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Kavalan and Blue Rhine, a partnership for positive change

As sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent priority across all sectors, the print industry is rising to the challenge, with forward-thinking businesses leading the charge towards cleaner, greener practices. Among them, Blue Rhine stands out, championing the use of PVC-free materials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and beyond.  A UAE-headquartered business with a 30-year history of innovation, Blue Rhine is a trusted distributor of signage, advertising, and LED solutions to businesses in sectors such as signage, advertising, interior design, exhibitions, construction, and fabrication.  A strategic partnership with Kavalan has enabled Blue Rhine to accelerate the sustainable transformation of large-format printing in the Middle East. Together, Blue Rhine and Kavalan are driving a shift towards greater environmental responsibility within the sector, with Blue Rhine’s efforts earning the inaugural Kavalan Green Spirit Award for its project at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. With a shared ethos, both Kavalan and Blue Rhine are committed not only to delivering high-performance materials but also to facilitating long-term, sustainable progress in the printing industry. More than a supplier, Blue Rhine’s educational approach Speaking with Marcus Timson, a judge of the Kavalan Green Leader Awards on an episode of his FuturePrint Podcast, Rizin Kabeer, product management leader at Blue Rhine discussed the region’s attitudes and approach to sustainability, as well as how Blue Rhine is contributing to and driving this change in approach.   Kabeer described how in the GCC region, sustainability is transitioning from a trend to a market requirement, with clients increasingly receptive to eco-friendly materials. However, due to the challenging weather conditions in the area, including some of the world’s highest summer temperatures and extremely cold winters, printed materials need to work harder than in other areas with milder climates. Kabeer explained that due to this, some of the primary barriers to wider adoption of sustainable print materials are a misconception about cost and a hesitancy about performance.  To overcome these challenges, rather than simply offering green alternatives, Blue Rhine focuses on enabling clients to understand and embrace sustainable materials through training and ongoing support long after the sales stage, helping them become champions of a more sustainable print future. Kavalan’s portfolio of 100% clean, PVC-free materials is ideally suited to the region’s climate demands - combining durability, lightweight design, and water-based coatings that reduce harmful emissions. These characteristics, paired with Blue Rhine’s customer-centric and education-led approach, have created a dynamic partnership that goes far beyond product distribution to shape a more sustainable print ecosystem. A large part of this education involves highlighting the cradle-to-grave lifecycle benefits of sustainable materials by helping customers to translate technical details into tangible environmental savings. This is where Kavalan’s Eco Calculator plays a crucial role. The tool allows Blue Rhine to quantify the environmental savings of Kavalan materials, such as reductions in water usage and toxicity. Championing green print on a grand stage Blue Rhine’s educational ethos, technical expertise, and dedication to sustainability across all aspects of the business were put into practice with striking results during the company’s award-winning work for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. As part of a broader sustainability drive, the event embraced a wide range of green initiatives, from switching to solar-powered electricity and electric vehicles, to zero use of single-use plastics and implementing extensive recycling measures. With such a strong commitment to sustainability at this large-scale event, the printed materials needed to match the same environmental standards as the rest of the event. That’s where Kavalan’s Sunlight 280GB PVC-free material came in.   Kabeer explains: “The region’s climate conditions are quite tough and this is where Kavalan came in. I would like to call it the missing piece of the puzzle. Kavalan bridged the gap by offering a sustainable solution. I would like to thank its Eco Calculator because we are really able to provide the customer with tailored or bespoke certification on exactly what they have used. The print quality, the less heaviness enhancing the application, this Eco Calculator, all came together and made this green message come to life.”  A vision for a sustainable print future As Kabeer explains, sustainable print is no longer just a trend, it's the next era for the industry. The region’s climate challenges have historically made people question whether green solutions can deliver the necessary durability and performance, but with Kavalan’s PVC-free materials, Blue Rhine is showing them that they can. The GCC region is undergoing a broader transformation and these factors are all helping to shape a culture that prioritises long-term environmental positive change. This shift in the wider region is reinforcing Blue Rhine’s efforts, making it easier to engage customers in meaningful conversations about change.  For further product information on the KAVALAN range, visit www.goforkavalan.com 
