Truck side tarpaulins represent a key market segment for digitally printed flexible PVC tarpaulins. This also makes them one of the most demanding applications for PVC tarpaulins. When these are digitally printed, it's difficult to imagine how the print can be protected against plasticizer migration from below and external factors other than with a suitable liquid laminate. It's crucial that the protective coating is hard enough to withstand all stresses. At the same time, it must be flexible enough – and, above all, remain so – to ensure that every movement of the aircraft is not damaged and the coating lasts. CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings have been mastering this challenge with flying colors for over 20 years.

Bei der Vielzahl heute gängiger Kombinationen aus Planen und Tinten besteht die wichtigste Herausforderung an den Schutzlack darin, die Haftung zum Untergrund zu ermöglichen. Darüber hinaus soll der Schutzlack eine Wetter- und UV-Beständigkeit erzeugen und gleichzeitig noch leicht zu reinigen sein. Je höher die Anforderungen hierbei sind, desto mehr geht es dann beim Lackieren in Richtung 2K-Schutzlack. 1K-Schutzlacke können dies oftmals nicht wie gewünscht erreichen, weshalb sie auch selten über eine Haltbarkeit von 3 Jahren hinauskommen.

Abgesehen davon unterliegen viele Kunden und Anwender im Lkw-Planen-Bereich einem wichtigen Trugschluss. Oftmals wird heute argumentiert, dass vor allem UV-Tinten keinen zusätzlichen Schutz durch ein Flüssiglaminat benötigen. Außerdem gibt es bereits schon heute UV-Schutzlacke, die nach dem UV-drucken im Online-Verfahren aufgetragen werden können. Das reine Verlassen auf UV-Druck und UV-Lackierung vernachlässigt jedoch einen wesentlichen Faktor. Eine UV-Schicht bildet immer eine harte Oberfläche aus, die bei dauerhafter Belastung spröde und rissig werden kann. In diesen Rissen sammelt sich der Schmutz, so dass ein anschießendes Reinigen unmöglich wird. Mit wasserbasierten, transparenten 1K- und vor allem 2K-Schutzlacken bleiben die lackierten Oberflächen lange flexibel und somit auch leicht zu reinigen.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435

Two-pack: CMR-440 ⋅ CMR-468 ⋅ CMR-478

For leisure events, as well as commercial events and outdoor dining, sun sails, tents, pavilions, umbrellas, and flags are indispensable. Not every day is sunny, and even sunny days can quickly become too intense. Therefore, it's a good idea to utilize the large surfaces of tents and umbrellas for advertising messages. Custom-printed umbrellas are perfect marketing tools for many companies and occasions. Naturally, the printed PVC and fabric materials will need to be coated with protective laminates. This is necessary to create stable water columns for effective hydrolysis resistance of the fabric, or for UV protection to keep the colors and prints looking vibrant for as long as possible. As always, visual appeal is paramount. Brilliant prints ensure maximum attention and thus meet a wide range of requirements for both indoor and outdoor use.

The same CMR liquid laminates developed for the protective coating of truck tarpaulins or advertising banners are also suitable for tarpaulins (boat covers), circus tents, caravan roofs, etc. made of PVC. Naturally, they can also be used to protect materials that have been in use for years and need to be "refreshed". Selbstverständlich können damit auch Materialien geschützt werden, die sich bereits seit Jahren im Einsatz befinden und „aufgefrischt“ werden sollen.
 
The coatings will significantly delay further weathering of the tarpaulins and provide a new protective layer against mechanical stress. However, this always depends on how far the existing weathering has progressed. If the tarpaulins are stable and not yet brittle, subsequent coating makes perfect sense.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435

Two-pack: CMR-440 ⋅ CMR-468 ⋅ CMR-478

Roller doors are used in many production facilities and warehouses. Typically, no one would consider placing digitally printed advertising messages on them. Public traffic is limited because often only internal company areas are separated. Nevertheless, the use of durable liquid laminates and protective coatings on these roller doors makes sense. This is especially true thanks to the excellent cleanability of CMR 2K protective coatings. Greases, oils, lubricants, and soot particles in the air, which also protect truck tarpaulins, are present in production facilities and logistics halls. How convenient, then, that the coated roller doors can be cleaned just as easily and effectively.

Things appear somewhat cleaner in the sky at first glance when balloons and zeppelins float past each other. Zeppelins, in particular, whose envelopes are also made of tarpaulin fabric, are exposed to significantly increased aging factors due to the intensified UV light in the sky; these can also be reduced with a protective coating. Finally, if an advertising message is to be conveyed, there is no alternative to a transparent protective coating.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435

Two-pack: CMR-440 ⋅ CMR-468 ⋅ CMR-478

Self-adhesive films have long been used to wrap security vehicles (police, ambulances, fire engines), as well as taxis and vehicle fleets of large companies. It is now common practice to fully wrap private vehicles and partially wrap commercial vehicles. The reasons for this are always the same.

