The theme of the International Sign Association’s (ISA’s) International Sign Expo—and the organization’s goal—is to make a lasting impression. Sign shop owners from around the world gather at this April’s event, located in Las Vegas, NV, to learn about trends influencing business and helping them make a lasting impression on customers. With more than 1,800 exhibitors showcasing products and services and over 75 informational sessions planned, the expo supplies the know-how for sign shop owners looking to expand and conquer.

Visit the many educational tracks offered off the show floor; particularly Digital Imaging, Graphic Arts and Design, Installation/Service, and Production/Fabrication. On Thursday, April 28, 2011, between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m. sit in on New Markets and Applications with Metallic Silver Ink under Graphic Arts and Design to learn more about this newest niche.

Our March issue included information on many of the vendors exhibiting at the show. Here are additional companies.

3A Composites, booth 3521, exhibits Omni-Flute graphic display board, including its new yellow color. Omni-Flute, a cost-effective fluted polypropylene sheet, is engineered specifically for creating signage and short-term point of purchase displays. It is geometrically square and color consistent, with a smooth, treated surface that accepts direct digital printing and screenprinting applications as well as paint. Omni-Flute can be die- and knife-cut and accepts repositionable vinyl graphics. INFO# 344

A.T. Inks, booth 3766, manufactures inks for printers with Xaar, Spectra, Epson, Konica, and Seiko printheads. The company provides ink in bulk as well as in cartridges. They are a Xaar ink partner and inks are approved for use in Spectra printheads by Fujifilm Dimatix. A.T. Inks prints using its inks on Mimaki and Roland printers at the show. INFO# 345

Arlon Graphics, LLC, booth 2512, offers a full line of high-quality, pressure-sensitive cut vinyl, flexible substrates, and print media films for the digital imaging, signage, vehicle graphic, and screenprinting industries. The company features new print media products, including DPF 4570GTX, a 4-mil calendered film; DPF 4560MTX, a 3-mil calendered film; and new wall wrap materials. Arlon also holds several vehicle and wall wrap demonstrations throughout each day of the show. INFO# 346

Cyrious Software, booth 1632, debuts CYRIOUS ONLINE. This easy-to-use and feature-rich solution starts at $29 per month for three users. Users can profitably estimate jobs, track costs, and manage workflow, all online. CYRIOUS CONTROL, found in booth 4464, is a full-featured management system that provides powerful pricing capabilities. It estimates accurately and calculates profit on each quote. CONTROL automatically creates material and labor lists for a job then tracks production throughout the business. With robust CRM tools, invoicing, and reports, users manage their entire business in one system. INFO# 347

DigiFab Systems, booth 4736, demonstrates its StampaJet fabric printers and DigiHeat rotary heat presses. The company is a developer and manufacturer of software, supplies, and equipment for the digital printing industry. Recognized for its groundbreaking processes and patents for pre-treating fabrics for use in digital printers, DigiFab is continuing its innovation in the sign and graphic arts sectors. Product lines currently include pre-treated fabrics, inkjet inks, inkjet printers, RIP software for textile and graphics applications, heat presses, and steamers. INFO# 348

Drytac Corporation, booth 4343, announces it is a direct sales provider for the Visual Magnetics Graphic System in Canada, U.K., and the U.S. The Visual Magnetics Graphic System can be combined to meet an array of changeable graphic needs utilizing three major components—high-quality MagnaMedia digital print films featuring a magnetic-receptive coating, InvisiLock high-performance flexible sheet magnet, and ActiveWall magnetic-receptive wall primer. Use of magnetic-receptive graphic systems for retail programs is cost effective and easier to ship, install, and exchange than traditional graphic display methods. INFO# 349

(The) Fletcher-Terry Company, booth 4106, displays the Titan Material Cutter/Trimmer, which allows users to cut and trim flexible and rigid materials up to .5 inches thick, and up to 120 inches in length; with straight, square, and clean cutting. Cut and trim a wide variety of materials from photo paper, canvas, vinyl, and foamboard. It is equipped with Fletcher’s specially engineered cutting strip to provide precise cutting registration. A catch stand is optional with purchase. INFO# 350

Gerber Scientific Products, Inc., booth 3353, highlights the EDGE FX thermal printer, which increases sales and improves margins. Produce lucrative jobs many sign shops had never thought of before, and see the new Omega 4.0. Also on display, the Gerber CAT UV, an economically priced true flatbed printer that offers high resolution, Cold Fire Cure technology that supports printing on a wide array of substrates, and Gerber CAT inks that provide superior adhesion and scratch resistance. The M Turbo Cutting System is a print-to-cut solution for point of purchase and dimensional signage. It cuts, creases, and routs aluminum up to 0.080 inches and acrylic/wood up to 0.75 inches. INFO# 351

Graphics One (GO), booth 4708, launches the first printer designed for printing wallpaper using SEPIAX Direct-to-Anything ink. GO’s WallMax is a high-performance printer specifically designed for wallpaper printing and for the wallpaper home decoration and wall advertising industries. The WallMax prints on coated or uncoated off-the-shelf wallpapers using environmentally friendly SEPIAX inks. Priced at a value of $15,995, GO’s WallMax printer offers a maximum media and printing width of 60 inches and a high resolution up to 1,440 dpi. INFO# 352

Laminators Incorporated, booth 3753, offers a complete line of aluminum composite panels for the commercial construction and signmaking industries in Canada and the U.S. Laminators’ lightweight rigid substrates are smooth and durable, and provide various application solutions making the panels quick and easy for users to fabricate and install. The company is committed to providing value through high-quality products, innovative application solutions, and world-class customer service. INFO# 353

Miller Weldmaster, booth 4966, manufactures Extreme Seam Machine hot wedge, hot air, and impulse seaming welders for finishing billboards and banners. Stop by the booth to see the newest addition to the Extreme Machine Line of welders designed specifically for sign shops that produce many different signs and banners. INFO# 354