Wide Format Imaging

As far as new applications in the finishing area, Corry sees window graphics as a hot area. "Digital printers have thermal inkjet printers or solvent printers or UV curable printers and their clients are always looking for ways to put their graphics in window displays," he adds.

Floor and Vehicle Graphics

"The mounting and laminating market continues to evolve. We are seeing growth more in the niche market areas. Two of those stand-out markets are floor and vehicle graphics," says Jennifer Payne, product manager at MACtac Graphic Products.

"In recent years, floor graphics have been popping up in retail establishments across the country. Advertising is still one of the largest money makers in the world and companies are always looking for new places to put their name and gain attention.

Floor graphics are a great way to tap into typically unused spaces for relatively little money. Instead of building expensive display units, a company can print on a mid-priced removable pressure sensitive vinyl and laminate with a mid-priced slip resistant textured film to create an eye-catching graphic for the existing floor structure," says.

Payne also see vehicle graphics as another growing niche market. "In the past, people decorated their cars strictly for show, but now more companies are following the lead of race team sponsors and using cars, trucks, and vans as mobile advertising units. The vehicle graphic market consists of two segments. First is the traditional vinyl decal application which requires a cut decal in the shape of letters, numbers, and logos made of unlaminated pigmented pressure sensitive vinyl. With more solvent printers on the market, shops are moving away from colored vinyl and toward laminating printed graphics with high end cast film to provide UV, moisture, and abrasion protection.

"The second vehicle graphic segment is the use of full body wraps, which has helped to redefine the print media business. The laminates for the full body wrap market must be thin, glossy, conformable, and durable. The vehicle needs to appear painted even though it is wrapped. For these reasons, shops are finding high gloss cast laminate as an ideal solution," she concludes.