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Print Protection Tips: When to Use Liquid Coating
Posted on by Shellie Terry Posted in Tips & Tricks
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Print Protection Tips: When to Use Liquid Coating

For prints that are subjected to direct light, wear-and-tear or even graffiti, one of the most economical ways to protect them is with a coat or two of liquid coating. Water-based coatings, such as Sunset Gloss or Satin Coating as well as Marabu ClearShield and EnduraCoat options provide consistent, reliable and cost-effective print protection for everything from canvas wraps to wall murals to outdoor signage.

The benefit of using a liquid coating include abrasion resistance, extending the life of the graphic and making it easier to clean them, which is especially helpful for outdoor signage that falls victim to those graffiti artists. Coatings can also change the image’s finish — from gloss to matte, for example — which is one way to reduce the glare of a glossy print.

Ink Interaction & Coatings

While ink technology in inkjet printing has evolved significantly in recent years, even latex or solvent inks can use added protection from a liquid coating, especially for long-lasting or high-traffic prints (think: wallcoverings).

It’s especially helpful for prints displayed in direct sun, which need help against the UV light that can eventually wear away any ink. It’s important to remember, however, that ink-and-coating combinations can sometimes behave in an unpredictable way. Best to test compatibility before coating an entire job.

StarLam coating for water-based coatings

Water-based & UV Coatings

Water-based Coatings: For smaller jobs, a water-based coating is the way to go since they can be roller, mop or machine applied. These are great cost-effective alternatives to thermal or pressure-sensitive laminates. Since they are liquid, water-based coatings can conform to uneven surfaces when needed, which a laminate film cannot typically do.

These can also be machine-applied. Check out this video to see how easy it is to use the Marabu StarLam coating machine. Waterbased coatings range from $0.08 – $0.18 per square foot.

Machine-applied UV liquid coating

UV Coatings: Machine-applied UV coatings provide longer life at a lower cost, $0.04 – $0.10 per square foot, depending on the product. Our line of Mara Shield UV coatings are application-based, such as anti-graffiti, corrugated board and rigid or flexible substrates.

UV coatings dramatically extend the life of prints and intensify the color vibrancy of printed images. The MegaCoat XL 63 UV Coater can handle everything from films to boards that are 1-inch thick.

To learn more about coating, ink and substrate compatibility, check out our Print Protection page or call at LexJet coatings expert at 800-453-9538.

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Posted on by Shellie Terry Posted in Tips & Tricks
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Liquid Lamination Made Easy with the StarLam Laminator

For print facilities looking to increase speed and consistency in liquid coating applications, the Marabu StarLam Liquid Laminator is the go-to solution for water-based coatings, such as ClearShield Liquid Coatings.

Watch the video above to learn how easy it is to set up the StarLam and get it rolling. The machine can handle a variety of substrates up to 64-inches wide, as well as various coatings, such as Marabu ClearShield for the StarLam.

The StarLam can coat printed substrates for many applications, such as banners, canvas prints, vehicle graphics, wallcoverings, trade shows and more. Because the StarLam includes a heater and roll-to-roll design, the prints are ready to go with a finished, consistent layer of coating that offers the benefits of film lamination at a budget-friendly cost.

Applying coating using the StarLam is designed to be a one-person process, and it speeds up workflow for high-production shops. Plus, the StarLam cleans up in less than 10 minutes — no roller or pail rinsing and cleaning needed.

To learn how to shut down and clean the StarLam, watch the video below. If you have any questions about how to incorporate the StarLam Liquid Laminator in your operation, give a LexJet print specialist a call at 800-453-9538.

Posted on by Shellie Terry Posted in Tips & Tricks
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Quick Tip: How to Hand-roll Liquid Coating

If your next print is going to be exposed to the elements or needs extra handling — like wrapping it on stretcher bars — you’ll want to add a protective layer of coating to keep that print looking sharp for a longer duration. This is especially true for images and graphics output on an aqueous printer.

Liquid coating is a cost-effective option for print protection, and is especially handy for canvas prints that need to be gallery wrapped. Check out the video above to see how easy it is to get a consistent, even application of liquid coating that looks great and lasts.

At LexJet, we’ve got the most comprehensive line of print protection products from the brands you know and love: Marabu ClearShield and Sunset. Check out our Print Protection page and browse through out “Water Based Liquid” coatings to see all the options for everything from canvas and photos to signage and wallpaper.

Opt for a gloss option to bring out the density in blacks and a matte finish to cut down on glare. We’ve also got options for anti-graffiti and transit graphics.

A few more hand-rolling tips:

  • When rolling, opt for a high-density white foam roller to help reduce bubbling — these come in a variety of widths for your needs
  • When rolling on the coating, opt for two thinner coats, rather than one thick one
  • Overlap your coating in a few passes, but not so many that the coating becomes tacky or bumpy
  • Small bubbles should dissipate, but if you get larger ones, try blowing on them to remove them
  • Rinse your roller until the water runs clear, and you’ll be able to reuse your roller for about six months

Not sure which coating to choose? Give us a call at 800-453-9538 for some expert advice.

MaraShield UV Coating Solution: Now Available at LexJet
Posted on by Shellie Terry Posted in Technology & Products
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MaraShield UV Coating Solution: Now Available at LexJet

We’re excited to announce that we’re now carrying a full array of MaraShield UV Coatings for more wide-format print protection options.

MaraShield UV coatings are cured onto the substrate using UV light to provide long-term durability and abrasion resistance for a variety of applications from fine-art prints to truck graphics. UV coatings deliver excellent print protection that is machine-applied faster and at a lower cost than film laminates. Plus, they add intensified color vibrancy to graphics that can be applied to either rigid or flexible substrates.

Rather than providing one general, all-purpose UV coating, we’re offering the following application-specific products so you get the right protection for the right substrate every time:

As part of the full UV coating solutions, LexJet also carries the MegaCoat XL by TEC Lighting, Inc., which can coat materials ranging from pressure-sensitive film to 1-inch board, and everything in between.

To learn more about these new products, call your LexJet representative at 800-453-9538 today.