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Kavalan and Blue Rhine, a partnership for positive change

As sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent priority across all sectors, the print industry is rising to the challenge, with forward-thinking businesses leading the charge towards cleaner, greener practices. Among them, Blue Rhine stands out, championing the use of PVC-free materials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and beyond.  A UAE-headquartered business with a 30-year history of innovation, Blue Rhine is a trusted distributor of signage, advertising, and LED solutions to businesses in sectors such as signage, advertising, interior design, exhibitions, construction, and fabrication.  A strategic partnership with Kavalan has enabled Blue Rhine to accelerate the sustainable transformation of large-format printing in the Middle East. Together, Blue Rhine and Kavalan are driving a shift towards greater environmental responsibility within the sector, with Blue Rhine’s efforts earning the inaugural Kavalan Green Spirit Award for its project at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. With a shared ethos, both Kavalan and Blue Rhine are committed not only to delivering high-performance materials but also to facilitating long-term, sustainable progress in the printing industry. More than a supplier, Blue Rhine’s educational approach Speaking with Marcus Timson, a judge of the Kavalan Green Leader Awards on an episode of his FuturePrint Podcast, Rizin Kabeer, product management leader at Blue Rhine discussed the region’s attitudes and approach to sustainability, as well as how Blue Rhine is contributing to and driving this change in approach.   Kabeer described how in the GCC region, sustainability is transitioning from a trend to a market requirement, with clients increasingly receptive to eco-friendly materials. However, due to the challenging weather conditions in the area, including some of the world’s highest summer temperatures and extremely cold winters, printed materials need to work harder than in other areas with milder climates. Kabeer explained that due to this, some of the primary barriers to wider adoption of sustainable print materials are a misconception about cost and a hesitancy about performance.  To overcome these challenges, rather than simply offering green alternatives, Blue Rhine focuses on enabling clients to understand and embrace sustainable materials through training and ongoing support long after the sales stage, helping them become champions of a more sustainable print future. Kavalan’s portfolio of 100% clean, PVC-free materials is ideally suited to the region’s climate demands - combining durability, lightweight design, and water-based coatings that reduce harmful emissions. These characteristics, paired with Blue Rhine’s customer-centric and education-led approach, have created a dynamic partnership that goes far beyond product distribution to shape a more sustainable print ecosystem. A large part of this education involves highlighting the cradle-to-grave lifecycle benefits of sustainable materials by helping customers to translate technical details into tangible environmental savings. This is where Kavalan’s Eco Calculator plays a crucial role. The tool allows Blue Rhine to quantify the environmental savings of Kavalan materials, such as reductions in water usage and toxicity. Championing green print on a grand stage Blue Rhine’s educational ethos, technical expertise, and dedication to sustainability across all aspects of the business were put into practice with striking results during the company’s award-winning work for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. As part of a broader sustainability drive, the event embraced a wide range of green initiatives, from switching to solar-powered electricity and electric vehicles, to zero use of single-use plastics and implementing extensive recycling measures. With such a strong commitment to sustainability at this large-scale event, the printed materials needed to match the same environmental standards as the rest of the event. That’s where Kavalan’s Sunlight 280GB PVC-free material came in.   Kabeer explains: “The region’s climate conditions are quite tough and this is where Kavalan came in. I would like to call it the missing piece of the puzzle. Kavalan bridged the gap by offering a sustainable solution. I would like to thank its Eco Calculator because we are really able to provide the customer with tailored or bespoke certification on exactly what they have used. The print quality, the less heaviness enhancing the application, this Eco Calculator, all came together and made this green message come to life.”  A vision for a sustainable print future As Kabeer explains, sustainable print is no longer just a trend, it's the next era for the industry. The region’s climate challenges have historically made people question whether green solutions can deliver the necessary durability and performance, but with Kavalan’s PVC-free materials, Blue Rhine is showing them that they can. The GCC region is undergoing a broader transformation and these factors are all helping to shape a culture that prioritises long-term environmental positive change. This shift in the wider region is reinforcing Blue Rhine’s efforts, making it easier to engage customers in meaningful conversations about change.  For further product information on the KAVALAN range, visit www.goforkavalan.com 
