Digital Print Media

Whether you are printing photography, display graphics, or artwork, selecting the proper material is critical. You should find the proper balance of functionality and aesthetics to highlight, preserve, and transport your visuals.

Photographic and Fine Art Printing

Let us now take a look at photographic and fine art printing. Usually, photographers or artists ask us what kind of paper they should be using. With a multitude of various photographic and fine art papers on offer, making a choice may be more challenging than you’d think.

Here’s a brief guide:

Inkjet Prints vs. Digital C-Prints

First, you’ll want to decide whether you’ll be using inkjet prints or digital c-prints.

In a C-print, the C stands for chromogenic, referring to the procedure through which color photography is developed. C-prints include color photographs. A digital C-print is generated on an RGB scale and has a specific aesthetic set that most photographers prefer. They’ll carry the exact same DNA as the original photographic laboratories, except the refined technology of today of exposing film with light is done through the use of a digitized file as its negative; and the end print is the photo sensitive paper that receives the light-transferred picture.

On the flip side, inkjet prints are pigment based and generated on a CMYK scale. Therefore, these colors are bolder and have more of a “pop.” An inkjet printer is common in an office and personal setting, though specifications are amazing for commercial usage.

Photographic Papers

The staples of photographic paper include glossy and matte. Matte papers feature non-glare finishes that are good for photos that have detail and texture, whereas glossy papers are coated and feature shiny looks that work well for images that have high contrast. If you’re frequently handling your photographs, matte paper probably is the better choice because it does not pick up fingerprints the way glossy paper does.

Metallic paper gives photographs a pearly, three-dimensional effect. Additional popular photograph papers are fiber, luster, and deep matte. And there are display films, too, like duratrans and duraclear.

Inkjet Papers

Inkjets, AKA a fine art giclée print, is generated on a broad array of fine art canvases and papers that range from rag paper to photo paper, vinyl and watercolor paper.

Window graphics offer a low-fi way to attract customers with all the impact of a high-tech solution. Storefront advertising is an effective marketing method that has been around for a long time. It works well in conjunction with other marketing, or on its own.

Vinyl graphics are effective because they easily draw in passersby. Even if someone was not planning to drop into your business, a great window graphic can be enough to attract attention. Using this cost-effective advertisement, you will get a big impact from a small investment.

The Benefits of Window Graphics

Vinyl graphics are inexpensive compared to fixed signs. They are easy to change and easy to remove. It is simple, therefore, to use vinyl graphics as a year-round advertisement or to adjust your message for special sales or events.

Permanent signs often require permits from your city. These graphics, however, do not permanently alter the space in any way. This means that they install easily without having to deal with the paperwork and cost of pursuing a permit.

Small businesses, retail stores, restaurants, service providers, hotels, and storefronts from many other industries benefit from vinyl graphics. Sharing the right message, you can reach out to your customers and potential new clients whether your business is open or closed. You will always be advertising, and always attracting attention with well-made graphics.

Special Graphic Applications

Unique graphics draw even more attention to your business. Try metallic vinyl graphics for a touch of elegance. Frosted graphics add beauty and privacy at the same time, at a low cost. You do not need etched glass when you have this removable film! Perforated graphics also add privacy without compromising on light quality.

Any of these special graphic applications, and others, can be adjusted to meet your specific space and branding requirements. These graphics are flexible and customizable for each and every business space.

Wide format printers are perfect for creating graphics of all types. Basic graphics, specialty films, and any other vinyl media come out beautifully with a high-quality printer. We can help you create the graphics that elevate your business, or provide you with the machine you need to do it yourself.

Window graphics are easy-to-use and highly customizable. They are a cost-effective way to transform a location. Try a graphic to see how it enhances the customer experience. It may even change the way you do business, as well as your bottom line.

When installing vinyl graphics on a window, the wet method is a useful way to promote longevity. Knowing this method, you can easily add window graphics to the outside of your space and keep them looking great.

