By Melissa Donovan
Print providers have options when it comes to wallcovering materials, from non-woven/woven fabric, paper based, polypropylene, and even olefin. To work toward a “greener” future, consumers, brand owners, architects, designers, and print providers all consider these aforementioned options.
The December issue of Digital Output covers this in detail but here we include products for your consideration.
Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom WallStar Digital is a directly printable, PVC-free, non-woven portfolio that is eco-friendly. The product line offers ease of install and removable, a luxurious touch, excellent printability, and it is 100 percent paste-the-wall and strippable.
ASLAN Selbstklebefolien GmbH
LoopPET ASLAN DRL 19 is ideal for digital prints both indoors and outdoors on flat surfaces. The PVC-free digital printing film contains 30 percent post-consumer recycled polyester. For an optimal combination, choose PVC-free lamination film LoopLam ASLAN SRL 19.
Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Inc.
Aurora Scenic Expressions Oxford Paste is a 100 percent woven polyester fabric coated with Aurora’s proprietary Expressions coating and engineered for outstanding printability with today’s latex, solvent/ eco-solvent, and UV inks. The company applies a backside coating that enhances opacity as well as ease of use in paste-applied applications. Product is ASTM E84 Class 1/A Fire certified. This 15-mil product is available in widths of up to 126 inches so it can be used for ten-foot singleseam wallcovering applications.
Expressions Silver Metallic is a 100 percent woven polyester fabric coated with Aurora’s proprietary Expressions silver metallic coating that combines the texture of a woven fabric with the shimmer of a silver metallic finish. Engineered to deliver outstanding printability with latex, solvent/eco-solvent, and UV inks, ideal for use with white ink. A backside coating is applied to provide ease of use in paste-applied applications. Product is ASTM E84 Class 1/A Fire certified. This 15-mil product is available in widths up to 126 inches so it can be used for ten-foot single seam wallcovering application as well.
Scenic Expressions Taffeta is a 100 percent woven polyester fabric also coated with Expressions coating. Backside coated with a repositionable and removal pressure-sensitive adhesive, it is well suited for peel-and-stick wallcovering applications. Engineered to deliver outstanding printability with latex, solvent/eco-solvent, and UV inks. The 11-mil product passes ASTM E84 Class 1/A fire certification as well as ASTM F793 Durability Type II. Scenic Expressions Taffeta is available in 54- and 60-inch widths.
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. distributes wallcovering products from DreamScape and Neenah. It also plans to launch a new partner—Faze 3—and entire new PVC-free line of Type II, Type I, and new metallic grades this Fall.
FDC Graphic Films, Inc.
Lumina by FDC 7335 Print Media: Removable-Adhesive Wall Fabric is a removable adhesive wall fabric made up of polyester designed for digitally printable wallcoverings ideal for application to interior walls. This product features a unique facestock that allows for full-bleed printing without edge curl and lifting.
Lumina by FDC 7337 Print Media: Wall Fabric is a wide format, acrylic-coated, polyester-woven fabric designed for digitally printable wallcoverings ideal for application to interior walls. This film is backed with a repositionable, removable adhesive that can be applied to non-porous substrates and can be removed without damaging walls or removing paint while leaving minimal residue.
Lumina by FDC 7338 Print Media: Adhesive-Backed Canvas is a heavyweight, wide format, acrylic-coated, polyester-woven fabric designed for digitally printable wallcoverings ideal for application to interior walls. It features a removable and repositionable adhesive designed for installation on flat surfaces. Common substrates include painted drywall and glass. The weight and rigidity minimize the show through of substrate imperfections.
Lumina by FDC 7339 Print Media: Non-Adhesive-Backed Canvas is a heavyweight, wide format, acrylic-coated, polyester-woven fabric designed for digitally printable wallcoverings ideal for application to interior walls. The product does not feature an adhesive and can be used in various framing systems, including silicone edge systems and stretch frames.
DreamScape
DreamScape offers a growing category of PVC-free wallcovering options.
Terralon is a Type II commercial grade wallcovering and contains 31 percent recycled plastic bottle waste. It is PVC free, phthalate free, highly breathable, and contributes to LEED credits. Terralon comes in three textures.
Duralon is the newest member to the PVC-free category from DreamScape. The Type II olefin-based commercial grade wallcovering serves as a great alternative to standard vinyl wallcoverings. Duralon is phthalate-free and currently available in a suede texture.
Nolar is a lighter weight product that is a great economy option for low-traffic areas that do not require a commercial grade Type II wallcovering. It is a PVC- and phthalate-free product made with a wood pulp/natural fiber technology containing FSC sourced materials. Nolar is available in two textures.
General Formulations
GF 234 GraphiTex is a 7-mil premium matte white coated polyester fabric with an acrylic removable pressure-sensitive adhesive backed by a 90# layflat liner. The combination of fabric and adhesive allows removability of this product from normal wall surfaces. The 90# release liner provides excellent stability for processing using standard solvent, eco-solvent, UV-curable, and latex digital inks common to wide format digital printing systems.
