Let’s Take It Outside with Aqueous Printers & Media | LexJet Blog
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Let’s Take It Outside with Aqueous Printers & Media

It’s time to dispel the myth that graphics printed with aqueous technology can’t stand the test of time when displayed outdoors. With wide-format printer manufacturers like Epson, Canon and HP advancing their pigment inks, media is performing better than ever when facing the elements.

“When you’re talking about outdoor durability, it comes down to three things,” says Jaimie Mask, LexJet product specialist, “the inks — which have definitely advanced — and the inkjet coating (including top coat and anchor coating) and the substrate itself. Take LexJet’s TOUGHcoat Water Resistant Polypropylene. The reason we call it TOUGHcoat is because its coating is engineered to withstand outdoor climate changes, like wind and rain.”

For a durable outdoor banner, LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene is displayed on a LexJet Blizzard Outdoor Stand.
For a durable outdoor banner, LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Polypropylene is displayed on a LexJet Blizzard Outdoor Stand.

The macroporous coating that’s used on all of LexJet’s water-resistant media works with the advanced pigment inks to adhere better to the media, rather than just sitting on top of the media. “If you use the proper settings when printing, the inks will dry faster and last longer,” Mask says.

When choosing a media to print with aqueous inks, start with these questions:

How long does it need to last? A banner material like LexJet TOUGHcoat ThriftyBanner may give you longer-lasting results than a polypropylene.

Where will it be displayed? A polypropylene media is a cost-effective option when placed against a wall or solid background (try a self-adhesive version). Many banner material options come with block-out layer, offering more opacity than a polypropylene. For a light-weight outdoor look, try a fabric, like LexJet Water-Resistant Satin Cloth.

What kind of finish do you want? Although a gloss or matte finish is a matter of preference, LexJet’s water-resistant materials typically have a matte finish since gloss finishes can reflect more light and produce more glare when facing sunny summer days.

Do you want to add durability? To double the life of your aqueous-printed graphic, add a laminate. This will also increase your production time and cost, so keep that in mind. Also, if it’s a hanging banner that needs grommets, consider a sturdy outdoor option like Banner Ups.

Here are some of our popular aqueous media options that work well in outdoor settings:

Printed with a Canon iPF9400, LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Self Adhesive Polypropylene is adhered to Coroplast sheets.
Printed with a Canon iPF9400, LexJet TOUGHcoat Water-Resistant Self Adhesive Polypropylene is adhered to Coroplast sheets.

Shellie has more than 20 years of experience in the print publication industry as a content strategist, editor and writer. She has partnered with printing, photography and graphics professionals on a wide variety of publications and printing projects. At LexJet, she writes about customer experiences, industry trends, new products and the latest inkjet printing innovations.

0 Comments

  1. Can you please send me sample of these materials and do you have 24″ rolls for use on IPF6400?

    can this ve used on an HP2500T? ot roland versacamm 640i?

    Scot

  2. Zina Torres

    Thank you Shellie for sharing the valuable info. We have a Aqueous printer and I’ve used TOUGHcoat for interior decoration projects and I love its quality and durability. Hooray for Aqueous!

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