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Kavalan and Blue Rhine, a partnership for positive change

As sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent priority across all sectors, the print industry is rising to the challenge, with forward-thinking businesses leading the charge towards cleaner, greener practices. Among them, Blue Rhine stands out, championing the use of PVC-free materials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and beyond.  A UAE-headquartered business with a 30-year history of innovation, Blue Rhine is a trusted distributor of signage, advertising, and LED solutions to businesses in sectors such as signage, advertising, interior design, exhibitions, construction, and fabrication.  A strategic partnership with Kavalan has enabled Blue Rhine to accelerate the sustainable transformation of large-format printing in the Middle East. Together, Blue Rhine and Kavalan are driving a shift towards greater environmental responsibility within the sector, with Blue Rhine’s efforts earning the inaugural Kavalan Green Spirit Award for its project at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. With a shared ethos, both Kavalan and Blue Rhine are committed not only to delivering high-performance materials but also to facilitating long-term, sustainable progress in the printing industry. More than a supplier, Blue Rhine’s educational approach Speaking with Marcus Timson, a judge of the Kavalan Green Leader Awards on an episode of his FuturePrint Podcast, Rizin Kabeer, product management leader at Blue Rhine discussed the region’s attitudes and approach to sustainability, as well as how Blue Rhine is contributing to and driving this change in approach.   Kabeer described how in the GCC region, sustainability is transitioning from a trend to a market requirement, with clients increasingly receptive to eco-friendly materials. However, due to the challenging weather conditions in the area, including some of the world’s highest summer temperatures and extremely cold winters, printed materials need to work harder than in other areas with milder climates. Kabeer explained that due to this, some of the primary barriers to wider adoption of sustainable print materials are a misconception about cost and a hesitancy about performance.  To overcome these challenges, rather than simply offering green alternatives, Blue Rhine focuses on enabling clients to understand and embrace sustainable materials through training and ongoing support long after the sales stage, helping them become champions of a more sustainable print future. Kavalan’s portfolio of 100% clean, PVC-free materials is ideally suited to the region’s climate demands - combining durability, lightweight design, and water-based coatings that reduce harmful emissions. These characteristics, paired with Blue Rhine’s customer-centric and education-led approach, have created a dynamic partnership that goes far beyond product distribution to shape a more sustainable print ecosystem. A large part of this education involves highlighting the cradle-to-grave lifecycle benefits of sustainable materials by helping customers to translate technical details into tangible environmental savings. This is where Kavalan’s Eco Calculator plays a crucial role. The tool allows Blue Rhine to quantify the environmental savings of Kavalan materials, such as reductions in water usage and toxicity. Championing green print on a grand stage Blue Rhine’s educational ethos, technical expertise, and dedication to sustainability across all aspects of the business were put into practice with striking results during the company’s award-winning work for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. As part of a broader sustainability drive, the event embraced a wide range of green initiatives, from switching to solar-powered electricity and electric vehicles, to zero use of single-use plastics and implementing extensive recycling measures. With such a strong commitment to sustainability at this large-scale event, the printed materials needed to match the same environmental standards as the rest of the event. That’s where Kavalan’s Sunlight 280GB PVC-free material came in.   Kabeer explains: “The region’s climate conditions are quite tough and this is where Kavalan came in. I would like to call it the missing piece of the puzzle. Kavalan bridged the gap by offering a sustainable solution. I would like to thank its Eco Calculator because we are really able to provide the customer with tailored or bespoke certification on exactly what they have used. The print quality, the less heaviness enhancing the application, this Eco Calculator, all came together and made this green message come to life.”  A vision for a sustainable print future As Kabeer explains, sustainable print is no longer just a trend, it's the next era for the industry. The region’s climate challenges have historically made people question whether green solutions can deliver the necessary durability and performance, but with Kavalan’s PVC-free materials, Blue Rhine is showing them that they can. The GCC region is undergoing a broader transformation and these factors are all helping to shape a culture that prioritises long-term environmental positive change. This shift in the wider region is reinforcing Blue Rhine’s efforts, making it easier to engage customers in meaningful conversations about change.  For further product information on the KAVALAN range, visit www.goforkavalan.com 
