US print title Canvas Magazine has published a new issue with a fully printed, interactive electronic cover.
18 Feb 2011
Around 12,000 copies were printed for the February issue using electrochromatic inks from Ntera. The printed electronics also helped set up the supply chain for the integrated batteries from Blue Spark Technologies, and roll-to-roll printing services from Si-Cal.
Print firm Ricoh, which sponsored the cover, contacted US university Cal Poly to develop the design for the printed electronics.
Feasible
A printed electronic cover has previously appeared on Esquire magazine in 2008, using E Ink technology, but the developers of the Canvas cover believe it has achieved the low-cost and practical work stream needed to see its electronic paper innovation adopted in more applications in the future.
David Corr, CEO of Ntera, comments: 'We'd like to see several projects follow on from this. This is an initial foray into commercial use, and there are others developing concepts. It's a nice example for people to touch, feel and see - and practical examples give people ideas on how they will want to use the technology themselves.'
