Printing Materials
Our 52 inch wide, high-resolution, top quality equipment can print full, rich colour graphics on a seemingly endless variety of materials. Here are a few examples:
Clear PET film (CPF)
Designed for applications such as overlays and specialty graphics. The film provides above-average dot definition, water resistance, and quick-drying properties.
Canvas Textured Paper (CTP)
A machine-made textured paper that can be printed on both sides. It features a bright white color, matte finish, and a different texture on each side.
Water-Fast Backlit Film (WBF2)
Designed for conventional backlit applications. It offers vibrant color and is water resistant, allowing it to be used for some outdoor applications. It can be mounted and laminated with pressure-sensitive adhesives, but requires no lamination for standard backlit applications.
Intermediate Vinyl
Also known as Calendared vinyl. This is the most commonly used vinyl film. These vinyls are guaranteed to last at least 6 years. Most signs don’t need to last 6 years so it is a good choice for most indoor and some outdoor signage.
It is not always a good choice for outdoor signage as it tends to shrink when exposed to the elements after a few years. Because it doesn’t conform well to irregular surfaces it’s not recommended for most vehicle graphics.
Premium Vinyl
Also known as High performance or Cast Vinyl. Because of its superior weatherability and low shrinkage rate it can be used in most permanent outdoor signs. It conforms well to irregular surfaces making it ideal for vehicles and banners. These vinyls are guaranteed to last 8 years or more outdoors.
Translucent Vinyl
Translucent is a film specifically made for backlit signs. Unlike Intermediate and Premium, which have a gloss coating and are opaque, this film has a matte coating and is translucent so light can show though. These vinyls are guaranteed to last 6 years or more outdoors.
It should be used in all applications where light is used behind the graphic. You can get away with using Intermediate or Premium vinyl but the colours will be much richer with Translucent. Darker colours are very rich when lit. If you use other Intermediate and Premium vinyl the darker colours turn almost black when back-lit.
Reflective Vinyl
This is thick vinyl that has glass beads in the resin when manufactured. When light shines on this film it reflects it back. This is ideal for vehicle lettering and highway signs that need to be seen at night without the help of their own light source.
Specialty Films
There is a large variety of specialty films for signmaking. Listed below are some of the more common types
Frosted
When applied to glass this vinyl makes the graphic look like sandblasted or etched work but for a fraction of the price of real sandblasted or etched work.
Dry Erase
Can be applied to a sign substrate to turn it into a dry erase sign. Ideal for restaurant signage.
Removable
Use for short term use and easily removed by the customer. Ideal for car dealerships.
Metallic and Metallized
There are various vinyl films out there that look like chrome or gold-leaf as well as coloured film that has a metallic sparkle. Ideal for high-end vehicle graphics and POP signage.
Fluorescent
Vinyl that has bright colours that react to black lighting. Ideal for night-clubs and specialty retail outlets.
