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Wide Format Print Media Applications and Tips

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Floor Graphics

Floor graphic can be an effective form of advertising or used in homes and commercial spaces. They can transform a space with unique designs and 3D illusions. In years past, floors were not considered an optimal place for advertising because print media could not stand up to the heavy wear of foot traffic. Thanks to advances in print media there is now a variety of floor graphic vinyl and other substrates designed specifically for floor surfaces including concrete, asphalt, wood, title, and carpet. See examples of how floor graphics can be used below:

How to Prepare Your Floors for a New Floor Graphic

January 8, 2019 By Digital Print Media Editor

Using floor graphics is a powerful way to convey messages. These wonderful graphics have a whole range of useful applications. Just a few examples include sales messages in stores and malls, wayfinding in hospitals or airports, or safety messages in warehouses and factories.

When selecting floor graphic inkjet media, the material should meet anti-slip standards such as those set by ANSI/NFSI (American National Standards Institute/National Floor Safety Institute) and various R (ramp test) ratings (UK).

AlumiGraphics GRIP contains an aggressive adhesive that is designed to be removed without leaving residue behind.

It is good practice to use media with a removable adhesive so that it can be removed without leaving stains or marks on the application surface. Most important is the use of a good laminate (if the media requires it). This is primarily to provide a slip-resistant surface and make sure the installation is safe to be walked on, but it also helps to protect the image from damage.

Golden rules

Regardless of the surface, it needs to be clean and dry. Avoid application in the cold as this will impact the effectiveness of the adhesive.

A good way to start any application is to lay the graphic on the floor where you want it to be with the backing still on. Stick the graphic to the floor using tape to show the final location, cutting the tape to allow installation. By doing this, you can line the graphic up perfectly by matching up the tape as a guide.

Never overlap more than one layer of laminate as this can cause a tripping hazard. Round corners and seal the edges, especially if mechanical cleaning will be employed.

Tiled and laminate floors

panoRama Walk & Wall is a diverse product suitable for a almost any indoor flat floor or wall surface.

Tiled and laminate floors are typical in shops and offices. Make sure you remove dust and lint, then clean the floor with good detergent and water. There are a variety of industrial-grade mopping systems designed to make this process easy. After this, wipe it down with isopropyl alcohol.

Prepare an area larger than the graphic to make sure you’ve cleaned everywhere you need to and allow the surface to dry completely before application.

Carpet floor

Vacuum thoroughly to remove as much dust and lint as you can. Try to avoid getting the area wet as it needs to be dry before application. Tacky rollers can help further remove lint and loose particles from the surface.

Use a print media with an ‘aggressive adhesive’ as this will help keep the graphic attached the the carpet surface. Make sure you press down the edges again once applied to ensure they are down tight. Edges that curl can cause tripping, which is something everyone wants to avoid. 

FloorShark® 170TFG is a textured floor graphic polyester film designed for carpet and a variety of other flat surfaces.

Asphalt and concrete

Brush off all the loose dirt and stones from the area. If you wash with water, make sure the area is completely dry before application and that the ambient temperature is at least 50°F. Make sure to use floor graphic media that’s designed for outdoor surfaces.

We recommend Alumigraphics GRIP for longer-term outdoor floor graphic applications and Mactac StreetTRAX™ or IMAGin® StreetRAP™ for short to medium-term applications.

Mactac StreetTRAX features 2 month outdoor durability and is designed for gritty surfaces.

Mactac PERMACOLOR® FloorGRIP PF6600 is our recommended laminate for indoor and outdoor inkjet media. Be sure to read the manufacturers recommendations because some inkjet media does not require an overlaminate

With the right material and installation, your new floor graphic is going to look amazing. With a little care, your floor graphic will look great for ages to come.

Filed Under: Digital Print Media News, Floor Graphics

How to Choose the Right Overlaminate

October 23, 2018 By Digital Print Media Editor

Overlaminate may seem like an afterthought compared to deciding the primary elements of your graphic such as color, materials, and design. While it is a finishing touch, it is a very important one to consider.

An overlaminate will prolong the life of your graphic and protect it from weathering, UV rays, damage, and scratches.

Types of Overlaminate Materials

The main types of overlaminate materials are cast, monomeric, or polymeric vinyl. Depending on the type of graphic you have chosen, one of these three will be the best option. Keep in mind that the substrate (the layer under the overlaminate) dictates the material for the overlaminate.

It is possible to mix materials in some cases. A better quality overlaminate can be used with a lesser quality substrate. However, the opposite is not true. A cast vinyl cannot be combined with a polymeric or monomeric overlaminate because it can cause edge curl or shrinkage. Cast vinyl must be paired with a cast overlaminate.

Think about the type, location, and use of the graphic.

Will it be a floor graphic, a sign, or car wraparound?

Is the image 2D or 3D?

This will help to decide with type of overlaminate material that is required.

For 2D graphics including signs, interior walls, or displays, a standard polymeric overlaminate is recommended. With 3D graphics, a cast overlaminate should be used. There is more of a stretch of the material with 3D applications, and any other type of material will not work correctly.

