PALCLEAR® FLAT WATER-CLEAR PVC SHEET

This depends on the production date and storage conditions of the product before thermoforming. It is recommended to check the product before thermoforming is attempted.

Most of Palram’s products that are delivered with PE film covering are suitable for thermoforming. In general, we recommend using clear PE and not printed PE.

This is based on a combination of several parameters, but the main ones are the cost of the media and its durability, and its fit to the required application. Please visit Palram’s Flat Sheet Application Catalog.

In terms of ink adhesion properties, both polymers act very differently. PVC is a ready-to-use polymer so no pre-treatment needs to be done before printing (on rigid or flexible media). Polypropylene has different chemical properties and for this reason, needs to get a pre-treatment coat (‘Corona’), which has a limited shelf life.

Before: use a protected sheet with PE masking, store unused inkjet printable media in original packaging and in a clean area, and avoid touching the print side by handling the edges of the sheet or by using lint-free white gloves.

After: avoid any finishing until prints are completely dry, store the printed media in a clean environment, and avoid dust from sticking to the fresh cured ink.

There are different white substrates available but in order to achieve a true colored image according to the design, a process of profiling (ICC profile) needs to be done. By using a natural white substrate (a tint which been made with no extra additives), the process of measuring and profiling becomes very simple and fast.

A sign that is illuminated by an electrical light source (fluorescent\LED).

The diffusion is not defined by the material, but by the diffusion additive that is part of the manufacturing formula. The materials should be selected by their fit to the application (e.g. polycarbonate for thermo-forming or extreme weather). Usually products marked with sign grade and/or diffusion grades have greater light diffusion than others.

Sign faces are usually made from polycarbonate or acrylic. For extreme conditions such as heavy hail, low temperatures, or high temperatures produced when thermo-forming, polycarbonate is probably more suitable. For sign boxes or channel letter cans, PVC, multi-layered PVC and foam PVC can be used.

For use in illuminated signage, PALSUN, PALSUN CS (Coil Stock) and PALGLAS are suitable for the sign face; and PALBOARD, PALOPAQUE, and PALIGHT for the body of the letters or symbols. For print & display, Palram’s entire product portfolio can be used based on the specific application. This choice depends on a combination of several parameters, including the cost of the media, its durability, and its suitability for the specific application. Please visit Palram’s Flat sheet application catalog for more information.