Sihl Latex Media Guide by David Pachon

Let Class BEGIN.

The COMPLETE Sihl Latex Compatible Media Guide

From Imaging Paper to Canvas... HOW TO CHOOSE Just Got Easier!

Photo Paper About Sihl Digital Imaging Sihl is a leading manufacturer of digital print media for display graphics, photo and art reproduction, point-of-sale advertising, CAD, office and at-home printing. Sihl’s expansive portfolio of digital imaging media includes: Photo Papers, FSC certified, 100% recycled, pressure sensitive block-out and presentation matte papers, clear, white and backlit films, semi rigid film for pop-up and roll-up displays, canvas, scrim banner, pressure sensitive vinyl, adhesive backed papers and films, and fabrics transfer papers. Sihl is a part of the Diatec Group of companies. Headquartered in Cles, Italy, Sihl has manufacturing sites in the USA, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland. Diatec is a manufacturing Group, linked by coating films, papers and specialty substrates as our source of value addition... We are “THE COATING COMPANY.”

How to Buy Sihl Products For Sihl Digital Imaging product information, please call 1-800-366-7393 or visit our website, www.sihlusa.com, where you can find more product information and an authorized Sihl reseller near you. About Our Group The foundation stone was laid in Milan, Italy by Diego Mosna when he founded Diatec in 1970. Today we are an internationally active group of companies that focuses on refining paper and films and specializes in superior technical applications.

--Latex Inkjet Products--

How to Choose the Right Photo Paper Sihl breaks down the top photo applications and the right media to match.

Choosing the right photo paper can be as simple as it can be complicated. If you go by the numbers, you could differentiate the products by caliper or finish, but that doesn’t really help you choose the right paper, does it? With so many choices, how do you narrow down the field?

Continual product development and increasingly short life cycles necessitate not only state-of-the-art production facilities, but also a high level of technical know-how and skill, combined with a business instinct and the ability to put ideas into practice.

Keep it simple. Identify your key requirements and work backwards.

The Diatec Group strives to be not only a supplier, but also a partner to its customers.

Sihl AG Production Site Bern, Switzerland

Diatex S.p.A. Cles and Arborio, Italy

3240 Pipeline™ S Satin Photo Paper - 8 mil

» Looking for an everyday photo paper that dries instantly and can handle the heated cure of the latex printer without a problem?

Sihl GmbH Production Site Duren, Germany

Diatechnologies s.a.s. Châteauroux, France

» 3240 Pipeline S™ is an 8 mil, smooth, satin photo paper that delivers maximum image performance, black density and color virbrancy with HP® Latex inkjet printers. Unlike traditional photo papers, PipeLine™ Latex Photo features a proprietary coating technology that is not impacted by the cure temperature of the latex printers. The result is a perfectly smooth and dry print that establishes a new standard of color, quality, and detail for the Latex printer series. Also See: » 3249 Pipeline G™ Gloss Photo Paper - 8 mil

BEST FOR PHOTO QUALITY “THICK”

3670 Imola Latex™ Pearl Photo Paper PSA - 9.5 mil

3145 Glamour™ S Satin Photo Board - 12 mil

» If you want to create a poster adhered to a mounting board or other surface, why make the process more complicated than it has to be?

Top Pick

Diatec Cles S.p.A. Cles, Italy

New Product

Arkwright Production Site Rhode Island, USA

BEST FOR MOUNTING / PROTOTYPES

» 3670 Imola™ PSA is an instant dry, 7 mil photo paper with a 2 mil, silicon, release liner. The proprietary base paper and coating allow for maximum flexibility without cracking - even for 90° folds in prototype applications. The specially formulated, adjustable adhesive allows for easier application to a variety of mounting surfaces.

BEST FOR PHOTO MATTE 3243 Malibu™ Matte Photo Paper - 7 mil

» Smooth Photo quality on a familiar 12 pt base. You might want to sit down for this one... » 3145 Glamour™ S is a 12 mil, semi-rigid photo board that delivers premium photo quality on solvent inkjet printers. Glamour™ expands the capabilities of solvent printers, truly bridging the gap between UV flatbed and solvent roll-toroll printing. With an instant dry photo coating, Glamour™ provides outstanding image quality and dot gain control on a board that is stiff enough to stand or hang, yet fl exible enough to roll. Glamour™ is perfect for applications ranging from high end photo finishing to hanging signs, easel signs and point of sale displays. Also See: » 3144 Glamour G™ Gloss Photo Board

» When the requirements calll for extended shadow detail and tonal range with absolutely no glare, don’t hide behind a laminate. Start the same way you finish.

