By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Protective coatings are applied to digitally printed wallcoverings for added durability as well as value-added features like specialty finishes. Select coatings are available with certifications to guarantee protection against bacteria and fire.
Protective Coatings
Alliance Technology Corporation (ATC) offers the ATC UniFlex OD Gloss and ATC UniFlex Matte UV liquid coatings. Both are compatible with most materials and inks including rigid and flexible products. The coatings are applied automatically using roller application and Mayer bar application.
Bob Leidlein, VP sales and marketing, ATC, says the coatings are extremely durable and flexible for a variety of applications with no cracking. “The appearance of digitally printed materials may be enhanced by coating with glossy, matte, or satin coatings, and other specialty coatings.” ATC UniFlex OD Gloss and ATC UniFlex Matte are washable, scratch resistant, and E84 compliant against fire.
Breathing Color Timeless Varnish is used to protect prints made on matte canvas. It is compatible with a variety of media types including canvas, art paper, photo paper, and wallcoverings. Applied with a roll or HVLP spray on, Timeless Varnish provides a strong layer of durability to printed products. It can also adjust print sheen levels to matte, satin, or glossy.
The coating is archival certified for over 100 years when applied to archival material. “UV inhibitors are built right in, so prints are protected from harmful rays,” explains Justin Bodin, operations manager, Breathing Color.
DreamScape’s DreamGuard is a water-based coating that protects against scuffs, abrasions, and every day splashes. It can be applied with a standard 1/4-inch nap paint roller or liquid laminating machine.
The coating is available with all media except materials that feature a surface effect such as reflective, sparkled, or holographic as protective coatings dull the effect. According to Brian McElwaine, marketing manager, DreamScape, DreamGuard is available for $75 per gallon.
Gluefast Company, Inc. offers CR 665, a water-based acrylic glossy gel coating for the wall art industry. It is designed for application onto printed lithographs and canvas giclée. CR 665 features scratch- and water-resistance properties and can be cleaned with a damp sponge.
“It offers a high gloss finish, and unlike some acrylics you can apply a lot of this material and it will clarify within 24 hours, a great improvement over other gel coatings,” comments Lester Mallet, president, Gluefast Company. Applied with a 1/2-inch nap paint roller, brush, or putty knife, CR 665 is available in quarts, gallons, five-gallon pails, and 55-gallon drums.
Marabu North America ClearShield water-based liquid coatings offer UV protection, chemical resistance, and abrasion resistance to banners, billboards, canvas prints, signage, truck-side curtains, vehicle graphics, and wallcoverings. It’s available in several formulations, including Anti-Graffiti, Canvas Guard, Classic, Classic Lite, Production Clear, and Wall Armor.
According to Sarah Stafford, sales and marketing, Marabu, ClearShield Wall Armor helps printed wallcoverings maintain Type II certification when applied with a liquid laminator like the StarLam 1600R. It can also be applied using an HVLP gravity fed spray gun.
Polymeric Group’s Smokescreen+ is a UV-curable protective coating for wallpaper and wall graphic products. It offers flame retardancy, mold prevention, and stain resistance. “This unique formulation, in combination with flame retardant substrates, has passed rigorous independent laboratory flame suppression testing,” comment Angela Argit, marketing coordinator and Amy Hohenadel, lab manager, Polymeric. The coating also contains materials that may protect against common bacteria and mold growth.
Smokescreen+ is best used with wallpaper, rigid vinyl, and PETG. It can be applied either as a rollout or through a screen process. The coating passed the ASTM E84 standard test method for surface burning characteristics of building material, NFPA 286 standard methods of fire tests for evaluating contribution of wall and ceiling interior finish to room fire growth, and DIN 4102 fire behavior of building materials and building components part one on wallpaper.
Premier Imaging Products offers PremierArt ECO Print Shield protective coating. It is compatible with all water-resistant inkjet canvas and can be applied with a foam roller or spray gun system. “These coatings protect prints from moisture, light, humidity, atmospheric contaminants, abrasions, and fingerprints,” comments Tom Feikls, president, Premier Imaging Products.
It’s available in glossy, satin, and matte finishes and exhibits low odor. Tested by Wilhelm Imaging Research, the coatings are ideal for gallery wraps and do not crack during stretching. PremierArt ECO Print Shield is available from 25 premier dealers across the country with pricing set by individual dealers.
Print Improves
Protective coatings offer several advantages for digital printing including a smoother surface, added durability, and specialty finishes. Currently, there is a great selection of coatings for a variety of applications.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, An Extra Layer of Protection.
Jun2019, Digital Output