Wet Method Installation Tools

To start with, you will need the right number of people to install the graphic! This is not a job for one person. It is best if you have another set of hands for accuracy and assistance.

Masking tape is another important tool. Other types of tape, including transparent tape, can damage the vinyl. Masking tape is ideal as it allows for transfer without damage.

A squeegee, glass cleaner, and paper towels ensure that your installation surface is in the best condition possible. A tape measure assists with exact positioning.

Using the Wet Installation Method

The first step in this installation method sets the stage for a successful graphic transfer. Use the glass cleaner to create a spotless surface. Let it dry thoroughly, and be aware of the temperature and humidity for best results. You want a warm environment, over 65F, with low humidity.

Use your tape measure to find the center point where you want the vinyl graphic to lay. When it is marked, pull back an inch of your graphic’s paper backing, and fold it down. Place the graphic adhesive side down onto the window. Use your squeegee to smooth it over, without removing the additional backing. Use the masking tape to hold this area down once you are done with the squeegee.

Your installation partner should then lift the decal away from the window, while you remove the additional backing. Work in six-inch increments, ensuring your graphic adheres to the window with the tape. Spray the decal with water as your assistant lifts it away.

Your partner should then lay the decal onto the window. Peel your backing as you squeegee, top to bottom, six inches at a time. When the decal is completely applied, squeegee it again from the middle to the edges. A paper towel over the decal helps avoid scratching.

Take off the tape and squeegee that area. Finally, wipe down the decal with your paper towel. Squeegee any remaining air bubbles away.

Installation on Other Surfaces

The wet method also allows for vinyl graphic installation on places like vehicles, walls, and doors. You do not need to spray the decal with water in this instance.

With forethought, preparation, and patience, you can install vinyl window decals like a pro.

HP Latex printers are perfect for high-quality printing applications. They work rapidly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. When you need durable prints for indoor or outdoor uses, Latex is a great choice!

So what are key differences and similarities between these two 64″ printers from the HP Latex 300 Series? Let’s compare the HP Latex 335 and the HP Latex 365:

Key Differences:

• L365 Print Speed: up to 978 sq ft/hr vs L335 Print Speed: up to 538 sq ft/hr
• 8in Touch Screen on the L365 vs 4in Display on the L335
• The L365 comes with ink collector for printing fabric
• The L365 comes with the i1 spectrophotometer and allows custom substrate profiling
• The HP Latex 335 comes with SAi FlexiPrint HP Basic Edition RIP. The L365 does not come with RIP software but can be purchased separately
• The L335 is offered in a print & cut bundle

Key Similarities:

• Both are 64″ wide printers
• Both are designed to handle larger, heavier media rolls
• Takeup reel is included with both printers
• Automatic X-axis cutter standard on both machines
• As with all HP Latex Printers, prints are instantly dry, ready to laminate. Printing is also orderless and do not require additional ventilation, unlike solvent and eco-solvent printers. Latex inks are also ultra durable and scratch resistant, ideal for outdoor graphics such as vehicle wraps

HP Latex 335

HP Latex 335 Print and Cut edition is designed to provide seamless communication between printer and cutter.

The Latex 335 printer is affordable and versatile. Sized 64 inches wide, it has the ability to handle large and heavy media rolls. A take-up reel and automatic X-axis cutter improve functionality as well.

When you print with the L335, you will get fast speeds, and, better yet, a completely dry print when it emerges. This is great for meeting deadlines!

The L335 comes with SAi FlexiPrint HP Basic Edition RIP. This lets you use the design-to-print workflow. You can send jobs from your design application to the print queue, or drag and drop. The L335 comes in a print and cut bundle so you can complete your job faster and more accurately.

HP Latex 365

The L365 comes with an ink collector for printing on fabric (such as this backlit fabric display).

The Latex 365 is also 64 inches wide, and able to handle large and heavy media rolls. It too is equipped with a take-up reel and automatic X-axis cutter. Front to back registration lets you automatically print double-sided products with the same great speed and accuracy. This highly versatile printer will wow your clients.