New Product

BEST FOR EVERYDAY POSTERS

New Product

Locations

» 3243 Malibu™ Latex is a 7 mil, bright white, premium matte paper that can tackle your most demanding inkload, drytime and shadow detail requirements. The instant dry matte finish provides “plug and play” printing when selecting standard “HP White Satin Poster Paper”. SihlMalibu™ is ideal for a variety of applications including an economical alternative to photopaper. Also See: » 3157 Pacifica™ Matte Paper - 8 mil

Imaging Paper

POS / POP

--Latex Inkjet Products--

How to Choose the Right Imaging Paper?

Rolling out the Choices for Durable Graphics

From billboard to wall mural and even wallpaper, we’ve got you covered.

Why this demanding application requires a calculated approach Choosing the right point of sale, retractable, pop-up, or tradeshow display film is a complex equation balancing durability and cost. A low cost graphic that looks great but tears too easily is no more successful than an indestructible graphic that only needs to last for one event. The choices can be overwhelming.

If you believe every wall was meant to be covered, look no further than Sihl Imaginng Papers. These economical, water- and outdoor resistant papers are qualified for outdoor applications including billboard and wet posting as well as indoor decorative and full wall mural. These Non-PVC alternatives offer a world of possibilities for indoor and outdoor, textured or smooth, paste or adhesive short term or permanent graphics.

Top Pick

» Not everything printed on latex printers wraps around a vehicle or hangs with grommets. Paper is the preferred solution for low cost signage that can be used for a variety of applications, indoors or outdoors. » 3686 TriSolv™ Paper is a premium 8 mil, bright white, gloss coated paper with excellent print quality and drytime. Sihl manufacturers a full portfolio of multi - layer coated, water- and outdoor resistant papers under the TriSolv™ name. All TriSolv™ papers are qualified for billboard and posting applications. The TriSolv™ proprietary coating deliver excellent scratch resistance without lamination and withstands folding without cracking. Also See: 3687 TriSolv™ Satin PostArt Paper Blueback - 6 mil 3689 TriSolv™ Satin PostArt Paper - 6 mil

3683 TriSolv™ Gloss PrimeArt Paper Blueback PSA - 9 mil

» The application for short tern adhesive backed signage ranges from standard posters to wall graphics and even outdoor advertising. While low cost vinyl is the choice for some, vinyl can shrink, and is difficult to install. Paper offers similar outdoor durability, and print performance while also offering a “PVC Free” solution. » 3683 TriSolv™ Blueback PSA is 6 mil gloss coated paper with excellent print quality, drytimeand a permanent acrylic adhesive for easy application to a variety of surfaces and substarates. You can apply 3683 directly ontop of an old graphic instead of removing it. The adhesive will bond well to any surface and the blueback will prevent the old graphic from showing through. Also See: » 3686 TriSolv™ PrimeArt Paper

BEST FOR BLOCKOUT POSTED SIGNAGE 3687 TriSolv™ Satin PrimeArt Paper Blueback - 6 mil

BEST FOR WALLPAPER

3196 Wet Strength™ Poster Paper - 11 mil

» When short term advertising calls for posting new graphics over old ones, only a blockout layer can prevent the old graphic from showing through the new one.

» Okay, we are in the paper category not self adhesive vinyl or banner. However, latex saturated base papers offer outstanding durabilty and strength even when wet.

» 3687 TriSolv™ Paper Blueback is an economical weight, bright white, wet strength paper that is qualified for billboard and outdoor advertising use. 3687 features good print quality, excellent outdoor durability, and excellent scratch resistantance. You can apply 3687 directly ontop of an old graphic instead of removing it as the blueback will prevent the old graphic from showing through.

» 3196 Wet Stregnth™ Paper is a 10 mil, premium weight, wet strength paper. The base paper is Infused with latex allowing it to be extremely durable and maintain its. This makes 3196 an ideal alternative to PVC for wallpaper and other decorative applications. 3196 is universally compatible with solvent, latex and UVC printers.

Also See: » 3689 TriSolv™ PostArt Paper

After thorouogh testing of our entire Display Film line, we have narrowed down the choices to what really works on the Latex printers. BEST BESTFOR FOR FLATDISPLAY WALL UNITS / PORTABLE EXHIBIT / RETAIL GRAPHICS RETAIL SIGNAGE (POLYESTER) (PREMIUM POLYESTER)

BEST FOR FLAT WALL EXHIBIT / RETAIL GRAPHICS (POLYESTER)

BEST FOR ROLLUP BANNERS (ECONOMICAL POLYPRO)

3516 PolySOL™ Roll-up Film Blockout - 12 mil

3629 SyntiSol™ Polypro Film - 7 mil

» Maximum durability, vivid color and universal compatibility for any POS application with “shine-through protection”

» Quite simply a dimensioinally stable film that delivers in every characteristic. From printing to finishing, installation to removal, PoylSol delivers flexibility, durability and quality.

