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<\/a>In late 2007, the colorful graphics \u2013 depicting the food, music, architecture and culture of New Orleans \u2013 began to replace plywood covering storefront windows on Canal Street. This project includes more than 80 4-by-8 foot panels and two super-graphic products.<\/p>\n3A Composites USA, an SGIA member, has donated approximately 100 sheets of the company\u2019s Dibond\u00ae graphic display board to the Canal Street initiative \u2013 including 4-by-8 sheets and 5-by-10 sheets of white Dibond in the 3mm thickness and 4-by-8 sheets of Dibond Brushed Silver in the 3mm thickness.<\/p>\n
Dibond, the Ultimate Substrate, is a rigid, durable aluminum composite material consisting of two pre-painted sheets of .012-inch aluminum bonded to a solid polyethylene core \u2013 a unique composition that makes it approximately one-half the weight of aluminum. Dibond, the flattest panel on the market, offers a superior surface for displaying digital and screen-printed graphics. Dibond won\u2019t bow or oil can. And, Dibond products offer significant cost savings, ease of fabrication and rigidity when compared to other aluminum laminates. Dibond is available in 13 standard colors, including five metallic shades.<\/p>\n
All Dibond products can be incorporated into both interior and exterior displays and offer excellent outdoor durability. They\u2019re perfect for creating signage, exhibits and displays.<\/p>\n
Dibond\u2019s outdoor durability made it the perfect choice for the Canal Street project from 3A Composites\u2019 extensive line of graphic display boards, according to Andrea Jimenez, marketing manager, 3A Composites USA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were delighted to help SGIA support the recovery of New Orleans,\u201d said Jimenez. \u201cDurable Dibond seemed best suited to meet SGIA\u2019s project specifications since it would be replacing plywood and installed over windows for up to five years. Through digital direct printing and the application of vinyl graphics, Dibond has helped to create an updated, colorful look for Canal Street without compromising on durability. And, it\u2019s saving both time and money because it will not have to be replaced occasionally as would plywood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max Hoyt, chief visionary, PIXUS Digital Printing, also was eager to contribute digital printing services to the Canal Street initiative when approached by SGIA. He opened his business in 1992 in Lafayette, La., a mere two-hour drive from New Orleans.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince then, we\u2019ve missed the direct hits of two hurricanes,\u201d said Hoyt. \u201c\u2018There but for the grace of God go I\u2019 is our perspective. We had plenty of reasons to be sympathetic to the plight of these businesses on Canal Street. New Orleans\u2019 damage took a toll on the entire state\u2019s economy because it plays such a big role in the state\u2019s tourism and shipping industries.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Dibond printed perfectly,\u201d said Hoyt. \u201cIt\u2019s durable and available in popular metallic looks and finishes.\u201d<\/p>\n PIXUS printed 13 4-by-8 panels that currently are installed, with the Dibond Brushed Silver visible on the edges.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re glad to have been able to participate in a small way in brightening up the city,\u201d said Hoyt. \u201cThese panels will give a lot of convention-goers a better impression of New Orleans. We hope they make them want to come back and spend their money and help rebuild the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Ann Brown and her husband Gordon Brown are co-founders of Golden, Colo.-based New Vista Image, which produces graphics for interior and exterior d\u00e9cor for architects and museums. As 25-year-plus members of SGIA, the Browns were eager to support the Canal Street project.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were happy that we could help using our company\u2019s resources,\u201d said Ann Brown. \u201cThe City of New Orleans will need help for years to come. This d\u00e9cor can help lift people\u2019s spirits and promote tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n New Vista Image employees utilized an HP Scitex XL1500 Printer (3-meter width) and solvent-based inks to digitally print the New Orleans culture-inspired graphics on 3M Controltac Plus Graphic Film with Comply Performance 180C-10, which was laminated with 3M Scotchgard Graphic and Surface Protection Film 8991 to resist graffiti.<\/p>\n The printed and laminated graphics then were mounted to 4-by-8 sheets of white Dibond graphic display board through a heat-transfer process.<\/p>\n Both Hoyt and Brown credit advances in digital-print technology to their companies\u2019 abilities to cost-effectively print small runs of large-format graphics.<\/p>\n \u201cThere weren\u2019t many ways to print directly onto materials like Dibond until the last several years,\u201d said Hoyt. For more information about PIXUS Digital Printing, visit www.pixus.com<\/a> or call (337) 234-0706.<\/p>\n For more information about New Vista Image, visit www.newvistaimage.com<\/a> or call (303) 216-1549.<\/p>\n<\/a>PIXUS employees utilized a Gandinnovations Jeti 3150 UV True Flatbed to direct print Dibond Brushed Silver graphic display board with images of jazz music, gas street lights and wrought iron fences that were created and donated by local New Orleans\u2019 artists. In order to protect the graphics from graffiti, PIXUS finished the panels with 3M Scotchcal Matte Overlaminate 3545.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cDibond is a great outdoor substrate,\u201d said Brown. \u201cIt\u2019s thin, rigid and durable. There\u2019s no other material that I would have recommended for this job.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of our technology,\u201d said Brown. \u201cWe can now print one-of-a-kind large-format graphics. Ten to 15 years ago, it would have been cost-prohibitive. We\u2019re in a great industry.\u201d<\/p>\n