By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Paper, wood, and fiber rigid substrates are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials such as foamboard, aluminum composite material, and poly-based substrates. New manufacturing techniques are driving down paper, wood, and fiber prices while advancements in closed cell construction improve durability.
Here, we provide a selection of available paper, wood, and fiber rigid substrate products.
Available Products
The 3A Composites USA DISPA is made from 100 percent FSC-certified paper. It’s offered in two sizes—48×96 inches and 60×120 inches with a 3.8 millimeter (mm) thickness. DISPA features a proprietary embossed paper core, which offers superior strength and rigidity.
3A Composites introduced DISPA to provide a 100 percent paper sustainable option for the digital printing and sign industry. “DISPA delivers everything you expect from a rigid substrate, including a flat, smooth surface, excellent printability, rigidity, and stability,” shares Chuck Kunze, director, product management and marketing, 3A Composites. The paper surface is compatible with ink sets used to print other paper-faced products such as Fome-Cor. DISPA is sold through distributors who set pricing.
Available from Digital Graphic Systems, Hexacomb Falconboard is a rigid graphic display board made from reusable 100 percent recyclable honeycomb material consisting of natural kraft core with white clay-coated or natural linerboard facings. It is an eco-friendly, all-natural product with renewable virgin and post-consumer recycled fibers.
Hexacomb Falconboard is available in 48×96-inch sheet sizes with thicknesses ranging from 0.25 to two inches. It is durable and scratch- and warp-resistant with exceptional rigidity and a light weight. The substrate is ideal for digital direct printing with UV inks. It is also compatible with most silkscreen inks and self-adhesive media.
Flech Paper Products offers a complete line of specialty boards and papers to meet the needs of display and packaging manufacturers, specifically for sign printing, point of purchase (POP) displays, and paper box assembly. The Tuffy Board line is available in several variations, including white, gloss, poly-coated, chipboard, and book lined chipboard for smooth mounting.
The boards are available in 48×96 inches with thicknesses ranging from 0.14 to 0.25 inches. Ink sets are machinery dependent. “Our Tuffy Board line was developed to deliver that balance of quality and cost in a variety of options to meet customers’ specific needs,” says Stephen Echikson, co-president, Flech Paper Products.
Lamitech, Inc. Thru White and Lamitech Earthboard are paper rigid substrates with a maximum board size of 48×96 inches. Thru White is the industry standard for rigid laminated SBS display board and is often used for retail signage and display. Earthboard is an environmentally friendly rigid display board that is 100 percent recycled with a bright white clay coating on both sides. Both products are available in thicknesses from 0.024 to 0.096 inches. Direct printing is accomplished by either digital or screen printing.
Oriam Green Ltd. offers the Re-board White Core, which consists of 85 percent virgin fibers that ensure the board doesn’t break under pressure and bends predictably. It contains a thin PE layer for moisture resistance. Re-board White Core can be digitally printed or finished with decorative laminates. The smooth, low-reflecting surface provides readability and quality image reproduction with high gloss contrast.
Re-board is independently measured for CO2 emissions. It contains no harmful components and utilizes water-based adhesives. The board is recyclable as paper in normal waste and paper streams. Additionally, the unique engineered fluted core enables Re-board sheet to be rapidly cut into any shape.
Available by both Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. and Xanita, Xanita board is an engineered post-consumer 48×120-inch paper fiberboard. It’s available in ten and 16 mm thicknesses and is compatible with UV-cured and latex inkjet ink sets.
Xanita board’s durability is due to a closed cell construction, which makes it both lightweight and durable. This closed cell construction allows Xanita board to be used in load bearing, structural 3D products, and recycled when finished. Rowan Maher, CMO, Xanita, shares, “in Xanita board, you have a very lightweight product that is incredibly strong, and the fact that it is also sustainable makes it an attractive option in today’s increasingly eco-focused markets.” Xanita board pricing is comparable with other rigid boards designed for weight bearing applications.
Tricel Honeycomb Corporation offers the Tricel Tripanel for digital graphic panels. Constructed of triangular paper cells, Tripanel can be custom sized from 48×96 to 60×120 inches. Thicknesses range from 0.5 to six inches. It is compatible with all ink sets for interior applications.
Tripanel is available in a variety of facing materials. “Clay coated panels are available from stock and are widely used in the industry,” shares Steve Loudin, president, Tricel. Pricing is based on custom orders.
Eco-Friendly Materials
Paper, wood, and fiber rigid substrates are used for a variety of applications, from POP displays and window signage to trade shows and exhibitions, promotional campaigns, and interior signage. These materials provide high-impact, short-term signage needs with sustainability and recycling in mind.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Eco-Friendly Rigid Substrates.
Dec2019, Digital Output
