Armor debuts new dye-sub ink
Armor (A4-D52) has launched a new dye-sublimation ink at Fespa that will enable flag printers to print directly without the need to wash post-print. Its ARSub D701 ink works with Epson printheads, and does not bleed after calendering. “Usually people have to print, calender and wash. There is no need to wash with this ink,” explained business development director Frank de Jonge. “The flag printers we’ve seen have all been excited about it.” Armor is now looking to develop it for Ricoh and Kyocera printheads as well, due to the level of interest from high-volume soft signage firms. Its other products include inks for hard substrates and high-pressure laminates.

Mactac launches self-healing vehicle films
Mactac (B4L-D20) has launched its new self-healing vehicle wrapping films along with a host of other new products at Fespa. There are four products in the self-healing range, a black film, Ever Shine, and three clear films. The new wrapping films contain a formulation that enables light scratches to be removed through the application of heat, either from sunlight or gentle abrasion. Mactac is also launching its new MacBlock film for window graphics, a high opacity range intended for double-sided graphics and has two new additions to its architectural segment of films, DecoLeather and DecoVeneziano.

Bickers secures Simpson deal
UK POS printer Simpson Group has signed for a Bickers Gluejet at Fespa. The 2.3m gluing plotter can apply hotmelt or PVA glue and is Simpson’s first Bickers machine. It will be installed later this month. Simpson chairman Mark Simpson said the Gluejet’s benefits included increased automation and consistency in the construction of units. “It also means we are creating higher value jobs for our people by replacing lower-value manual jobs,” he said. Bickers (A1-B75) is exhibiting together with Swedish laminating machine manufacturer Lamina System, which makes manual semi- and fully-automatic machines.