MOHAWK DIGITAL SYNTHETIC. Sales Guide

Transcription

1 MOHAWK DIGITAL SYNTHETIC Sales Guide

2 INDEX Applications 3 Cost Comparison vs. Lamination 3 How to Choose the Right Synthetic Product 4 For Dry Toner For Hp Indigo Presses General Hints + Tips 5 Storage + Pressroom Conditions Guidelines Shelf Life Equipment Compatibility Printing Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions 6 Custom Makes 9 MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 2

3 APPLICATIONS Mohawk Synthetic products are great for: Bookmarks Business cards Cable wraps Calendars Clear overlays Cookbooks Door hangers Durable pocket guides Emergency procedures Engineering catalogues Event passes and tickets Flash cards ID tags & cards Manuals Maps Menus Oceanography charts Outdoor & indoor signage Pharmaceutical manuals Photo products Placemats Plant stakes Playing cards Point-of-purchase displays Pre-punched binder dividers Retail tags & clothing labels Rulers Shelf strips, sliders & wobblers Shop diagrams Signage Table tents Tags COST COMPARISON VS. LAMINATION LAMINATION VS. MOHAWK DIGITAL SYNTHETIC Costs Premium Polyester Pouch Lamination Roll Lamination Printing $0.08 $0.08 $0.08 Polyester or Paper $1.10 $0.05 $0.05 Lamination $0.00 $1.00 $0.40 Labor $0.00 $0.70 $0.77 Estimated Cost Per Piece $1.18 $1.83 $1.30 Production Time (Minutes) 5 120* 100* * Times do not include set-up, maintenance and clean-up. Assuming $25/hr, cost per pouch, cost of lamination film per unit. Labor cost per unit assuming numbers from market data, 8 mil Mohawk Premium Polyester. Mohawk Synthetic prints are ready in minutes, not hours, and are up to 35% more cost effective than laminating. Estimates based on 50 pieces on 12x18 stock. MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 3

4 HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SYNTHETIC PRODUCT It is important to understand the application, equipment and customer expectation when choosing the right synthetic substrate. These guides will help you determine the right synthetic for the right application and equipment. Compatibility and Performance Refers to the volume and range of digital equipment the products are compatible with, the amount of OEM certifications carried by the product, and the products ability to control static. High Volume Compatibility Refers to the appropriate run length that the products are engineered for (ie. high volume >5,000 sheets or short volume <5,000 sheets). Print Image Quality Refers to the product attributes such as brightness, whiteness and opacity that impact printed color vibrancy, show-through, and smooth laydown of toner. Durability Refers to product attributes such as sheet tear strength, resistance to liquids and chemicals, and toner adhesion. Flexibility and Availability Refers to the breadth of the product line in terms of caliper, sheet size, packaging configuration, and availability of stocked inventory within a product line. POSITIONING GUIDE FOR DRY TONER It is important to understand the application, equipment, and customer expectation when choosing the right synthetic substrate. This guide will help you determine the right synthetic for the right application and equipment. Comparison Mohawk Premium Polyester Majority of Business Mohawk Performance Polyester PaperTyger Compatibility and Performance High Volume Compatibility Print Image Quality Durability Flexibility and Availability Good: Better: Best: MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 4

5 HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SYNTHETIC PRODUCT cont. More Specialized Applications Comparison Mohawk Synthetic Paper Mohawk Rigid Vinyl (PVC) Compatibility and Performance High Volume Compatibility Print Image Quality Durability Flexibility and Availability Good: Better: Best: FOR HP INDIGO PRESSES Comparison Compatibility and Performance Mohawk Performance Polyester with i-tone RIT Certified Product Comparison Mohawk Synthetic Paper with i-tone RIT Certified Mohawk Rigid Vinyl (PVC) PaperTyger RIT Certified High Volume Compatibility Print Image Quality Durability Flexibility and Availability Good: Better: Best: GENERAL HINTS + TIPS STORAGE + PRESSROOM CONDITIONS GUIDELINES Store the Mohawk Synthetic media in the original packaging within 24 to 48 hours prior to when printing is planned. Remove the Mohawk Synthetic media from the packaging and allow it to condition in the pressroom for 24 to 48 hours. Optimum storage conditions are 50 Fahrenheit to 70 Fahrenheit and 20% to 55% relative humidity. Optimum pressroom conditions are 65 Fahrenheit to 75 Fahrenheit and 45% to 55% relative humidity. SHELF LIFE Shelf life is eighteen months when stored under the recommended storage conditions. Rotate your stock. MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 5

