By Melissa Donovan
Manufacturers as well as distributors continue to launch new products and extensions to existing wallcovering media portfolios. Vinyl, polyester, paper—the base materials are endless as are the different finishes and textures available. Inkjet technology has advanced to enable printing to anything.
The December issue of Digital Output includes coverage on wallcoverings—more specifically textured wallcoverings, but here we share some products currently available for wide format digital printing.
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions’ MPI 2600 Wall & Floor Film Series gives design flexibility for even the most ambitious indoor applications—with reliable digital print performance, rapid application, and three textures. The textured films offer a unique canvas, crushed stone, or stucco look to ordinary wall graphics. Avery Dennison MPI 2600 Wall & Floor Films are tough, scuff resistant, flexible, calendered vinyl designed specifically for wall applications. Choices of permanent and removable adhesives support the creation of unique short- and long-term decoration in hospitality areas, retail areas, and exhibitions.
Beaver Paper & Graphic Media, Inc.’s TexStyles FashionWalls dye-sublimation (dye-sub) fabric is made from 100 percent knit polyester and is excellent for sublimation and direct-to-fabric printing. It’s easy to use and transforms any room with its vivid color reproductions. FashionWalls is durable, washable, and stain resistant. Beaver’s TexStyles FashionWalls can print using dye-sub inks and machines. This can be transfer or direct. The texture is similar to sand on a smooth surface. The same fabric can also print with UV inks. FashionWalls specifically used for latex or UV has a smoother surface with a woven texture. The coating on the fabric gives the fabric a smoother touch.
Drytac Polar PET 170 is scuff- and tear-resistant for short-term indoor applications where the printed graphics remain visible and vibrant. The white, ink-receptive film has a textured, matte finish ideal for directional notices, retail promotions, point of sale advertising, and decals. ReTac Textures is a 6-mil printable, matte white phthalate-free polymeric PVC film with ReTac ultra-removable adhesive. It features an embossed canvas, sand, linen, or woodgrain-like finish that adds depth and visual appeal to static, flat graphics. A subtle texture draws attention to your image or message in a distinct and creative way.
Flexcon offers easy-to-install vinyl and non-vinyl fabric options with removable, permanent, and repositionable adhesives to enhance any indoor space. Solutions process easily and efficiently. Products offer optimum ink laydown with a variety of print technologies. Products with air egress liners provide enhanced performance for novice installers, reduce air entrapment, and make installation of large format graphics easier—yielding total-applied cost savings for graphic installation.
General Formulations’ wide selection of wallcovering media is designed to address the variables of surface science, film type, and adhesive technology so you can create an end product that works in your unique application, regardless of the paint type, wall texture, or application environment. Check out its full line of WallMark, GraphiTex, and RoughMark wall film and fabric products for interior and exterior, smooth, or textured wall applications.
HP PVC-free Wall Papers provide high-quality, odorless prints for sensitive environments. They meet a range of stringent human health criteria including REACH compliance, FSC-certification, and UL GREENGUARD Gold certifications. HP PVC-free wall papers are ideal for use in hospitals, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, and other public spaces. HP Recycled Removable Adhesive Fabric is made with recycled water bottles and coating materials and has a water-based adhesive fabric that can be mounted to indoor and outdoor surfaces and repositioned without residue.
JM Mediatex Covertex Upcycling FR is an innovative wallcovering made from 80 percent recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. One square meter of this UPcycling material contains about nine PET bottles. JM Mediatex Covertex Upcycling FR’s wider width allows for easy, seamless wall installation to be done horizontally in a single piece. There are no length accuracy issues since it’s applied as one piece, and no need to worry about color consistency in matching panels. Offer customers JM Mediatex Covertex Upcycling FR that is PVC-free and Oeko-Tex Standard 100, SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified, and REACH compliant.
Kodak Photo Tex Repositionable Fabric offers endless applications and countless market opportunities. This self-adhesive, inkjet-printable polyester fabric is removable, reusable, and repositionable. It is ideal for life-size photographic cut outs for walls and murals and it works great for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications, including windows, backlits, doors, sign boards, and other flat surfaces. Due to its water-resistant adhesive, it can be used in areas of high moisture. It does not remove paint from a primed wall, it’s safe to apply over wallpaper, applies without wrinkles, and does not rip.
Photo Tex Group, Inc.’s Photo Tex is a multi-U.S. patented, self-adhesive material made of 100 percent polyester fabric. Photo Tex has several versions to meet all your inkjet and install surface needs. Its dependable adhesive can be removed and reused multiple times without any alteration or damage to the surface. Photo Tex textile does not shrink, curl, rip, or wrinkle in any climate. Photo Tex can be installed for a day or a decade and is easy to remove.
The Potsdam Specialty Paper Nonwoven, Inc.’s Wallcover Portfolio is currently available through Faze3∙SMS and its established distributors nationwide. Within the type II PVC-free range of products are ProTex Osnaburg Scrim Backed and Tapestry-II Nonwoven Backed options, several light to mid-range textures are in the portfolio, including Buckram, Canvas, Deep Suede, Linen, Sandstone, Soft Suede, and the newest texture Grass Cloth.
Roland DGA Corporation DIMENSE wallcovering media is versatile, catering to residential and commercial spaces. Today, DG Dimense offers nine media choices in various finishes, including Pearl, Suede, Matte, Silver, Gold, Chameleon, and the Plus series for Painting. These allow for customization according to different interior design styles and preferences. DG DIMENSE wallcoverings prioritize sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Ultraflex Systems, Inc.’s EcoVantage Wallscapes is a flexible wallcovering material with non-woven backing. It is recyclable, FSC compliant, and contains no heavy metals or halogens. Installation options are commercial grade adhesives, sewing, or attaching with grommets. Wallscapes Plus are commercial grade type II wallcoverings. The materials are available in four embossment finishes—Bali Hai, Matte, Stardust, and Suede. FabriTac is an adhesive-backed fabric that may be applied to any surface and repositioned numerous times without leaving any residue and still retaining its adhesion. With a fast-drying, water-resistant coating, it offers excellent quality, color gamut, and resolution.
Worthen Printable Fabric Solutions sells under its Fusion Digital Paper brand. Made in the U.S., Fusion Woven Fabric Repositionable is a durable wide format woven polyester fabric with a linen finish. It is available in two different top coatings; one with a multi-ink platform for solvent, eco-solvent, UV, and latex inks and the other specifically designed for aqueous inks. Fusion Woven Fabric Repositionable wallpaper has dimensional integrity when butted up and applied or re-applied if necessary, unlike vinyl products, which can have a tendency to shrink and stretch.
Dec20234, Digital Output
