Sign makers are always looking for new materials and technology to improve the signs we make for our customers. One way to learn about new products is by attending trade shows, where we can see the materials demonstrated and get all of our questions answered. Besides, it’s just fun to hang out with a bunch of people who love talking about signs as much you do. I have come across a couple of relatively new products that we’ve tried for producing short-term graphics, and I will share what I have learned about them with you. This does not mean that we endorse these products above any others, or support the claims made by the manufacturers. It is up to you to test samples and decide whether these products will work for your sign shop and your customers. Although I discuss only two types of banner materials, a comprehensive list of manufacturers for you to try out can be found on page 78. I would love to hear about your success stories using other materials.

 

The first product is PhotoTex, a patented, adhesive-backed fabric that can be easily applied on almost any indoor or outdoor surface, even under extreme weather conditions, then repositioned and reused as desired. The media is a polyester fabric, which is biodegradable and non-toxic, though no recycled materials are used in the fabrication. It is manufactured in South Korea, and was first brought into the United States six years ago. There are two versions of coating, Photo Tex for Pigment/Aqueous and UV inks, available in 17", 36", 42" and 60" rolls, and Photo Tex (S) for all latex, solvent and UV inks, available in 17", 30", 42", 50", 54" and 60" rolls.

 

For indoor applications, you can expect a life of at least four years without lamination. To increase the durability of the inks in outdoor use, a liquid laminate or spray should be applied to protect from UV degradation. Sheet laminates do not work well, because they tend to make it curl and pull away from the surface. Very heavy ink application can cause similar effects when using certain UV inks. All other inks can be printed to the edge with no issues. 

 

The repositionable adhesive makes PhotoTex very versatile for seasonal advertising, retail graphics and trade show displays, since the printed panels can be applied for up to one year, removed and placed on the release backer or wax paper, rolled and stored to be used again. The adhesive will not leave any residue when removed from almost any surface. It can be backlit on acrylic or windows, will wrap around corners or poles, and can be painted or printed with inkjet or lithographic presses. The fabric media can’t be stretched, torn or permanently wrinkled, and even if the adhesive folds over and sticks to itself, it can be peeled apart and applied without damaging the adhesive bond. This feature also makes it easy for retail staff with very little experience to handle the application successfully. 

 

PhotoTex is a patented, adhesive-backed fabric that can be easily applied on almost any indoor or outdoor surface, even under extreme weather conditions, then repositioned and reused as desired.

It works well for political campaigns, company or team logos, in temporary spaces or for video production, P.O.P., banners and posters. It has been used to decorate elevator doors, vehicles, billboards, exhibit show booths, and museum displays. The most common application is for wall murals, since it sticks very reliably to a wide array of paints and paint finishes, and it is thin enough that it conforms very nicely to textured walls with excellent adhesion. It can be applied on almost any painted, non-porous surface, even rough brick or stucco, and it will stick for up to two years outdoors. The adhesive never weakens unless it collects too much dust or dirt, and will last longer than the ink in most cases. 

 

The material can be cut to shape without affecting adhesion or causing curling. It is not necessary to seal the edges, though repeated trips through a car wash may cause the edges to fray. Application on flexible substrates such as banner material or thin lexan has not yet been thoroughly tested. Some future products in the works include 8.5" x 11" sheets for home printers and scratch ’n’ sniff fabric with scents that can be applied into the fabric like liquid lamination.

 

If you are interested in trying PhotoTex, be sure to mention Sign & Digital Graphics to get free samples when you visit the website. Go to www.phototexgroup.com or call 330-783-0083 for more information.

 

The second product is Xign banner material, which has a super smooth surface that accepts ink beautifully and can be hemmed and grommetted just like other banner materials, though it is best suited for interior applications. Its greatest benefit is its resistance to curling, which makes it perfect for retractable and pop-up banner displays. It is manufactured by LG Hausys, and is available through many sign product distributors in the United States.

 

Xign banner material from LG Hausys has a super smooth surface that accepts ink beautifully.

It is manufactured with a block-out layer, so it cannot be backlit, but it can be printed on both sides and features a matte surface with built-in scratch resistance that gives high-quality results with low-cost materials. It is a great way to make an inexpensive display appear upscale and elegant. LG intentionally works to keep the cost as low as possible for the sign industry, without sacrificing quality. Though there are many companies offering similar products, prices vary, and you’ll need to test a lot of material to find products that have all of the features of Xign banner material. Then again, when dealing with short-term graphics, perhaps you don’t need so many features. When talking with your distributor, be sure to bring up which features for banner material you are looking for since it is likely all of these bells and whistles won’t be necessary for every job. You can likely save money by finding a product more specific to your customer’s needs.

 

Xign works for us because it can be screen printed, painted, or digitally printed with latex, solvent and eco-solvent inks. It can be cut to shape and still retains its curl resistance, as long as it is supported either by laying against a flat surface, with a wire armature, or by tension in a pop-up banner stand. The printed material can then be rolled and stored for several months, and when it is brought out again it will unroll and retain its smooth, curl resistant nature for another advertising season or trade show.

 

The material is a PET product that is recyclable, but not biodegradable, and no recycled material is used in the fabrication. If you want to promote environmental consciousness, use eco-solvent inks and encourage the end-user to recycle their banner when it has reached the end of its useful life.

 

For more information, go to www.vizuon.eu/en or contact Shawn Adams of LG Hausys, Ltd., at 831-206-8086. 

 

Click here to view the Banner Resource PDF with website links