Expand Vol. 2 No. 9

World of Displays, Part 3

Building better trade-show displays with the right combination of media, laminate, and ink. This month, solvent-based solutions, tips, and tricks for all types of trade-show displays.

On This Page

• Pop-up Magnetic and Velcro Displays
• Retractable Banner Stands, Fabric, and Film
• Mounted Graphics, Banners, and Backdrops

In the previous two editions of World of Displays – which you can read by clicking here and here – we covered aqueous-based solutions for tradeshow graphics, as well as production guidelines for printing, trimming, laminating, and shipping so that the graphics meet and beat your customers’ requirements.

This month, we look at solvent-based tradeshow solutions. Next month, which marks the final installment of this series, we’ll detail the World of Displays using materials designed for UV-curable applications.

Another Brick in the Wall

One of the big questions about solvent printing revolves around whether or not one should laminate graphics printed with solvent inks. The answer, as in most situations, is… it depends. But for long-term trade show displays, particularly those that are likely to be touched and handled repeatedly, the answer is a resounding yes.

In this month’s Expanding Companies feature, Wellington Signs’ creative director, Erik Sochin, says, “It's all about finishing. It has to look good when it's finished, and laminating the prints allows us to provide texture, different gloss levels, and that extra barrier of protection. We try to sell everyone on lamination, because unless a print is protected behind glass in a case, you just don't know what's going to happen to it. Granted, it's solvent, and there will be a certain level of protection, but you can't trust everyone to treat a graphic the way you would treat it, so you need to have that peace of mind. Laminating is like insurance; it's that simple.”

To ensure long-lasting, failsafe trade-show graphics, regardless of the printing technology used, proper production, finishing, and shipping techniques are crucial. The basic rules are to allow at least 24 hours for the print to dry, trim the graphic with a sharp knife on a hard surface (not a self-healing mat) at a 90-degree angle, roll the graphics no smaller than a 12-in. diameter, roll the graphics with the softest or thinnest material facing out, roll in the same direction each time, and don’t unroll in the opposite direction to make the graphics lay flat; simply lay the material out flat. For more information on these techniques, click here.

For trimming graphics, the best possible solution is an industrial cutter, such as the Javelin High Precision Cutter Bar, which is now available at LexJet. It ensures precise and perfect cuts, which will make a dramatic difference in the durability of the finished graphics, particularly with thicker materials. Plus, it speeds up the production process immensely.

Pop-up Magnetic and Velcro Displays

Following are recommended print material and laminate combinations for front-lit/reflective pop-up magnetic trade-show booths. Your material choice will be based on the budget, and the durability and texture preferred for the application.

Most of the materials specified below are printed first-surface. The exceptions are LexJet Clear Acrylic SUV and LexJet Clear Polycarbonate SUV, which are reverse-print materials. The Clear Acrylic SUV is slightly clearer than the Clear Polycarbonate SUV and won’t yellow over time, but some printers prefer the polycarbonate material simply because they’re used to working with polycarbonates.

The LexJet Acrylic reverse-print material has greater sheer and peel strength than anything currently available on the market, and can be used for outdoor applications up to five years.

Coex PreLume Opaque White Backer gives the reverse-print materials a bright white backing that guarantees brighter color for stand-out graphics thanks to PreLume, a patented Optical Reflection Technology that offsets yellow and gray color shifts.

Magnetic pop-up booth graphics should be around 20 mils thick (media and laminate/backer together), give or take a mil or two, in order for the graphic to hold its shape on the booth. Velcro-backed pop-up booths can hold material combinations as low as 10 mils.

LexJet Clear Acrylic SUV with 10 Mil Coex PreLume Opaque White Backer. This is the ideal combination since both the Acrylic and backer are 10 mils thick, which alleviates any possible confusion your customer might have about which side to roll facing out when they roll and ship the graphics. For pop-up Velcro-backed booths, 5 Mil Coex PreLume Opaque White Backer may also be used.

LexJet Clear Polycarbonate SUV with with 10 Mil Coex PreLume Opaque White Backer. For pop-up Velcro-backed booths, 5 Mil Coex PreLume Opaque White Backer may also be used.

