BACKING MATERIALS | APPLICATION VINYL | DIGITAL IMAGING

Substrates (Backing Material)

The majority of the substrates or backing materials for Digital Print or Vinyl-Cut lettering that can be used include: Aluminium, Banners, Coroplast, Crezon, Plexiglas, Lexan (Polycarbonate), Magnetic, PVC and Styrene. Now with the advent of High Speed Precision Large Format Printers, it is possible to print a full Colour Graphic Image directly on any of these material and media. As such, Digital Printing technology has taken off to such an extent that it has become the predominant tool in future sign making……, and we are right on top of it.

For the Digital Graphics on our Large Format Printers, we use only Latex and nylon reinforced papers and vinyl, which provide strength, flexibility and durability for outdoor use. Unlike regular papers, these products do not degrade when soaked in water-based pastes. Designed for digitally printed wall coverings and billboards, they offer exceptional print fidelity and colour reproduction not usually found in these mediums. They resist cracking when folded and will adhere with any standard starch-based adhesive. They can be taped, hemmed, stitched, grommeted or posted.

Aluminium:

This material is used for mostly outdoor and regulation signs. It is extremely durable and will last for many years. Aluminium is available with or without radius corners or holes. It is also available in different thickness. With this substrate, we primarily use the outdoor Latex and nylon reinforced papers or vinyl for digitally imaged signs and 2-mil vinyl for vinyl–cut signs. Aluminium can also be screen-printed. Aluminium blanks are available in different thickness. 16 gauge is the one mostly used in the sign industry. The government road signs are made out of 12 gauge.

Banners:

There are many different kinds of indoor and outdoor banners. Most of the banners are custom cut, hemmed, with grommets and/or rope. Banners are available in both Digital and Vinyl-Cut formats.

While there are many varieties of digital banner materials, 9oz, 12oz, 13oz, 16oz, etc, our Digital Banners are generally High Quality 16oz material to provide the best resolution for the digital image. Suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications.

Again, Vinyl banners come 9oz to 13oz sizes. We generally use the 13oz material to maintain our high quality standards. This material is good for outdoors as well as for indoor applications. Both 3-mil and 2-mil vinyl cut-out design can be used on banners. 3-mil vinyl has been especially designed for banners both indoor and outdoor. The 3-mil vinyl remains flexible in extreme cold weather.

We can custom cut, hem and grommet the banners or hem and rope the banner. We can also make it with pockets for inserting poles. Please note that if a banner is going to be strung between two posts, ropes would work better than grommets.

LARGE BANNERS THAT ARE MORE THAN 10’ TO 12’ SHOULD NOT BE STRUNG BETWEEN TWO POST IN AN OPEN AREA. No matter how strong the banner, it will rip easily.

Coroplast:

Coroplast is a corrugated plastic material similar in appearance to the corrugated cardboard. This is the least expensive backing material and is ideal for temporary outdoor signs lasting up to 2 years outside. The 4mm Coroplast is a soft material and can easily be bent and creased. It is a lightweight material that is ideal for hanging signs from ceilings or from windows using suction cups. It is available in 4mm, 6mm (¼") and the 10mm (½") sizes. The 4mm Coroplast comes in different colours whereas the 6mm and 10mm are available in white only. Both the 6mm and the 10mm white Coroplast are strong and can be used for site signs or “A” frame signs. This material is generally not recommended for trade show signs and can be a bit unattractive for the purpose although it can be used for making lightweight display signs. Both Digital Image and Vinyl Cut-out Letters can be applied to this material.

Crezon:

Crezon is a marine grade plywood, specially treated and prepared for the sign industry. Crezon is ideal for large exterior signs for outdoor use and is the best substrate for signs, such as real estate signs, site signs and “A”-Frame signs. It has an outdoor life expectancy of approximately 5 years. Crezon is available as one or two-sided board, in ½" or ¾" thickness. The board is generally painted with white enamel paint on one side, which gives it a very smooth finish. Crezon can be painted with different colour enamel paints such as 1 Shot, Deka or Chromatic paints to suit your needs. It is recommended that only 2-mil vinyl be used with this material. Both Digital Image and Vinyl Cut-out Letters can be applied to this material.

It is available in 8’ x 4’ and 10’ x 4’. Since it is a wood product, it can be braced with several sheets together. Crezon can also be cut into different shapes.

