Graphic Products' News

Arc flash safety soars with new software

2008-05-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

A part of the new ILS software package, the Flash Label software is meant to enhance the ease and convenience of creating and printing die-cut arc flash danger and warning labels.

The improved arc flash labeling software boasts a straightforward user interface that easily interacts with your existing PC. This handy software is meant to work alongside the DuraLabel PRO label printer to create any number of arc flash warning and hazard labels.

Labels can be created that indicate the warning and potential danger of an arc flash, as well as detail required PPE and boundaries.

The software can store each label made for future use and reference; new labels can be added and existing labels can be easily modified or deleted.

Getting a facility outfitted with arc flash warning labels fulfills the new NEC Standard, Article 110.16. Arc flashes occur when a considerable amount of concentrated radiant energy explodes outward from electrical equipment. The pressure waves emitted from such an explosion can damage a person�s eyesight or hearing or cause severe burning.

Arc flashes are not limited to select equipment; any electrical device can produce arc flash if the energy is high enough. Labeling such hazards, then, is so important in light of this fact.

New RTK PRO Software is Here!

2008-05-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

Featuring an enhanced labeling database with information for over 1,700 chemicals, the new and improved Right-to-Know software bundled with the DuraLabel PRO label printer is bringing industrial labeling and safety compliance to a new, attainable level.

This new RTK PRO software is meant to increase the functionality, convenience, and effectiveness of the DuraLabel PRO. The comprehensive software package is full of features designed to meet all your RTK labeling needs. It�s stocked with over 1,700 preset chemical names, plus users can add their own chemicals and information that is automatically stored in the software�s database for future use. An easy-to-use search function allows users to quickly locate a needed chemical. Label fields are automatically populated with the desired information.

NFPA colors are also outlined, and over 300 pictograms for further detailing hazards and warnings are available as well.

While current regulations do not specify a standard format for labels, they do encourage that labels contain at least the identity of the hazardous chemical by common name, appropriate hazard warnings, and the name and address of the manufacturer, distributor, or responsible party.

Right to Know, a heavily championed OSHA concept, emerged from workers campaigns in the 1970s. Worker advocates called for more information regarding the safety and potential hazards in industrial working environments. Various safety mandates have since resulted, the most significant being the Hazard Communication Standard, which calls for the clear and obvious labeling of all areas where hazardous materials are present and the identification and hazard of said materials.

Using the DuraLabel PRO to print labels with the new RTK PRO software is the optimal way to ensure a facility is OSHA-compliant and RTK-savvy.

We Want Your Feedback

2008-03-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

We would love to hear from you. We want your feedback.

Your comments on your web site, our products, our customer service... whatever you'd like to tell us, we want to hear it. Do you have suggestions for a new product? Do you have a labeling problem you have not been able to solve? We want to hear about it.

To make sending feedback easy we've included a "Feedback Us" button in the upper right corner of many of our web pages. Click on that button and you'll see a window that looks like what you see here.

Send us quick feedback about our web site by clicking on a happy face or frowning face.

Send us a suggestion for improving our web site by clicking on the button with the light bulb.

Click on the "Other" button to send us a suggestion for a new product, or to let us know how we're doing in areas such as tech. support or customer service.

Use the other buttons to tell us what you think about our web site or report a web site bug.

We hope to hear from you.

The End Of Customer Service

2008-03-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

This week's edition of Time Magazine has an article called "10 Ideas That Are Changing The World". #2 on that list is The End Of Customer Service.

What's that??? The end of customer service?

Let me be clear that this IS NOT a trend that is coming to Graphic Products.

Customer service has become so poor in many areas that customers just give up on getting any customer service at all. The only other option is to wait on hold for 30 minutes, only be told you need to talk to a different customer service rep... so you end up waiting on hold again.

Organizations that have little or no competition, such as government services, cable and phone companies, are getting the lowest ratings for customer service. But even those who sell products in highly competitive markets seem to have just about eliminated customer service. When I buy something that I can't get to work as advertised, I tend to immediately return it to the store instead of dealing with the customer service ordeal.

That's not the way it is when you buy from Graphic Products.

Based on the Time article it looks like customer service is a "cost" that is going to be eliminated. You'll have to fend for yourself, taking care of any problems you encounter along the way.

That's not the way we do business at Graphic Products. Our success is based on helping you be successful. We answer our phones and don't leave you hanging on hold for 10 or 20 minutes. We spend huge amounts of time training our staff so they will be able to answer your questions, should you run into a problem. We don't farm out our support to a phone bank in India, you'll always be talking to a friendly expert located in Oregon. And even though we are located on the west coast, we get up early so we can start answering our phones at 9:00 AM Eastern time (that's 6:00 AM in Oregon). We put you first because you truly are the #1 reason for our success.

