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 The MacDermid Autotype range of digital printing products consists of specialist films which have been devised for demanding applications in exhibition (pop-ups and roll-ups) and promotions graphics (floor graphics) and are produced using digital technology through large format ink jet printers.
The market for large format ink jet printers is in continuous expansion, with dozens of well known brands and re-branded equipment. Essentially, aside from the final resolution which has moved dramatically from 300dpi to anything over 1200dpi, the main difference in ink jet printers is the type of ink they use. This is an intentional oversimplification, since there are many other technical considerations, ranging from speed of output to firing mechanisms, but to all intent and purpose the ink must match the media used.
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 Ink Matters
Broadly speaking inks can be classified in two categories: water based and solvent or oil based. The latter may have an advantage with regard to durability, but they can only be used on a limited range of highly porous materials, since these inks have to be absorbed and locked within the carrier. Water based inks are most commonly used and can be either dye based (fully dispersed colorants) or pigment based (i.e. containing pigments in suspension). No water based inks contains 'pure' water and a number of other substances are used, such as humectants, to keep the firing nozzles free. The percentage of these substances may change depending on manufacturers, though this may be a crucial factor when outputting on specialist substrates. Although pigmented inks are improving, dye based inks are still offering the best colour gamut, with pigmented ones giving slightly duller images.
When outputting digitally using ink jet printers, it is important to rely on media which can hold the droplets of ink steadily, allowing for a certain percentage of controlled bleed (or you will see the various dots which make up the image). In addition, professional applications require media upon which ink will dry quickly, since the resulting prints are almost always 'finished' (mounted or over-laminated) within a very short period of time.
The image below shows two different kinds of substrates, the one on the left is on a substrate which is too porous and will result in a poor quality image. The image on the right (SIGMAGraF media) allows for a highly controlled dot gain, with sufficient bleed to ensure that correct tonalities are achieved.
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Finishing
Finishing a print is very important With exhibition graphics the images must be supported by a suitably robust backing, while in floor graphics the prints needs to be supported and given maximum protection.
Whatever the application, the final print will need to adhere to a specialist support and this is done by putting the print through a laminator. However, this is a delicate process which may interfere with the image itself, particularly if hot laminates are used. Remember, no matter how dry the print may look, there may still be water droplets which will evaporate during hot lamination. This may cause the components to separate (delamination). Fortunately, MacDermid Autotype has devised a range of affordable cold lamination supports that overcome this problem and work perfectly with our SIGMAGraF and FootPrint films.
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Guaranteeing maximum protection
Aside from giving the print a support. Conventional prints would also need to be given a protective surface which is also used to enhance the image by giving it a glossy or silky finish.
With the MacDermid Autotype range of digital media, this is no longer necessary since all SIGMAGraF and FootPrint films are reverse printable, with the outer surface (the one nearest a viewer) available either in a matt or antiglare finish. The finished surface of the SIGMAGraF films is a composite area which not only gives your prints the desired level of reflection, but is also guaranteed to be scratch and solvent resistant and - for floor graphic applications - also slip resistant.
The advantages of reverse printing with SIGMAGraF are enormous. Not only can users avoid an additional pass (particularly relevant with older laminating equipment), but the final image results are stunning, since the adhesive which would normally 'flood' an image printed with conventional outputs, is now firmly behind the graphic. Designers can rely on SIGMAGraF to deliver the most accurate displays, in keeping with the closest criteria of corporate and brand identity.
For more details about these systems please click on the sub applications below.
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| Associated Products |
| PLUS Prospeed SIGMAGraF Textured Matt SIGMAGraF Backstop SIGMAGraF Plus AntiGlare SIGMAGraF Shield SIGMAGraF UVjet SIGMAGraF Plus FootPrint High Traffic Adhesive (HTA) FootPrint |
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