Printable clear media suggestions?

[JoeBoomer]

Anyone have any suggestions for a good clear printable vinyl? Cast preferably. Going to be used for 2nd surface acrylic prints mostly.

I was using Avery MPI 1060, but it is like $1000/roll and only comes in 60". I'm looking for something a bit more economical and 54".

I'm running a HP L26500

Thanks Team!

 

[Biker Scout]

I would first ask what the end purpose of your second surface prints would be? Because, let's face it... if you are using a solvent or latex based wide format printer, the print quality for something that could be considered a high end product, isn't that great. It's not actually photographic quality. And acrylic isn't cheap to begin with. So, in terms of dollar per square foot you are going to have to charge a premium in the first place. If you are thinking of something like large menus or restaurant art mounted with stand-offs... then why not just have the prints done on film paper? It's way cheaper, plus it's the best the image can be. And you only have to concern yourself with mounting the print to the acrylic. Also, you can choose to use duratrans, and make them backlit and they carry more density than inkjet.

I'm just sayin'... if the end result is supposed to be high end, then why not actually offer it as a high end product and output it accordingly? Durst Prints can be had as low as 99¢ per sq. ft. And no investment on your part in buying rolls of stuff that would otherwise rarely get used.

Or since these would be primarily used inside you could use a dedicated photo printer like an Epson or Canon. They have a wider color gamut too. Once mounted to acrylic the prints are then sealed like laminated.

 

[JoeBoomer]

Thanks for the detailed response. You actually bring up some good ideas that I am going to explore a bit further.

However, I work in a very unique environment. My company does custom fabrication for marketing firms mostly. Typically the biggest factor is time, not cost. I usually need to be able to print/create same-day. So, while the material may **** on the shelf for a year I need to have a solution ready same-day. It's a crazy environment, but it never gets old.

So, my main need is just to have clear film that I can print on for any number of things: Acrylic prints, window graphics, something completely random that I never imagined trying, etc. etc.


Thanks gang!


(I am definitely going to look into what you suggested though, I appreciate the insight!)


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[Biker Scout]

There is a dedicated transparent film that can be printed on for windows and displays, and it removes easy without residue. I think oracal makes one. Doing the acrylic prints on photo paper, one would only need to have some optically clear double sided mounting film. You could knock that job out in a matter of minutes.

I do the kinds of things you are referring. And there really isn't a magic bullet product that you could stock to do everything. I mean there are "good enough" products... but I doubt that's what your company is all about.

But if I could only buy one product... optically clear lamination. Oracal 290GF Which you can print on and would cover quite a few projects you are talking about. Plus you can laminate the prints with itself.

 

[FatCat]

We used the new Mactac B Free material last year on some reverse mounted window prints for a Dentist office. Printed in reverse, backed it up with white and voila. It prints nice, is a cast material and has an air-egress pattern similar to IJ-180. (I think its the only clear with an air egress adhesive that I know of.) Not usually one to sing the praises of Mactac, but this stuff was nice.

Just throwing it out there...