Press Release Summary | |
Oostende, Belgium | October 29th, 2019 |
Japan based wide format printer manufacturer MUTOH Industries Ltd.- represented by Mutoh Europe nv for the EMEA business area – today announced that it has obtained GREENGUARD Gold Certification for its MS41 Eco Solvent inks. The certification was obtained for the category Wallpaper, which is the top category allowing the highest surface load of prints per classroom, office or healthcare environment. With this certification, Mutoh MS41 inks meet the UL 2818-2013 Gold Standard for chemical emissions for building materials, finishes and furnishings. The certification provides assurance that Mutoh MS41 inks meet some of the world’s most stringent and comprehensive standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor air. As such, prints made with MS41 inks are perfectly suited for indoor applications including office, classroom and healthcare environments. GREENGUARD Gold Certification is a voluntary certification issued by UL with worldwide recognition. As opposed to GREENGUARD it offers stricter certification criteria and considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals such as children and elderly. It requires lower total VOC emissions for indoor environments and helps print buyers to identify and integrate certified, healthier and more sustainable products into their buildings. To learn more, visit https://services.ul.com/service/greenguard-certification/ “We are very pleased to receive a GREENGUARD Gold certification for our MS41 inks for the new XpertJet 64” wide sign & display printers. Print businesses and print shops investing in a new XpertJet printer are offered full peace of mind and a competitive advantage of being able to offer a certified solution for wall finish applications”, says Kenji Yasuhara, Mutoh Europe’s Managing Director. “The certification demonstrates Mutoh’s continuous commitment in offering digital printers and inks which are safe and environmentally responsible and which contribute to healthier indoor environments”, says Yasuhara. About Mutoh’s MS41 inks Available in 7 colours (C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm, Lk), Mutoh MS41 Inks feature a wide colour gamut and deliver vibrant high density prints with excellent dot gain. The additional Lc, Lm and Lk colours will bring extra quality to businesses focusing on highest quality prints with smooth skin tones & gradients for short viewing distances. The liter ink packs in foil go into re-usable ink pack cases, reducing waste. Suited for long term outdoor and indoor applications, Mutoh’s MS41 inks have an excellent weather, abrasion and chemical resistance. UV durability without lamination is rated up to 3 years outdoor. |
Designing Award-Winning Signs: Avoiding Copyright Issues
I’ve seen so many shops use copyrighted materials. Here is a great article from Sign & Digital magazine that will cover the topic properly. Please subscribe to their electronic magazine for numerous articles such as this one.
by:
Matt Charboneau
Time to break the bad news on copyright and trademark
You start to explain to them why they can’t use an image off of the internet in that way, for reasons explainable by an attorney specializing in copyright law, like Alex Johnson of Hamilton IP Law, PC, in Davenport, Iowa. Hamilton IP Law is a “boutique intellectual property law firm” specializing in patents, trademarks, copyrights and other related intellectual properties. As Johnson explains, a common misconception that people have is that simply making some changes to an existing image will mitigate the issue of copyright infringement. However, that is not how the law looks at the use of images from the internet, and understanding the legal issue of copyright infringement is quite complex.
“Not only is each image protected by copyright law, but the image could also be subject to trademark law, too,” Johnson says. If the original is someone’s business trademark, there may be visual elements including colors, fonts as well as wording that are part of that company’s brand. In that case, he says, the consequences of the illegal use of the image could run afoul of trademark law for likelihood of confusion (a topic beyond this article) on top of the potential copyright infringement like the kind you were wary of when this couple showed you the original image.
Substantially similar
“But look, the text is different, the shape is a lot different and the colors are totally different,” your couple pleads. They really feel it has been altered enough to be different, but as Johnson explains, it’s a contextual analysis that is very difficult to determine. As a general rule, merely changing a couple of aspects to that image is likely not enough; unfortunately, and as is often the case, the answer is that “It depends,” and it just is not a good idea. If the image, even after making changes, is found to be “substantially similar,” then it is likely to infringe the original image’s copyright.
So you explain to them that the question is difficult to answer, and rarely worth the risk of using an image that was not your original design, especially to be the face of their business.
Even though you only have a little familiarity with copyrights, you know that there is a simple rule that you can safely recommend to this couple: if you made it from scratch yourself, and did not merely re-draw preexisting ideas you saw elsewhere, you have done what you can to avoid copyright infringement (but as we all know, someone might still find a reason to sue).
Johnson recommends a rule of thumb to follow when it comes to creating a logo for your business: create a unique image from scratch. If hiring a designer, have a written agreement where the artist represents and warrants that it’s an original and that you own it. He also says that if you’re going to use an image you have found, you need to be sure you can verify the owner of the copyright and purchase a license or assignment from them before adopting it.
Johnson added that this goes for everything and anything found on the internet, and that most people don’t understand that ownership and copyright of an original image is automatically given to the person who created it, without the need for paperwork, filings or legalities. That being said, considering the thousands of images available online, it’s easy to see just how difficult it can be to create a truly original design, but the results are worth the efforts. As Johnson advises to his clients, from a foundational basic business perspective, having your branding be based off the image of someone else makes your brand subject to the impression that company has–and impressions change, so it’s best to control your own image and make your brand an original. Why would you want to be a knock off?
