The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) announced the winners in its 2016 Product of the Year Competition—spanning everything from inks and films to printers and finishing equipment—during its annual expo earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nev.
“Each entrant brought their game and it was obvious they were here to win,” says Ray Weiss, digital imaging specialist for SGIA. “Those who took home an award can proudly say they are the best of the best.”
The following were this year’s winners:
- Digital inks (textile): Roland DGA’s Texart dye-sublimation ink (pictured, top)
- Digital inks (solvent/eco-solvent/latex): Roland DGA’s TruVis ink.
- Films: 3M Commercial Graphics’ Controltac 40C-114R.
- Non-PVC media: Flexcon’s Shimmercal 22-mil Silver Special polyester lamination.
- Adhesive-backed vinyl media: Contra Vision North America’s Campaign with Grayliner.
- Adhesive-backed non-vinyl media: LexJet’s Simple Grip Backlit.
- Rigid media: Breathing Color’s Allure photo panels.
- Banner textile: Top Value Fabrics’ Supernova.
- Flag textile: Fisher Textiles’ DD 7375 Feather Flag FR.
- Canvas textile: Fisher Textiles’ GF 4395 semi-glossy art canvas.
- Non-textile banner media: Ultraflex Systems’ Signetics Duo.
- Apparel textile: Fisher Textiles’ ET 2600 Jersey Spandex Knit.
- Textile framing system: Top Value Fabrics’ Impact Prime.
- Display/exhibit hardware: WSDisplay.com’s Origami Truss backwall graphic system (pictured, bottom left).
- Routers/cutters: MCT’s VersaTech2.
- Other finishing equipment: E.L. Hatton Sales’ BannerUps BravoBanner automated banner finishing machine.
- Laminates/adhesives/films/coatings: Flexcon’s Flexmark V 240 R Clear Sharklet overlaminate.
- Large-format scanners: Paradigm Imaging Group’s Kurabo K-IS-A1FW.
- Flatbed/hybrid printer under $100,000 U.S.: Mutoh America’s ValuJet 1638UH.
- UV-curing flatbed/hybrid high-volume production printer: Agfa Graphics’ Jeti Tauro H2500.
- UV-curing hybrid printer between $100,000 and $500,000 U.S.: Agfa Graphics’ Anapurna H3200i LED.
- UV-curing flatbed printer under $100,000 U.S.: Roland DGA’s LEJ-640FT.
- UV-curing flatbed printer between $100,000 and $200,000 U.S.: Vanguard’s VK300.
- UV-curing flatbed printer between $200,000 and $500,000 U.S.: Agfa Graphics’ Jeti Mira MG 2732 HS.
- UV-curing flatbed plus white printer between $100,000 and $200,000 U.S.: Océ Display Graphics Systems’ Arizona 1280 GT.
- UV-curing flatbed plus white printer between $200,000 and $500,000 U.S.: Océ Display Graphics Systems’ Arizona 2280 XT.
- Small flatbed printer: LogoJet USA’s UVx90.
- Roll-to-roll aqueous inkjet printer under 1.6 m (64 in.): Epson America’s SureColor P20000 (pictured, bottom right).
- Roll-to-roll solvent/latex printer under 2 m (80 in.): Mutoh America’s ValueJet 1628X.
- Roll-to-roll solvent/latex printer over 2 m (80 in.): HP’s Latex 1500.
- Roll-to-roll UV-curing printer under 2 m (80 in.): Mutoh America’s ValueJet 1638UH.
- Roll-to-roll UV-curing printer over 2 m (80 in.): Mimaki USA’s UJV55-320.
- Roll-to-roll direct-disperse textile printer: Mutoh America’s ValueJet 1938TX.
- Roll-to-roll dye-sublimation textile printer: Epson America’s SureColor F9200.
- Roll-to-roll dye-sublimation metal printer: Epson America’s SureColor F6200.
- Screenprinting accessories: Chromaline Screen Print Products’ Alpha FlexTrace.
- Automatic graphic screenprinting press: M&R Companies’ Insignia.
- Automatic garment screenprinting press: M&R Companies’ Gauntlet III.
- Manual garment screenprinting press: M&R Companies’ Abacus II.
- Screenprinting pre-press: DLP Imaging’s FineLine DirectLaser.
- Direct-to-garment white shirt printer: OmniPrint International’s FreeJet 330TX.
- Direct-to-garment non-white shirt printer: Firebird Digital Inks’ 2000.
