The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) announced the results of its 2015 Product of the Year Competition—spanning everything from inks and films to printers and finishing equipment—during its annual expo earlier this month in Atlanta, Ga.
“Every entry this year took printing technology to a new level,” says Ray Weiss, digital imaging specialist for SGIA. “Those who won truly displayed excellence in their categories.”
The following were this year’s winners:
-Large-format scanner: Paradigm Imaging Group’s Colortrac SmartLF SG.
-Digital ink: Sawgrass’ SubliJet-HD sublimation inks for Virtuoso SG 800 printers.
-Film: Visual Magnetics’ VM-Dryerase MNW.
-Pressure-sensitive vinyl media: DAF Products’ Gecko-Grip.
-Non-PVC media: Newlife Magnetics’ Cling-King Spider Mat.
-Rigid media: Panel Processing’s Liquid Chalkboard.
-Flag textile media: Top Value Fabrics’ Flag Superb.
-Framing system textile media: Fisher Textiles’ DD 6788 MoJo backlit fabric.
-Apparel textile media: Pacific Coast Fabrics’ Jennifer S/914.
-Flatbed/hybrid printer under $100,000 U.S.: Mutoh America’s ValueJet 1617H.
-Ultraviolet-curing (UV-curing) flatbed printer between $100,000 and $200,000 U.S.: Agfa Graphics’ Anapurna M2540i FB.
-UV-curing flatbed printer between $200,000 and $500,000 U.S.: Agfa Graphics’ Jeti Mira.
-UV-curing flatbed white-ink printer between $100,000 and $200,000 U.S.: EFI’s H1625 LED.
-UV-curing flatbed white-ink printer between $200,000 and $500,000 U.S.: EFI’s Vutek H2000 Pro.
-UV-curing hybrid/flatbed high-volume production-class printer: Agfa Graphics’ Jeti Tauro H2500 (pictured above).
-Small flatbed printer for industrial/small item decoration: Mimaki’s UJF7151plus.
-Roll-to-roll solvent/latex printer under 2 m (80 in.): HP’s Latex 370.
-Roll-to-roll solvent/latex printer over 2 m (80 in.): Mutoh America’s ValueJet 2638X.
-Roll-to-roll UV-curing printer under 2 m (80 in.): Mimaki’s JV400SUV-160.
-Roll-to-roll UV-curing printer over 2 m (80 in.): Durst Image Technology’s Rho 312R (pictured right).
-Roll-to-roll direct-disperse ink textile printer: Durst Image Technology’s Rhotex 322.
-Roll-to-roll direct-disperse ink textile printer fabric: Pacific Coast Fabrics’ G&O 7058FLBS.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation textile printer: Epson America’s SureColor F9200.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation textile fabric: Pacific Coast Fabrics’ Tricot 4-way Stretch.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation textile printing heat press: DigiFab Systems’ 6763-X3 rotary heat press.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation textile ink: Epson America’s Ultrachrome DS High Density K.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation textile paper: Epson America’s DS Transfer Production Paper.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation textile printing RIP software: Wasatch Computer Technology’s SoftRIP Textile 7.2.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation metal printer: Sawgrass’ Virtuoso VJ 628.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation metal printing heat press: Insta Graphic Systems’ Model 828.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation metal printing ink: Sawgrass’ SubliJet-HD.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation printing metal: ChromaLuxe’s gloss-white aluminum panel.
-Roll-to-roll dye sublimation printing RIP software: ErgoSoft Americas’ PosterPrint 14.
-Screenprinting (automatic graphic press): Ryonet + Roq’s Oval Evolution.
-Screenprinting (automatic garment press): M&R Companies’ Stryker.
-Screenprinting (manual garment press): M&R Companies’ Kruzer.
-Screenprinting (automation): DLP Imaging’s Atmaline CL50 glass printing.
-Screenprinting (prepress): M&R Companies’ i-Image XE CTS imaging exposure system.
-Direct-to-garment printer: M&R Companies’ M-Link X.
-Finishing (display/exhibit hardware): Visual Magnetics’ VM-Shelf.
-Finishing equipment (laminators): Rolinx Performance Products’ New Kala Mistral 1650.
-Finishing equipment (other): Miller Weldmaster’s AES1900.
-Finishing (laminates/adhesives/films/coatings): EFI’s Armor.