The self-adhesive vinyl films are either printed with logos and lettering or feature trendy colors or a unique/elegant design, which should be removable without leaving any residue when the car is sold. The films must be protected against dirt, scratches, weathering, and chemicals. Furthermore, they must be extremely elastic and thermoformable, as they are applied at temperatures up to 100°C. The surface must be easy to clean; dirt should not adhere but be removable with clear water. High UV protection (over 5 years) is also required to prevent fading of the film or the printed colors.

Of course, high-quality films already offer very good protective properties, which can be significantly enhanced by applying an additional protective coating. Vehicles equipped with this coating will remain in perfect condition even after extended use.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435

Two-pack: CMR-440 ⋅ CMR-468 ⋅ CMR-478

Banners are used wherever a large advertising space is needed quickly: on building facades, at trade fairs, on construction fences, at sporting events, as barriers, or simply as advertising space in general. Because these banners are mostly digitally printed, all formats can be produced quickly and cost-effectively.

Nevertheless, a protective film is necessary to protect the banner and the print from various environmental factors. Especially when banners are used outdoors, the use of a liquid laminate is essential.

Often, for the same purpose, solid tarpaulins aren't used at all, but rather privacy screens made of mesh fabric. Due to the net structure of the mesh banners, they experience only minimal wind loads, so that even in strong winds and gusts, the banners remain undamaged. Nevertheless, the same argument for the necessity of a liquid laminate applies with regard to its other protective functions.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435

Two-pack: CMR-440 ⋅ CMR-468

Advertising draws attention to products and businesses and is an integral part of our streetscape. LED-illuminated light boxes or advertising pylons in front of a company building or shop welcome visitors, provide information about locations, and ensure high brand recognition. Advertising pylons present the desired advertising message clearly and create a striking visual impact. The option of straight or curved fronts allows the sophisticated construction to recede discreetly, putting the advertising space front and center. The pylons are printed on one or both sides and can be illuminated or non-illuminated. High-quality, translucent vinyl lettering or high-quality, laminated, translucent digital printing on backlit film is possible.

Backlit film is a special polyester film, sometimes also called backlight film. It is translucent and can be backlit, making it ideal for showcases, light boxes, and illuminated displays.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435

Two-pack: CMR-468

The requirements for coating rigid surfaces and panels differ from those for flexible surfaces. A transparent protective coating for rigid materials is particularly important for aluminum composite panels (Dibond), aluminum, and other metals, but also for printed or unprinted plastic parts. Here, it should achieve excellent results in terms of adhesion, gloss level (high gloss), scratch resistance, and UV protection.

Due to its extremely high cross-linking density, the coating is resistant to cleaners and chemicals. Practical users primarily employ spraying or screen printing processes for applying this coating system.

Suitable CMR protective coatings:

Two-pack: CMR-413.W

Another important segment for advertising and graphic design is PVC flooring, which, thanks to its versatile adhesive, can be quickly and easily installed almost anywhere. This makes it possible to display advertising messages or information in numerous locations, such as shopping centers, museums, on asphalt roads, in swimming pools, or directly on the playing field of a sports hall. It is particularly important for the PVC material and the adhesive used that it can be removed without leaving any residue after its intended service life. For the protective coating of the flooring, it is crucial that it is slip-resistant and, at the same time, as durable as possible.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432.M ⋅ CMR-435.M

Two-pack: CMR-438 ⋅ CMR-468.M

Brightly printed bouncy castles, play towers, and climbing structures are always a huge hit at every event and in all indoor and outdoor playgrounds. Here, too, the base material is a standard PVC tarpaulin. After printing, a protective coating (a two-component lacquer is recommended) is advisable, primarily to protect the design from permanent wear and tear. Thanks to this special coating, even after years of intensive use, signs of wear are barely visible compared to other products on the market. Outdoors, the special coating also provides additional protection against weathering and UV radiation. Ideally, the protective coating should be smooth to ensure maximum enjoyment when using the play equipment.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

Two-pack: CMR-468

The leap from bouncy castles to inflatable advertising balloons/displays (also called cold air displays/blow-ups or inflatables) is not far. The base material of polyester fabric with a PVC coating is the same, as is the freedom to create any shape, and the printing techniques used are hardly different. Ultimately, in both cases, the structure is inflated using air blowers. Only the purpose, and therefore the requirements for a protective laminate, differ.

In addition to standard shapes such as arches, balloons, and cubes, cold air displays are also available in every conceivable custom shape. They offer stable and unique advertising effects for every event!

