Drytac Application Solutions—Rollable Display Graphics

In order to be effective, trade show graphics need to look crisp; a frayed or damaged graphic affects the credibility of the exhibit and exhibitor. But more than actual display conditions, it is repeated shipping and handling that stresses graphics. The recommendations in this section deal with fabricating graphics that will be rolled up for shipping.

• SEMI-SUPPORTED DISPLAY GRAPHICS
  (Portable Banner Stands and POP Displays)
  

• SUPPORTED DISPLAY GRAPHICS
  (Pop-up Booths and Exhibit Backwalls)
  

• TIPS FOR FABRICATING AND USING ROLLABLE DISPLAY GRAPHICS

SEMI-SUPPORTED DISPLAY GRAPHICS
(Portable Banner Stands and POP Displays)

  This icon indicates Drytac products that are suitable for rollable semi-supported display graphic solutions.


Semi-supported displays refer to graphics attached to portable banner stands or similar display hardware. When installed, these graphics are either suspended and pulled taut between upper and lower supports, or supported at the top and weighted at the bottom. Whether you choose to use conventional fabrication methods, or special solutions such as Printable Eclipse™ Backing Film, it is important to remember the specific requirements of the application. In the case of semi-supported graphics, the finished graphic should have the following key characteristics:

Using Printable Eclipse for Portable Banner Stand Graphics
Printable Eclipse is a printable back laminate developed specifically to meet many of the special demands of graphics for banner stands and portable displays. Its 100% opacity prevents showthrough of hardware components and light bleed, making for a more effective display. An inkjet image printed on 6.0 mil (150 micron) Printable Eclipse and overlaminated with a non-glare HeatSet™ film such as 5.0 mil (125 micron) MediaShield Emerytex™ UV creates a two-part graphic that is inherently resistant to handling and rolling. Pressure-sensitive overlaminates such as Protac Emerytex™ UV are also recommended.

Semi-supported graphics fabricated with Printable Eclipse hang flat when installed, with minimum curl up.

When choosing an overlaminate for Eclipse graphics, it is recommended that the total thickness of the graphic not exceed 11 mils (275 microns).

For a more detailed description of Eclipse, go here.

Conventional (3-part) Solutions
Media choice
Next to the Eclipse solution, the best choice for durable display graphics is to fabricate three part graphics using non-paper substrates such as vinyl or polyester. Excellent results can be achieved using appropriate laminates on the front and back of the printed media. Remember that graphics with a total thickness under 11 mils perform best with banner stands and portable displays. The problem with fabricating rollable graphics using paper as the substrate is that the paper layers may actually separate when stress is applied. This is even more likely when thicker overlaminates are used, when the graphics are flush cut at the edges, or when they are rolled improperly or too tightly. (see Tips for Fabricating and Using Rollable Display Graphics, below).

Paper solutions
If E-stat, photographic or other types of paper will be the printable substrate, we suggest using one of the following material combinations. 5.0 mil (125 micron) MHL Impervo™ UV or 5.0 mil (125 micron) MHL Quartz™ UV as the overlaminate; 5.0 mil (125 micron) MHL Eclipse™ 100% opaque non-printable backing film.

All pressure-sensitive solutions
For users without a heated roller laminator, we recommend 5.0 mil (125 micron) Protac Emerytex™ UV non-glare laminate and 5.0 mil (125 micron) Protac™ Eclipse (non-printable) as the backing film.

SUPPORTED DISPLAY GRAPHICS
(Pop-up Booths and Exhibit Backwalls)

  This icon indicates Drytac products that are suitable for rollable supported display graphic solutions.

We define a supported display graphic as one that is attached on all four sides to a trade show backwall of some sort. The concept can also include other display hardware or a lightbox. Although many of the recommendations in the preceding section (for semi-supported graphics) also apply to supported graphics, this category requires somewhat different graphics finishing strategies for optimum results. A primary difference is that total thickness for supported graphics should generally be greater than those for semi-supported displays.

Using Printable Eclipse for Pop-Up Exhibits and Other Supported Graphics
Because supported graphics don't have the hanging requirement of semi-supported, they can benefit from additional rigidity when installed. However, they also need to maintain the ability to roll up for shipping without tunneling or other ill-effects. In addition, opacity is a highly desirable characteristic.

Therefore, our first recommendation for supported graphics is 12 mil (300 micron) Printable Eclipse, a printable back laminate with characteristics similar to 6.0 mil (150 micron) Printable Eclipse. Once printed, the Eclipse graphic should be overlaminated with a non-glare HeatSet film such as 5.0 mil (125 micron) MediaShield Emerytex™ UV or a pressure-sensitive film such as 5.0 mil (125 micron) Protac Polycarbonate UV.

Conventional solutions
Media Choice
It is always advisable to use a non-paper printable substrate such as vinyl or polyester when fabricating a supported graphic. A number of overlaminates and backing films are compatible with this type of solution, depending upon the type, rigidity and thickness of the printable substrate.

Paper solutions
If E-stat, photographic or other types of paper will be the printable substrate, we suggest using one of the following material combinations. Overlaminate film: MHL Impervo™ UV, a hardcoat, scratch-resistant matte finish film or MHL Quartz™ UV, a hardcoat luster finish film with a non-glare, scuff-resistant finish. Backing film: MHL Eclipse™ or MHL White Backing film.

All pressure-sensitive solutions
For users without a heated roller laminator, a 5.0 mil (125 micron) Protac Emerytex™ UV non-glare laminate provides enough protection and rigidity for less demanding applications. A backing film such as 12.0 mil (300 micron) Protac Rigid (UPVC) White Backing film, may be added for additional rigidity. For an even more rigid, high performance graphic, try 15.0 mil (375 micron) Protac™ Polycarbonate UV as the overlaminate.

TIPS FOR FABRICATING AND USING ROLLABLE DISPLAY GRAPHICS

1. Whether fabricating a semi-supported or supported graphic, printing on Printable Eclipse™ Backing Film and overlaminating with 5.0 mil (125 micron) MediaShield Emerytex™ UV produces the most durable rollable graphics.

2. For standard graphics (non-second surface), it is preferable to use polyester, vinyl or other polymer-based substrates instead of paper.

3. Make sure to control tension when laminating display graphics because excess tension will cause edge curl.

4. When trimming graphics, use a sharp blade (see Knives and Steel Edge Safety Ruler). Cut on a Drytac Cutting Mat or tempered glass.

5. Roll thinner and/or more flexible material on the outside.

6. If the graphic combination (laminate film/media) is greater than 17.0 mil (425 micron), maintain a 12" (305 mm) diameter when rolling graphics for shipping (see Drytac Rollable Graphic Case).