SIGMAGraF beats graffiti on high impact panels and signage

SIGMAGraF film offers both excellent mechanical and chemical properties,  making it highly resistant to scratches and abrasion, while also being able to withstand cleaning with solvents and other products. The anti-graffiti capabilities of the film also make it a sophisticated solution, offering a superior level of resistance to pens and paints by comparison with competing substrates.

Chosen for its ability to resist graffiti and to be easily cleaned without surface damage, the SIGMAGraF film has also enabled GAT Technologies to create a range of high impact display panels and murals for decoration, promotion and signage. The outstanding colour rendition and image resolution that could be achieved were also key deciding factors in the specification of this innovative film.

The major refit is part of an ongoing project that sees GAT Technologies  working with global oil companies as they build and refurbish large truck stop roadhouses throughout the country. Each facility has been designed to feature the large murals, some as large as 10m by 2.5m, on the ceilings, wall and doors of the restrooms, change rooms, and parent rooms.

The murals have been created by both screen and digital printing MacDermid Autotype’s SIGMAGraF film to provide a long term solution that delivers exceptional durability, combined with outstanding aesthetical qualities.

The SIGMAGraF film incorporates a robust polyester base protected by a tough hardcoat upper, or outer, surface layer with an inkjet printable underside layer, for reverse printing. In particular, the hardcoat surface layer has been specially developed to be scratch, scuff and abrasion proof, while graffiti can easily be cleaned with conventional isopropanol solvents or aqueous detergents, which can be used without leaving any cleaning stain residues or marks. Although graffiti can be removed from some competing films, the cleaning process often scratches the surface, and repeated cleaning will quickly require the display to be replaced. This makes SIGMAGraF ideal for displays and graphics that are in high traffic areas or are prone to abuse.

George Karabinas of GAT Technologies, commented, “SIGMAGraF has been awarded anti-graffiti resistance accreditation to the standard ASTM D 6587 test, based on extensive laboratory evaluation. Even after repeated cleaning cycles the SIGMAGraF film was left graffiti and scratch-free throughout.”

Similarly, the hardcoat surface layer ensures that the material remains dimensionally stable under a variety of storage, production and end-use environments, and has proved to be particularly easy to handle and print using standard equipment. Furthermore, as the hardcoat layer is formulated to eliminate the need for filler materials, levels of image definition and colour rendition are far higher and brighter than many competing films, ensuring brilliant results when producing high impact graphic displays.

The formulation of the hardcoat layer also plays a crucial role in providing the unique anti-glare and high optical clarity properties. To eliminate the problem of glare, which is a common phenomenon with many display films, MacDermid Autotype has modified the surface characteristics of the hardcoat, producing a nano-roughened finish that reflects less that 55 percent of light at a 60° angle.  Many competing materials will reflect over 90 percent of light at 60°, creating glare that effectively blinds the viewer from the image.

George Karabinas concludes, “The SIGMAGraF films were the ideal solution and met all our requirements for visual quality and durability. Furthermore, they were extremely easy to handle and apply, allowing us to produce the displays quickly and simply, without compromising on the finished result. The finished graphics look great and we can be confident that they will offer a long term solution that meets our client’s brief.”

MacDermid Autotype
www.macdermidautotype.com

GAT Technologies
www.gat.com.au