation, and folding machines. They also service the educational sector with smaller binders, laminators, and trimmers.

DREAMSCAPE A brand within Roysons manufacturers, Dreamscape produces a line of printable substrates that offer a range of textures including artist canvas, utilitarian canvas, smooth photographic paper, and a lightly textured surface that imitates brushstrokes. They also manufacture smooth and textured peel-and-stick wall decal substrates and a unique adhesive material that represents metallic sequins or beading.

EFI A producer of inkjet printers, inks, color management tools, and digital software, EFI Digital Print Solutions offers superwide format printers that can print up to a width of 17 feet. Their printers boast smaller ink droplet size, superior shadows and gradients, and high speed production. A line of large format flatbed printers can print on substrates up to 65 inches long, and almost two inches thick. EFI also manufactures a line of ceramic tile printers.

EPSON One of the top producers of digital print technology, Epson manufactures inkjet, Giclée printers, label printers, inket pigment inks, and digital papers in a wide array of thicknesses and textures, for both professional imaging companies and home and business needs. In addition, they have their own lines of dye-sublimation transfer papers, posterboard, and heavyweight signage paper.

ESKO In addition to their own version of prepress software digital design, Esko also manufactures a proofing device that predicts the printer's output so a printed proof is not required, industrial sized, automatic cutting tables, 3D packaging software and digital flexographic plates for flexo printing that negates the need for offset plates.

FELIX SCHOELLER Felix Schoeller Group manufactures a wide range of printable substrates for use by professional imaging companies, and for individual printing needs as well. Among their products are photographic and fine art papers in a variety of finishes and brightnesses, interior wall coverings, release liners for presses and adhesives, decor papers for furniture veneers, and packaging laminates. Their substrates can be used with most inkjet printers, including aqueous, solvent, UV, and latex inks.

FLEXCON The manufacturer of pressure sensitive adhesive films, FLEXcon produces a number of different printable substrates that can be used in banner, floor, interior signage, decal, wall, and window graphics. In addition to design uses, FLEXcon products are used in the transit and pharmaceutical sectors; different products are created with specifications ideal to each use.

FREDRIX Traditionally a producer of a wide range of artist canvas and other surfaces, Fredrix now manufactures a quality line of printer canvas rolls. All their digital substrates have an acid-free buffer coating, and are primed for proper ink receptivity. They boast a greater color gamut than other digital canvas brands, and roll to roll consistency. Different products are available for inkjet, solvent, and UV curable printers, as well as silkscreening and transfer canvases.

FUJIFILM Fujifilm manufactures large format offset printers and plates, as well as inkjet printers and their accompanying UV, solvent, and aqueous inks. They also produce pressure-sensitive vinyls, banner papers and flexible and rigid printable substrates including fabrics, magnetic media, metal, cardboard, plastic, and window and floor decals. For screen printing, Fujifilm offers inks and film-to-screen production devices.

GBC In addition to manual and automatic substrate cutters, GBC manufactures lamination materials and machines for professional production facilities. Their laminates allow printed materials to be used outdoors, on high-traffic floors, and easily applied to and removed from windows and glass. They offer a wide range of finishes, including matte, lustre, and erasable.

GENERAL FORMULATIONS A manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive substrates, General Formulations products are used for business signage, labels and decals, advertising, and large format reproductions. They offer vinyl products compatible with HP Indigo inks, lamination and mounting films for heat and vacuum press procedures, polyester films in a wide range of colors and finishes, and vinyl suitable for oversize wall-mounted graphics.

HAHNEMÜHLE Producers of both traditional fine art and digital papers, Hahnemühle FineArt offers high quality printable artist papers and canvas for photo and fine art reproduction. The winner of various awards for their substrate textures and archival qualities, Hahnemühle products are trusted by museums and galleries for their proven longevity and ability to reproduce the finest details. Matte and glossy finishes with smooth or textured surfaces are available, as well as various canvas options.

HANS SHINOHARA/GHRONI Hans Shinohara manufactures a variety of offset presses, as well as binding machines, laser die cutters, and computer to plate (CTP) design systems. Their printers offer color counts of four to ten, with aqueous or UV coatings and optional infrared drying. Their machines boast low power consumption despite high speed production.

HARMAN An extension of the well-known Ilford brand, which has manufactured camera films and papers since the late 19th century, Harman Professional Inkjet offers a variety of resin-coated inkjet printer papers for the production of high quality photographic prints. Their selection of gloss, luster, and pearl finish papers expanded to other substrates aqueous and solvent ink printers, for use in banner production.

HEWLETT-PACKARD (HP) A popular provider of computers and home printers, Hewlett-Packard also manufactures a line of large format printers for inkjet and fast-drying latex inks. They are the producer of Indigo inks, which have a small pigment size that creates images with very fine detail and can print on a variety of substrates including canvas, paper, and plastics. In addition, HP offers their own inks, toner cartridges, and regular and large format papers for inkjet and laser printers.

KIP KIP manufactures LED production printers that use a CMYK dry toner system which promises waterproof and lightfast reproductions. Prints can be be produced to 2400 DPI, and the machine offers a number of features that save time and ensure good quality, fast print runs. Rolls up to 36" wide can be used in the printer, in a wide range of substrates.

KODAK Formed in the early 20th century, Kodak offers a range of photo papers and inks for small scale printers, as well as a line of high speed black and white and full color inkjet presses for professional production. In addition, they supply their customers with color management and workflow software, and printing plates for newspaper and other publications.

KONICA MINOLTA A manufacturer of industrial inkjet products, Konica Minolta produces inkjet textile printers and inkjet print heads. Their printers produce finely detailed images up to 70 inches wide, with multi-nozzle print heads that remove the extra time and effort required in traditional textile printing with screens. The company also produces aqueous inks for use with their textile printers.