The main difference between the L365 and the L335 is its speed. The L365 prints at up to 978 sq ft/hr vs the L335 at 538 sq ft/hr. It also comes with a larger eight-inch touch screen versus a four-inch display on the L335.

Because the L365 can print on textiles, it comes with an ink collector for printing fabric. It has the i1 spectrophotometer and allows custom substrate profiling. For more technically complex print jobs, the L365 may be a better choice.

The L365 does not come with RIP software. However, you can purchase this program separately.

Learn More About Latex Printers

For the full technical specifications of each printer, check out the brochures for the Latex 335 and the Latex 365. You can also get pricing and additional information about the Latex 335 here. Learn more about pricing and details for the L365 here.

Documentation:

• HP Latex 335 Brochure
• HP Latex 365 Brochure

PERMACOLOR ColorGard LUV Application Example

Mactac has announced improvements to their line of PERMACOLOR ColorGard LUV overlaminates. Already considered to be some of the best laminating films on the market, the improvements elevates this product into an even highly level of performance. ColorGard LUV films offer protection from abrasion, moisture and other potentially damaging effects in both indoor and outdoor environments. Additionally, as an added benefit these films enhance the vibrancy of the graphic.

Among the new improvements are:

• Increased outdoor durability up to 5 years
• Color shift resistance
• ColorGard LUV films now have unmatched superior adhesion and wet-out over challenging UV inkjet prints

Applications:

• Photographic prints
• Transparencies
• UV screen printed images
• Latex, Solvent, Eco-solvent and Water-based Inkjet AND especially UV inkjet prints

Why Use High-Performance Laminating Films?

Laminating are used to protect printed graphics from light, dirt and moisture both indoors and outdoors. It should also be known that not all laminating films are created equal. Low-grade laminating films can bubble, crack, warp, and cause graphics to fade. A high-performance overlaminate, such as PERMACOLOR ColorGard LUV by Mactac offers UV protection, superior flexibility/conformability, superior adhesion, long-term protection, and graphic enhancement.

Learn more about PERMACOLOR LUV Overlaminates

The following are answers to commonly asked questions about environmental recommendations for HP Latex Wide Format Printers.

• Relative humidity range for best print quality: 40–60%, depending on substrate type
• Relative humidity range for printing: 20–80%, depending on substrate type
• Temperature range for best print quality: 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), depending on substrate type
• Temperature range for printing: 15 to 30°C (59 to 86°F), depending on substrate type
• Temperature range when not in operation / storage of HP Latex Printer: -25 to +55°C (-13 to +131°F)
• Temperature gradient: no more than 10°C/h (18°F/h)
• Maximum altitude when printing: 3000 m (10000 ft)

NOTE: The printer must be kept indoors.

NOTE: If the printer or ink cartridges are moved from a cold location to a warm and humid location, water
from the atmosphere can condensate on the printer parts and cartridges and can result in ink leaks and
printer errors. In this case, HP recommends that you wait at least 3 hours before turning on the printer or
installing the ink cartridges, to allow the condensate to evaporate.

Types of Wall Graphic Media

Type II – Commercial Grade

Type II wall media is considered commercial grade – it’s designed to comply local, state and federal building and fire codes. This media is durable enough to withstand light and medium wear. Common applications include lobbies / waiting rooms, hallways, schools, restaurants, and retail settings. Typical intended application time is long-term. 

Browse Type II Wall Media

We recommend:

• HP PVC-free Type II Wallcover – featuring a water activated adhesive-backing
• DaVinci Type II Wallcover – non-adhesive backing

EnviroScape Wall Mural

Adhesive-Backed Wall Media

This type of media is ready to be applied to the wall without the need for paste. There are several options when it comes to adhesive. Water-activated adhesive has more room for error during installation because it can be moved or slid into place. Products with a peel away backing and a low-tack adhesive also fall into this category.