Innova Art Ltd.
YouTac AQ, YouTac ES/L, and ES Paste Up Wallpaper are available from Innova. The two YouTac grades feature a repositionable adhesive on the back. ES Paste Up uses standard wallpaper paste.
Jessup Manufacturing Company
WallPro 4 is an environmentally safe, PVC free, 4-mil printable white material for promotional, signage, and decor needs. It is easy to install and remove, leaving little to no residue. Combine with ARMORLam 5, Jessup’s PVC free, slip-resistant 4-mil overlaminate to create short-term indoor floor graphics.
Asphalt Art is an anti-slip media that conforms to uneven outdoor surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, and paving bricks, providing a painted on effect. It is ideal for outdoor advertising, point of purchase, events, wayfinding, street art, and retail or restaurant pick-up areas.
Monadnock Paper Mills
The Envi Wallgraphics line presents a gamut of renewable fiber-based alternatives to vinyl, ranging from ten to 100 percent post consumer waste. Monadnock prides itself on its diverse array of stocked and custom solutions for both pasted and unpasted fiber-based wallcoverings.
Neenah
Neenah’s fiber-based DIGISCAPE line is manufactured with a blend of natural FSC certified pulp and reinforced synthetic fibers, offering a durable, wet strength, and stable product that does not shrink post installation. DIGISCAPE is available non-pasted, both Type I all purpose, and Type II commercial, as well as with a removable self-adhesive backing system.
Neschen Inc.
Neschen offers a variety of eco-friendly products that are PVC free, feature post-consumer waste, use a water-based adhesive, and are made from products like PET, polypropylene, and paper based. These include Neschen Performance Wallpaper Classic, Neschen Performance Wallpaper Smooth, Neschen Wallpaper L-UV Smooth, Neschen Wallpaper Lite Sand, Neschen Wallpaper Lite Smooth, Neschen PP Wall-grip L-UV Sand, Neschen PP Wall-grip L-UV Smooth, Neschen easyStyle Decors, Neschen Easy Dot Matte L-UV, Neschen UVPRINT PP Easy Dot Matte, and Neschen easy dot PP matte WB.
Photo Tex Group, Inc.
Photo Tex is a multi-patented self-adhesive fabric. It is removable without leaving residue behind or taking paint off the wall. The adhesive does not continue to strengthen over time, as there are substrates with limitation. Photo Tex’s adhesive arrives 100 percent cured, so it removes safely without damage. Photo Tex is a 100 percent polyester fabric, PVC free, LEED certified, and contains no Prop 65 chemicals.
Presto Tape
PrestoTex Print Media is a digitally printable polyester fabric wall material, ideal for large-scale wall coverings or contour cut decals. Any image, pattern, branding, or graphic can be printed and installed with ease. PrestoTex is removable, repositionable, leaves no adhesive behind once removed, and is easy to install without the mess of paste and water. PrestoTex is available with or without exclusive peel-and-stick adhesive backing. The product is safe and non-toxic, without PVC, lead, or phthalates.
Roland DGA Corporation
WallFlair Paste Paper (RCM-WFPP) is a premium and sustainable uncoated fibrous non-woven product designed for wall applications. It yields beautiful prints and offers a high-end, luxurious textile look and feel. It is easy to clean with a soft damp cloth. Use standard wall paste to apply RCM-WFPP; it is easy to remove in one piece when needed. RCM-WFPP has the ASTM E-84 Class A fire certification.
Saint Clair Textiles
Part of the EverGreen Fabrics range of products, Saint Clair Textiles offers JET TEX Classic. It is an eco-friendly, non-PVC coated fabric with a natural texture. It can be printed on using digital printing techniques with solvent, eco-solvent, UV, or latex inks.
JET TEX DECO is an eco-friendly, non-PVC and non-VOC fabric from the EverGreen Fabrics range. It is fire retardant and can be printed on using digital printing techniques with solvent, eco-solve UV, or latex inks. The flexible, lightweight fabric features a pearlized finish that gives prints an iridescent look.
Ultraflex Systems, Inc.
Ultraflex Systems, Inc. Ultraflex EcoVantage materials are 100 percent PVC-free and phthalate-free alternatives to traditional PVC banner materials. Developed with the end life of each product in mind, they can be recycled or safely incinerated without releasing harmful toxins. They can be easily printed, finished, and installed without any special equipment.
Specific to wallcoverings, Wallscapes EcoVantage is a flexible material with a nonwoven backing. It is recyclable, FSC compliant, and contains no heavy metals or halogens. Installation options are commercial grade adhesives, sewing, or attaching with grommets. Available in two embossment finishes—Smooth and Pebble.
Learn More
To learn more about PVC-free wallcoverings visit digitaloutput.net/webinars to tune in to a webinar on the topic.
Dec2023, Digital Output
