Scan the table summary outlining the types of media each industry uses, then read on to learn more about each type.

SUMMARY

Adhesive-backed substrates for printing must not only serve their intended purpose final purpose, but also be able to pass through the bends and turns of the printer without peeling off their protective backing - which can cause real damage. The adhesive also must be composed so as not to melt within the high temperatures of some machines. Different papers are available for laser and inkjet printers, as well as use with UV-curable and screen printing inks. Printable transparent film and vinyl (for signs and decals) is also on the market.

Banner material will be woven with a long-edge grain, so the material does not rip when it is hanging. It will generally come in a roll unless a flatbed printer is used, in which case the material will be stretched flat across the printer's surface.

Bond paper may be used to create original artworks using pen, ink, or pencil, and is sometimes made from rag pulp, which creates a stronger paper with a distinct texture.

Depending on the thickness of the coating and the weave of the material, printer canvas may be quite rough in texture, which gives the digital image a more painterly appearance, or very smooth. Printer canvas is usually sprayed or painted with a clear, protective coating once printed, to protect it from scratching, tearing, and moisture.

Order Online:

• Stretched Artist Canvas

• Rolled Artist Canvas

In addition to the necessary coatings, the fabric may also be treated to be flame retardant or waterproof, depending on the application. Printable textiles are generally sold on rolls, with large-scale prints being the most common.

Fiber-based papers are also available for digital printing, considered ideal for producing beautiful black and white photographic images with excellent grey tones. Baryta is added to the ink-receptive coating in order to achieve the same effect as traditional papers.

Fine art paper is generally 100% cotton, though cotton blends do exist. It is available in many different surface textures from smooth to as rough as watercolor paper, and finishes such as matte, satin, and gloss. The color of the paper will also vary by material and manufacturer, from a cool blue-white to a soft, almost off-white.

Some coatings have been developed with the required heat resistance for use in laser printers. As such, matte and glossy finishes are available for laser papers.

Photo paper refers to papers made specifically for producing photographic prints, but the customer is not limited to only these options. Digital photographic images can be printed on any substrate, from fine art papers, to canvas, to fabric. Naturally, color density and quality will be different with each substrate.

Polyester is also commonly used in both artist's and digital canvas. The substrate may be 100% polyester, or a poly-cotton blend.

Polyethylene is also used as a coating on some photographic papers. This application serves as a laminate that prevents the paper from curling and assists in water resistance.

This substrate can be used with UV curable, solvent, latex and Indigo inks, though a primer can be applied for use with inkjet printers.

Epson appears to be one of the few brands that offers poster board prepared for use with various inks including pigment (inkjet). Untreated poster board may also be used as to mount an image printed on other digital paper or canvas.

If used to photographic proofs, the paper may have a resin coating to give it a glossy sheen reminiscent of photographic paper. Though it looks very similar to the substrate on which the final product will be printed, proofing paper does not need to be long lasting and can simply be laminated if preservation is required. Due to its short term requirements, it is less costly than the paper used for the final product.

Companies such as Agfa, Mitsubishi Imaging, HP, and Epson offer various types of proofing media.

In printing, this substrate can be used much like regular paper, though it must be properly treated for any ink applications besides lithographic and flexographic. Solvent inks with too high a solvent concentration can cause the material to swell, and water-based inks may cause the image to feather or blur. Tyvek is commonly used for printing ski tags, banners, tags, and labels.

• Banner: Vinyl (PVC) film is the most common substrate used for producing hanging banners for store fronts and point-of-purchase displays. Since these products are often used outdoors, both the material and the inks must stand up to the elements. Various weights of vinyl are available, either single or double sided. At a certain size, the vinyl may be produced as a mesh, so the wind can pass through the display without tearing the material.

  Solvent inks are more common on this substrate than water-based, since these inks are manufactured to be waterproof and fade-resistant up to a point. A very large format printer, roll-based or flatbed, is required to produce printed materials of this size.

• Calendered: Another version of vinyl used in sign printing is calendered vinyl. The name refers to how the material is manufactured. Depending on the process, this thick, stiff vinyl has a lifespan of anywhere from one to seven years. It tends to be lower in cost than other vinyls, has a variety of finish options (range of glossiness), and performs best on flat or slightly curved surfaces.

• Cast: The name of this vinyl again refers to how it is produced, which involves the liquid mixture being placed on a "casting sheet" and moved through multiple ovens to allow the solvents to evaporate. Cast vinyl has a very low shrinkage rate, because no stress or stretching is applied during manufacture. It can also be made extremely thin, which makes it a suitable cover for surfaces with fine curves or ridges. The range of available colors is quite wide as well.

• Wood: There are multiple options for creating a digital image printed on wood. If properly treated with ink-receptive coating, a slab of solid wood (birch is common) can be printed directly, with a flatbed printer. Sheets of wood veneer are also produced, which can be used with any inkjet printer and come in different thicknesses. Different wood species such as cherry, birch, pine, and maple are available.

• Metal: There are different ways to apply an image to metal. Sheets of treated aluminium or di-bond (two thin sheets of aluminium with a sheet of polystyrene sandwiched between) can be printed to directly, using a flatbed printer. Alternately, special inks can be used to print the image onto transfer paper which is infused into the aluminium, a process called dye-sublimation. A third option involves simply adhering a paper print to a sheet of di-bond.

• Glass/Acrylic: Much like metal prints, a paper image can be adhered face-down to a piece of clear glass or acrylic and displayed. Alternately, a mirrored version of the digital image can be printed directly to the substrate, so when it is flipped over, the unprinted side of the glass or acrylic serves as a protective front cover, with the image clearly displayed behind.

• Vinyl: Non-flexible vinyl is available in various thicknesses, colors, and finishes (gloss, matte, polished, opaque). It is easy to print on using a flatbed printer or screen printing, and can be used for hanging signage, nameplates, and gift cards. The hardness of this vinyl means it will protect the surface on which it is placed, as well as embellish it.

If you have any questions regarding the products we offer at KeenART Media, do not hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff are always happy to assist you.

A division of USAOnCanvas.com Houston prints on canvas - Gallery Picture Frames SanAntonio Laser Engraving & Cutting Services