The Big Picture : SGIA Announces 2011 Digital Imaging Product of the Year Winners

November 21, 2011

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Fairfax, VA—SGIA’s annual Product of the Year competition showcases digital imaging products that “keep the specialty imaging industry moving forward.” This year’s competition, sponsored by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), compared 98 entries in 21 categories. Entries were evaluated and judged by industry leaders during the 2011 SGIA Expo. Of the 21 categories, only eight companies walked away with awards. Here are the winners and what SGIA had to say about them.

Category 101, Digital Inks: Roland DGA, ECO-UV S Ink for VersaUV LED Wide-Format Inkjet Devices
Wide-format VersaUV models support the new, flexible ECO-UV S ink, which expands up to 220%. This extended elasticity allows prints to mold to the contours of PET bottles and plastic cups, and thermoformed plastic commonly used for items like consumer electronics cases. ECO-UV S is offered in CMYK and white for the VersaUV LEJ-640 printer and LEC series printer/cutters. “We are honored by these awards and believe they reflect the strength of Roland VersaUV LED technology,” said Rick Scrimger, vice president and general manager, Roland DGA Corp.

Category 103: Media-Vinyl, Ilford BioMedia Display Film
For commercial print-for-pay businesses, Ilford BioMedia is a biodegradable alternative for commercial vinyl products. It completely breaks down under anaerobic landfill conditions, thanks to a unique enzyme that accelerates the biodegradation process. BioMedia display film uses the company’s coating technologies to create print surfaces that maximize environmental benefit without compromising image quality. “Winning the SGIA Product of the Year Award confirms our dedication to research and development and environmentally conscious product development,” said Paul Williems, CEO, director of Global Sales.

Category 104: Media-Films, Asphalt Art USA, Asphalt Art
Asphalt Art is a new advertising media that is a patented aluminum foil-based material for asphalt, concrete, stairs, stone and metal. Asphalt Art is highly conformable, slip resistant and compatible with UV-curable and latex printers. No lamination is required.

Category 105: Media-Textile, Visual Magnetics, VM-Canvas 22
Debuting at the 2011 SGIA Expo, this is one of the first products in Visual Magnetics’ newly launched MagnaMedia digital fabric collection, which is designed to bring warmth and luxury to the in-store experience by adding textured surfaces to graphic content. The 22mil, 100% cotton magnetic receptive canvas has a soft matte, washable, textured print surface for producing woven fabric-textured photo reproductions, wall murals and fabric-based POP signage. “This award is certainly a testament to the product’s quality and we are pleased to be able to offer it to our customers as we grow our MagnaMedia line. The unique properties of our new digital fabric will enable the creation of stunning, fabric-textured graphics that, like all of Visual Magnetics’ products, can be updated effortlessly,” said Joe Deetz, CEO, Visual Magnetics.

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