How does one use the images from the internet?
Inspiration only. That’s exactly what you use the internet images for, inspiration. It’s not about copying the way the fonts interlock or what the mountain graphic looks like, or even the layout of those visuals. In researching the Web for ideas, you are paying close attention to the visual emotional triggers that make some logos inspirational and others not at all. Professional designers know how to create the right feeling through the use of flow, shape and the arrangement of original images and designs.
Working with someone who understands how copyright law affects all aspects of logo design and the consequences of using a copied image for signage is probably the most important reason for your customers to use a professional in the sign business. It is also why it is important to consult with legal counsel. Knowing the trigger and what to look for is key in the sign industry.
So how do you help your customers who run into possible legal issues?
Contact a copyright and trademark attorney like Alex or the other intellectual property attorneys at Hamilton IP Law, PC at www.hamiltoniplaw.com or 563-441-0207.
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Learn about MUTOH wide format printers: www.mutoh.com
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MUTOH America to Offer Awesome 1 Day Design & Printing Training in Phoenix December 6, 2019
How to Handle Crappy Customer Artwork
This will be the focus of this live training event by MUTOH America. We will cover how to use FlexiSIGN , Adobe Photoshop and other third-party programs to “fix” the artwork that customer typically provide you. In addition we will show you how to match colors from monitor to printer AND we will even show you the best way to keep your printer working in top condition through a hands on printer maintnance session.
All of this in a ONE DAY live training session to be held in Phoenix, AZ at the new MUTOH headquarters.
Going digital modernizes city traffic sign shop in Seattle
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For decades, the city of Seattle’s sign shop produced signs by screen printing or computer cut overlays. But today’s sign shop looks nothing like its past. Thanks to a dedicated team, the shop is clean, lean, and reliable; an example of what is achievable by transitioning to modern digital printing with the Avery Dennison TrafficJet Print System.
Leading the transformation was sign shop Crew Chief Robin Ford. While digital printing was not new to Robin, its use in the shop had been limited to non-regulated signs and decals. For years, Robin watched as the industry worked to improve technology suitable for digitally printed traffic signs. “We were looking for production speed,” Robin said. “We’re also looking at how it performs with reflective sheeting. Printing on reflective material was huge. Having multiple colors printed on reflective material meant that 70% of our signs didn’t need to be screened or plotter cut.”
His initial plan was to integrate the printer into their production for small batches only and continue to screen print and weed as needed. Three years later, the shop now runs three TrafficJet printers and has discontinued screen printing, going nearly 100% digital.
A nuisance for the shop operators, inks and cleaning solvents posed an environmental hazard. “We had to be fitted for respirators and work with our health and safety department to monitor wastewater and track chemical use,” explained Robin. TrafficJet inks are contained in sealed cartridges, with minor exposure to the atmosphere. “There is no noticeable smell with the TrafficJet printer and we’re no longer known for that awful screen printing smell.”
Robin brought up several examples of how the move to digital printing has helped his shop be more responsive to the needs of the public.
- Last year a rare snowstorm struck Seattle. The city needed 400 emergency road closure signs. “There’s no way we could’ve done that with screen printing or with plotter pens. The physical labor of weeding and then 8-10 hours of screen printing drying would take too long.”
An emergency bridge closure resulted in traffic engineering requesting a rush order of detour signs. “Being in a public service role, I need to be able to respond swiftly,” said Robin. The shop quickly produced 150 detour signs using digital printers.
With digital printing, Robin is quickly printing signs, eliminating the need to keep an inventory of purchased signs from outside fabricators. He has freed up shop space and reduced the capital costs of carrying a larger and complicated inventory of roll goods.
To learn more about the Avery Dennison TrafficJet Print System, visit reflectives.averydennison.com/
Mutoh’s New MS41 Inks Obtain GREENGUARD Gold Certification
Japan based wide format printer manufacturer MUTOH Industries Ltd.- represented by Mutoh Europe nv for the EMEA business area – today announced that it has obtained GREENGUARD Gold Certification for its MS41 Eco Solvent inks. The certification was obtained for the category Wallpaper, which is the top category allowing the highest surface load of prints per classroom, office or healthcare environment.
Color Management Secrets Webinar – International Sign Association Replay
Color Management Secrets
What if you could match your monitor with output from your wide format printer? What if you could get training in color management that was not confusing? What if you could attend a class that would teach you how to match spot colors like logos and more? This seminar is designed for anyone interested in answers to those questions. Designed for any wide-format printer learnings gained from the session will allow users to apply these principles in your shop and save time color matching, enhancing your print image quality and improving customer satisfaction. All of this allows for easy increases to profits and improved ROI.
- Speaker: Mark Rugen, Mutoh America, Inc.
- Price: $25.00 member; $75.00 non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
- Register Now
1 Awesome Reason to Visit MUTOH at NBM-Wrapscon Long Beach, CA This Week
Visit MUTOH at NBM Long Beach, CA This Week
FlexiSIGN & Print users visit Mark Rugen at the MUTOH booth 205, NBM/Wrapscon this week in Long Beach and just say “Mark, MUTOH Makes It Possible!” and he’ll give you a special gift!