» For single use and short term rollup banners or retractable banners polypropelene is a great choice.

» 3515 PolySOL™ is a 7 mil white polyester film with an instant dry glossy finish for outstanding “color pop” and a grayback for 100% blockout. The durable construction is engineered to withstand repeated rolling in portable display units without tearing or edge fraying. 3170 can be overlaminated with either low-melt or pressure sensitive laminates.

» 3516 PolySOL™ Pop-Up is a 12 mil polyester display film with a “low glare” satin finish and an instant dry, water resistant coating. The durable 12 mil construction is intended to be used unlaminated to create a durable exhbit or POS graphic engineered to withstand repeated rolling in portable display units and abuse from a handson experience without cupping, warping or scratching. For additional protection 3516 can be overlaminated with both pressure sensitive and hot laminates.

» 3629 SyntiSol™ 3629 SyntiSOL™ is a tear resistant, smooth polypropylene display film with a “low glare” satin finish and a water resistant, scratch resistant coating. The SyntiSOL™ family of products lay extremely flat, both on the printer and in final application. 3629 is compatible with solvent, UVC and latex printers.

New Product

3686 TriSolv™ Gloss PrimeArt Paper - 8 mil

BEST FOR SHORT TERM ADHESIVE SIGNAGE

Now throw in to the equation, the extreme heat used in the cure cycle on the latex printer and all of a sudden, everything you thought was certain is now in question again.

New Product

BEST FOR EVERYDAY POSTERS EVERYDAY SIGNAGE

Pic of Rhino or other - Durability!

Also See: » 3394 SyntiART™ Textured Polypropelene

BEST FOR FIRE RETARDANCY OR SOFT HAND (POLYESTER FABRIC) 3502 Expo™ Matte Fire Retardant Banner - 12 mil *2” core only

» Fabric offers soft hand and smooth “drape” with good tear resistance and layflat properties.

» 3502 Expo™ flame retardant (NFPA certified), ultra durable, water-resistant banner. The NFPA certification is the best in class certification for flame spread and a common requirement for tradeshows and other installations. 3502 has a bright white, outdoor durable coating and a flexible, tear resistant base, making it ideal for applications ranging from rollup displays to outdoor banners.

Backlit Film

--Latex Inkjet Products--

Canvas

--Latex Inkjet Products--

Shedding Some Light on Backlit

Stretching the Options for Canvas

What really matters when comparing backlit films?

See how subtle differences can make a big difference to your final print.

Choosing the right backlit film can be tricky. Let’s be honest. The most important aspects when choosing a backlit film are density, density, and density. Regardless of whether your graphic is going inside or outside, whether it is large or small, mounting to plexiglas or “sandwiching” between two layers, you want your blacks to be dark, your colors vibrant and your graphic flat.

Choosing the right canvas.... Cotton content, production, drytime, decor, finish, weave pattern, an endless array of questions, answers and decisions... So you have a latex printer, you want all the same things you insisted on for your waterbased printer...

People want maximum print density, push the printers, the coatings, the ink. On the Latex, you can overcook... Best k density (robust coating design to withstand).. vs. Everday production

BEST FOR DURABLE BACKLIT DISPLAYS

Latex printers have one of the most flexible inks on market. Be design, the perfect ink for canvas printing, stetching.

BEST FOR INDOOR BACKLIT DISPLAYS 3152 Twilight™ Latex Matte Backlit Film 8 mil

3182 PermiVIEW™ Latex Matte Backlit Film - 5.5 mil

BEST FOR EVERY DAY PHOTO AND FINE ART QUALITY 3134 Presto™ SG Semi-Gloss Canvas - 17 mil

Need data on 3182 vs 3152 density?

3123 Vivace™ Gloss Canvas - 14 mil

3129 Bravo™ Matte Gesso Canvas - 20 mil

» 3482 Steccato™ is a premium, bright white inkjet coated canvas designed to produce solid blacks, vivid colors and smooth gradients. The 17 mil, poly / cotton blend provides a flexible base for easy stretching without cracking. Picasso™ canvas is compatible with solvent, UVC and latex printers. Also See:

New product

» 3609 Picasso™ is a premium, bright white inkjet coated canvas designed to produce solid blacks, vivid colors and smooth gradients. The 17 mil, poly / cotton blend provides a flexible base for easy stretching without cracking. Picasso™ canvas is compatible with solvent, UVC and latex printers.