LexJet 12 Mil Solvent Display Film SR with 10 Mil PreLume DisplayFlex or 10 Mil PreLume ExhibitGuard. For pop-up Velcro-backed pop-up booths, no lamination is necessary for short-term graphics, and 5 Mil PreLume DisplayFlex, 8 Mil PreLume T-Flex, or 5 Mil PreLume ExhibitGuard may be used.

LexJet 18 Mil Solvent Display Film SR is an ideal print-and-trim solution for short-term, economical trade-show graphics with either magnetic or Velcro pop-up booths.

For backlit panels/headers on pop-up magnetic booths, use LexJet 9 Mil Solvent Backlit Film SR with 10 Mil PreLume DisplayFlex, 10 Mil PreLume ExhibitGuard, 5 Mil PreLume DisplayFlex, 8 Mil PreLume T-Flex, or 5 Mil PreLume ExhibitGuard.

Retractable Banner Stands, Fabric, and Film

Spring-back, telescopic, and retractable banner stands are space-saving, lightweight, collapsible solutions for single-panel displays that can also be displayed together for a multi-panel display. Retractable banner stands have the added benefit of protecting the graphic in transit and during setup since the graphic is rolled up into the hardware itself.

Most retractable banner stands, however, can only receive a graphic that’s 15 mils or thinner, but the safest bet is to keep the total thickness (printable material and laminate) to 12 mils or less since there are many banner stands on the market that can’t hold anything over 12-13 mils thick. Make sure you know the limitations of your display hardware ahead of time.

When producing a fabric display, use a hot knife to keep the fabric’s edges from fraying. For retractable banner stand graphics using a PSA laminate avoid using paper, which has less durability and tends to split after repeated use.

Fabrics can be sewn or taped for hems and pole pockets (see last month’s That’s a Good Question for more information about using LexJet’s Heavy Duty Banner Tape as a quick and economical solution).

Fabrics that work well for retractable banner stands include: 3P TruColor Heavy Banner, 3P TruColor Light Banner, 3P TruColor Banner Gloss, 3P TruColor Historic Canvas, and 3P TruColor Cotton FR.

For film applications with no lamination required, use either 8 Mil Ultra Photo Gloss or Satin SUV, 9 Mil Solvent Display Film SR, or 12 Mil Solvent Display Film SR.

Mounted Graphics, Banners, and Backdrops

When using adhesive backed materials on flat substrates, the most important thing to remember is to make sure the substrate’s surface is as clean as possible before applying the graphic material.

Don’t use soap, Windex, or any other ammonia-based cleaners as they leave a residue that will affect adhesion. It’s better to use rubbing alcohol or other cleaners that evaporate quickly, such as those made by Rapid Tac. Use cheap paper towels to wipe off the substrate as they’re less likely than rags, towels, or more expensive paper towels to leave anything behind.

It’s equally important to allow the ink to dry and set on the printable material for at least 24 hours. For more application guidelines, click here.

For the best possible image, choose LexJet Clear Acrylic SUV or LexJet Clear Polycarbonate SUV, mounted to the substrate with GraphicMount White Adhesive. A more economical alternative is LexJet 55 Intermediate Adhesive Vinyl Gloss or Semi-Matte with 3.2 Mil GraphicsGuard UV Luster w/ PreLume, 3.2 Mil GraphicsGuard UV Matte w/ PreLume, 4 Mil GraphicsGuard UV Textured, 3 Mil GraphicShield UV Satin, or 5 Mil PreLume DisplayFlex.

For vinyl banners, the best choices for trade shows are LexJet Premium Gloss Banner (15 oz.), LexJet Premium Matte Banner (15 oz.), LexJet Super Smooth Blockout Banner (13 oz.), and LexJet Premium Mesh Banner w/ Liner.

If your customer is looking for a backdrop or something that provides a nice, flowing divider, LexJet Premium Mesh Banner w/ Liner works well, as does 3P’s line of Inkjet Textiles for solvent and UV-curable printers.

If you have any questions about these combinations and applications, please contact your LexJet account specialist, who has been specially trained to find the perfect custom solution for the application, at 800-453-9538.