Choosing the Right Fine Art Paper for Your Artwork

When it comes to choosing the right inkjet paper for digitally printed reproductions of your artwork, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, some papers naturally work better for certain art forms, and choosing the paper you print on can be as much of an art as it is a science. Here are some tips to pick the paper that will work best for you:

The first determining factor is the type of printer you’re using, since not all printers are compatible with all papers. The preferred print technology for most fine art printers is aqueous, which has the most compatible papers on the market, and newer models, like Epson P-Series and Canon PRO-Series printers, have 10- and 12-ink options for greater color gamuts that are truer to the original art.

Some printers are moving to eco-solvent technology, like Sacramento Giclee, which recently added a Epson SureColor S80600 to its operation. The solvent technology eliminates the need to coat the print, which is helpful for busy, large-volume shops.

Limited Time Introductory Offer on LexJet’s New Blockout Polypropylene Inkjet Media

For a limited time you can get LexJet’s new lay-flat polypropylene wide format inkjet materials for 30 percent off: LexJet 11 Mil Blockout PolyGloss and LexJet 11 Mil Blockout Water-Resistant Polypropylene.

Product video for inkjet mediaThe witching hour for this promotion is at midnight Oct. 31, after which the products return to their regularly scheduled pricing. Whether you buy online or call your customer specialist, the pricing is already built into the system, so there’s no need for a promo code or any other hoops to jump through to take advantage of the promotion.

Both polypropylene materials include a gray back coat for added opacity so that less light shines through the back of the graphics. They can be used as a cost-effective alternative to the typical polyester inkjet materials for trade show and retail display graphics, as well as long-term indoor and short-term outdoor banners.

The water-resistant materials have a bright-white inkjet-receptive coating that provides additional color and contrast. They’re available in a variety of widths (75-foot roll lengths) and are compatible with the latest aqueous inkjet printers from Canon, Epson and HP. The matte version, 11 Mil Blockout Water-Resistant Polypropylene, is also compatible with HP latex printers, the Designjet L26500 and Designjet L28500.

For more information about the new blockout polypropylene materials and to take advantage of the promotion, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538. Also, check out the video embedded below for more details on the new products…

No Foolin’: Great Deals on Thermal Laminates through the End of April

Laminating inkjet prints
This Guinness point of sale display with a moat is protected with LexJet 3 Mil Gloss UV Premium Low Melt laminate.

Through the end of April LexJet is offering 25 percent off of its most popular thermal laminates for a savings of up to $166 per roll. Here are the specific laminates you can get for 25 percent off by April 30

LexJet’s Standard thermal low-melt UV polyester laminates provide high clarity, increased bond strength, superior resistance to abrasion, water, oil, acid and alkali and are perfect for high-production runs on bond inkjet paper, microporous-coated inkjet paper, electrostatic and continuous tone photographic prints.

For more information about this 25 percent off promotion that’s good until April 30, application guidance and help with anything else, contact a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538.

March Semi-Madness: 25 Percent off LexJet’s Most Popular Thermal Laminates

Thermal laminates for inkjet printing point of purchase and trade show graphicsThrough the end of March, LexJet is offering 25 percent off of its most popular thermal laminates for a savings of up to $166 per roll. Here’s the roll call of thermal laminates you can get for 25 percent off by the end of the month, a.k.a., March 31

LexJet’s Standard thermal low-melt UV polyester laminates provide high clarity, increased bond strength, superior resistance to abrasion, water, oil, acid and alkali and are perfect for high-production runs on bond inkjet paper, microporous-coated inkjet paper, electrostatic and continuous tone photographic prints.

For more information about this special March-only 25 percent off promotion, application guidance and help with anything else, contact a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538.

How to Apply Infinium to Canvas and a Wood Coaster

Printing canvas with a conformable materialLexJet’s new Infinium is the industry’s first transportable graphic. When properly applied it takes on the characteristics – the look and feel – of the material to which it’s applied.

In a typical advertising and promotional program, for instance, graphics for events, trade shows, retail environments and promotional materials often require different types of materials on different printer technology platforms.

With Infinium, one inkjet printable material can be transported to just about everything. This ensures accuracy and brand consistency as well as a reduction in time and materials. Moreover, because it is conformable to almost anything, it can be used creatively in unusual applications, like ceiling tiles, bricks, shoes, footballs, leather and ceramics, as well as more traditional materials like glass, wood and graphic arts boards.

Infinium is not a paper, it’s not a film, and it’s not a transfer material. Simply put, it’s a printable material with laminate and adhesive qualities all in one material. So, for applications that required multiple materials and multiple steps, Infinium does it with one material in two steps: Print and apply.

You can apply it to practically any surface you can imagine, including irregular surfaces and curves, using heat, water or a primer (LexJet Infinium Bond). This technology allows you to pick the surface or substrate you want to image, the print method you want to use and the application method.

LexJet Infinium Gloss and Infinium Matte are compatible with solvent, low solvent, latex and UV-curable printers, and like all LexJet products they come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and super-fast $9.99 flat rate shipping from LexJet’s nationwide network of distribution centers.

In the instructional videos below you’ll see how Infinium retains the texture and look of gesso-coated canvas and a wood coaster when applied using a thermal laminator…

How to Apply LexJet Infinium with a Thermal Laminator

Inkjet printing leatherLexJet Infinium conforms to virtually any surface, taking on the characteristics of that surface when it’s properly applied. When applied to leather or canvas, for instance, Infinium essentially becomes part of the material, retaining its look and texture.

Infinium is not a transfer medium, a paper or a film. You print directly to it in reverse and apply it to the substrate using heat, water or a primer (LexJet Infinium Bond), depending on whether it’s meant to be a temporary or permanent graphic.

The first generation of LexJet Infinium is compatible with solvent, low solvent, latex and UV curable printers. It is available in gloss and matte finishes in roll widths ranging from 25 inches to 54 inches wide.

In the video below, see how Infinium is applied and conforms to a flat piece of finished leather and a piece of leather mounted to cardboard with a thermal laminator. If you have any questions and would like to try a roll (all LexJet products come with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee), contact a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538.