Although artists and photographers have used acrylic prints for a long time to showcase their artwork, acrylic prints remain unknown to people in general. It’s time to shed some more light on what these prints are, the different types of prints that are available in acrylic and methods to make customised acrylic hoarding printing from your existing artwork.
Table of Contents
What Are The Acrylic Prints?
Prints made of acrylic are the outcome of a customised process of mounting. When we create the archival photo print we permanently bond the surface of the image to the acrylic frame. After the print has been attached to the acrylic we then place the backer substrate, which is either Perspex printing or Dibond to protect the print and provide rigidity to the entire piece.
The final step is to install an aluminum subframe to the back of the print; so that once the print is hanging it appears to be floating from the walls. Acrylic prints are available in a range of sizes (1/8” and 1/4”) with either a matte or glossy finish.
Benefits Of Large Acrylic Prints
Traditional picture frames don’t offer the same sleek modern, contemporary look the custom prints provide. This is especially true of large prints, which can be distorted or wrinkled in traditional frames with time.
The acrylic print safeguard the image however, it also highlights the image. Instead of viewing the Perspex signs through a piece of glass, surrounded by a large frame, large acrylic prints provide an elegant “frameless” design. The best part is that our acrylics are water-resistant and will last for a long time with just a bit of care.
Direct Printing V/s Face Mounting
Direct printing is the process which prints directly onto the acrylic. The result is an impervious, water-resistant image that can be used for displays and signs. Although direct printing is typically the least expensive choice for showing a print or photo, it’s not a display that is gallery-quality.
Its life span is shorter than that of its face-mounted counterpart. Face mounting, which consists of permanently bonds the front of the image to acrylic, and then backing it with a frame as well as aluminum frame creates an exhibit of museum quality artwork.
It’s also waterproof and durable, giving you many years of enjoyment with vibrant colours or stunning grayscale.
What Kind Of Material And What Kind Of Ink Do I Need To Use To Print My Image?
We could continue for hours and wax poetic about the paper and ink that is used in the printing of acrylic. It’s enough to say that when looking at prints made with acrylic you will see two kinds of prints: C prints and inkjet prints.
C prints make use of chemicals that are typically employee in a darkroom process to produce shading, colour and texture in your final product. Inkjet prints employ dye or ink that is based on pigments along using inkjet printers.
For acrylic printing, the most effective results can be achieved using glossy papers or metallic paper. In general, metallic paper is most popular for colour prints since it appears to add the depth of colours created on the paper.
Luckily, there’s no need to search for a printer that can make the print you’re looking for. Our in-house digital printing process can produce C prints as well as inkjet prints on various types of papers that will provide your final acrylic print with the style you’ve been looking for.
It’s possible to continue for hours, writing about the beauty of papers and inks used in acrylic prints. It’s enough to say that the most effective results are obtain using a glossy or metallic archival photographic paper. In general, metallic paper is the preferred choice for colour photos as it appears to add more depth to the colours printed.
There is no need to look to find a printer that will make the image you want. Our in-house photo printing process prints on a wide range of papers certain to give your acrylic print the appearance you’ve been hoping for.
The Advantages Of Acrylic Printing For Large Format Printers
In these uncertain times, they often are looking to broaden their offerings. Acrylic printing is one area which should be on every list of large format printers when evaluating new possibilities to increase revenues.
As a field is bucking the trend and has seen an increase in sales over the last year, with printers that offer this service experiencing a massive increase in orders. Commonly used for prints of photographs and signage the pandemic has led to an abrupt shift to creating acrylic splashback panels, too.
Is It Something About The Acrylic Printing That Is So Appealing?
1. The Move To New Markets
Covid-19 has forced many businesses to reconsider their business models and decide if they want to invest in new technologies or enter new markets. The addition of acrylic printing can open new possibilities for indoor and outdoor applications.
Printers can also increase their selection of products that can be customise by using acrylic. This is due to the technology making it possible to create affordable and efficient short-runs.
2. Check Both The Inside And Outside To Find Applications
Since more and more people live in indoor spaces, there’s seen a huge increase in the use of interior decorators, which acrylic is a master at, and offers various possibilities of customising prints.
But, it is a material that is able to be used for outdoor and indoor applications and has the strength to produce long-lasting outdoor signage and graphics. Protection applications are another important aspect for acrylic, since many companies require acrylic splashback panels as well as personalised food covers.
3. A Medium That Permits Creativity
Acrylic is extremely flexible; That can become bent or layered. This gives users the chance to manipulate it, and then print to get the result they want.
It can also be print on slanted and transparent surfaces, as well as on a variety of sizes (2.5cm from 76.2cm/1 inch thirty inches). Furthermore, printing on the front and back of transparent surfaces allows users to create layered and immersive designs.
4. Quality Of Photography
Acrylic printing has been recognize for its superior outcomes. The technology provides a wide range of compatible inks for various effects or improves colour precision. White ink is an outstanding instance of printing with acrylic. In reality using sand-blasted, the acrylic side increases the intensity in the print.
