While some wide-format print applications can be created using typical printing methods and with standard materials, others may call for something a bit different to achieve its purpose. This is where speciality finishing comes into play, with a whole host of options available to those in this market.
When we say speciality finishing, this is not limited to processes such as lamination that are typically associated with the finishing of printed work. In fact, this stretches back into the actual printing of pieces; after all, the materials you use to create the print will have a huge impact on how the final product both looks and feels.
From speciality inks such as white and gloss options to films, vinyls and papers that offer a textured finish or replicate other materials, the possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to adding that bit of extra sparkle to wide-format print. Here, LFR speaks with several suppliers and manufacturers to find out more about how they can support wide-format print companies in their mission to produce something really special.
Add some creative flair to your print finishing
First and foremost, printer choice is going to largely dictate how a printed piece ends up. If you want to achieve certain effects, then you need to make sure the printer you are working with is capable of producing them.
Martin Southworth, partner sales manager for industrial products at Hybrid Services, the exclusive distributor of Mimaki machinery in the UK and Ireland, offers his opinion: “Speciality finishes such as clear ink, textured effects and multi-layer prints add not only creative flair to digital prints, but also value, elevating the job and providing a unique result for clients looking to benefit from the latest technological innovations.
“In addition to delighting existing customers, this could also bring in new business, enable new products to be offered or new markets to be entered. For example, adding Braille to signage, printing to metallic or holographic media or offering two-way view window and door graphics are all premium solutions, that are readily delivered by the latest Mimaki UV technology.”
As for what is available from Hybrid Services, Martin picks out Mimaki’s LED UV printers, which he said can print to a vast range of substrates, opening up coloured, metallic and clear materials to maximise designers’ creative options. As for specific examples, Martin highlights both the UJV100-160Plus wide-format printer and UCJV330-160 printer/cutter, which print white, colour and even clear in one operation.
“With their instantly dry ink, adding the additional layers is handled in the RasterLink RIP software,” he said. “This means that a print on metallic film can incorporate the selective use of white. This might be to block out the substrate, boosting colour yield, or alternatively to allow the sheen to mix with process colours to create different metallic effects.
“The clear can also be built up to create textures, providing either a functional finish such as Braille, or used simply as a decorative effect. When printed on clear substrates, a faux frost finish can be created for window manifestations, with intricate patterns, branding and motifs easily built into the design that can be applied in one piece.”
The ability to print on to curved surfaces with effects using digital foils – available from Mimaki partner i-Sub Digital – allows for the recreation of sophisticated designs like these stunning ‘gold leaf’ Vernoux wine bottle concepts by Andrew Novialdi.
Thinking outside the box
Also on the printer side of things, Roland DG has several options when it comes to speciality finishes in print. During a recent visit to the manufacturer’s new UK facility in Bristol, LFR was offered a live demo of the VersaOBJECT CO-i Series, available in the CO-640i and CO-300i.
During the demo on the COi-300-F200, staff at Roland DG showed how the printer could be used to print on all manner of surfaces and create a wide range of effects for customers. Our demo focused on printing a floral design onto a wooden shelf unit, which was made possible due to the 242mm Z-axis height on the machine – something Roland DG is very proud of being able to offer customers due to the number of doors it opens to them in terms of new work.
Alongside this top printing height, the machine can run materials up to 749mm wide, 1,500mm long and 199kq/sq m in weight, as well as print in CMYK plus gloss, white, red, orange and primer, which again expands what is possible for the user.
This was evident on a shelving unit next to the printer, which displayed a host of other applications created using the in-house CO-300i. These include a series of printed suitcases, a PlayStation games console complete with a raised floral patten, speaker units and glass lanterns, again with a raised design.
Also important to add in is that the printer runs ECO-UV5 inks, which, along with being Greenguard Gold certified, also have EN71 certification for toy safety. This means that when the ink has dried on a product, it is safe for children to put in their mouths.
Roland DG has also actively called on both print service providers and brands to investigate ways to fit more accessible information onto all packaging, using a variety of methods from Braille to special QR codes.
Everything’s gonna be all white
On the subject of ink, HP has plenty to say on this, especially when it comes to finishing work with white ink. There is certainly no shortage of white ink options when it comes to HP Latex products, as Stuart Thomas, Business Development Manager for Large-Format at HP, explains, with a whole host of machines on offer.