Thank you!!! We truly do appreciate your business!

Arc Flash Labeling

2008-02-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

A new page has been added to the Graphic Products' web site, detailing the requirements for arc flash labeling. The new page is a part of the Graphic Products arc flash tutorial, and is located at:

http://www.graphicproducts.com/tutorials/arc-flash-labels.html

The NEC code requires that certain equipment that represents an arc flash hazard be labeled. However, this does not require that all arc flash hazards be labeled. For example, equipment installed prior to 2002 is not required by code to have arc flash labels. However, it is only wise and prudent to label all potential sources of arc flash without regard to when the equipment was installed or whether it is on the NEC list of equipment.

Arc flash represents a serious hazard. To expose employees to this hazard without proper warnings, supplied through labels and signs, is ignoring employee safety and opening yourself to serious liability should there be an accident.

Having proper arc flash labeling is not difficult. The DuraLabel PRO makes standardized and custom arc flash labels in minutes. Plus the DuraLabel PRO is a printer you should have in your facility anyway to address other labeling and sign making tasks. It can handle everything from making shrink tube wire markers to printing reflective parking lot signs. Give us a call today at 1-800-788-5572 to learn more about the DuraLabel PRO.

New DuraCut II Vinyl Cutter

2008-02-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

Graphic Products has announced that the new DuraCut II 24 inch vinyl cutter and plotter is now shipping.

Using a digitally controlled servo system, the DuraCut II provides optimum speed, superior quality, solid reliability and unmatched value. Its 400 grams of cutting force gives the DuraCut II the ability to use a variety of vinyl thicknesses.

Use the DuraCut II to cut vinyl lettering or graphics from either 15" or 24" wide rolls of adhesive-backed vinyl. Its high speed 23.6 ips cutting gets your sign, graphics and lettering jobs done quickly.

Plus, the DuraCut II is two machines in one. When you need to do plotting, just switch the knife holder for a felt tip pen and you are ready to go.

Visit our web site for more information about the DuraCut II Vinyl Cutter and Plotter.

Make Your Own 5S or Kaizen Cart

2008-01-31T14:03:00.000-08:00

The principles of lean manufacturing such as 5S and kaizen are used to organize, improve and streamline our facilities and processes, but have you thought about applying lean techniques to the tools you use for implementing lean?

One of the most basic, must-have lean tools is a labeling system.

5S is about cleaning up and organizing. Labels and signs are an important part of 5S. Signs identify work areas. Labels provide machine and equipment operating and maintenance instructions. Storage areas are identified. Tools are marked and color coded. Labels and signs are a major part of implementing and sustaining (the fifth "s") a 5S system.

[A 5S cart created by a DuraLabel PRO user is shown to the right. It has the DuraLabel PRO, a computer, power supply and all the supplies needed for making 5S labels and signs.]

Kanban is about just-in-time delivery. In kanban labels and signs might be the actual kanban. They are used to identify work-in-progress, storage areas and work flow paths. Labels and signs identify work areas, labels identify machines and equipment, and help reduce training time and costs. The are used to create Kanban boards and identify areas used for "look-see" kanban". Kanban is a visual management system and the visual communication provided by labels and signs is an important part of kanban.

Kaizen is about change, and when there is change communication is critical. Kaizen involves using employee suggestions to drive continuous improvement throughout an organization. Visual communication is an important part of this process. Labels and signs are used to inform employees about changes. Labels applied to equipment provide information about changed procedures, maintenance schedules, shift-change processes, and equipment start-up requirements. Signs identify new or changed safety hazards. They are also used to encourage participation in the kaizen process and give recognition to those who have submitted suggestions.

[A kaizen cart created by a DuraLabel 4TTP user is shown to the right.]

We are finding the more and more of our DuraLabel PRO label and sign printer users are creating a cart that organizes the visual communication tools they need to support 5S, kaizen or kanban. The cart allows them to easily bring their DuraLabel PRO printer, a computer, and all the supplies they need to any location in their facility. It keeps everything organized (that's 5s) and allows to labels and signs to be quickly made and installed (that's kaizen). By applying lean manufacturing techniques to visual communication the result is an efficient, convenient and easy system for creating and maintaining labels and signs.

Learn more about the DuraLabel PRO printer and DuraLabel supplies.

New Guide Provides A Quick Introduction To TPM

2008-01-31T10:31:00.000-08:00

Graphic Products' latest lean manufacturing guide provides a quick introduction to Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).

