CHICAGO--Sept. 6, 2001--Graphic designers and printers attending Print 01 in Chicago can pick up a free map of Illinois printed on the first synthetic printing sheet for consumer use from PPG Industries for waterproof inkjet technology. They also have the opportunity to win National Geographic Maps mapping software to print similar maps at home. PPG is displaying new Teslin IJ 1000 WP sheet at booth 11019 at the graphics and print trade show through Sept. 13 at McCormick Place. Visitors can see waterproof, tear-resistant topographical maps being printed with traditional aqueous dye-based inkjet print technology on the proprietary synthetic sheet. They also can become eligible to win National Geographic Maps TOPO! Digital mapping software, which PPG will give away two times each day throughout the show. According to Sam Millikin, Teslin sheet marketing and sales manager, the new product in PPG's line of silica-polymer synthetic printing material further enhances its ability to meet customer printing needs. "Teslin sheet is waterproof itself,'' Millikin said. "With the growth of inkjet technology in both commercial printing and consumer markets, we saw a need for a substrate that could be used with traditional aqueous dye-based inks to produce waterproof pieces. Our proprietary formulation captures and holds the ink so that inkjet-printed pieces are waterproof.'' PPG's Print 01 display features new Teslin sheet for waterproof inkjet printing, which is available for consumer and commercial printing applications in a range of sheet and roll sizes to meet specific needs, Millikin said. He noted that the maps being printed at PPG's booth demonstrate the first application for the new Teslin sheet. "National Geographic Maps selected Teslin IJ 1000 WP sheet for consumers to use with its TOPO! Digital mapping software,'' he said. "It was selected because of its superior water resistance, durability and inkjet printing capability. We are excited to give visitors to our booth the opportunity to see this new application.'' Marketed by National Geographic Maps as Adventure Paper, Teslin sheet by PPG for waterproof inkjet printing is being sold in 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheets in boxes of 25 sheets alongside TOPO! software in outdoor retail stores. Millikin said PPG now offers two grades of Teslin sheet for inkjet printing. "Graphic designers and printers have another option for producing vivid pieces with Teslin sheet,'' he said. "In addition to the new Teslin sheet for waterproof inkjet printing, Teslin IJ sheet is designed for inkjet applications where water resistance of the inks is not needed.'' PPG produces 16 grades of Teslin sheet, including standard SP grades, TS thermally stabilized grades for more resistance to shrinking when exposed to elevated temperatures, SPID for xerographic processes, HD high density thicknesses for tags and labels, digital sheet for digital printing, and an extended durability grade for extended outdoor and molding applications. PPG is a leading global supplier of specialty and industrial chemicals in addition to coatings, fiber glass and glass. With 2000 sales of US$8.6 billion, PPG operates 120 manufacturing facilities in 23 countries. Company headquarters are in Pittsburgh.