» A textured polypropylene film for applications ranging from gallery wrapped canvas to banner stands and wall murals.

» For price conscious projects, Brushstroke canvas offers good quality print performance mixed with bright white and strong even texture.

» Premium print performance and 180º folding without edge cracking. “Gallery Wrap Canvas”

New product

» 3152 Twilight™ is an 8 mil, matte backlit film with an ultra absorbant matte coating designed for maximum image performance, black density and color virbrancy with Latex inkjet printers. Twilight™ is constructed on a premium polyester base making it ideal for large displays and lightbox applications.

New product

» 3182 PermiVIEW Latex Baklit Film is a premium 5.5 mil backlit fi lm designed for HP® Latex inkjet printers. PermiVIEW features an outdoor durable coating that provides excellent image performance, black density and color virbrancy. The durable coating provides excellent scratch and smudge resistantance and will not fade, or yellow when displayed in direct sunlight or outdoors.

BEST FOR DECOR PRODUCTION MATTE

BEST FOR EVERYDAY CANVAS

3133 Picasso™ Satin Canvas - 17 mil

» Quite simply the best backlit film on the market today. This film offers everything you want and nothing you don’t.

New product

Top Pick

» Long term outdoor durability with aqueous inks is not something you can achieve with an overlaminate and an edge sealer. So if you want the speed and quality of aqueous printers with the durability of latex..Sihl has you covered

BEST FOR DECOR PRODUCTION GLOSS

» 3129 Bravo™ Production Canvas is designed from the bottom up with high volume production in mind. Starting with a 2:1 weave stucture made of a traditional poly/cotton blend, Bravo™ features a high performance matte coating, a natural looking finish and uniform structure.

» An everyday canvas should be economical and offer good characteristics for print production and post process finishing.

» 3133 Virtuoso™ Matte Canvas is a premium, bright white, inkjet coated canvas designed to produce solid blacks, vivid colors and smooth gradients. The 17 mil, poly / cotton blend provides a flexible base for easy stretching without cracking. Virtuoso™ canvas is compatible with solvent, UVC and latex printers.

Banner / Vinyl

--Latex Inkjet Products--

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

--Latex Inkjet Products--

Choosing the Right Banner

Sticking to The Right PSA Solution!

From coated to uncoated, polyestere to polypropelene...bring in text from Solvet about PP vs PET etc Polyester Film The top choice for durable banners and POS signage because of its tear resitance and layfl at qualities. Polyester Fabric A unique look and feel, fabric offers soft hand, “drape” with good tear resistance and layfl at. Polypropylene The economical choice for short term banners and POS signage because of its lower tear resistance and durability. Tri-Lam A new economical choice only from Sihl. The unique tri-lam construction offers a good balance between cost and durability.ile From

How to avoid a sticky mess by choosing the right adhesive media. Choosing the right PSA solution requires only two pieces if information. What are the properties of the mounting surface and how long do you want it to stay there. OK, there’s a little more to it than that! Here are some basic facts to help figure out the difference between the base material choices.

BEST FOR FIRE RETARDANCY OR SOFT HAND (POLYESTER FABRIC) 3502 Expo™ Matte Fire Retardant Banner - 12 mil *2” core only

Paper certainly does not have the flexibility, tear resistance or durability of vinyl, but it also won’t shrink over time is easier to apply. SihlTriSolv™ PSA, 3683, features a premium instant dry coating and low glare finish, perfect for posters or prototypes.

A lot of products that arer standard for either Waterbased or Solvent do not work because of liner issues (PP, low density, PE blistering. High Density PE or PET liners.

BEST FOR MOUNTING / PROTOTYPES

BEST FOR LIGHT TEXTURED (SHORT TERM OUTDOOR)

3670 Imola™ Pearl Photo Paper PSA - 9.5 mil

3683 TriSolv™ PrimeArt Paper blueback PSA

BEST FOR LARGE LONG TERM 2 SIDED (SEMI-MATTE) 3118 SureBetTM Semi-Matte Vinyl Banner 2 Sided - 18 oz

Weight: Yarn Weight: Thread Count: Thickness: Support Cloth: Tensile Strength: Tear Strength: Low Temp Crack:

18 oz per Yard 500 x 500 Denier 28 x 28 thread per inch 18 mil / 460 Microns Polyester 1850/1350 (warp/weft N/5CM) 240/220 (warp/weft N/M) -10° C

