Will it hold in the cold? Selecting ideal print media for frigid climates

by carly_mchugh | 10 February 2023 11:11 am

By Dennis Leblanc

Any sort of print or graphics application will present certain challenges. The type of surface may cause issues when trying to apply the graphic, or the position of the application may make the whole installation process particularly troublesome.

While these are examples of the more common problems with applying external graphics, one core issue many companies also face is cold weather. In countries such as Canada that experience extremely harsh winters, ensuring an application not only remains in place but also retains its initial quality and continues to have the same impact is a tremendous challenge.

First, you need to ensure you are working with materials which will stand the test of time in often freezing temperatures. The last thing you want is for the graphic to fail, partially or fully, as this will result in having to reprint part or all of the image and reapply it. This will cost you valuable time, money, and resources, and more importantly, potential repeat business from the customer.

Next, there is the issue of colour and print quality. Similar to how prolonged sun exposure can have a detrimental impact on print, harsh, cold temperatures can also impact both the look and quality of exterior applications. Print service providers working in this market should be looking to work with materials, consumables, and hardware that ensure high-quality performance in these conditions.

Finally, when it comes to the removal phase of graphics, you need to make sure the materials you are working with are not in danger of freezing in place and leaving residue behind after they have been taken away. This could cause annoyance with the customer and potentially leave them with an unwanted cleaning bill to remove this residue—resulting in an all-around loss.

Making your choice

Traditionally, pressure-sensitive print media has a minimum application temperature of 5 C (41 F), which means it only allows for graphic installation in cooler climates for half of the year. As such, when choosing a print media, it is important to select one with an application temperature that matches your climate. Ultimately, selecting the perfect combination of film, laminate (if necessary), and adhesive is crucial to the success of a cold weather application project.

Materials in action

In September 2022, Toronto-based large-format print company Creative Silhouettes used Drytac’s Polar Grip white polymeric self-adhesive vinyl to create an eye-catching application at a busy intersection in the city.

The city of Toronto and real estate company Brookfield Properties approached the company to produce a piece of print which would brighten up a large outdoor space. The primary aim of the project was to introduce a splash of colour to the otherwise dull, beige colour of the building space, as opposed to promoting a certain brand or product.

Creative Silhouettes selected the material for the project with the knowledge it would perform in the extreme cold temperatures Toronto often experiences. Its high-bond adhesive means users can permanently apply graphics to any surface, such as metal, plastic, wood, glass, and brick.

This particular material can be printed using eco-solvent, ultraviolet (UV), or latex printers. The company opted to use its HP Latex R1000 printer to produce the final print, which measured 18.2 m (60 ft) high and 10.6 m (35 ft) wide. It now colourfully towers over passersby in Toronto and will continue to do so over the harsh winter months.

“We have been using this material for the past three years in a wide range of applications,” said Giovani Pereira, project and business development manager at Creative Silhouettes. “The customers were incredibly happy with the look of the final project, as are we as a team.”

A work of art

Elsewhere in Canada, full-service graphics production and installation company Premier Graphics used a range of films and laminates to produce a series of colourful graphics for an application at the Cambie Street Bridge in Vancouver—an area which also encounters cold temperatures.

The project brought to life a vision by artist Jessica Angel, who came up with the idea of mixing graphics with augmented reality to “extend” the bridge into a 1765.1-m² (19,000-sf) public art installation for the Vancouver Biennale exhibition.

Installed in June 2021, Angel’s design featured a two-dimensional vinyl mural which wrapped the pedestrian walkway, supporting columns, and underside of the bridge—turning what was usually a relatively dull structure into a captivating piece of art.

Augmented reality took this a step further, as passersby were encouraged to download the Vancouver Biennale app. They could hold up their phones while walking through the walkway, opening up a new dimension and transforming parts of the installation.

Premier Graphics, which is based in British Columbia, was selected to produce and install the graphics for the project—opting for materials which would ensure the graphics retained their colourful look, even after exposure to harsh weather and temperatures during the winter months. This was especially important, as the installation was intended to remain in place for around two years.

The company selected Polar Grip white polymeric self-adhesive film for the printed film parts of the installation, as well as Interlam Pro Emerytex polyvinyl chloride (PVC) overlaminating film for the floor graphics, and Interlam Pro Matte pressure-sensitive overlaminating film for the pillars and ceiling.

“The process consisted of the testing of many materials, and of course, balancing a budget that was already stretched thin,” said Taylor Sellinger, partner and general manager of Premier Graphics. “We needed to fit the client’s budget with a material that was likely to last 18 to 24 months and meet the slip-resistance requirements for the safety of the public.

“Since the majority of this installation surface was relatively flat, we didn’t require a cast film to conform, but the nature of the adhesive on the Polar Grip film made it an ideal choice for great adhesion to rough and unfinished concrete.”

Conclusion

Working with print in cold temperatures can be a troublesome process. However, if you carefully choose materials designed to perform in these environments, you can ensure success in the long-term and help secure future work for your business in similar locations.

Dennis Leblanc is the senior business development manager for North America at Drytac. Leblanc has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, with a focus on pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/will-it-hold-in-the-cold-selecting-ideal-print-media-for-frigid-climates/

---