Read More

Kavalan and Blue Rhine, a partnership for positive change

As sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent priority across all sectors, the print industry is rising to the challenge, with forward-thinking businesses leading the charge towards cleaner, greener practices. Among them, Blue Rhine stands out, championing the use of PVC-free materials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and beyond.  A UAE-headquartered business with a 30-year history of innovation, Blue Rhine is a trusted distributor of signage, advertising, and LED solutions to businesses in sectors such as signage, advertising, interior design, exhibitions, construction, and fabrication.  A strategic partnership with Kavalan has enabled Blue Rhine to accelerate the sustainable transformation of large-format printing in the Middle East. Together, Blue Rhine and Kavalan are driving a shift towards greater environmental responsibility within the sector, with Blue Rhine’s efforts earning the inaugural Kavalan Green Spirit Award for its project at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. With a shared ethos, both Kavalan and Blue Rhine are committed not only to delivering high-performance materials but also to facilitating long-term, sustainable progress in the printing industry. More than a supplier, Blue Rhine’s educational approach Speaking with Marcus Timson, a judge of the Kavalan Green Leader Awards on an episode of his FuturePrint Podcast, Rizin Kabeer, product management leader at Blue Rhine discussed the region’s attitudes and approach to sustainability, as well as how Blue Rhine is contributing to and driving this change in approach.   Kabeer described how in the GCC region, sustainability is transitioning from a trend to a market requirement, with clients increasingly receptive to eco-friendly materials. However, due to the challenging weather conditions in the area, including some of the world’s highest summer temperatures and extremely cold winters, printed materials need to work harder than in other areas with milder climates. Kabeer explained that due to this, some of the primary barriers to wider adoption of sustainable print materials are a misconception about cost and a hesitancy about performance.  To overcome these challenges, rather than simply offering green alternatives, Blue Rhine focuses on enabling clients to understand and embrace sustainable materials through training and ongoing support long after the sales stage, helping them become champions of a more sustainable print future. Kavalan’s portfolio of 100% clean, PVC-free materials is ideally suited to the region’s climate demands - combining durability, lightweight design, and water-based coatings that reduce harmful emissions. These characteristics, paired with Blue Rhine’s customer-centric and education-led approach, have created a dynamic partnership that goes far beyond product distribution to shape a more sustainable print ecosystem. A large part of this education involves highlighting the cradle-to-grave lifecycle benefits of sustainable materials by helping customers to translate technical details into tangible environmental savings. This is where Kavalan’s Eco Calculator plays a crucial role. The tool allows Blue Rhine to quantify the environmental savings of Kavalan materials, such as reductions in water usage and toxicity. Championing green print on a grand stage Blue Rhine’s educational ethos, technical expertise, and dedication to sustainability across all aspects of the business were put into practice with striking results during the company’s award-winning work for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. As part of a broader sustainability drive, the event embraced a wide range of green initiatives, from switching to solar-powered electricity and electric vehicles, to zero use of single-use plastics and implementing extensive recycling measures. With such a strong commitment to sustainability at this large-scale event, the printed materials needed to match the same environmental standards as the rest of the event. That’s where Kavalan’s Sunlight 280GB PVC-free material came in.   Kabeer explains: “The region’s climate conditions are quite tough and this is where Kavalan came in. I would like to call it the missing piece of the puzzle. Kavalan bridged the gap by offering a sustainable solution. I would like to thank its Eco Calculator because we are really able to provide the customer with tailored or bespoke certification on exactly what they have used. The print quality, the less heaviness enhancing the application, this Eco Calculator, all came together and made this green message come to life.”  A vision for a sustainable print future As Kabeer explains, sustainable print is no longer just a trend, it's the next era for the industry. The region’s climate challenges have historically made people question whether green solutions can deliver the necessary durability and performance, but with Kavalan’s PVC-free materials, Blue Rhine is showing them that they can. The GCC region is undergoing a broader transformation and these factors are all helping to shape a culture that prioritises long-term environmental positive change. This shift in the wider region is reinforcing Blue Rhine’s efforts, making it easier to engage customers in meaningful conversations about change.  For further product information on the KAVALAN range, visit www.goforkavalan.com 
