Banner Creations Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., added the Green Bag Artist Series to its line of Green Bag earth-friendly cloth bag totes. Work by Roseville, Minn., watercolorist Richard Graves and Minneapolis artist Kristin Wallner are the first to be featured. The bags are made from Ecophab fabrics, which are manufactured from recycled soda bottles. The print [...]

By Janet Preus While we appreciate efforts on behalf of our environment, nobody appreciates when a company spends more time and money claiming to be green than actually implementing green practices. As businesses and consumers get wind of this “greenwashing,” responsible companies will have greater difficulty convincing others of their sincerity. The good news is [...]

Mutoh America Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., is shipping webcams with its printers. The cameras will allow visual communication for Mutoh customers when working with their dealers to reduce idle time that can occur when diagnosing issues, and more efficiently determine root causes and provide targeted solutions for maintenance, workflow, RIP and application settings. Visit www.mutoh.com.

Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Products Division, Painesville, Ohio, reports that its MPI 1005 EZ and DOL 1000 products were printed (on an HP 9000) and applied by Wrapped Graphics of Stockton, Calif., to a full-size commuter train for Altamont Commuter Express (ACE). The train wrap was commissioned by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission [...]

Considering the current economy and the challenges it presents to our industry and your business, how do you stimulate morale and positivity among employees? Regular and clear communication Without question, the state of the economy is having an effect on our industry. The specific impact to our business, as well as any, will be felt [...]

By Wendy Hensley Change is in the air at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). With statewide budget cuts and demands for increased enrollment, change is no longer a concept; it’s a requirement. In response, several programs are providing resources that encourage students to experiment and incorporate digital technologies and innovative print applications into their course [...]

New Zealand’s OFPANZ is working to expand industry opportunities. By Jacqueline MacFarlane In April 1988, the inaugural meeting of the Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand (OFPANZ) was held, presided over by the Manufacturers Association of New Zealand, now Business NZ. We still have many of those original members. Two of them, at least, [...]

Rowley Co., Gastonia, N.C., will launch a new venture, Finestra Decorative Hardware, after acquiring custom drapery hardware manufacturer Resin Solutions Inc. in January 2009. Finestra’s American-made finial, pole and accessory designs will be available in 36 hand-rubbed finishes, and founder of Resin Solutions Amy Weavil will continue leading creative and custom design. The acquisition will [...]

Richard N. Seaman, president and CEO of Seaman Corp., recently announced that the company has completed the first phrase of its capital investment program with the installation of a $5.5 million state-of-the-art liquid coating line at the Bristol, Tenn. manufacturing facility. The new equipment is intended to improve productivity and coating capabilities, and supports the [...]

North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Textiles claims to have developed a new fiber-making process that produces the strongest polyester fibers ever made. The process combines two different polymers using two established processes, but achieves better control of thread line variables, modifying the molecular structure of the polymers to achieve greater strength. NCSU also [...]