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A Primer for Printing on Plastic Substrates

(February 2012) posted on Wed Mar 07, 2012

Learn the basics for printing on two popular plastic materials used in display applications.

click an image below to view slideshow

By Omer Shoham

Direct digital printing
Wide-format inkjet printers use various ink and ink-curing technologies to allow high-quality printing at relatively high speeds. High-quality digital printing depends on various factors: printer capabilities, ink technology and quality, type of printing substrate and quality, and machine operator. Note that foamed PVC is suitable for use with UV and solvent-based digital inks, and for IR drying when water-based inks are used.

The substrate’s protective polyethylene film mask (Figure 1) helps prevent surface abrasion and stains. However, removing the protective film may cause an increase of static electric charge, which can affect ink coverage and adhesion. Therefore, after peeling the film away from the sheet, the static electricity that has built up on the sheet should be discharged using an ionized gun or a suitable device provided by the printer manufacturer. The surface should be clean before printing. Carefully inspect each panel to ensure there is no dust, fingerprints, residue, or other problematic substances that may affect ink coverage or adhesion. If needed, the plastics should be cleaned with a damp rag, or with isopropyl alcohol.

The distance between the inkjet printhead and the substrate can have a significant effect on print quality (Figure 2). Manufacturer specifications, combined with and operator experience, should determine printhead distance from the substrate. The suggested starting distance should not be more than 2 mm from the printhead to the substrate.

PC/PVC is suitable for all types of inks: aqueous, solvent-based, and UV. Consult the printer manual or contact the printer manufacturer for recommendations and compatibility information. The two main ink-curing technologies are IR (infrared), where long exposure to high temperatures in the drying tunnel may cause distortions in the sheet; and UV (Figure 3), where levels must be adjusted according the printing speed and substrate. UV overexposure can cause discoloration of both the ink and substrate. The ink system chosen should always be tested for adequate adhesion. To assess adhesion, conduct a cross-hatch rest after the ink has dried.

Omer Shoham is the advertising applications manager at the Palram headquarters located in Israel.


Chemical resistance A material or surface is exposed to the relevant chemical for a longer, defined period of time and the relevant area then inspected microscopically. Possible changes which could occur include: discoloration, alteration in the degree of shine, softening, swelling, detachment of coatings, and blistering.

Ease of fabrication The ability of the printed substrate to undergo machining, cutting, routing, gluing, drilling, fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, and other processes.

Impact resistance In material science and metallurgy, toughness is the ability of a material to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing. Material toughness is defined as the amount of energy per volume that a material can absorb before rupturing. It is also defined as the resistance to fracture of a material when stressed.

Light diffusion (especially as it relates to hiding LEDs) Diffuse reflection is the reflection of light from a surface such that an incident ray is reflected at many angles rather than at just one angle as in the case of specular reflection. An illuminated ideal diffuse reflecting surface will have equal luminance from all directions in the hemisphere surrounding the surface (Lambertian reflectance).

Light transmission Percentage of incident visible light that passes through an object. In the field of optics, transparency is the physical property of allowing light to pass through a material; translucency only allows light to pass through diffusely. The opposite property is opacity. Transparent materials appear clear, with the overall appearance of one color, or any combination leading up to a brilliant spectrum of every color.

Service-temperature range Thermal degradation of polymers is molecular deterioration as a result of overheating. At high temperatures the components of the long chain backbone of the polymer can begin to separate (molecular scission) and react with one another to change the properties of the polymer. Thermal degradation can present an upper limit to the service temperature of plastics as much as the possibility of mechanical property loss.

Vacuum forming This is a simplified version of thermoforming, whereby a sheet of plastic is heated to a forming temperature, stretched onto or into a single-surface mold, and held against the mold by applying vacuum between the mold surface and the sheet. The vacuum-forming process can be used to make most product packaging, speaker casings, and even car dashboards.

