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Banners -- is it possible?
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In two words: yes & no. There are many new products that have come out that are quite water-resistant. We currently stock a 15 mil scrim and a 10 mil Durajet. We are looking at a water fast canvas and backlit material. You can pour water down the graphic without any running or smearing; just don't rub it while it is wet. The medias are waterproof whether you use pigment or regular dye based ink. These products will even work in the older plotters and be water resistant with regular cartridges.
Beware: Even though your print is water-resistant, that does not mean it is ready for the great outdoors. Unless you're using pigmented inks, the image will fade...and fade quickly in Texas. You can only expect two to four weeks outdoors before noticeable fading. However, dye inks work fine for short-term and/or indoor banners. Remember, one banner done in-house will pay for the cost of the first roll in savings. So put those plotters to good use and have some fun!
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 The Times Are A Changin':
While CAD Supplies has remained stable throughout the last 5 years, the national supply companies have been in turmoil. Basically every national company (some 100+ years old) have been bought, merged, or shut down. Here's a run down. Keep in mind some companies may be missed or forgotten entirely!
Azon & Dietzgen used to be the stalwarts of our industry. They tried to merge, then imploded in a messy divorce. Azon was acquired out of bankruptcy by Intellicoat and Nashua acquired Dietzgen. Intelicoat was once Rexham, who was once James River. Anybody remember Permalite, Phomat, or Bruning? All gone.
Perhaps the most stunning changes are in the equipment side. If you get in HP's way, look out -- you will get crushed. Just ask Houston Instruments, bought by Sumagraphics, bought by Calcomp. All gone. The only "original" plotter manufacturer still standing is Encad; recently purchased by Kodak. Encad retreated to the graphics industry. Look out Encad, HP's new 5500 is looking to own that market as well!
Amazingly we have not been as affected as others. Even though several of our suppliers have been involved in the musical chairs our actual papers have remained largely unchanged. We will continue to provide the quality products you expect. As you can see, it's still a heck of a ride!
J. Christopher Epstein
President
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 Employee Profile
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Doc
Pointer |
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As many who have called in lately know, we have a new operations manager, Doc Pointer. We are still trying to figure out how a West Texas country boy got the name of Doc. You can ask him but he isn't talking!
Doc comes to us by way of the printing industry. After 17 years in the printing supply arena, Doc tried his hand at steel erection. He is happy to have a desk again! He also fancies himself a singer and harmonica player. With both Doc and Red, we may start our own band!
Doc's goal (and mine!) is to run this place so I can spend some time with the kids! I wish him luck. Doc will handle everything from taking orders to solving problems. So, if you need anything, give him a call and he'll take good care of you.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Here are some "industry" terms that you may have heard.
Crazing: A "spider-web" cracking of paints, coatings or images, caused by weathering, cleaning with strong solvents, or the use of improper paints or coatings.
Fading: The loss or change of color, generally accelerated by exposure to UV light.
Florida 45: A weathering panel exposed in Florida at 45 degrees to the sky and facing north. Generally, considered to be one of the harshest exposure to UV light. (They must not have been to West Texas!)
Heat Aging: Process of accelerated aging by exposing to heat for periods of time.
Oxidation: The action of sun and weather on paint and other coatings.
Scrim: The woven fabric base of a flexible material. Provides strength and stability.
UV Resistant: Inks that resist degradation by UV light. Maintain original characteristics and color gamut longer than non-UV resistant materials.
Ultraviolet Light: Wavelengths of light outside the visible spectrum. Found in sunlight and causes color fading.
EMPLOYMENT
Outside Salesperson
CAD Supplies is looking for individuals with experience with plotters & their supplies to help serve our client base. Self-motivated, energetic and service oriented are essential. Please use the information below to contact us at your earliest convenience.
BUY - SELL - TRADE
Due to the recent rebirth of the newsletter, there are not many active listings. Please email information on plotters, blueline machines, or other surplus items you would like to buy and/or sell. Please include the preferred email address for replies. CS2 does not warrant or endorse any listings. There is no fee to place an ad.
Barely used 42" model $2500 OBO
PKiely@avat.com, Peter Kiely of Avatech, (512) 407-8811
The NovaJet PRO 600e Series delivers exceptional color print quality at production-level speeds. By including every productivity feature imaginable, these new printers give your business a clear competitive advantage in the production of large-format graphics and signs. Available in 42"-wide (108cm) and 60"-wide (152 cm) models, the ENCAD NovaJet PRO 600e includes a 500ml extended ink system and an integrated feeder/take-up mechanism with built-in dryer that makes unattended printing easy. The dual ink lines allow you to quickly switch between ENCAD's diverse ink sets. Print a gallery photo, and within minutes, print an outdoor banner. And you'll never have to worry about the cartridges running dry during a job, just refill on the fly. In addition, a unique prime-free cartridge system makes installing cartridges a simple, clean process. You can rely on ENCAD's reputation for advanced inkjet printers that deliver high quality, consistent operation, and fast print times. In fact, in one hour you can expect to produce 93 sq. ft. (8.6 sq. m.) of a standard photo-realistic image in draft mode, and 29 sp. ft. (2.7 sq. m.) of the same image in the photo mode at 600 dpi!
HP Displaymaker 5000 $8000 obo
ef@rsdadvertising.com, Eric Fisher of RSD Advertising, ( 512) 302-0794 x 104
Colorspan, 8 color, Partially used inks, 4 indoor, 4 outdoor.
HP DesignJet 350C $900
dpittman@wilco.org, Dwight Pittman, (512) 943-3337
Very lightly used, includes 36" Roll Feed and Stand. Serviced 06-16-2003 and comes with 90-day labor warranty. This machine has probably not run over 800 plots.
XEROX 2510 Engineering Copier $1500
wdslandscape@satx.rr.com, Wayne Whittier, (830) 606-5522
Xerox 2510 large format engineering copier for sale. Annual service recently completed to include new developer replacement and install a new toner cartridge. Will deliver within 100 miles for a reasonable fee. Call Wayne or Mike at WDS Landscape & Design LLC or email us with any questions you may have. All serious inquires will be responded to in a timely manner. Unit can be viewed in New Braunfels.
HP DesignJet 800 $4500 firm
charles.sesco@cox-internet.com, Charles Standifer, (512) 869-5460
New condition, first plot December 2000, approximately 300 plots run, 42" carriage, color, model #C7780B.
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