Practical how-to guides on coating, laminating, installing and caring for inkjet prints.
Practical advice on protecting, finishing and installing inkjet prints, from choosing between liquid and film lamination to fixing coating defects and hanging Phototex.
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A plain explanation of liquid lamination: what it is, what it protects against, which prints it suits and how it is applied.
Read more →How liquid coatings and film laminates compare on finish, protection, workflow and cost, and how to decide which suits a job.
Read more →A step-by-step method for rolling a liquid coating onto prints evenly, with advice on preparation, technique and common mistakes.
Read more →Practical guidance on spraying aerosol coatings such as ClearJet onto prints for an even, clean finish without runs or dry spray.
Read more →The signs that hand coating is holding your business back, and what to weigh up before buying a liquid lamination machine.
Read more →Why prints need to dry and outgas before coating or laminating, how to tell when they are ready, and how to plan…
Read more →The main causes of fading in inkjet prints and the practical steps, from ink choice to UV-inhibiting coatings and display, that slow…
Read more →How water, condensation and humidity damage prints, and how coatings, installation choices and storage help keep them looking right.
Read more →Safe ways to dust, wipe and clean coated prints, what to avoid, and care advice you can pass on to your customers.
Read more →A step-by-step guide to preparing walls and applying Phototex printable self-adhesive fabric neatly, without specialist installers.
Read more →How to lift, move and reapply Phototex self-adhesive fabric cleanly, and how to store panels so they can be used again.
Read more →An even-handed comparison of printable self-adhesive fabric and vinyl for wall graphics, covering finish, installation, removal and reuse.
Read more →Gloss, semi-gloss or matt? How each finish affects colour, contrast and glare, and how to match the finish to the print and…
Read more →Common liquid coating faults, from bubbles and streaks to hazing and orange peel, with their likely causes and practical fixes.
Read more →A simple, repeatable method for testing a coating on your own inks and media before you commit to a production job.
Read more →Good practice for storing solvent coatings, aerosols and print media so they stay usable, safe and ready for consistent results.
Read more →General good practice for handling solvent coatings in a print workshop: ventilation, fire safety, PPE, spills and waste.
Read more →Why more photographers and framers are leaving out the glazing, and how a protective coating makes glass-free framing practical.
Read more →The pros and cons of coating inkjet canvas flat before stretching versus coating the finished stretched canvas, and how to decide.
Read more →An honest look at what determines the life of an inkjet print, why single numbers mislead, and what you can do to…
Read more →How the demands on indoor and outdoor prints differ, and how to specify ink, media and protection for each environment.
Read more →How print shops, studios and sign makers can offer coating and lamination as a service, from setting up to explaining it to…
Read more →The practical questions to answer before buying a large format printer, from ink technology and width to RIP software, finishing and support.
Read more →Plain-English definitions of the terms used in print coating, lamination, wide format printing and installation.
Read more →Straight answers to the questions we are asked most about Colourjet, liquid lamination, ClearJet, Phototex and finishing equipment.
Read more →How high-volume, low-pressure spray equipment fits into print coating, how to set up safely and how to build an even, consistent finish.
Read more →Practical ways to coat oversized prints and multi-panel murals evenly, from planning the space to keeping panels consistent with each other.
Read more →What a good print finishing area needs: dust control, ventilation, drying space, safe storage and a layout that keeps wet prints out…
Read more →How to make coating a planned stage of production rather than an afterthought, with scheduling, job records and quality checks that keep…
Read more →A method for working out what coating really costs you and presenting protection clearly in quotes, using your own figures.
Read more →A practical guide to hanging digitally printed wallpaper so drops line up, seams stay tight and the printed design looks as intended.
Read more →How to plan and install a multi-panel wall mural: surveying the wall, setting out, hanging panels in order and finishing neatly.
Read more →How to assess and prepare a wall before applying printed wallpaper, murals or self-adhesive graphics, so they go on cleanly and stay…
Read more →What a flatbed film laminator does, how the Kala Applikator is set up, and a first-day routine for applying, laminating and mounting.
Read more →How to choose a board and adhesive, mount prints flat and bubble-free, and decide whether to coat before or after mounting.
Read more →How to pack coated prints so they arrive unmarked: when to pack, what to wrap them in, and how to send rolled,…
Read more →How to assess scuffs, marks and damage on a coated print, what you can sensibly attempt yourself, and when reprinting is the…
Read more →Practical ways to cut wasted coating, media and reprints in the finishing stage, from better testing to tidier habits at the coating…
Read more →Eight things people often believe about coating and protecting prints, and what is actually true, so you can set realistic expectations.
Read more →How to write clear, accurate care instructions to send with coated prints, wall graphics and Phototex, so customers know how to look…
Read more →How to train new and existing staff so every coated print meets the same standard, using written procedures, practice pieces and simple…
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