Durable protection for printed surfaces in outdoor areas with Print-Protect UV+

(Digital) printing technologies have long since become established in the world of interior design: it is now common for printing processes to be used to finish furniture fronts and kitchen splashbacks, floor coverings and wall panelling made of wood, glass and many other materials. Printing technology is now gradually conquering the outdoor area too: it can create a unique look, not only for signage and advertising spaces, but also for exterior doors and garage doors, and even entire facade elements. Just as the new areas of application increase, so do the requirements: the coating system needs excellent adhesion, permanent elasticity and extreme hardness in order to withstand weathering. In addition, the sensitive printing inks used need to be protected from UV radiation to prevent fading and discolouration. Austrian manufacturer of paints and varnishes ADLER, a founding member of the Digital Printing Association (DIPA) and an expert in coating systems for all types of (digital) printing, has the ideal product package for this context: with Print-Protect UV+ SQ from ADLER, printed surfaces are given the properties they need to prepare them for all outdoor requirements – for many years to come!

One system for all areas of use

One of the strengths of printing technology is its versatility. Wood or metal, glass or plastic? A one-off or a production run of several tens of thousands? A few square centimetres or large formats of 20 square metres? There's almost nothing that can't be printed. And there's a wide range of inks and printing processes to choose from. But it is precisely this diversity that creates such a challenge for the coating system used. It is important to have a primer and topcoat that guarantee adhesion and surface protection – on any substrate, for any kind of ink and for any area of application. The development team led by Dr Simon Leimgruber in the development laboratory of Austrian paint and varnish manufacturer ADLER have succeeded in squaring the circle: they have developed a water-based coating system that can be used universally for countless different printed surfaces.

High-quality coating system

For optimum adhesion of the printing ink, even on smooth substrates and in difficult environmental conditions, we recommend pre-treating the surface with the two-component primer ADLER Print-Primer SQ. With its inherent white colour, the primer also helps you to achieve an optimal, high-resolution printed image. After printing, the surface should be given a final protective coat of ADLER Print-Protect UV+ SQ. This clear topcoat is equipped with a package of high-quality light protection properties: "Printing inks are extremely sensitive and react strongly to UV radiation; at the same time, long-lasting protection is essential for large facade elements, for example, as they cannot easily be recoated or replaced," explains Dr Leimgruber. ADLER Print-Protect UV+ SQ gives the printed image long-lasting protection against fading and discolouration and ensures brilliant colours with its high degree of transparency. At the same time, the topcoat also provides protection against mechanical stress and chemicals such as cleaning agents, oils or petrol, and remains elastic even when exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Comprehensively tested

Companies from a wide range of sectors are already using ADLER's print coating system – from sign manufacturers to producers of exterior doors and facade elements. "We take a lot of time for every customer enquiry and carry out numerous tests in order to arrive at a high-quality overall package made up of primer, printing ink and topcoat," explains Dr Leimgruber. In addition to ensuring good adhesion, elasticity and scratch and chemical resistance, comprehensive tests are also carried out to ensure protection against UV radiation and weathering. "The results that we are getting are absolutely convincing," reports Dr Leimgruber: "While normal printing inks fade considerably after just a few months, the surface coated with ADLER Print-Protect UV+ SQ looks almost as good as new, even after years of intensive UV exposure!"

ADLER – paint runs through our veins

With 720 employees, ADLER is Austria's leading manufacturer of varnishes, paints and wood preservatives. Founded in 1934 by Johann Berghofer, this family business is now managed by a member of the third generation, Andrea Berghofer. Every year, 21,000 tonnes of paint leave the Schwaz plant and are delivered to customers in more than 30 countries worldwide. ADLER has sales subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia; their sole production site is the ADLER-Werk Lackfabrik in Schwaz, Tyrol (Austria). ADLER was one of the first companies in its sector to be 100% climate-neutral (since 2018). The company has been able to reduce its carbon footprint to a minimum through a wide range of measures. ADLER offsets any unavoidable residual emissions through the purchase of recognised climate protection certificates, thereby helping to finance new climate protection projects