Applications
Event graphics have a short, hard life. They are rolled, packed, carried, rigged in the rain, handled by crews and often taken down and used again at the next site. A liquid laminate adds a flexible protective layer that helps banners, inflatables and temporary wall graphics survive that cycle without the cost of reprinting for every date.
A banner that only needs to last a weekend still has to look right when the gates open, and a branded inflatable may be expected to work across a whole season. The risks are mostly physical: transport scuffs, abrasion against barriers and staging, water, mud and strong sun. Protecting the print at production stage is usually more economical than replacing damaged pieces between events.
It also pays to specify proportionately. A one-day indoor sign has different needs from a festival banner used outdoors all summer, and over-specifying adds cost without adding value.
Think about the whole life of each piece before you print: how many times it will be rigged and struck, whether it will be stored damp, and whether it will be cleaned between uses. Those answers decide whether a coating is worthwhile and which finish to choose. For hire stock and branded kit that goes out again and again, a protective coat is often the difference between one season and several.
Flexible banners are hard to protect with conventional dry laminate film, and Landor’s view is that film lamination does not work with PVC banners, whereas liquid lamination is commonly used on them. Film can also lift at the edges when exposed to outdoor water, humidity and heat. A liquid coating bonds to the print and moves with the material, which suits graphics that are rolled and unrolled repeatedly.
No special machinery is needed. Coatings can be applied with hand rollers, sprays or paint pads, on a wall, floor or table, and superwide banners can be coated at any size you can lay out or hang. For regular volumes, Landor’s 1.6m and 3.3m coaters handle roll work. See extending the life of PVC banner prints for more.
Inflatables are popular for corporate events and branding, and are sometimes used as temporary shelter on site. Rain, cold, heat and constant handling put their printed inks under real pressure. Landor has been protecting inflatables and soft play products for over 25 years, and recommends gloss coatings for these applications because of the added abrasion resistance. Water-based, UV-curable, latex and eco-solvent prints all benefit from the extra protection.
More detail is on the inflatables and leisure products page.
For indoor event spaces, sponsor walls and branded rooms, Phototex self-adhesive fabric is designed to be removed and reapplied without leaving residue, which makes it practical for graphics that move from venue to venue. One artist removed a Phototex installation by rolling it onto a non-porous roll so the adhesive stuck to itself, then reinstalled it at a second location.
Landor’s experience is that the Phototex adhesive stays stable in both hot and cold conditions. Whatever material you use, it advises scheduling installation and removal of adhesive graphics for the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.
Drying and recoat times vary with the product and conditions, so check the data sheet or ask Landor for the coating you are using.
Liquid laminates can be applied by hand with a roller, brush, paint pad or spray in almost any flat, clean, dry environment. In practice, coating in the workshop gives you more control over dust and drying before the banner is rolled.
Gloss gives the best abrasion resistance and is Landor’s recommendation for inflatables. Satin reduces glare, which can help where signs are read under bright lighting. Test on the actual banner material first.
Only once the coating is fully dry, which depends on the product, coat weight, temperature and airflow. Rolling too early can mark the surface. Check the product data sheet or contact Landor for guidance.
Yes. Landor offers a coating service and short-term machine rental for projects on demand.
Call +44 1252 624411 or email info@liquid-lamination.co.uk for advice, samples and pricing.