Handbags or promotional bags represent another special case, where products are made from PVC fabrics and then printed. To ensure that the material and the print remain protected from external influences, a suitable liquid laminate is essential.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435

Two-pack: CMR-440 ⋅ CMR-468

Printed cash register tapes or conveyor belts for a wide variety of applications pose significant challenges not only to the base material used (often polyurethane), but also, of course, to the inks and protective coatings. In these cases, mechanical forces are particularly pronounced, subjecting all components to more intensive stress. Therefore, as is so often the case, it's not just the plastic material, the ink, or the coating that matters, but the combination of all these factors. Thus, it is crucial that the protective coating be both exceptionally hard and flexible, a feat achievable only with a two-component (2K) protective coating. When this is achieved, the substrate and ink are optimally protected to ensure long-lasting performance.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

Two-pack: CMR-438 ⋅ CMR-468.M

Besides the numerous high-quality and demanding applications, there is a wealth of relatively simple prints or artistic graphics, primarily used for interior design. Even if the goal here isn't to protect the substrate or the artwork from weathering and UV exposure, the aim is still to create a protective layer against mechanical wear that is also easy to clean and therefore resistant to water and common cleaning agents. For this purpose, relatively simple and easy-to-apply liquid laminates offer optimal protection. These are usually applied with a sponge or brush and are also distinguished by their rapid drying time.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-472    NEW – NEW

Whenever labeling and sealing are required in the medical field or for safety reasons, a protective coating against key mechanical and chemical hazards is essential. Liquid laminates and protective coatings are used in these applications. Depending on the substrate and the specific requirements, either one-pack or two-pack coatings are employed.

Suitable CMR liquid laminates and protective coatings:

One-pack: CMR-432 ⋅ CMR-435.M

Two-pack: CMR-468 ⋅ CMR-468.M

Printing on glass surfaces with the numerous UV flatbed printers available on the market is a common application in the graphic arts sector. However, it is absolutely essential that the ink adheres to the glass. This can only be reliably achieved by using a suitable primer. Without pretreating the glass, a durable result cannot be achieved, as the particularly smooth glass surface hinders the adhesion and bonding of the UV ink.

This pretreatment with a primer is usually applied with a sponge or roller. It is sufficient to coat the clean and grease-free glass surface with a thin film. Depending on the surface and ambient temperature, a drying time of 10 to 20 minutes should be observed. Once the primer has dried, the printing process can begin.

Suitable CMR primer:

CMR-747

In the field of graphic design and advertising, users strive to be able to permanently apply designs and lettering to a wide variety of surfaces. UV inks are typically used for this purpose, but unfortunately, they have the characteristic of not adhering firmly to non-polar and smooth surfaces.

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Suitable CMR primer:

CMR-790

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In all these cases, it is helpful to use suitable primers, applying them thinly and only to the areas to be printed. After printing, any primer residue should be easily removable where no ink will be applied.

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Suitable CMR primer:

CMR-790

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In fact, there are primers that are suitable for such diverse substrates (ceramics, plastics, metal and wood) that they are relatively universally applicable and still deliver excellent results.

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Suitable CMR primer:

CMR-790

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This greatly simplifies handling and helps the advertising technician to work in a manageable and cost-effective manner.

Suitable CMR primer:

CMR-790

For short- or medium-term applications, especially in trade fair and shopfitting, it is often necessary to apply self-adhesive films or wallpapers to porous surfaces. In most cases, the self-adhesive materials should be easily removed after application without leaving any residue. However, this can only be achieved if the penetration of adhesives into the porous substrates can be prevented. This is where primers come into play, serving as an easy-to-use base coat to improve adhesion before applying the adhesive. Similar applications are also conceivable for non-porous substrates such as glass, acrylic glass, plastic, and wood surfaces. The possibilities for graphic design and advertising technology are virtually limitless.

Suitable CMR primer:

CMR-775    NEW – NEW

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is an important material for numerous applications. The plasticizers give PVC its strong yet highly flexible properties. However, these plasticizers are not rigidly bound within the PVC; instead, they migrate to the surface of the material. This migration of plasticizers ultimately leads to embrittlement of the PVC.

If PVC is to be used for demanding, high-quality applications that require additional coatings or finishes, it is essential that the migration of plasticizers does not cause these coatings to detach. This is particularly critical for flooring in sports halls and tennis centers.

Therefore, before applying paints or varnishes to flexible PVC materials, a plasticizer-blocking primer must be applied. The CMR-752 meets this demanding requirement and thus contributes to the long-lasting finishing of PVC, enabling its use in a wide range of applications.

Suitable CMR primer:

CMR-752