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Material Selection Guide PDF Print E-mail

Many factors must be considered when choosing a material substrate for your nameplates, panels or graphic overlays. Additionally, the corresponding printing technique you choose will have an impact on your project.

Ratings Key
  • blue Excellent Choice
  • green Good Choice
  • yellow Fair Choice
  • red Not Recommended
 Overlay Material Selection
Environmental Properties Design Considerations Economic Considerations
UV Light Heat F Max Cold F Max Abrasion Resistance Solvents Fuel, Grease & Oil Chemicals Color Match Capability Textures Available Clear protective Windows Range of Thickness Available Prototype / Small Order Economics Medium Order Economics Large Order Economics
Acids Bases
Plastics Digital Printed Polyester yellow 140 -40 yellow green green green green yellow yellow yellow yellow blue yellow red
Digital Printed Polycarbonate red 140 -145 yellow red green green yellow yellow green green yellow blue yellow red
Digital Printed UV Resistant Polycarbonate green 140 -145 green yellow green green green yellow yellow red yellow blue yellow red
Overlay Material and Printing Method Screen Printed Polyester 140 -40 green green green green blue green green blue green blue
Screen Printed Hard Coat Polyester 140 140 green green green green green blue green blue blue green blue
Screen Printed Textured UV Resistant Polyester green 140 140 green green green green green blue blue green blue
Screen Printed Polycarbonate green 140 140 green green green green green blue blue green blue
Screen Printed Hard Coat Polycarbonate green 140 140 green green green green green blue blue green blue
Screen Printed Outdoor Durable Polycarbonate green 140 140 green green green green green blue blue green blue
Metals Screen Printed Aluminum green 140 140 green green green green green blue N/A blue green blue
Screen Printed Anodized Aluminum green 140 140 green green green green green blue N/A blue green blue
Metalphoto - black only green 140 140 green green green green green N/A N/A blue green blue
Metalphoto - black with screened colors green 140 140 green green green green green green N/A blue green blue
Note: Users must test products in the specific environment anticipated. Metalphoto of Cincinnati does not warrant performance of its products in any environment.