Digital flex banner printing

Comparison between normal flex, star flex and digital flex

Flex material also knows as PVC is available in mainly 2 medias. One is called normal flex and other one is called star flex. Star flex is a flex media of Korean company Star brand. You may be wondering where digital flex fits in. So many companies without any idea forcefully ask printers that they are looking for eco or digital flex. There is no material which is called eco or digital flex. There are widely 2 flex media used everywhere in India as explained above star flex printing and normal flex (which is not star flex).

Printing on these flex is done either through solvent ink or eco solvent ink.

Eco solvent printers output is ecological safe without any pungent smell and print last fresh for longer duration of time. Print quality is also superior than the solvent printers. Normal flex printed on eco machine is called eco flex or digital flex and star flex printed on eco machine is called eco star flex or digital star flex. Most printers use star media only on eco machines as output is smooth and there are no visible criss cross which can be seen from shorter distance as is there is normal flex.

When to use normal flex and when should we use digital

We have mentioned above that 99% application is normal flex on solvent machines also termed as normal flex then it should be straight forward choice. It is difficult to find out that 1% as chances of success is 1 in 100. Many times we have seem in last 7-8 years that cost is the first and last determinant of media not the application. Customers often ask when i can have flex say for Rs 15/- per sq ft why should I pay Rs 45/- psf. Same material only printing is different then why to pay 3 times the cost.

All explanation of indoor usage, longevity of print, color fading, smell etc does down the drain. In majority of developed countries solvent machines are either banned or made redundant with no orders from corporate. It is only here in India that they are flourishing thanks to more than 90% of the flex application outdoor. Indoor applications for longer duration of time ideally should be in digital flex also called eco flex. Outdoor transient usages can be best served with normal flex.

Is is better to go with Non terrable i.e ink jet latex vinyl instead of digital flex

Other option which is used much more than the digital flex is non terrable vinyl which comes with and without gumming option. This media is better than the flex and star flex as it absorb color much better. Vinyl can be laminated gloss or matt for scratch less finish without chance of settling of any dust on the banner surface. From price point of view this will be another Rs 25/- to Rs 40/- more expensive than the digital flex. Most MNC, events, exhibition use latex vinyl instead of flex media.

Design, size, price & how to place order

Digital flex print design file should be high in resolution. We recommend minimum 150 DPI for clear prints. There is no restriction on the number of colors. Printing is full multi color printing with full body patch color allowed. Size of flex banner can be any one dimension maximum size of 10 ft and vinyl roll max width is 6 ft. Prices vary as per the quantity, size and number of prints.