Total Productive Maintenance is a lean manufacturing technique that places the responsibility for machine and equipment routine maintenance and servicing in the hands of the operators. It is also sometimes called Total Process Management. In both cases the acronym is TPM.

The goal of TPM is to have zero errors, zero work-related accidents and zero loses. By having the operators responsible to routine maintenance this creates a process that results in constant monitoring of machines and equipment that prevents downtime, costly repairs, and lost production, while improving employee job satisfaction.

TPM focuses on five objectives:

1. Improving equipment efficiency
2. Autonomous maintenance by equipment operators
3. Having major maintenance planned and scheduled in advance
4. A staff trained in redundant maintenance skills
5. Avoid downtime by practicing preventive maintenance

To learn more about TPM request your free Guide To TPM from Graphic Products.

The Visual Workplace

2008-01-30T14:00:00.000-08:00

A visual workplace is one in which visual communication methods, such as labels and signs, are used to communicated needed information at the point of need. The visual workplace concept works hand-in-hand with lean manufacturing techniques to boost productivity, reduce waste, improve safety, cut costs and deliver improved customer satisfaction and greater profits.

Today Graphic Products introduced their latest web site suite. It is a group of web sites about visual communication, lean manufacturing techniques, and the value of proper labeling and signs. This visual communication suite has four web sites.

Label Printer (www.labelprinter.com) is the base, visual communication web site. It features "Five Steps To A Visual Workplace" and shows why the DuraLabel PRO is the label and sign printer industry chooses to provide visual communication. This site also hosts our new Lean Manufacturing blog with news and commentary on kaizen, kanban, 5s, visual communication, and TPM related topics.

Kaizen (kaizen.labelprinter.com) features information about kaizen and how labels and signs are used to support kaizen. This site answers questions such as: What is kaizen? What are the benefits of kaizen? Have other companies been successful in implementing kaizen?

Kanban (kanban.labelprinter.com) describes kanban and shows how a kanban system can be put in place. It illustrates the importance of labels and signs for the successful implementation of kanban.

5S (5s.labelprinter.com) shows the five steps of 5S, describing each step and what the benefits are. Using a label printer such as the DuraLabel PRO to establish a visual workplace is an important component of 5S. Since 5S involves getting the workplace cleaned up and organized, using visual communication (labels and signs) is key to establishing and maintaining an organized workplace.

The kaizen, kanban and 5S web sites include a short quiz you can use to test your knowledge of these lean methods.

Chicken Salad Sandwich, Hold The Chicken

2008-01-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

As this video clip from the film "Five Easy Pieces" illustrates, some companies just don't get it when it comes to customer service.

At Graphic Products we do "get it". You won't have to order a chicken salad sandwich on toast, and hold the chicken, if you want toast.

Here's an example: you get outstanding savings when you purchase a DuraLabel PRO as a part of one of our DuraLabel PRO Starter Kits. A "Starter Kit" provides everything you need to get started doing a specific type of labeling project. We offer Starter Kits for:

Arc Flash Labeling

Pipe Marking

RTK Labeling

OSHA Safety Signs and Labels

Hospital Signs and Labels

5S Labels & Signs

Kaizen Labels & Signs

...and others

Each Starter Kit is complete, designed based on our 38 years of experience, to have all the supplies needed to get the job done. But, what if none of the kits has exactly what YOU need? That's not a problem. Talk with your Graphic Products representative (call 1-800-788-5572) and they will be glad to put together a custom Starter Kit that has exactly the supplies you need. No hassles. No problems. You get the outstanding DuraLabel PRO industrial thermal transfer printer, and exactly the supplies you need, and you save money.

At Graphic Products we understand that YOU are the reason why we are successful. Our goal is to make your job easier and help your company grow, because by helping you to be successful we are successful.

Free Arc Flash Labeling Best Practices

2008-01-15T09:19:00.001-08:00

A recent study shows that less than 15% of electrical equipment installed prior to 2002 has the proper arc flash labeling. AND only 55% of electrical equipment installed since 2002 has the proper arc flash labeling. The lack of arc flash labeling is a serious problem.

A new best practices labeling guide from Graphic Products provides a concise summary of arc flash labeling requirements. It starts with a facility inspection to identify arc flash needs. The guide then provides a comprehensive description of what is needed to ensure there is proper arc flash labeling throughout a facility.

