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TWO-STAGE SYSTEM OFFERS POP-UP PRODUCERS THE COMPETITIVE EDGE
Based in Newton Abbott, Lazerpics offers a wide range of services that reflect its broad client base. 'Our clients include individual customers as well as large corporations, as such we do everything from colour copying to complete exhibitions,' says Mr John Lear, Account Manager at Lazerpics. 'Pop-ups, in particular, are in great demand at the moment and the emphasis is on producing them as cost-effectively as possible. It’s a very competitive market and Autotype’s SIGMAGraF system has given us that all-important commercial edge.' Up until last year Lazerpics used a three-stage method to create pop-ups. The process consisted of printing a suitable image onto paper, laminating the paper and then mounting the image onto a white, opaque support. However, the complex ‘sandwich’ of different materials required a great deal of skill and lengthy workmanship to achieve the desired effect. In addition, images would often suffer from ’shrinkage’ due to the unstable nature of paper and laminates would sometimes produce a grey cast that contributed to poor image definition. 'The main problem with the three-part system was that it was unstable,' confirms John. 'The paper would often shrink between the layers and the quality of the printing wasn’t ideal. Furthermore, the process took a long time.' The Autotype system ensures that dimensionally stable, stunning panels can now be produced easily, with little or no wastage and with a full choice of scratch resistant finishes. 'Since we’ve been using SIGMAGraF we get very clear good quality images - fast. The image doesn’t suffer from shrinkage and also stands up well to being in transit as it is very durable,' says John. With the old three-stage system Lazerpics found it had to print oversize in order to cut back and get straight lines. John explains: 'We used to need a lot of bleed in order to cut a straight line. Printing on SIGMAGraF we can guarantee a straight line which contributes towards cutting down on waste - particularly with regards to the amount of ink we use. The Poster Jet software we use enables us to print exact sizes, which is perfect for use with SIGMAGraF as there is no wastage at all. 'Furthermore, panels over a length of two metres used to look like they were bowed, as the ink dried quicker in the centre than it did at the ends; a problem SIGMAGraF doesn’t suffer from.' In essence, the SIGMAGraF system provides users with a method of producing high quality, pop-up displays in two simple stages. The SIGMAGraF double-coated film is designed to be reverse printed, providing instant protection to the image and creating graphics that can withstand long-term use in a wide range of conditions. The second stage of the process is the direct application of the backing material, Autotype’s backstop 350; a pressure sensitive, white polyester film with a metallic core that is manufactured from the same materials as SIGMAGraF. The fact that all elements of the pop-up graphic are made out of exactly the same materials, guarantees identical performance in all conditions and unbeatable print quality. John says: 'Our customers have really noticed the difference since we’ve been using SIGMAGraF. We actually have a pop-up display in our show room, which is done the old-fashioned way, and when we make a new pop-up we compare the two. The difference in quality is easy for our customers to see. The print quality really stands out - it looks a lot sharper.'
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