By Cassandra Balentine
Part 2 of 2
The latest media selections allow print service providers (PSPs) to offer graphics for walls, windows, and floors. While these applications offer a compelling draw, they are not effective if the quality of the graphic doesn’t hold up.
Overlaminate solutions specifically address common environmental challenges that could threaten the appearance and durability of a wall, window, or floor graphic. The first part of this series discusses requirements for these emerging applications. We continue with a product round up on the latest and most popular overlaminate options by vendor.
3M Commercial Solutions
3M provides a range of overlaminates. Among them, the 3M Envision Luster Wrap Overlaminate 8549L is available in a 54-inch width and 2-mil thickness. According to Alan Miller, tech service manager, 3M, it is the first and only non-PVC luster wrap overlaminate on the market. He says the high performing overlaminate is ideal for longer term decorative and branded graphics on either smooth or textured walls, both interior or exterior.
Agfa Graphics
Agfa’s Duratex 2.3 Mil High Performance Laminates are available in 54 and 60 inches in gloss or matte. Heather McCusker, wide format specialist, Agfa, says it is a great product to use on flat applications or a wrap with simple curves. “It is about $0.35 per square foot and stands out because it is a nice all-around product that is priced competitively and can be used in place of some of the cast laminates, depending on the application.”
Duratex 5 Mil Matte Floor Graphic Laminate is available in 54-inch widths for approximately $0.45 per square foot. Duratex Optically Clear Window Perf Laminate is available in 54- and 60-inch widths and is a 2-mil think glossy laminate; Sentinel Anti-Graffiti Laminate is available in 54-inch rolls and is a 2-mil thick clear permanent acrylic designed to provide graffiti resistance to graphics.
Arlon Graphics, LLC
Arlon provides its Series 3310 1.5-mil polyurethane overlaminate with a clear, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive. The UV protective properties of the film help to protect and prolong the life of printed images. Jenny Faber, product management assistant, Arlon, says the multi-purpose overlaminate is designed to offer superior conformability and extend the life of a digitally printed PVC media or printed flexible substrates. “The polyurethane film provides better clarity than other PVC overlaminates to produce vivid graphics and give them a glossy finish,” she says. Series 3310 is offered in 54- or 60-inch widths by 50 yards.
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions
Avery Dennison DOL 2000 Series overlaminates are available in gloss, luster, and matte finishes and are ideal to protect graphics printed on MPI 2611 wall films and are 3.1 mil thick. Molly Waters, technical specialist, Avery Dennison, says these overlaminates can also be paired with Avery Dennison high-performance and intermediate calendared films to protect floor graphics for up to six months.
Coveris Advanced Coatings
Coveris offers its Protect 3 Mil, Protect 5 Mil, and Protect 10 Mil featuring a product length of 150 feet and widths of 38, 51, or 54 inches. Target applications include windows, trade show graphics, general signage, point of purchase (POP) displays, and roll up banners.
The company also offers Protect 2 Mil featuring a product length of 150 feet and widths of 51 and 54 inches for windows, backlit signs, trade show graphics, general signage, and POP displays.
D&K Group, Inc.
For wall and window applications, D&K offers its Expression Hardcoat Gloss 1- and 3-mil pressure-sensitive laminating films, which are available in 38- and 51-inch widths.
These films are designed to offer protection against graffiti and other human damage and feature UV inhibitors and acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive, making them suitable for outdoor applications. Brian Biegel, marketing communications specialist, D&K, suggests the hard coat finish provides a durable write on, wipe off surface for dry erase applications.
Pricing averages around $0.32 to $0.40 per square foot for the 1-mil film and around $0.35 to $0.45 square foot for the 3-mil configuration.
The company also provides its Expression PSA Textured vinyl, featuring a pressure-sensitive adhesive; and SuperStick Textured vinyl featuring digital thermal adhesive, for floor graphics.
Drytac Corporation
For floor graphics, Drytac offers Interlam Pro Emerytex, a 5-mil film with a pebble texture finish and slip resistance rating. It is floor graphic approved and available in 38-, 51-, 54-, and 61-inch widths by 150-and 300-foot rolls. Priced at $0.40 per square foot, the film provides added slip resistance and outdoor durability.