The following Table of Contents provides on overview of what is included in this best practices guide:

Required Tools
Definitions
....What is Arc Flash?
....Definitions of Terms
Evaluation - Facility Inspection
Label Creation
....What Information Should Be Included On An Arc Flash Label?
....Needed Equipment and Supplies
....Label Creation Steps
....Label Creation Using Die-Cut Labels
....Label Creation Using Continuous Vinyl
Label Placement
....Locations Where Labels Should Be Placed
....Removing Old Labels
Label Maintenance
One Page Arc Flash Hazard Labeling Guide

The Arc Flash Best Practices Guide may be downloaded free.

Best Practices Guides

2008-01-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

Just released this week are three new best practices guides. All three are available for download as PDFs from our web site. The three new guides are:

Pipe Marking Best Practices - This guide describes what's involved in a facility pipe marking inspection, how a pipe marker should be designed based on ANSI code, printing pipe markers and applying pipe markers.

Valve Tag Best Practices - In this guide the labeling of valves is covered by the same code as covers pipe marking. Valves need to be appropriately identified and labeled. In most cases, because valves have few flat spots, labeling is done using tags. This guide describes valve inspections, the information printed on valve tags, abbreviations used on valve tags, printing valve tags and installing valve tags.

Arc Flash Labeling Best Practices - Only 52% of electrical equipment installed after 2002 has the proper arc flash labeling. The news is worse for equipment installed prior to 2002. Only 14% of equipment installed in 2002 or earlier has proper arc flash warning labels. This indicates that there is a major labeling problem, and danger, in the workplace. The Arc Flash Best Practices Guide takes you step-by-step through the procedure for determining the need for arc flash labeling, to creating and applying the labels.

DuraLabel RTK Video Now Available

2008-01-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

An online video showing the various types of RTK labels the DuraLabel PRO can make is now available on the DuraLabel PRO video page at: http://www.graphicproducts.com/labelers/duralabelpro/video.html.

The DuraLabel PRO prints die-cut RTK labels. This provides a full-color label that strongly adheres to all types of containers. Two styles of RTK labels are available: NFPA Diamond and Color Bar labels. Both styles are available in a variety of sizes up to 4x6 inches.

This video also demonstrates the new Industrial Label Software (ILS) included with the DuraLabel PRO.

In addition to the new DuraLabel PRO video coming online, we have made all of the DuraLabel PRO videos available on YouTube. We now offer a DuraLabel PRO YouTube page that allows to you browse through all the DuraLabel PRO videos on a single page and view them directly in your browser.

New Kanban Web Site

2008-01-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

We have always been heavily involved with providing lean manufacturing information to help our customers' grow their businesses. Today we placed our second new lean manufacturing web site online. This new web site provides introductory information about kanban, and answers the question, what is kanban?

Our new kanban web site provides a concise overview of kanban, describing kanban and the benefits that result from kanban. It also provides a free online kanban quiz you can use to test your knowledge of kanban. When you complete the quiz you'll see a comparison showing how you did vs. everyone else who has taken the kanban quiz.

New 5S Web Site & 5S Quiz

2008-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Graphic Products has announced today that they have established a new 5S web site designed to provide basic information about 5S and visual communication. The 5S web site is located at: http://5s.labelprinter.com/index.php.

Called "The 5S Plan" this new web site features introductory information about 5S. It will help those who are new to 5S understand what 5S is and the benefits of 5S. It also provides a free, online 5S quiz you can use to test your knowledge of 5S and compare yourself with others who have taken the quiz.

Something New From Graphic Products

2007-12-14T07:17:00.001-08:00

What is the something new from Graphic Products?

It's our newly designed newsletter. The December 2007 newsletter is out and it features a new design that makes it easier and quicker to read. You can scan through the newsletter and quickly determine whether it has information you need. We've also added new features, such as technical and safety information. This month we are featuring links to arc flash safety information on our web sites. We hope you find the new Graphic Products newsletter to be a useful source of information.

If you are not already receiving it, you can subscribe to the Graphic Products' newsletter here.

You can also subscribe to this blog using the subscription box to the right. This blog features more detailed and frequent news than our emailed newsletter. This blog features information about what is happening at Graphic Products, about new products, about updated products and software, and it is the fastest way to learn about special offers and promotions.

Our Best Free Offer Ever!

2007-12-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Graphic Products!

From now until December 28th we are working hard to give away more free gifts than ever before.

We have lowered the purchasing requirements for getting a free gift, cutting the amount of DuraLabel supplies you need to purchase in half!

We have stocked up on two exceptional gifts... both are a $14.95 value. Depending on the size of your order you can get more than one! Visit our DuraLabel Free Gift page to see these gifts.