LEXJET LexJet is a giant in the world of professional printing, offering start-to-finish products for the creation of banners, fine art reproduction, museum exhibit materials and photographic prints. In addition to printers, laminators, and inks that work in printers from a wide range of other manufacturers, the company also supplies substrates for a variety of uses, as well as mounting adhesives and backing papers.

MASTERWORK (MK) USA A manufacturer of products for commercial printing companies, Masterwork USA offers post-printing inspection machines for businesses with large output orders, as well as duopress machines that emboss, stamp and strip substrates automatically, for packaging and other advertising requirements. In addition to these products, MK USA manufactures single service foil stamping, die cutting, and fold-and-glue machines as well, for increased speed in finishing.

MIMAKI With a wide range of roll-based, flatbed, and textile printers Mimaki fulfils a number of markets. Their various roll printers can print up to 126 inches wide. Some of their printers can be interchangeably formatted for solvent and dye-sublimation inks, and used for indoor and outdoor graphic advertisements and displays. Mimaki flatbed printers offer up to 1200 DPI, and up to 122 inch print widths, and include table top and UV curable varieties.

MOAB by LEGION PAPER A sub-corporation of Legion Paper, Moab is a supplier of archival quality digital papers, created in Moab, Utah. They offer an assortment of poly-cotton digital canvas, fibrous papers similar to traditional silver halide paper, and 100% cotton papers in a variety of white shades. The company boasts high quality coatings that both protect the final print and enhance the feel of the substrate.

MUTOH Mutoh provides UV, dye-sublimation, textile, and solvent printers in a variety of sizes to fit any space. From the small 19x13" UV-LED printer to the 64" print size of the eight-color textile printer, Mutoh's printers claim to print at extremely high speeds and excellent print quality (up to 1440 DPI). The company also manufactures cutters that range in width from 24 to 72 inches.

OKI A manufacturer of desk top laser printers, OKI machines can be used with tabloid and A4 sized papers, as well as labels and textile transfer sheets to produce high quality graphics on a small scale. Their devices boast excellent color accuracy and quality, and high speeds. Their highest grade printer offers 1200 dpi for superior image quality.

PHOTO TEX A leader in the production of repositionable, printable, peel and stick fabric, Photo Tex products can be applied to nearly any surface, claim to be unaffected by climate changes, and will not wrinkle, rip, nor curl at the edges. Whether the product is applied for days or years, it can still be easily removed with no damage to the surface below. The substrate is also non-toxic, and can be used with aqueous, solvent, UV-curable, and latex inks.

RICOH Ricoh manufactures wide format inkjet printers capable of producing full color graphic signs and banners, and large-scale, highly detailed CAD documents. Their copy/scan/print machines offer 1200 DPI printing and double paper roll capacity at a maximum 36" width, while their larger printers offer a print width of 63" and CMYK plus orange and green inks. The company also manufactures digital cameras and projectors and imaging software.

ROLAND A manufacturer of eco-solvent (non-toxic binders), metallic eco-solvent, eco-UV, and sublimation printers, Roland DGA reaches a wide range to environmentally conscious consumers. Their solvent and UV machines support substrate widths of up to 64", while their sublimation printers print up to 74". With both flatbed and roll-based devices, Roland printers can be used for many applications including outdoor banner and advertisement displays, indoor signage and more. The company also produces inks and printable vinyl and canvas substrates.

RTI DIGITAL RTI Digital develops high powered thermal inkjet printers for small scale commercial production. With 1600 dpi capability, five color channels, and dye-based inks, RTI's machines are equipped with specialized software to ensure they perform as well as they were designed to. The company also offers one wide format printer with two-roll capacity that uses aqueous inks and can print up to 42" across.

SCODIX With their Rainbow printer, Scodix targets a unique market for embellished prints using a UV polymer and glitter to add glittering text or graphics to paper, laminated products and plastic films. The company also manufactures other digital enhancement presses that output high quality graphics with a maximum print width of 31" and a wide range of substrate thicknesses.

SPICERS Spicers offers a wide variety of fine art digital papers. Their products are acid and chlorine free, suitable for archival and conservation printing. Finishes include silk, gloss, and matte, with smooth and textured surfaces and bright white color. Papers are available for small and large format machines, both reams and rolls, and range from 60 lb to 140 lb thicknesses.

ULTRAFLEX A provider of substrates for large-scale advertisement and banner designs, Ultraflex Systems' flexible, plastic media can be used with solvent, latex, UV, and dye-sublimation inks and printers. They offer products for both front lit and backlit displays, as well mesh and adhesive flooring materials. In addition to their outdoor substrates, the company supplies plastic-coated canvas with two print sides (gloss and matte) for indoor displays, and a special adhesive product for underwater graphic designs.

XEROX Though not often used in the graphic printing business, Xerox brand printers have been popular in the home and office for decades. Their wide range of small scale printers (maximum 26" paper size) can print up to 4800 dpi and use with matte dry ink, low melt ink or toner. Most Xerox printers accept a variety of media finishes, including gloss, matte, dull, and silk, as well as both textured and smooth surfaced papers. The company also sells a variety of scanners, toner and ink.

YORK WALL COVERINGS In the wallpaper business for over 100 years, York Wall Coverings is known for adding unique decorative elements such as crystals and glitter to their large format printed products. The company offers more than 15,000 wallpaper styles, and all their papers are made as sustainably as possible, in the USA.

ZUND Zund Swiss Cutting Systems offer large-format, precision cutting machines that are intended for industrial settings and 24/7 use. Vacuums hold the substrate in place as it is being trimmed and divided, and high speeds ensure efficient work flow. The working space of a Zund cutting system ranges in size from 2.6 to 10.5 feet long.