Museum Schloss Rheydt, a scenic castle in Mönchengladbach, Germany, currently hosts an exhibition on the town’s historic textile industry, including a portrait series of important figures. Visitors may leave the exhibit asking themselves “Was it live, or was it Mediatex®?”

Only one of the portraits is the real deal; the rest are reproductions printed on Mediatex canvas, manufactured by Junkers & Müllers, headquartered in Mönchengladbach. The original portraits were scanned with special 3-D scanner technology, printed on Mediatex and finished with surface varnish. “There is only one original among the eight reproductions,” says museum director Dr. Wilhelm Stratmann. “Visitors wouldn’t see the difference if they were not specifically advised of it. The quality of the reproductions is so good that it is hard to believe it’s a print.”

Mediatex canvas, developed after discussions with artists about their requirements, is made of 100-percent natural fibers and is certified flame-retardant in accordance with European standards. It also works well for long-lasting, high-grade photographic prints. For more information on Mediatex, visit the Junkers & Müllers Web site at www.jm-techtex.com.