Cast vinyl and cast overlaminate are the most long-lasting combination of the materials available for graphics. While the cost is higher with the cast materials, the durability and stability are better. Over time this cost difference will pay off with a longer-lasting sign, floor graphics, or mural, especially those that are placed in outdoor spaces. Cast overlaminates can also have several types of finishes, including glossy, satin, matte, or luster to match the desired appearance of the project.

Overlaminates are an important finishing touch for any type of graphics or signs. Protect your investment with a quality overlaminate that will stand the test of weather, wear, and time.

There are several types of overlaminates to choose from, so consider the use, placement, and look that you’d like as you discuss the options with your vendor or graphic designer.

 

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Filed Under: Digital Print Media News, Floor Graphics, Vinyl Wrapping, Wall Graphics, Window Graphics

New StreetTRAX Floor Graphic – No Laminate Required!

July 9, 2018 By Digital Print Media Editor

Mactac® Launches StreetTRAX™ Outdoor Floor Graphic Product

New StreetTRAX Floor Graphic - No Laminate Required!

StreetTRAX™ is a print-and-apply outdoor floor graphic media that delivers sharp images and is inherently slip resistant, no laminate needed.

Building on its industry-leading reputation, Mactac® launches its second outdoor floor graphic product, StreetTRAX™, which passes ANSI/NFSI slip resistance/high traction specifications.

StreetTRAX (STX1528P) is ideal for high pedestrian traffic areas such as marathons and races, parades, fairs, college campuses, sports arenas and entertainment venues, convention centers, and more. It has an outdoor application life of up to 2 months and is printable with solvent, eco-solvent, latex and UV-cured inkjet printers.

StreetTRAX is a 13.5-mil white PVC film that is top-coated with a non-skid printable clear aggregate, which allows for amazingly clean lines and crisp images. It features an aggressive, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive that bonds extremely well to flat or slightly rough concrete and asphalt surfaces.

“Printable, grit-coated StreetTRAX features a proprietary coating that truly stands in a class of its own,”

says Jeff Stadelman, marketing manager, Mactac Distributor Products.

“Its unique design delivers sharp images and exceptional high traction on either wet or dry floors, making it an extremely versatile and cost-effective solution for promoting high-impact images and other creative messages on concrete and asphalt surfaces.”

Meeting the new ANSI/NFSI (American National Standards Institute/National Floor Safety Institute) B101.1 and B101.3 specifications for slip resistance/high traction, StreetTRAX is designed for the production of outdoor sidewalk and parking lot ‘floor’ graphics.

Filed Under: Digital Print Media News, Floor Graphics

Large Format Printer Maintenance

June 14, 2018 By Digital Print Media Editor

Wide Format Printer Maintenance

Maintaining your large format printer ensures that jobs are completed on-time and prints are of the highest quality. 

Updated: 6/14/2018 – Your wide format printer will only work well if it is properly maintained. When you rely on your printer for your business, regular maintenance is vital. It is the kind of thing best done preventatively and regularly, instead of waiting for something to go wrong.

To keep your wide format printer functioning well for a long time to come, follow these tips for print head cleaning and more. You will also find a well-maintained printer makes better prints!

Supplies for Printer Maintenance

Have these supplies in stock for maintenance and repair. Each one plays an important role.

  • Gloves: Wear latex or nitrile gloves when performing printer maintenance. It is important to avoid direct contact with chemicals such as ink and cleaning solvents.
  • Eye Protection: Similarly, safety goggles protect your eyes. Just in case printer ink or other solvents splash, you will be glad you have the coverage!
  • Shop Wipes / Industrial Wipes: Paper towels are a must-have for quick clean up of any spills or messes.
  • Print Swabs: Print head swabs are one of the most important supplies to have on hand. These are used to clean the hard to reach areas of your wide format printer. When you use print swabs you can extend the life of your print heads and improve print quality.
  • Print Head Wipes: Use a polyester, lint-free wipe, with attributes similar to those of cleanroom wipes. Use these to clean print heads and other sensitive materials and areas of the printer.
  • Spray Bottle: Use this for careful, accurate spraying of your cleaning solvent. You should always refer to your specific printer manual for acceptable cleaning solvents.

Referring to Your Manual

The manual for your printer will give you specific instructions for maintenance. This includes how often you should clean and maintain your printer. It will also let you know which supplies and cleaners suit your specific machine. While some of these products are universal, like safety goggles and gloves, others will change with your printer make and model.

Other Maintenance Considerations

Factors like the environment in which your printer lives impact maintenance and cleaning. Think about the operating temperature and humidity — higher or lower levels can change your printer’s efficiency. The cleanliness of the area also matters.

Have questions regarding this topic? Leave a comment below to start the discussion.

Filed Under: Digital Print Media News, Floor Graphics, Print Head Cleaning, Vinyl Wrapping, Wall Graphics, Window Graphics Tagged With: wide format printer maintenance

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