Applications
Phototex is a printable self-adhesive fabric that can be applied, removed and repositioned without leaving residue. Printed on its own it already makes a striking wall, but a clear liquid coating adds abrasion, water and UV protection for busier spaces. This page explains which Landor coatings are designed for Phototex and how to approach the job.
Phototex is used in offices, healthcare settings, stadium suites, galleries and homes. In many of those places the wall is touched, brushed past or cleaned. A coating creates a sacrificial protective layer over the ink, so day-to-day wear affects the coating rather than the image. Landor’s Wallpaper Matt liquid laminate is designed to increase the water resistance of inkjet wallcoverings and add resistance to abrasion, with UV inhibitors to help protect colour.
Coating also changes how the graphic can be maintained. A protected surface is easier to wipe clean, which matters where facilities teams need to keep walls presentable between changes of artwork.
Landor can also supply Phototex pre-coated with its anti-microbial coatings, or you can apply the coating yourself.
For the best protection and a wipe-clean surface, Landor recommends installing the wallcovering first and then hand-applying Wallpaper Matt over the finished wall. This seals across the drops and gives one continuous finish.
Coating on the bench may suit graphics that are designed to be taken down and reused, or where site time is short. Because Phototex is chosen partly for its removability, check how the coated material behaves when it is peeled, repositioned and rolled before relying on a coated graphic for reuse. A trial piece, installed and removed on a representative wall, is the simplest way to confirm this.
Phototex has a receptive coating for detailed inkjet printing. One motorsport graphics producer reported that a standard banner profile worked well on their printer, and found the material cut cleanly on a contour cutter. Whatever your printer, let the ink dry and outgas fully in line with the ink supplier’s guidance before coating; a print that feels dry can still hold residual solvent.
Keep the printed face clean and free from dust and handling marks, as debris becomes far more visible once sealed under a clear finish. Water-based coatings need water-resistant inks, so confirm compatibility for your ink set first.
Choose the Phototex version to suit the wall as well as the print. Landor supplied the Opaque version for a museum mural because overlaps cannot be seen and complex graphics are easier to line up, which also helps when a coated finish needs to look continuous across several drops. Print and coat a short test length of the same version you plan to install.
On an installed wall, use a high-density foam roller and work drop by drop with consistent loading so the sheen matches across joins. Stir satin and matt coatings thoroughly so the matting agents are evenly mixed, and avoid shaking, which can cause bubbles. Thin, even coats generally look better than one heavy coat.
Let the coating dry fully before the space is used, and give the client clear care guidance: a soft cloth and mild cleaner, no abrasive pads, and a test on a spare piece before any specialist disinfectant is used across the wall. Drying times depend on temperature and airflow, so check the product data sheet.
Wallpaper Matt is designed for inkjet digital wallpaper and especially Phototex. Wallpaper Satin and Gloss are also available, and ColourShield anti-microbial coating has been used over Phototex in care settings.
The sources do not give a definitive answer for every situation, so test it. If the graphic must be removed and reused, trial a coated piece on a representative wall, or ask Landor about coating before or after installation for your project.
Landor offers Phototex pre-coated with its anti-microbial coatings. Contact Landor to discuss the finish and quantity you need.
Yes. Wallpaper Matt is compatible with hand rollers as well as liquid lamination machines.
Call +44 1252 624411 or email info@liquid-lamination.co.uk for advice, samples and pricing.
