The printing industry reproduces text and image, typically with ink on plastic or paper using a printing device. It is often carried out as either a small-scale, or large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing. Plastics provide formats for printing as well as facilitate the production process.

Advantages of plastics

The advantages of plastics in the Printing industry are numerous. Plastics are much lighter than metal, which equate to better fuel economy and cheaper to manufacture parts. Additionally, the lighter weight aids in safer material handling. Plastics can be designed to be impact and dent resistant, and modified for improved strength. Corrosion resistance, color and texture flexibility, the economical components and aesthetics are other advantages of plastics.

Materials Utilized Within Industry

Printed media for digital print and screen printing include materials such as PVC Foam, Foamboard, Acrylic, PETG, Polycarbonate, BioBoard and Fluted Polypropylene.


Adhesives Used with Dibond® Material

One of the display features in great demand is the ability to attach Dibond® material to a substrate without having exposed fasteners. The vast majority of this type connection is done using adhesives.


Die Cutting GatorLite® Material

GatorLite® in the 3/16” thickness can be Die Cut. However, it may also be cut satisfactorily with hand tools or other specialty tools.


Die Cutting Fome-Cor® Material



Die Cutting Foam-X Recovery Material



Cast Acrylic (Polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA)



Post Paint Compatibility of Dibond®

On many projects that involve Dibond® material, a small quantity of "custom color" panels is often required. It is often not practical to obtain the "custom color" from the factory and post painting is necessary.


Fire Characteristics of Dibond Material

It is necessary to know the fire characteristics of materials when they are used in applications where there may be stringent rules on how the materials behave when exposed to sources of combustion.


Screen-Print Ink Compatibility of Dibond®

Screen-print Dibond® signage and displays with recommended inks. Consult with the ink manufacturer if there are any questions regarding the use of a particular ink.


Screen-Print Ink Compatibility with Fome-Cor®, JetMount® and Foam-X® Recovery

Foam Boards with white clay coated liners, manufactured by 3A Composites, are often screen printed when used in the signage and display industry.


Painting Fome-Cor®, Jet-Mount®, and Foam-X® Recovery

Fome-Cor® products may be painted utilizing many commercially available coatings. It is advisable to pretest before committing to a production run.