Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/827403
72 • June 2017 • S I G N & D I G I T A L G R A P H I C S SPECIALTY IMAGING DIGITAL GRAPHICS appear as polished as they do on walls, and part of that is because floor graph- ics are (simply) much smaller than other applications." Tomas says floor graphics products fall into a few broad categories—clear, white and opaque white base films, plus overlaminates of varying glossiness (in his and other companies' cases, all satis- fying UL 410 standards for slip resistance for flooring material). "Anyone interested in printing floor graphics should have the ability to print on existing UL-classified graphics base films and the ability to laminate the printed base with a matching overlami- nate," he says. "They may also want the ability to cut the final graphics to shape with a plotter cutter or flatbed cutter." Popular products include 3 M 's Conroltac or Envision print wrap films (available in 60-inch-wide rolls), Avery Dennison's MPI series printable films and F L E X con's base materials, plus FLEXcon's proprietary Safari embossed clear-finish overlaminate. As Tomas explains, slip resistance is a key issue in the floor graphics field. And since graphics require that extra dura- bility, Tomas says that first-time print- ers should consider some of the warranty implications for the products they create —and shop around a bit before investing in a substrate. "New players to the floor graphics market would be wise to understand the variety of warranties and indemnifica- tions available to them and their end customers," he says. "Small companies must consider the value of risk mitigation with a warrantied and indemnified prod- uct versus their own liability for generic products used on the floor." Timmerman reiterates the necessity of getting customers to understand how floor graphics will last, and factoring that into your sales and pricing. "Floor graphics are short-term appli- cations and clients should be made aware of the warranty and the expectations, up front," he says. "The standard warranty for a floor graphic is six months." Photo courtesy of FLEXcon. Floor graphics products fall into a few broad categories—clear, white and opaque white base films, plus overlaminates of varying glossiness.