Best Media for Framed Prints using Latex Printer

[CSPrint]

Any recommendations for a good media for framed prints? We frame 18x24 and 24x36 prints in wood frames with acrylic fronts. We currently use a Lexjet Sunet Satin Photo paper printed on a HP 800W. We run into issues where the prints will sometime ripple in the frame (sometime between shipping and the customer hanging it). I think it has to do with the media being paper based. I was going to switch to an adhesive vinyl (and just leave the backing on), but most of the backing are paper based and we have seen that ripple just leaving them out in our shop. I was going to try a rigid vinyl, but it cant handle the heat of printing on a latex printer and ripples due to the curing heat.

Any other thoughts. I want to keep the price down, so nothing crazy. Are there any vinyls with a non paper backing? I dont want to mount the prints in any fashion because we dont have the time or setup to do that for our smaller prints. We do that for our largest 44x32 prints, but it is too time consuming for our small ones.

Appreciate your time and advice!

Thanks,
Steve

 

[balstestrat]

Synthetic paper.

 

[Signstein]

What about a synthetic paper?

SYNAPS OM Synthetic Paper from Nekoosa

SYNAPS synthetic paper is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications and is waterproof, tear-proof, and weather resistant for ultimate durability.

nekoosa.com

YUPOilluminate - Yupo Synthetic Papers

Think Big When you need the durability and performance of waterproof synthetic paper, but your project is a large-format poster or banner and typical paper sizes just won’t fit your specs, it’s time to try YUPOilluminate. Yupo Corporation is constantly developing new synthetic paper solutions to...

yupousa.com

 

[P Wagner]

Any recommendations for a good media for framed prints? We frame 18x24 and 24x36 prints in wood frames with acrylic fronts. We currently use a Lexjet Sunet Satin Photo paper printed on a HP 800W. We run into issues where the prints will sometime ripple in the frame (sometime between shipping and the customer hanging it). I think it has to do with the media being paper based. I was going to switch to an adhesive vinyl (and just leave the backing on), but most of the backing are paper based and we have seen that ripple just leaving them out in our shop. I was going to try a rigid vinyl, but it cant handle the heat of printing on a latex printer and ripples due to the curing heat.

Any other thoughts. I want to keep the price down, so nothing crazy. Are there any vinyls with a non paper backing? I dont want to mount the prints in any fashion because we dont have the time or setup to do that for our smaller prints. We do that for our largest 44x32 prints, but it is too time consuming for our small ones.

Appreciate your time and advice!

Thanks,
Steve

Natural paper medias are hygroscopic, meaning that they absorb moisture from and shed moisture to the environment. This can cause expansion or contraction of the paper, and result in tension changes in a frame. Going with a synthetic paper (polypropylene-based) or similar polyester film eliminates this issue.

What rigid vinyl product are you using that is experiencing rippling due to cure heat? The Latex 600/ 700/ 800 Series can cure ink at temperatures as low as 170-degrees Fahrenheit, this is about 30-percent lower the temps used in previous generations of Latex inks. I have not seen a vinyl that deforms at these lower temperatures.

 

[CSPrint]

Natural paper medias are hygroscopic, meaning that they absorb moisture from and shed moisture to the environment. This can cause expansion or contraction of the paper, and result in tension changes in a frame. Going with a synthetic paper (polypropylene-based) or similar polyester film eliminates this issue.

What rigid vinyl product are you using that is experiencing rippling due to cure heat? The Latex 600/ 700/ 800 Series can cure ink at temperatures as low as 170-degrees Fahrenheit, this is about 30-percent lower the temps used in previous generations of Latex inks. I have not seen a vinyl that deforms at these lower temperatures.

Thanks for your reply. We tried the general formulations RV8 material. The material was deformed at 178F and ink was not cured. I want a material that is semi rigid so when we are handling the prints it is harder to crease or damage them. Do you have an experience with any polypropylene or polyester films?

 

[P Wagner]

Thanks for your reply. We tried the general formulations RV8 material. The material was deformed at 178F and ink was not cured. I want a material that is semi rigid so when we are handling the prints it is harder to crease or damage them. Do you have an experience with any polypropylene or polyester films?

The RV8 material from General Formulations is not intended for digital printing, it is for offset or screen print.

Yes, I have a good amount of experience with Polyester, PET, polyurethane, and other films with HP Latex. Historically, some of these have been fairly challenging due to their temperature-sensitivity (deformation), but with the newer generation of inks that have a higher pigment load and lower cure temperatures, the 'sweet spot' for most of these is significantly larger. There are a lot of non-PVC medias marketed as smooth banners (roll-ups etc) from Nekoosa, Sihl, Ultraflex, Hop-Syn, Yupo and others that might fit the bill.