If you need to order DuraLabel supplies, or are even close to your re-order point, don't put off placing an order until after the first of the year. Take advantage of the fantastic free gift offers that are only available until December 28, 2007. Call today to place your order for DuraLabel supplies: 1-800-788-5572

DuraLabel PRO On YouTube

2007-11-28T06:51:00.000-08:00

The first DuraLabel PRO video to be on YouTube is available at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK42ANOYbBg

It provides a brief introduction to the DuraLabel PRO and its capabilities.

YouTube videos may be included in blog postings and web sites by copying code provided on the above page.

DuraLabel PRO Videos Online

2007-11-27T13:23:00.000-08:00

The first DuraLabel PRO videos are now available online. One descriptive video and two technical support videos are available at:

http://www.graphicproducts.com/labelers/duralabelpro/video.html

The descriptive video provides a quick introduction to the DuraLabel PRO and its capabilities.

The tech support videos show how to load standard supplies, and how to load speciality supplies into the DuraLabel PRO. You'll be surprised at how quick and easy it is to load DuraLabel supplies.

Introducing the DuraLabel Color 400

2007-11-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

The DuraLabel Color 400 brings full color label and sign printing to the DuraLabel series of printers.

Use the DuraLabel Color 400 to increase efficiency and improve safety with color labels and signs. Print everything from OSHA compliant safety signs to Lockout/Tagout labels that include a photograph of the person who owns the lockout.

A PDF brochure describing the DuraLabel Color 400 is available online.

See The DuraLabel PRO In Action

2007-11-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

A video showing the DuraLabel PRO in action, and the wide selection of labels that can be made using the DuraLabel PRO, is now available online on: http://www.duralabel.com/dlpro/features.html

In this 1-1/2 minute video you'll see how quickly a DuraLabel PRO prints. You'll also see a brief introduction to the DuraLabel templates and software, both of which make creating labels with the DuraLabel PRO fast and easy.

5S Holiday Special - Two FREE Guides

2007-11-15T07:18:00.000-08:00

For a limited time the DuraLabel web site is featuring a holiday special that offers two 5S guides FREE. You get both the 5S Standard Color Code Guide and the 5S Philosophy Guide in a single package.

This 5S Special offer ends January 2, 2008. Visit the DuraLabel web site to request your free 5S Guides.

The 5S Standard Color Code Guide shows the color system for 5S that has developed from common usage. By using a standard color coding system confusion is eliminated and training time reduced.

The 5S Philosophy Guide is a 14-page booklet that provides a quick start reference to 5S. It describes the five steps of 5S and provides a concise overview describing how to implement 5S.

Graphic Products Sponsors Shingo Sweepstakes - $25,000 In Prizes!

2007-11-08T06:15:00.000-08:00

Graphic Products is one of the sponsors of the Shingo Sweepstakes.

The Shingo Sweepstakes runs from November 6, 2007 until March 1, 2008 and will give away $25,000 in prizes.

The purpose of the Shingo sweepstakes is to promote the Shingo Prize and celebrate the key concepts of Lean manufacturing that Shingo brought to us. The Shingo Prize is regarded as the premier manufacturing award recognition program for North America. As part of the Shingo Prize mission and model, the Shingo Prize highlights the value of using lean/world-class manufacturing practices to attain world-class status.

Graphic Products has been involved in promoting lean manufacturing techniques as a way to improve business performance for over five years. They offer free lean manufacturing guides such as:

5S Quick Start Guide

5S Standard Color Coding Guide

Kanban Quick Start Guide

Kaizen Quick Start Guide

Brady BLS 1255 Laminator Replaces the BLS 1200

2007-11-07T09:29:00.001-08:00

The Brady BLS 1255 laminator is an updated model that replaces the Brady BLS 1200, which is no longer available.

The BLS 1255 is a cold film, desktop, manual laminating and mounting system. It can laminate one side or both sides of materials that are up to 11 inches in width. It can also apply adhesive and mount materials on plastic or aluminum sign blanks.

More information is available on our web site at: http://www.graphicproducts.com/laminators/bls1200/index.html

The Brady BLS1255 laminator may be ordered by calling 1-800-788-5572 or using our convenient online ordering system (use the above link).

Lamworks 13 Laminator Available In Two Models

2007-11-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

The Banner American LamWorks 13 is a pouch laminator that can laminate documents up to 11" x 17" in size. It includes an adjustable thermostat that allows the temperature to be changed to accommodate various pouch thickness.

The Lamworks 13 is available in two models.

The standard model has two rollers for applying pressure and pulling the pouch through the machine.

The 4RO model has four rollers, making the pouch easier to feed and providing more consistent lamination.

More information about the Banner American Lamworks 13.