In addition you might want to attend his TWO seminars:
“How to Start a Profitable Craft Business & Never Look Back” and “How to Get Started in the Vehicle Wrap Business”. These two seminars will know you socks off and show you how to make money added to your already successful shop.
MUTOH BOOTH 205
You might also want to spend some time in the MUTOH booth, because they will have WrapSesh, and the Vinyl Vixen, wrapping a vehicle. Come on over and learn from the experts!
#NBM #WRAPSCON #MUTOH #MARKRUGEN #FLEXISIGN #FLEXI
Download Whitepaper: How to Get Started in the Vehicle Wrap Business
Read MoreSuccessful Training Event at Kelley Imaging
Huge Training Event Successful!
Wow! We had a great session at Kelley Imaging in Seattle and Portland last week! Event the Kelley technicians attended our live Design and Color management Training seminar. It was so good even I learned something!
Here’s what happened.
Adobe InDesign & FlexiSIGN
There was a user of FlexiSIGN that create artwork using InDesign and then saves and sends the art to Production Manager for RIP and print. In some places, it looked like the black ink was bleeding into the red ink of the design. Other than that, she said the image colors were perfect! So what gives?
After a little investigating, I found out that InDesign assigns process black as an OVERPRINT, so when imported into production manager of Flexi, it assigns the ink to overprint other colors, thus the black process color was printing on top of the red ink below and thus bleeding. Turning off this preference in InDesign solved the issue. It can also be turned off or ignored in Production manager.
Anyway, an easy fix and now the customer is a happy camper.
Photos of FlexiSIGN Training Class at Kelley Imaging
MUTOH Momentum
MUTOH Makes It Possible
MUTOH America has lots of momentum in 2019! Below are just a few of our accomplishments with many more to come. Come see us in Long Beach, CA at the NBM show where we will show you How to Get Started in the Vehicle Wrap Business. You might also enjoy taking one of our educational courses in Design & Color Management conducted by FlexiSIGN expert Mark Rugen.
Mutoh Wins Four SGIA POTY Awards
Mutoh appoints New Director of Sales
Mutoh appoints Staci Gann as new Central/North East Sales Manager
Mutoh launches new TP-11 ink set for Direct to Textile Printing
Mutoh launches new roll to roll UV/LED Printer, ValueJet 1638UR
Mutoh launches new Rotary Attachment for the VJ626UF
Innovation
Innovation and craftsmanship are at the heart of all our products. Mutoh was the pioneer in eco-solvent printing technology back in 2002, revolutionizing the outdoor sign & display market. We also developed innovative printing techniques such as our Intelligent Interweaving technology (i²) which prevents banding and facilitates a smooth workflow with best possible print results. We know piezo inkjet technology inside out.
Check the movie to see how your Mutoh wide format printers are engineered & assembled. All Mutoh wide format ValueJet printers are developed and manufactured in Suwa, Japan. Quality is the thread that runs through every Mutoh wide format printer. Constant innovation and craftsmanship are at the heart of all our products. We know piezo inkjet technology inside out.
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Preparing for the ISA Trade Show 2019
What is the ISA Trade Show?
ISA International Sign Expo® has had record-breaking exhibit sales and attendance since its inaugural event in 1947. This dynamic event allows over 20,000 attendees to interact with nearly 600 vendors on the show floor, in educational sessionsand in networking events.
ISA Sign Expo® gets down to business. As the largest collection of professionals in the sign, graphics, print and visual communications industry, ISA Sign Expo® is where you want to be and where you’ll get the programming and the vendors that offer serious solutions, real results and opportunities for powerful connections.
This annual event alternates locations between Las Vegas, Nevada, and Orlando, Florida.
ISA Sign Expo® 2019 will be held Tuesday-Friday, April 23-26, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Besides the fact that you can visit with just about any company that deals with wide format printing, ISa is also known for wonderfully informative educational sessions. For instance, below is one that MUTOH will do.
MUTOH AMERICA EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR
ISA-23 09/25/18 9:00 – 10:00 South Pacific B Mark Rugen Mutoh Americas, Inc.
Print Basic (1-2 years of experience)
Flexi Tips & Tricks: A brief look at becoming more efficient in print-cut workflow and color management. Covering software, commercial signs, and banners, digital direct-to-substrate printing, and wide-format digital printing and finishing.
We will show you not just Flexi, but also many other programs that will make your workflow so much better. Learn how to handle low-resolution images, improve their quality and then add contour and or perf cuts with ease!
ISA is Where MUTOH Makes It Possible…
You’ll find even more information and all the experts in dye sublimation, eco-solvent and UV printing in our booth.
Mutoh America, Inc. | 3035 |
We’ve got a lot of new, innovative applications to show you. Our
booth is a learning booth, not just a printer demo booth. You will be able to ask experts in printing application how to get a job done and actually see some cool examples of applications. We will show everything from a small printer to our new 4×8 Flatbed UV printer.
Stop by and see how MUTOH Makes It Possible….
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