“The HP Latex R Series, including both the R1000 and R2000, the HP Latex 700W and HP Latex 800W all offer users white ink, as do the HP Latex 630 and HP Latex 2700,” Stuart said. “All six printers are designed for use with HP Latex White Ink, which has been formulated to achieve an opaque, visually strong, white through the use of exterior grade titanium dioxide pigments.
“The HP white ink is layered smoothly and flat, so it respects the surface of the media on which it is printed. It reflects light directly and uniformly for a high gloss consistency, helping to preserve the media texture on materials such as aluminium or wallpaper.”
On top of this, each printer comes with HP’s automatic recirculation system, which continually recirculates white ink within the ink-delivery system and the printhead. This is designed to prevent clogging and maintain a ready-to-print state, allowing users to switch the machine on and begin printing straight away.
This, Stuart said, also reduces the need for manual purging. When not in use, the removable HP Thermal Inkjet white printhead is stored in an offline rotation chamber, meaning no waste between white jobs – something that he said is an issue with white ink machines from other manufacturers.
So, why is white ink so valuable when it comes to print finishing with wide-format work? Stuart said be it posters, banners, flags or window graphics, the object of wide-format print is to catch the attention of passers-by – and white ink can play an important part in this.
“There are several methods printers can use with high-quality white ink to make graphics stand out, in ways that customers will love,” Stuart said. “The first method is to ‘underflood’, which involves printing a white layer underneath the image. This allows users to add brilliant white elements to transparencies and to substrates that are not white.”
“You also have the option of printing a colour first, then white, and finally the image on top. Images printed with underflood stand out and catch the eye much more than those without this technique.”
“Another option is to “overflood”, whereby printers can print a layer of white ink over a transparent media. This method is commonplace when producing decals for windows in shops, entertainment venues and other public spaces, making the graphics more eye-catching for consumers.
“A final method is spot mode. More familiar to printers, spot colours are single colours used in the same print run as the rest of the colours and used as highlights or to create bold, single-colour areas in a design. Using high-quality white ink in spot-colour mode allows the printer to outline the image, add decorative highlights and fine details.”
On this, Stuart is keen to highlight additional benefits of working with HP Latex white ink, including that it can be used to print onto all manner of media such as textiles, mirror and metallic materials, and specialist media such as synthetic leather. The inks are even formable, with Stuart saying this level of flexibility presents users with all manner of opportunities to work with customers on a wide range of projects.
There are also sustainable benefits of working with HP Latex Ink. Latex printing has much less impact on the environment than solvent, eco-solvent and UV as latex inks are water-based and have lower VOC emissions than other ink types.
“Using latex inks also means that you will not impact the recyclability of a material after it has been printed. If a material could be recycled before being printed, it still can be after being printed with latex inks,” Stuart said. “This is not always the case when working with other types of ink.”
Growing demand from customers
As for actual finishing equipment, Zund is widely renowned for its range of cutting systems. Gaj Jeevanandan, marketing manager for Zund UK, said specialty finishes allow printers to stand out in what is a competitive market by offering unique and high-quality products that standard finishes cannot match.
“There’s a growing demand from customers for bespoke, high-impact visual products, such as metallic finishes, embossing, and textured surfaces, especially in sectors like retail, advertising, and interior décor,” Gaj said. “Speciality finishes enhance the visual and tactile appeal of printed products, making them more attractive and engaging, which is crucial for marketing and promotional materials.”
On this, Gaj said Zund systems are designed to handle a variety of materials including rigid and flexible substrates, which he said are essential for producing diverse finishes, giving users more flexibility to use various materials as part of their production.
“Our finishing technology includes automation features that streamline the production process, reducing manual labour, and increasing efficiency and consistency in producing high-quality finishes,” Gaj said. “On top of this, Zund’s modular systems allow for easy integration of different tools and modules, enabling printers to adapt and expand their capabilities to meet specific customer needs and market demands.
“In addition, Zund’s advanced software solutions facilitate seamless workflow integration from design to finished product, ensuring high precision and minimising errors in the production of specialty finishes.”
Offering further insight into speciality finishing options, Zund UK recently partnered with swissQprint to host a special open day aimed at professionals from the print and graphics industry.