6 GENERAL HINTS + TIPS cont. EQUIPMENT COMPATIBILITY Because machine specifications for material thickness, surface texture and sheet size vary widely between equipment brands, Mohawk encourages testing our Specialty Substrates on your particular press before committing to a large program. Sample packs are available for testing. Please download Mohawk s Equipment Compatibility Charts at mohawkconnects.com for detailed baseline settings and instructions for running Mohawk Digital Synthetic substrates on leading color digital presses. PRINTING GUIDELINES Remove all non-mohawk Synthetic media from the feed tray. Use the tray specified by your printer manual and do not overfill. Fan the Mohawk Synthetic media several times prior to loading the tray. If necessary, set the correct printer setting and weight for the synthetic media and begin printing. Maintain a 1 unprinted margin on the leading and trailing edge. Maintain a 1/8 unprinted margin around perforations and score lines on Dimensional items. If your digital press images with fuser oil, it is recommended to run 10 sheets of plain paper after running 500 sheets of Mohawk Synthetic media to avoid possible build-up of excess fuser oil. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can I print offset on Mohawk Synthetics? The following recommendations should be followed and testing is highly encouraged: If running synthetic sheets on conventional offset: Oxidizing inks formulated for synthetic (plastic) material must be used. Ensure all traces of oil-based inks and varnishes are removed from the ink delivery system. Printer should confirm their fountain solution is compatible with oxidizing inks. Run press as dry as possible, since excessive damping will retard drying. Avoid excessive use of spray powder. Use a light coating or none only. Do not use disolvable spray powder. Smaller lifts are recommended to avoid sticking with less spray powder. The printer should have a discussion with their ink manufacturer regarding the type of substrate and if they have recommendations for total ink coverage on a synthetic film. Ink draw downs on material are recommended to ensure customer expectations are met. If laser imprinting is necessary after offset printing, laser-safe inks should be used. Maintain at least 45% relative humidity in the press room to minimize static. For printed areas being digitally imaged, ink coverage should be kept to a maximum of 25% If running synthetic sheets on UV offset: UV Safe Inks formulated for synthetic (plastic) material should be used. UV Drying should be used. Ensure all traces of oil-based inks and varnishes are removed from the ink delivery system. Printer should confirm their fountain solution is compatible with UV inks. The printer should have a discussion with their ink manufacturer regarding the type of substrate and if they have recommendations for total ink coverage on a synthetic film. Ink draw downs on material are recommended to assure customer expectations are met. If laser imprinting is necessary after offset printing, laser-safe inks should be used. Maintain at least 45% relative humidity in the press room to minimize static. For printed areas being digitally imaged, ink coverage should be kept to a maximum of 25%. MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 6

