The range, which has been available in the UK for around six months and was first shown at Birmingham’s Sign & Digital UK trade show, is meant for the photo retail market as well as the sign and display industry.
The collection includes media for creating ready-to-hang photographic prints in a variety of sizes, weights and materials.
James Cropper art, framing and inkjet director Geoff Leech said: “This range brings together quite a few years of research and is involved in the fine art market, inkjet and also sign and display.
“Most images get mounted and laminated post-printing as most printers are roll-fed but a lot of wide-format printers, such as those from Epson and Canon, can print really quite heavyweight materials and media. The range saves time on laminating, and also saves on wastage and costs.
The media is available in six different satins, four different matts and two different premium glosses. Sizes range from 250x300mm up to B1 plus and maximum thickness is 1.5mm.
Also in the range is a two-sided matt option for greeting card applications.
Distributors in the UK currently include Art Systems, Tetenal and PermaJet.
Leech said he hopes the Photokina showing will increase awareness of the range and have an impact on sales. It takes place between 20 and 25 September.
He said: “Some people get it and see the benefits of it. The other ones might have some laminating facilities themselves so it will only be used when a job requires it. We have to create more awareness of the products’ features and benefits.
“I think Photokina will give us a wider reach, aiming further than we have been. People going to Photokina will be the retailers themselves so they will be able to specify it to their printers.”
James Cropper will also be showing at Photokina its Khora range, launched in 2014, which works alongside Wall Ready Media as a range of print-ready inkjet photo boards, which allows photographers and retailers to create box canvasses without the need for glue, tape or staples.
James Cropper recently posted strong interim results despite Storm Desmond affecting its Cumbrian plant and leading to a week of missed production.
In July, its recycling plant featured on BBC One’s War on Waste, showcasing its coffee cup recycling scheme.
