FEATURE NAME + MAGNETS BY MAURA AUTHORKELLER
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MAGNETIZING
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ccording to Mike Gertz, marketing manager at magnet supplier Master Magnetics, Inc., whether used for short- or longterm applications, magnets can provide a variety of effective and simple options for point-of-purchase (P-O-P) displays. From hanging or holding signs or banners to creating full-wall, layered graphic displays, magnets are a great solution for many of these applications. “Basically any display that requires frequently-changing information or graphics are ideal for magnets,” he says. According to the sources interviewed, magnets are usually the simplest and most cost-effective solution for many point-ofpurchase applications. They’re easily repositionable, as well as reusable. They’re long lasting with permanent magnetism. And they’re available in a wide range of sizes and strengths to meet the specific requirements of the application. According to Gertz, printable magnetic sheeting, magnetic-receptive sheeting, a wide variety of magnetic sign holders, magnetic hooks, and carabiners and posts are the most sought-after magnetic signage components in P-O-P these days. “Magnetic carabiners are the ideal fas34
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tener for vinyl banners with grommets because of their strength and how easily repositionable magnets are with no need for drilling holes or other types of fasteners,” he says. Kylie Schleicher, product manager at display solutions provider Ultraflex Systems, Inc., points out that retail signage has evolved from standard rigid substrates and traditional magnets to also include the use of magnetic-receptive graphics—printable materials that will adhere to magnets in stores. “These graphics help solve some issues with the use of traditional magnetics, such as heavy weights for lifting and shipping,” says Schleicher. “Magnetic-receptive media is lightweight and can easily be installed by retail employees by rolling the material onto the magnet.” What’s more, magnetic graphic systems (magnetic sheeting and magneticreceptive sheeting) are ideal for P-O-P applications because the graphics and copy can be layered, so only the variable part needs to be changed. As Gertz explains, the magnetic sheeting is available with an adhesive backing that adheres to a wall or a backer board, and the layered graphics printed on magnetic-receptive sheeting
September 2020
quickly and easily attracts to the magnet. “For printed graphic displays, magnetic graphics offer the same brilliant high-resolution attention-getting clarity and color as most any other printable substrate,” he says. “Installation is simple and they’re easily repositionable and reusable.” For example, Ultraflex Systems offers its Ultraflex Signetics, which is magneticreceptive media that is easy to install in store as well as de-install. “[This product] also allows the graphics to be layered—for instance, adding
Magnetic sheeting.
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Photos: (top) Shutterstock.com/ NeMaria; (bottom) Master Magnetics.
Magnets have quite the pull when it comes to P-O-P displays.