The company also offers its Interlam Pro Anti-Graffiti solution, a 2-mil PCTFE film with a gloss anti-graffiti finish. It is designed to provide high resistance to UV light, dirt, chemicals, and pollutants. It is available in 54-inch widths by 50- and 150-foot rolls and is priced at $0.94 per square foot. It is also outdoor durable for five-plus years and features chemical resistance that makes it easy to clean.
FLEXcon
While FLEXcon offers a variety of overlaminates, its primary line consists of FLEXmark OV6601, a 6.5-mil clear velvet emboss vinyl, permanent adhesive, smooth release liner; FLEXmark OV6602 4-mil clear gloss vinyl, permanent adhesive, ultra-smooth release liner; FLEXmark OV6603 6-mil frosty clear safari emboss vinyl, permanent adhesive, smooth release liner; and FLEXmark floor art OV6604 23-mil clear safari emboss vinyl, permanent adhesive, smooth release liner.
The products are available in 54-inch widths. 60-inch rolls are available upon request.
GPA
For floors, GPA offers its General Formulations Concept Series 109 Traffic Graffic, a 5-mil scratch resistant textured laminate available in 38-, 51-, and 54-inch by 150 foot rolls; and Concept Series 211 Traffic Graffic, a 6-mil gloss clear laminate with a slightly textured surface and gloss finish. Both are UL rated for slip resistance.
For walls, the company provides the Concept Series 102, a 3-mil matte PVC laminate available in 38-, 51- and 54-inch by 150 foot rolls; and the Concept Series 103 is a 5-mil velvet polycarbonate laminate available in 38-, 51-, 54-, and 61-inch widths by 150-foot rolls.
For windows, GPA offers its Concept Series 400, 402, and 242.
Mac Papers
Marty Davis, director, wide format and graphics, Mac Papers, says its most popular stocked substrates include Catalina Graphic Films, specifically Mojave Digital Media LM2GL. This is a permanent acrylic film designed to enhance the overall graphic’s depth and gloss while protecting printed materials from UV radiation, environmental elements, and general abuse. The 2-mil product ranges from 30 inches by 25 yards to 60 inches by 50 yards.
Mactac Distributor Products
Among its variety of overlaminate options, its PermaFlex line is suited for floor graphic applications. Jason Yard, marketing manager, Mactac, says the company is the only manufacturer with a certified outdoor wet laminate from the NFSI with its PermaFlex FloorGrip laminate.
PermaFlex PF6300 is a 5- mil overlaminate available in a 54-inch width by 164 feet; PermaFlex is PF6400 is a 3.75-mil, 54-inch width by 150 feet solution; and PermaFlex IP6200 is a 5-, 10-, and 150-mil media available in 51-inches wide by 150 feet.
Orafol Americas
For wall graphics, one of Orafol’s most recent offerings is a new PVC-free laminate. ORAGUARD Series 236 features a two-year durability and is ideal for retail environments for clients that are environmentally conscious.
In regards to window graphics, Craig Campbell, graphic products market manager, Orafol, says one of its best-selling laminates is the ORAGUARD 290F, ideal for perforated window graphics or for long-term graphics without perforated film.
For floors, ORAGUARD 250AS anti-skid laminating film is popular. It is 5-mil thick with a textured surface and meets all ASTM standards for anti-slip properties.
Qué Media, Inc.
Qué Media hasn’t made any changes to its standard lamination product in more than five years. Tyler Reich, director of product development, Qué Media, says that this is “because it works. This product has been a staple product for us and continues to gain volume each year. We pride ourselves on routine cleaning schedules in our facility, which keeps our laminates very consistent.”
LAM8TAS anti-slip floor laminate is UL410 Anti-Slip Classified. UL visits the company’s production facility at least twice a year for audits.
The Right Stuff
PSPs must be diligent when selecting media for any application. This is particularly important for applications vulnerable to elements like high traffic, human interaction, and UV exposure. Overlaminates provide added protection, and sometimes offer visual enhancements to ensure client satisfaction.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Durability and Effect.
Click on the link above to get more information on the vendors mentioned in this article.
Jun2016, Digital Output DOOL1606