Optional Zund tooling easily adds additional functionality, such as engraving and even braille production options, to your finishing process.
Adding value
Of course, looking away from equipment and inks, printers also have a plethora of options when it comes to actual materials. Some products come supplied with specialist finishes that allow users to achieve specific effects.
For example, Drytac Operations Manager Kieran Blacknall said that the supplier’s ReTac Textures collection has been highly popular with customers looking to offer their own clients access to more options for printed work. He added that ReTac Textures – am embossed wallcovering film available in sand, linen, canvas and, in North America, woodgrain finishes – is ideal for printers that want to create eye-catching graphics in home, business, retail, display and exhibition environments.
“What is more, as ReTac Textures is a polymeric self-adhesive vinyl with ultra-removable adhesive backing, it can be easily removed and repositioned time and time again without damaging the printed graphics or the surface where it is being installed,” he said.
“ReTac Textures is compatible with eco-solvent, UV and latex print machines, offers five years durability both inside and outdoors, while it can be supplied in widths of up to 54 inches.”
An example of this product in action is Virginia-based diversified printing and signage business Trophy and Sign Center, which used ReTac Textures to create a stunning wall mural based on the iconic children’s book, ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The mural covered two walls, with one part measuring 92” tall and 192” wide, and the other 92” tall and 108” wide, with all graphics printed in house on a HP Latex 365.
“Print is a highly visual industry; if there is something out there that will help improve the look, finish and overall quality of printed pieces, then you should be considering it,” Kieran added. “There is also the consideration of adding value to printed work; if you can demonstrate to customers the value of this then you can not only deliver something different that will help them and their clients out, but also charge for doing so.”
Superior sustainability
Another diversified materials supplier comes in the form of Soyang Europe Managing Director Mark Mashiter said “Considering the amount of challenges print faces in terms of trying to stand out amid a sea of digital screens, printers should be working with their customers to explore new and exciting opportunities with printed materials.”
“Speciality finishes offer an effective way of making print more appealing to consumers and passers-by, with such effects likely to draw their attention more than some standard printed work,” he said. “Of course, finishes are not all about catching the eye; it could be more about making sure the printed work fits in with the core values of the customer.
“One great example of this is sustainability; not all materials can be recycled, but by working with speciality products that can, this will be more appealing to environmentally minded clients.”
Keeping with this sustainability focus, Mark said Soyang has seen a sharp rise in demand for these products across its customer base. Popular solutions include its Solar collection, where all products are PVC-free, offering a more planet friendly solution to customers and their own clients. Options here include solutions for portable displays, exhibitions, outdoor and indoor banners, frontlit displays and retail graphics.
Soyang also distributes the DECAL PP range of non-PVC self-adhesive vinyl. Mark expanded: “DECAL PP is a cost-effective film for internal and external applications, while its unique manufacturing process means it has less impact on the environment during manufacturing. In addition, as the adhesive is solvent free, DECAL self-adhesive vinyl has stronger environmental credentials when in use.”
On top of this, Soyang offers other PVC-free adhesive vinyl options, spanning both permanent and removable solutions. All products in this range are compatible with both UV and latex printers, making the materials a flexible choice for customers.
Finally, for those printers requiring textile materials, Soyang is well placed to help – again with a sustainable edge. Options include ST-117 RCY Display Fabric, ST-110 RCY Flag and ST-601 RCY Starlight.
In addition to materials, Soyang Hardware can support in terms of providing finishing machines, namely the VeloBlade Nexus wide-format digital die-cutting systems. Setting a new price point in the market this genuinely affordable system operates seamlessly with substrates up to 25mm in thickness including dibond, MDF, fabrics and acrylic, opening up all manner of in-house finishing options for users who may previously have felt priced out of digital flatbed finishing.
Clearly, there is much more to speciality print finishing than foiling, laminating and accurate cutting. Highlighted above are just some methods print companies should consider when adding that extra special finish to wide-format work, with a wide range of other techniques also at their disposal.
Don’t forget to tidy up when you’ve finished! Soyang Europe save another 50 pallets of waste from going into landfill by picking up said waste from a customer, a functional real-world Soyang waste-management solution that they run in partnership with Reconomy.
Always aim to finish strong.