We recommend:

• Easy Image Wallcover and EnviroScape Mural – PVC-free wallcoverings with water activated adhesive for easy installation
• ROODLE by Mactac – A repositionable vinyl media for wall decals with similar characteristics to a certain product that begins with Fat and ends with Head.

Non Adhesive-Backed Wall Media

Non adhesive backed wall media is similar to wall paper in that it needs paste to be applied. This type of media is used for applications where typical adhesive-backed media does not cut it or when users prefer a traditional wall-paper-like installation.

We recommend:

DigiScape Smooth 9 mil – a durable, wet-strength media and an excellent alternative to pvc wallcovering materials.

panoRama Walk & Wall

Metallic / Specialty Finishes

We recommend:

RoughRap – for rough deeply textured surfaces such as brick, stucco, and cement.

WallFab Pearlescent – stunning metallic canvas-textured surface.

PanoRama Walk & Wall – one-step solution for indoor floors and walls, no lamination required.

Learn how to create and install amazing floor graphics avoiding solvent wait time and laminating right away with no delays. In this video, you will see demonstrations for printing and cutting indoor and outdoor floor graphics and the correct media to use.

Products featured in the video: Mactac IMAGIN JT 5822P, Mactac PREMAFLEX 6400, Mactac STREETRAP, Mactac STREETLAM and HP Latex Print and Cut Solution

Examples of Unique Wallcovering Textures

Unique textures such as this distinctive exotic faux mayan stone finish by KoroGraphics® can give the appearance of a mural that was painted directly on the wall.

KoroGraphics® Mongahello

Another option from KoroGraphics® is Trade Route, a finely detailed interpretation of ancient Chinese horizontal “raw” silk. Subtle slubs adorn the face of this fine fabric texture and convey a rich, sophisticated appearance to the finished image, a true upgrade from a standard “Artist Canvas” texture.

KoroGraphics® Trade Route

WallFab by Presto Tape is a polyester nonwoven wallcovering featuring a natural hand-woven canvas texture. It produces vivid imagery and striking detail – something that has to be seen in person to get the full experience. It comes in a variety of options including WallFab, WallFab Pearlescent, and WallFab Black Metallic (all pictured below).

WallFab by Presto Tape

WallFab Pearlescent Metallic Finish

WallFab Black

Easy Image Wallcovering

Easy Image by DaVinci Technologies is a PVC-free wallcovering with a premium fabric-like texture that produces vibrant images on a unique soft to touch surface.

What are Wallcoverings?

Wallcoverings are designed to cover an entire surface as opposed to a smaller section of a wall. Additionally, wallcoverings can serve to cover blemishes or imperfections on dry wall or plaster walls. Typical wallcovering media is also thicker and more durable than standard sign vinyl.

Why Choose a Unique Wallcovering Finish?

It is easy to go with a standard smooth or canvas textured wallcovering. They are mass produced and many times a less expensive option. Standard wallcoverings will always have a place in the market – especially for short term or applications where a big visual impact is not important. So why choose a unique finish?

Unique wallcovering media gives the appearance of a premium surface. Since the textures and finishes are indeed unique, it makes viewers more intrigued about the subject matter – something everyone in the digital printing industry strives for. Surfaces can vary greatly. Some wallcovering surfaces look as though the graphic has been painted directly on the wall. Others have metallic finishes and change appearance in different lighting. Heavily textured finishes create depth and rich images. As you will see in the examples below, the possibilities can open opportunities into new markets and carve a niche for you as you expand into this sector of wide format printing.

Pickup trucks are used across a wide variety of service and construction based businesses. Unfortunately, very few of these businesses utilize their pickup trucks as an effective advertising tool. Well-executed vinyl wraps grab the attention of viewers and provide continuous marketing your business, as long as the vehicle is visible to the public.

Here are several effective pickup truck wrap designs:

Partial wrap for heating and air company

Reflective wrap for auto sales company

Classic design fused with modern graphics make this truck wrap a real head turner

Visit DaVinci Technologies for a complete selection of wrap vinyl