By Digital Output Staff
Eco-friendly rigid boards offer sustainability benefits but also a high-quality, smooth appearance making them ideal for a number of applications. Of course, this material isn’t without it’s challenges, which is discussed in detail in the October issue of Digital Output.
Companies who offer eco-friendly rigid board and the vendors whose flatbed printers are equipped to handle them are mentioned here.
3A Composites recognizes the increasing market demand for high-quality, eco-friendly display solutions that don’t compromise quality and performance for sustainability. In response to this need and as part of the its Clear Horizon initiative focused on eco-friendly materials, efficient processes and product lifecycle, 3A is offers a portfolio of sustainably-sourced paper and foam boards that are all 100 percent recyclable. The product line up includes DISPA, a paper board with smooth, clay-coated facers that offer excellent direct print results; POLAR, a honeycomb paper board with specialty clay-coated papers that provide a smooth, bright white surface for excellent direct printing results; SWEDBOARD FIBRE, an extremely rigid board that offers a fully recyclable alternative for structural and load-bearing applications, such as chairs and tables, as well as more demanding uses like trade show booths or exhibition construction; and SMART-X, a rigid, lightweight foam board comprised of solid polystyrene facers and an expanded PS foam core. There is no adhesive used during the manufacturing process, making this board 100 percent recyclable into the no. 6 waste stream.
The Epson SureColor V7000 UV flatbed printer delivers outstanding image quality, productivity, and convenience in an ultra-productive design. Featuring ten-color UltraChrome UV ink, including red ink, opaque white ink, and varnish, it delivers bright, colorful, tactile prints with low graininess and smooth gradation. It’s capable of printing on a variety of media, like rigid substrates, ideal for rigid signage and promotional goods. Designed with ease of use in mind there is a variety of unique features including a multi-zone vacuum system to keep materials securely in place and automatic thickness adjustment to instantly accommodate media up to three inches thick.
Fluid Color understands that the future of printing lies in balancing high-performance output with sustainable practices. Its RF84 HG flatbed printer embodies this philosophy. Designed for versatility, it accommodates an array of rigid media types, including environmentally friendly alternatives. With Ricoh Gen6 grayscale printheads, this printer delivers precise droplet control and superior image resolution. The 8×4-foot flatbed surface supports full-size boards, while the 20-inch vertical clearance makes it possible to print on unusually thick or dimensional substrates. The curing system uses low-energy, full-spectrum LED lamps, which not only reduce power usage but also minimize the thermal impact on sensitive media. High-speed servo motors drive the carriage and media movement, ensuring sharp image reproduction even at production-level speeds. Fluid Color developed and validated printing workflows for a variety of eco-conscious boards, including Re-board, Falconboard, and EcoBoard. The system delivers consistent color, reliable adhesion, and outstanding durability across a range of sustainable materials, making it a trusted solution for environmentally responsible print service providers (PSPs).
Xanita Board is a next-generation, eco-friendly rigid media engineered for print, design, and structural applications. It is a high-performance board that is ultra-lightweight, fully repulpable, and strong enough for structural use. Xanita Board contains no plastic, no MDF, and no harmful chemicals, making it a genuinely sustainable alternative to traditional substrates like PVC, foam board, and chipboard. It’s ideal for applications such as retail displays, signage, exhibitions, shopfitting, and even furniture. The board is optimized for direct digital printing using both UV and latex flatbed printers. It performs exceptionally well with major printer brands such as Canon, Durst, EFI, and HP, with many PSPs profiling Xanita into their workflows to achieve consistent results. In addition to its printability, Xanita Board can be easily CNC cut, V-grooved, folded, and assembled, allowing designers to rethink what’s possible with sustainable materials without compromising on creative freedom or structural integrity.
The Vanguard VK300D-SS and VK300D-HVT are high-production 5×10-foot flatbed UV LED printers designed to handle challenging rigid media with precision and consistency. The VK300D-SS features a “super suction” vacuum table with approximately 120,000 micro-holes and twin five horsepower Spencer blowers, ideal for stabilizing warped or uneven substrates like wood or fiberboard. The VK300D-HVT builds on that foundation with even more powerful 7.5 horsepower blowers and a high-velocity vacuum system tailored for lightweight or flexible materials such as corrugated board. Both models offer advanced features like auto-height detection, zoned vacuum control, and support for CMYK plus white and varnish inks—making them well suited for eco-friendly rigid media that demand strong hold down and consistent print quality.
Oct2025, Digital Output