Foam Core:

It's a virtually weightless board made of a polystyrene foam core laminated on both sides with a white coated-paper stock. It makes a wonderful back-up for large framed work and a great mounting board for single use presentations and trial exhibits, posters or for table-top displays and signs. However, because it is a softer board, it can warp over a period of time, it is recommended only for short term use. Foam core cuts easily with a mat knife or utility knife and can be scored and folded for three-dimensional work. Standard foam core is 3/16" (5 mm) thick. A thinner 1/8" (3 mm) board is available in select sizes.

Gator Board:

Gator board is a lightweight, rigid display board with a polystyrene core and white surface. The core is very dense and firm and the surface is a wood fibre veneer laminate impregnated with resin for water resistance. It cuts cleanly with a knife, saw, or router. Gator board may be used for most durable displays, signage, and mounting surface. Gator Board is more rigid and much stronger than Foam Core and designed for a long term use.

Plexiglas:

Plexiglas is mainly used for back-lit or front-lit signs, although it can also be used for other purposes. Plexiglas has a very glossy finish and if lettered from the back looks very sharp. Both Digital Image and Vinyl Cut-out Letters can be applied to this material. Plexiglas is a fragile material and can break if care is not taken. Plexiglas is available in 1/16" (1.5mm), 1/8" (3mm), 3/16" (4.5mm)(minimum for back lit signs) and 1/4" (6mm) thickness in white, coloured or clear.

Lexan (POLYCARBONATE):

This is an extremely strong material and is an alternative to Plexiglas. Lexan is more expensive than Plexiglas. Lexan should be used where breakage is the biggest concern. Plexiglas will break if you throw a rock at it whereas Lexan will not break as easily. The clear Lexan has a slight blue tinge to it. The thickness’ available are 1.5mm, 3mm, 4.5mm, 6 mm for both sheets and roll stock. Both Digital Image and Vinyl Cut-out Letters can be applied to this material.

Masonite:

Masonite is a composite wood material made from resins and compressed wood saw dust. It comes in 1/8" and 1/4" thickness' and has the same super smooth baked enamel painted surface as MDO plywood. The edges on masonite may need to be coated to provide proper sealing effect. Masonite is ideal for real estate, contractor and job site signs. It is fairly heavy and withstands weather very well. Like Aluminum, Trovacel and Coroplast, Masonite comes in standard sizes such as 18"x24", 24"x36" etc.

Magnetic Signs:

Magnetic sign material is referred to as Ultramag or Safemag. There are two thickness’ available. The thinner one, or 0.020 (0.58mm), is used for fridge magnets. The thicker one, or 0.030 (0.76mm), is used for vehicles. Both Digital Image and Vinyl Cut-out Letters can be applied to this material. In addition, for specifically digital wide format printers, a new dye based sublimation printable magnet for direct printing is now also available. Standard magnet thickness’ for this material is 0.015 (0.38mm) and 0.030 (0.76mm).

Standard Applications:

• Business Cards
• Vehicle Graphics
• Photos
• Changeable Signs
• Puzzles
• Photo Frames

The corners of the magnetic signs should always be rounded otherwise the sign will curl from the corners.

Important Care Information for Magnetic Signs:

CAUTION: It is very important to point out that the magnetic sign should be removed on a regular basis to clean the back of it as well as the vehicle’s surface where the sign is applied. If the sign is left on the vehicle for too long, it may form a permanent bond with the metal. The maximum size recommended for magnetic signs is 18" x 24". The area where the magnetic sign is to be applied should be as flat as possible, otherwise it may fly off if the wind gets under the magnet while driving. If the magnetic sign is not applied properly, it may fall off. The magnetic sign should never be used on the highway if possible. At high speeds, the wind force can lift a corner and the sign may blow away.

PVC:

With PVC you can use any of the Digital, 3-mil or 2-mil Vinyl. PVC is available in many colours, is scratch and fire resistant. It is ideal for indoor signs, but can be used in a very limited way outdoors as the colour fades in the sun over time and it may become brittle in extreme cold. This material is ideal for trade show signs and is very durable.

Styrene:

Styrene or HIPS (high impact styrene) is smooth and bright white, an ideal for indoor signs, especially for trade shows. It is a popular material with screen printers. Styrene is available in different thickness, 0.020, 0.040 and 0.060. This product can be used in many ways. For example, the 0.020 can be used for back lit internal bus signs where as the 0.060 Styrene for the bus board signs on the outside. The drawback of Styrene is that it will yellow slightly with exposure to sunlight for long periods of time and it scratches very easily. Both Digital Image and Vinyl Cut-out Letters can be applied to this material.

BACKING MATERIALS | APPLICATION VINYL | DIGITAL IMAGING