1 of 3 >>

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STAR products

  • Agfa Avinci CX3200

    Avinci CX3200 is 3.2 m wide dye sub textile printer capable of printing on polyester-based textiles What is it? Agfa’s Avinci CX3200 is a highly reliable and convenient soft signage printer that can print directly to fabrics and onto transfer paper. It uses an off-line calendar unit to ensure perfect fixation. Agfa’s dedicated dye sublimation roll-to-roll printer will enable you to create vibrant, high-quality prints on polyester-based fabrics up to 3.2 m wide, including a broad range of in- and outdoor soft signage applications, as well as interior decoration. The Avinci CX3200 boasts a rich color gamut and delivers deep black, perfect solids, accurate spot color mapping and smooth tonal rendering that is particularly noticeable in skin tones. The Avinci inks are characterised by their flexibility, image longevity and outdoor resistance. They offer stable jetting performance and deliver the same high-quality results, batch after batch. An off-line calender unit fixes the color deeply into the structure of the polyester-based fabrics while evaporating the carrier fluid. When was it launched at what are the target markets? It was launched on June 22, 2021, and aimed at soft signage industry, sports wear, fashion industry and home décor. Avinic CX3200 is a 3.2 m wide Dye Sub Textile printer capable of printing on polyester based textiles. Does it replace an earlier product? It replaces the earlier model of DX3200. The Avinci CX3200 is driven by Agfa’s Asanti wide-format workflow software. Color accuracy is provided by the easy-to-use color management. Using  their Calibrated Print Mode feature, new media can be calibrated and profiled in less than 15 minutes, after which the new profiles can be used to guarantee print quality. Asanti controls and automates the entire printing process from file intake to finishing, maximising productivity. Its comprehensive integration of file handling, color management and preflighting guarantees smooth and error-free jobs. The web-based Asanti Production Dashboard offers a view on your running production. It summarizes the jobs produced and reports on quantity printed, media usage, ink volumes enabling you to control your production and to manage your print shop optimally. What is the USP? It allows you to print directly on textiles and capable of print on transfer paper media as well. Single person media loading and low inks consumptions are another features. High productivity and a robust design for reliable printing at all times, vibrant prints and a wide color gamut; fine detail rendering; extensive applications scope; low ink consumption; convenient operations and a fast changeover between jobs are another features. Avinci produces good results with a minimum of jetted ink. This low ink consumption is based on Agfa’s renowned Thin Ink Layer technology: a smart combination of particular ink characteristics and our Asanti workflow software algorithms that tune the ink quantities perfectly to the required image quality mode. What training and support are available? Full in house training and support available from Agfa UAE and Belgium. Complete and integrated solution are available for printer, inks, workflow software, worldwide service and applications support. How productive is it? It prints at speed of 250 Sqm per hr on express mode. Being able to print directly to fabric is easy and ideal for fast handling and for special applications such as flags, where print-though is needed. Transfer paper allows for super sharp prints, eliminates any set-off, and limits media waste to a minimum. In addition, it extends the application scope to sportswear and fashion garments, as well as home décor prints on non-coated polyester fabrics. What does it cost? How is it sold? The recommended retail price (RRP) is approximately $220k stand alone printer and requires a separate calendaring unit. How many are in use? Currently, the latest CX3200 are around 11 units around the world. Specifications 3.2m Dye sublimation Printer Kyocera print heads 4 colour printer CYMK Direct to garment capable to print on transfer paper Max speed of 250 sqm Stand alone printer Resolution up to 600 x 1800 dpi Media types: Polyester-based fabrics, or transfer paper used to create banners, indoor wall graphics, shop decoration, outdoor advertising, light boxes, trade show displays, flags and high polyester-based blends “Agfa Avinci CX3200  was launched in June 2021.”