7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS cont. Can I laminate Mohawk Synthetics? Laminating is at the discretion of the user, but Mohawk recommends that clients source laminates designed for synthetic films, print candidate images, and test adhesion to determine suitability for use. The smoothness of synthetic films usually causes standard lamination used for paper to only moderately adhere to films. Mohawk recommends that when laminating synthetic films that a custom laminate be sourced specific to film laminating. Suppliers that provide custom laminates for Synthetics are D&K Group, Boss Laminating, Dikeman Laminating, GBC, and Piedmont Laminating. Some common adhesive types for synthetics are classified as thermoplastics or thermo set adhesives. Be sure to discuss your application with a lamination supplier regarding the intended end use of the finished pieces to achieve your optimum end results. Can I fold, score, and stitch Mohawk Synthetics? Scoring is always recommended before folding due to the material s inherent memory. Traditional scoring techniques such as Press Score, Rotary Score, or Die score are suitable. The key difference in scoring paper versus polyester is that it is not recommended to score all the way to the edge of each side of the polyester along the fold. We suggest leaving 0.10 un-scored on either edge if possible to reduce the risk of tearing. Generally the depth of score should be 20% of the thickness of the polyester. All calipers up to 11 mil in caliper can be scored, with the exception of 10 mil Rigid Vinyl (PVC). Scoring and folding higher caliper synthetics are at the discretion of the user. Mohawk Rigid Vinyl (PVC) cannot be scored or folded due to the material s rigidity. Mohawk Synthetic Paper (with and without i-tone) should be finished parallel with the grain direction. Synthetics can be stitched using the same processes as paper; however tests should be conducted to ensure compatibility with your particular process. To avoid rusting, stainless steel staples should be used if the finished product will remain near water or in humid conditions. Since the scoring tools used vary with the different processes, it is always suggested to test that the fold meets the customer s expectations. It may be necessary to adjust the depth of score to optimize for the process. It is not recommended to print heavy % toner coverage / ink density over an area that will be folded, as this could negatively impact toner adhesion to the substrate across the fold. Scoring will minimize, but not completely eliminate, this adhesion risk. Pre-scored Mohawk Dimensional sheets are also available. Can I diecut & trim Mohawk Synthetics? Dies should be made of hardened steel, sharp and free of nicks. Right angle cuts should be made with a 1/16th radius hole. Avoid intersecting inside cuts. Guillotine cutting is also compatible, though the printer should confirm their blade is sharp and free of nicks. Digital die cutting with a knife is acceptable; however laser die cutting is not compatible with synthetics. Can I punch and drill Mohawk Synthetics? Mohawk Synthetics can be punched and drilled under most conditions. Punching is the preferred method and dies should be made of hardened steel, sharp and free of nicks. When drilling Mohawk Synthetics, be sure that the inside radius is greater than 1/16th and that the bit is sharp. To avoid excessive heat buildup and blocking, we recommend a maximum lift height of 1 or less. Blank sample sheets are readily available for testing your process. Will prints on Mohawk Synthetics fade over time? Fade resistance is a direct function of the lightfastness of the printed toner/ink, so please contact the Equipment Manufacturer of your digital press for more information if the end application will be exposed to direct UV sunlight. Unprinted Mohawk Synthetic sheets have a proprietary coating on the surface that could discolor over time when exposed to direct UV sunlight. For the strongest UV resistance, users may UV coat the prints. MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 7