BEST FOR SMALL / ECONOMICAL SHORTTERM 2 SIDED (SEMI-MATTE) 3109 SureBetTM Semi-Matte Vinyl Banner 2 Sided- 10 oz

Weight: Yarn Weight: Thread Count: Thickness: Support Cloth: Tensile Strength: Tear Strength: Low Temp Crack:

13 oz per Yard 250 x 250 Denier 36 x 36 thread per inch 13.5 mil / 340 Microns Polyester 1300/1100 (warp/weft N/5CM) 120/110 (warp/weft N/M) -10° C

BEST FOR LARGE / ULTRA DURABLE LONG TERM SINGLE SIDED 3120 TMaxTM Vinyl Banner - 13 oz - Gloss 3121 TMaxTM Vinyl Banner - 13 oz - Semi-Matte

Weight: Yarn Weight: Thread Count: Thickness: Support Cloth: Tensile Strength: Tear Strength: Low Temp Crack:

13 oz per Yard 1000 x 1000 Denier 9 x 9 thread per inch 15 mil / 390 Microns Polyester 1500/1200 (warp/weft N/5CM) 240/190 (warp/weft N/M) -10° C

» If you want to create a poster adhered to a mounting board or other surface, why make the process more complicated than it has to be?

Top Pick

PVC to PP, PET and everything in between, and warping, buckling, too soft,

» 3670 Imola™ PSA is an instant dry, 7 mil photo paper with a proprietary base paper and coating that allows for maximum flexibility without cracking - even for 90° folds in prototype applications. The specially formulated adjustable adhesive allows for easier application to a variety of mounting surfaces.

2” core vs 3” core Adapter for sale from HP or sit in front tray Mimaki Latex Higher solvent content in ink Lower temperature - does not have to remove such high water content - While the HP Latex printers are essentially water based printers, almost any media (solvent coated, aqueous coated, uncoated) can be made to “cure” or “dry”. One may not be happy with the printer speed or ink load, but “cure” is almost always possible.

Just because you CAN print on anything... Doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

Optimized Latex media vs Compatible.. It requires the least amount of cure temp which means it can run in the faster print modes and is less likely to have the material deformed from heat. - Between the printers themselves, the original 25550 (the one that we have in the lab) has more known heating / “cure” issues than the newer units. The 26550 has some minor improvements in tension control for textiles and other small things, but mostly has an improved inkset which cures at a lower temp and is more flexible - In general the Latex ink is VERY flexible. This means it is great for décor canvas production. Compared to solvent, the ink coming off the printer can really be “cured” or “dry”. While the heat of the dry and cure stages will drive most of the moisture out of the canvas and the coating, the ink itself remains very flexible. HP has tested this extensively with Tara / Fredericks on manual and automatic stretching machines. From HP’s perspective, the gesso coated or solvent coated canvas products are actually better for use on the Latex printers than aqueous canvas because they will have a thinner coating layer that is less likely to crack and degrade from the heat and stretch.

Sihl Inkjet Media... MORE CHOICES for EVERY PRINTER and EVERY APPLICATION SOLVENT / AQUEOUS / UV CURE / LATEX / DIGITAL PRESS / “GREEN”

- Drying As a general rule, do not adjust the drying temp. Leave it at 131. This stage is required to evaporate the water carrier for the ink. If you don’t evaporate the moisture, you can still achieve “cure” but you may see bleeding or gain that takes away from the sharpness of the print because you did not remove the moisture - Curing You should explore the wide range of cure on the printer. Don’t be afraid to go as low as 160 or high as 240. The main thing to remember is that the cure works in tandem with the printer passes. The main reason you lower the cure temp is because your base material cannot take the heat (thin PP or PET, uncoated or even coated paper). Since you are lowering the cure temp, you have to increase the number of passes. This essentially increases the amount of dwell time at the curing stage. On the other extreme, if you want to lay down maximum ink, you may find you need additional curing. This can be achieve by either increasing the curing temp, increasing the number of passes (dwell time at the curing station) or a combination of both. - Passes Some General Rules for Curing by Categories 4 pass - waste of time 6 pass - uncoated papers, matte coated papers water based papers 8 pass - water based coated photo paper, solvent coated photo paper 10-12 pass - Main setting for most products - SAV, Scrim, Canvas, Polyester, PP, PET etc 12-16 pass - Canvas, Fine Art, Textile (items that need lower cure temps because of base materials) 20 pass - If need extra cure time for max ink load…yes it is slower!

How to Buy Sihl Products For Sihl Digital Imaging product information, please call 1-800-366-7393 or visit our website www.sihlusa.com where you can find more product information, and an authorized Sihl reseller near you.