    Aug. 2, 2022

    Epson – SureColor SC V7000 Flatbed Printer

    Epson's first UV large format printer offers exceptional image quality, Shihab Zubair What is it? The SureColor SC-V7000 is Epson's first UV large format printer, offering exceptional image quality. The V7000 is ideal for printing eye-catching retail and outdoor signage, window displays, hoarding panels, packaging, promotional goods, and décor products. It includes Epson’s Micro Piezo printhead with ten newly developed original inks, for accurate colour reproduction for spot and corporate colours. It allows businesses the flexibility to print on a range of media up to 80mm thick including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, glass, aluminium, metal, polyester, foam board, styrene, wood and stone. The printhead layout enables simultaneous high-speed printing and, with the 4-zone vacuum system, it offers real flexibility for production environments. When was it launched at what are the target markets? The Epson SureColor SC-V7000 was launched in April 2021 within the Middle East region, building on the success of Epson’s award-winning range of SureColor S Series signage printers. The V7000 allows sign and display makers to expand their portfolio of products, to deliver high quality, fast and reliable results on a variety of different media. Does it replace an earlier product? The SureColor SC-V7000 proudly marks Epson’s entry into the UV flatbed signage print market. As Epson’s first UV large format printer, it provides unique features to differentiate and enhance our offering to the signage market. Every feature of the Epson SureColor SC-V7000 has been designed with the customer in mind. This is a robust and affordable UV LED flatbed signage printer capable of fast and quality printing on a wide range of media – any type of surface, despite the size, thickness, or weight. This is in addition to Epson’s successful product solutions such as the Epson SureColor SC Series of eco-solvent and resin ink printers. For instance, for environmentally friendly organisations, Epson’s SureColor SC-R5010 Series has the capacity to include a resin ink solution, offering print service providers and creative design agencies the ability to produce a wide range of signage in a more sustainable way, without compromising on the results. For a larger ink capacity, Epson offers the SureColor SC-R5010L. What is the USP? The Epson SureColor SC-V7000 provides exceptional image quality, productivity, usability, and safety. With the unique Epson Micro Piezo printhead, the printer has ten newly developed original inks and 3-layer high-speed printing. It helps print with ease and safety with automatic measurement of media thickness, a multi-zone vacuum, and a printhead crash prevent function, Epson Edge Print, proximity sensors. What training and support is available? Epson manufactures all the components for the SureColor SC-V7000, including printheads, inks and software, in order to reach the consistent quality levels that our customers expect. The Epson Cloud Solution PORT is a cloud-based system from where you will be able to monitor equipment across several sites, or several printers across one site, from the production floor or remotely, and assist the control of production. This enables efficient production planning, increased uptime and enhanced support. Epson Production Monitor is part of the Epson Cloud Solution PORT suite of apps and allows you to examine the production status in real-time. If an issue occurs, it can be corrected efficiently with minimal disruption to the print run. How productive is it? The SureColor SC-V7000 enables businesses to print at high speed with a maximum print area of 2.5 metres by 1.25 metres. The printhead layout enables simultaneous high-speed printing, with white ink and varnish, without losing productivity. What does it cost? How is it sold? The recommended retail price (RRP) is around AED 330,563 (US $90,000) and it is sold through authorised partners in the Middle East. How many are in use? Currently two printers have been installed in the UAE, and we are scheduled to install a few more in December and further into 2022. Specifications UltraChrome UV 10-colour inkset Printing resolution of 720 x 1,440 DPI Outstanding print quality High-speed simultaneous printing even when using white, colour and varnish Printheads, ink, firmware and software with an ink tank capacity of 1,000 ml  Price from AED 330,563 “Epson SureColor SC-V7000 was launched in April 2021.”
    Aug. 2, 2022
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