8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS cont. Will Mohawk Synthetics stain? No printable synthetic on the market is 100% stain proof. Stains depend on the substance (ie. coffee, mustard etc) and how long it sits on the synthetic before being cleaned or wiped off. Many Mohawk Synthetic products can resist stains from various non-alcoholic beverages and common condiments. If the material becomes stained, please follow our recommended bleaching procedure to clean the prints. Sample sheets are readily available for testing. Is there a recommended cleaning procedure for Mohawk Synthetics? Domestic bleach such as Domestos, Chlorox and store-branded thick bleaches (containing sodium hyperchlorite with up to 10% active chlorine and surfactants) are excellent cleaners and useful for removing stains. We recommend diluting thick bleach with tap water to a 1:1 ratio. Stained prints should be immersed in the bleach solution and allowed to stand. In the majority of cases 90% of a stain can be bleached with 10 minutes immersion. To fully remove stains, we recommend 2 hours immersion. Once removed from the bleach solution, the material should be rinsed thoroughly with tap water and dried with a non-abrasive cloth. Sample sheets are readily available for testing which is encouraged due to the various types of dry and liquid toners. Please refer to the bleach manufacturer s guidelines on the container for any further instruction and safety procedures. Can I foil stamp Mohawk Synthetics? Mohawk Synthetics can be hot or cold foil stamped under most conditions. Trials with various foils using various temperature, pressure, and dwell time settings are required to determine foil compatibility and optimum press settings. If foil stamping over printed artwork, discuss the process with your digital press manufacturer. Some wax-based toner or coatings may impact stamping suitability. Can I UV coat Mohawk Synthetics? Due to its smooth surface, most synthetic sheets can be UV coated however it is important to test and determine suitability for your particular application. Talk to your coating supplier regarding your particular project to ensure compatibility on a synthetic film using your particular printing press. Some wax-based toner or presses utilizing fuser oil may require special formulations of coatings or a base primer. Some suppliers familiar with coatings for digital printing are Duplo, Tec Lighting, MGI, OLEC, and Actega. Does my press room environment matter when printing Mohawk Synthetics? Yes, storage and pressroom conditions are very important. Optimum print room conditions are 65 to 75 Fahrenheit and 45% to 55% relative humidity. If pressroom conditions are too dry, excess static during production is possible. Store the Mohawk Synthetic media in the original packaging until 24 to 48 hours prior to when printing is planned. Acclimate the stock to the pressroom environment for 24 to 48 hours. Optimum storage conditions are 50 to 70 Fahrenheit and 20% to 55% relative humidity. My digital press uses fuser oil. Can I still print on Mohawk Synthetics? Some digital presses in the market image with fuser oil. If you re not sure if your press does, talk to your Equipment Manufacturer. Mohawk Synthetics are compatible with presses that image with fuser oil. It is recommended to run 50 sheets of plain uncoated paper of the same size after running 500 sheets of synthetic sheets to avoid possible build-up of excess fuser oil. MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 8

9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS cont. Can I perfect bind with Mohawk Synthetics? Perfecting binding is at the discretion of the user, however Mohawk recommends users first have a discussion with their glue manufacturer regarding adhesives compatible with synthetic films. When using hot-melt glue, the temperature level should be kept low enough to prevent any distortion of the synthetic film. Solvent-based (vinyl acetate) adhesives that are applied cold are an alternative; however some solvents may cause material distortion over time. Print & binding tests should be conducted to ensure end use customer expectations are met. How do I design for the pre-converted Mohawk Dimensional Premium Polyester line? Free blank dielines/templates are available on mohawkconnects.com. There is a recommended artwork safety area illustrated in the templates that should be followed. Full bleed designs with artwork across the perfs/scores are not recommended and toner transfer cannot be guaranteed. How do I get additional technical support or submit a claim? Please call the-mill and ask to be connected to the Technical Services Department for additional troubleshooting or claim processing. Please provide as much information as possible for claims such as: Printing equipment being used including model number Equipment settings being used for printing Issue description (ie. runnability, jamming, print image quality, print defects etc?) The LOT number on the product package label Relative Humidity and Temperature values in the press room when the issue occurred Photographs of print defects Physical samples of printed material showing defects Physical samples of blank material used for printing for analysis CUSTOM MAKES Can t find what you re looking for? Mohawk can make it happen. Whether it s a custom size, weight, format, or end use, be sure to ask Mohawk before you turn away the business. Examples of custom synthetics include: Custom sizes, rolls Custom calipers Custom colors Custom film types To order a swatchbook, samples or reams and envelopes, contact your local merchant or visit mohawkconnects.com Notice: The information provided herein is correct to the best of our knowledge. No liability for any errors, facts or opinions is accepted. You must satisfy yourself as to the suitability of this product for you application. No responsibility for any loss as a result of any person placing reliance on any material contained herein can be accepted Mohawk Fine Papers Inc., Mohawk, and the corporate logo are proprietary trademarks of Mohawk. All non-mohawk brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. MOHAWKCONNECTS.COM THE MILL 9