Mystery substrate...what is it?

[threeputt]

Ok, so a client brought an 18"x24" sign in to us. We are to bid on duplicating the sign for them in quantity.

Trouble is, I'm not quite sure what material it is.

Here's my description:

1) Not shiny but not totally matte.
2) White in color.
3) Feels slick, sort of.
4) Has been screenprinted.
5) Is about 1/16" thick.
6) The 24" sign can be rolled into an approximate 8"-10" diameter.

We would want to flat-bed print this material if available in 4'x8' sheets.

Any ideas?

 

[SignosaurusRex]

Styrene sheet

 

[Fred Weiss]

Guess #1 = Styrene. Very popular with screen printers because it lays very flat and has a low cost. It has a distinctive "ring" to it when you flick your finger against it. Main drawback is lack of durability.

Guess #2 = Rigid PVC. Much more durable than styrene. Has more of a "thud" sound when flicked.

 

[BROWNDOG]

pictures help, but sounds like polystyrene (sp?)

 

[SignosaurusRex]

Looking at a piece of each here, I'll say 1mil. Sintra instead of Styrene.

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

I would guess it's polyethylene, very durable but can only be printed using UV inks

 

[threeputt]

I can say fairly certain that it's not styrene. We have plenty of that on hand to compare with.

Also, it's not Sintra or Trovicell. (PVC) We also have plenty of that.

Someone here thinks it's a polypropylene?

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

Does the material bow?

 

[nashvillesigns]

does the material smell like fiberglass?

 

[threeputt]

The material will bow. It will roll as I stated into a 10" dia. roll.

The material has no discernible odor.

 

[threeputt]

Is polyethylene commonly used in signs for outdoors?

I'm thinking that's what it is. Not polypropolene, as someone here thought. Unless they're wrong of course.

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

Yes, alot of real estate co. use it mainly Coldwell Banker

The only bad thing it does is bow if it's a hangging sign (polyethylene)

 

[Malkin]

Is polyethylene commonly used in signs for outdoors?

I'm thinking that's what it is. Not polypropolene, as someone here thought. Unless they're wrong of course.

FWIW: coroplast is made from polyethylene plastic.

 

[thewood]

FWIW: coroplast is made from polyethylene plastic.

Corrugated plastic is polypropylene.

 

[Malkin]

Corrugated plastic is polypropylene.

:Oops:

 

[FireSprint.com]

It might be HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). We stock .055" here which is about 1/16" thick. It's very durable and really doesn't crack like styrene would when bent or weathered.

The surface of HDPE will most likely have just a bit of texture to it and will feel 'softer' than styrene.

On a different note, corrugated plastic can be made of Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE). Polypropylene (PP) is far FAR more common because at the moment it's less expensive and has a more consistent finish.