By Cassandra Balentine
The April issue of Digital Output looked at foamboard and plastics used in display and point of purchase (POP). With continued demand for foam- and acrylic-based printable rigid materials, here we highlight offerings from various companies.
3A Composites USA
3A Composites has three brands of foamboards for use in graphic display and POP applications. The FOME-COR Collection of paper-faced foamboards are ideal for short-term display and POP applications. The boards are available with a wide variety of specialized facers, from double-clay coated for excellent direct printing, pressure-sensitive for more efficient mounting, or canvas for a more artistic and eye-catching display. It is also stocked in a wide sheet size range for optimized output.
GATORFOAM is a high-performance foamboard with wood-fiber veneer facers that create a rigid, yet lightweight solution. It’s available in gauges up to three inches thick, making it ideal for adding dimension to POP displays. GATORFOAM has the highest strength to weight ratio of any graphic display rigid substrate, says Charles A Kunze, director, product management and marketing; graphic display and industry and transport divisions, 3A Composites.
The smooth, HIPS facers of GATORPLAST allow for more vibrant colors and vivid images, making this high performance foamboard an excellent solution for digital printing applications. The high-impact plastic facers resist warping, are moisture-resistant, easily cleaned, and are also flexible and crack resistant for 3D construction. GATORPLAST is very rigid and stable enabling high-quality, durable, freestanding POP displays.
3A also features the SINTRA Collection of expanded PVC sheets, which have been proven solutions to display and POP signage for decades, says Kunze. SINTRA has a premium, smooth surface that delivers extremely high-quality direct printing results and a range of fabrication options. It can be cold or heat formed for dimensional displays, and offers premium properties of superior dent and scratch resistance, very good chemical resistance, easy cleanability and Class A Fire Rating in certain gauges. SINTRA VERS is a lighter weight, general purpose PVC board well suited for high-run jobs where speed and efficiency are important. Its light weight allows for easier handling and installation, and it still offers the fabrication capabilities of standard SINTRA.
Acrylic Design Associates
Acrylic Design Associates works with foamboard to cut and print dimensional letters and logos for retailers and brands. It also manufactures Recrylic.
Bill McNeely, Jr., president, Acrylic Design Associates, says the company works with and prints on a wide variety of high-performance plastics, including acrylic, HDU, polycarbonates, polystyrene, PVC, etc. “We use specially formulated inks that don’t crack or chip when bending or shaping materials after printing.”
Acrylic Design Associates has been been creating dimensional printed products using rigid materials for nearly 50 years. “We are seeing increased interest in using sustainable materials, which led to the introduction of Recrylic, a line of certified recycled acrylic,” explains McNeely. Recrylic is designed to look, perform, and cost, the same as virgin acrylic, but with reduced carbon emissions. “This makes it a great alternative for virtually any project that might otherwise use virgin acrylic,” says McNeely.
Laminators Inc.
Alumalite Standard is a strong, aluminum composite panel with a high-density corrugated polypropylene core that will not swell, corrode, rot, wick water, or delaminate even under prolonged water exposure.
The factory-baked polyester painted aluminum faces add high gloss brilliance and rigidity and are warranted not to crack, chip, flake, or peel. Alumalite Standard offers a colorfast ten year limited warranty. It is available in six- and ten-millimeter sheet thicknesses.
Palram
PALBOARD is an innovative and durable PVC sheet that can be fabricated to have interlocking edges and locking tabs, meaning that no adhesives or fasteners are required to build a structure—making PALBOARD ideal for creating displays of all shapes and sizes.
Ideal for digital prints as well, the ultra-smooth surfaces are bright white, allowing for vibrant color reproduction. Lighter weight than ACM, and more structurally stable than corrugated competitors, PALBOARD is the choice substrate for display builders, designers, sign makers, trade show manufacturers, and printers.
Vycom
Celtec Expanded PVC signage material is notably used for a large range of projects with top applications including POP displays, signage, storage, store fixtures, exhibits/kiosks, dimensional lettering, and display boards. It is lightweight, easy to fabricate, paint, and laminate. The smaller cell structure of Celtec Expanded PVC’s optimal density provides for edge finishing and superior screw and staple retention, while great fastening characteristics and fire properties make it easy to work with. Offered in a wide range of thicknesses and in a full line of standard colors, there are also custom colors available upon request.
Continued Interest
Acrylic and other plastic-based rigid solutions—including foamboard products—continue to be introduced as demand remains in the display and POP space. The materials’ durability and printability are two strong reasons to consider them in many digital printing projects.
Apr2024, Digital Output
