When preparing for a project, a shop can have everything lined up – the design, the printing equipment, the ink, the installer – but it’s impossible to complete a project without a substrate on which to print the graphics.

So, how do you go about deciding what works for this specific project, or for your shop in general? There are a lot of variables: composition, surface treatment/texture, color, whiteness/brightness, ink compatibility, post-printing compatibility, width, and much more.

The sourcelist that follows includes media manufacturers and private-label distributors of wide-format paper, film, vinyl, plastics, and self-adhesives. We’ve provided a thumbnail description of each company’s offerings – including the aforementioned variables – but for more detailed information, we suggest you visit the company’s website.

Note that we have listed only primary producers, manufacturers, converters, and private-brand sellers of media for wide-format graphics. We’ve not listed companies if they’re only selling or distributing another company’s products (unless it’s an exclusive arrangement).

Advantage Distribution
www.advantagedistribution.com
Advantage branded vinyl, eco-friendly banner media, aqueous media, paper.

Advantage Sign Supply
www.advantagesignsupply.com
Optima Opti-Jet vinyl, paper, and banner media for aqueous; Opti-Solve for solvents.

AdventureCam Photo
www.adventurecamphoto.com
Proof Line banner, poster, and signage media; paper, vinyl, films, and self-adhesives.

Agfa
www.agfagraphics.com
Synaps OM waterproof, eco-friendly, synthetic paper for digital UV printing; Synaps AP/AR pressure-sensitive media for UV; and Alliance graphic film.

Ahlstrom
www.ahlstrom.com
Chantaffiche coated papers for banners and billboards, including Metalized for a metallic effect.

Alameda Supplies
www.alamedasupplies.com
Alameda wide-format inkjet paper, banner, and film.

American Permalight
www.americanpermalight.com
Permalight Photoluminescent vinyl and polyester printable films.

Arlon
www.arlon.com
A variety of cast films, calendered films, window films, banner material, interior-use media, wall-wrap films, vehicle wrap films, and more. Its DPF 207 is a 6-mil, matte white vinyl film with a clear removable pressure-sensitive adhesive designed to bond well and be removable from substrates such as smooth painted non-vinyl walls.

Aslan Schwarz
www.aslan-schwarz.com
PVC, films, and self-adhesives for aqueous, solvent/mild-solvent, latex, and UV-curable inks.

Avery Graphics
www.averygraphics.com
Digital media includes its Supercast, High Performance and Intermediate Calendered, Promo Calendered, Window films, and Specialty films (including Street Marking and Eco Friendly films). Its MPI 2121 Transit Vinyl is a flexible calendered vinyl film with matte finish and 100% opacity, designed for all temporary transit graphic applications (pre-approved CBS Outdoor and Titan Media). Also, vehicle wrapping films, including Supreme Wrapping Films.

Axon Graphix
www.perfectproof.com
PerfectProduction paper, photo art paper, and film for aqueous printers.

Bandanna Banner
www.bandannabanner.com
Bandanna Extreme Digital vinyl for solvent printers.

Bayer Films Americas
www.bayerfilms.com
Makrofol DE and PC polycarbonate films.

BF Inkjet Media
www.bfinkjet.com
SignMaster vinyl and banner, MuralMaster textured synthetic, and CapStone papers.

Big Systems
www.bigsys.com
BigJet, ValuJet, and WetJet media for aqueous printers; BigSol for solvent/mild-solvent, latex, and UV printers.

Brand Management Group
www.brandmanagementgroup.com
Exclusive NA distributor of HP media for latex printing and Kodak wide-format inkjet media.

Bruin Plastics
www.bruinplastics.com
VCM (vinyl-coated mesh); Screen Tex and Celebration! banner material.

CalComp Graphic Solutions
www.calcompgs.com
Artisan line includes adhesive-backed vinyls, poster papers, static clings, and more.

Catalina Graphic Films
www.catalinagraphicfilms.com
Mojave digital media for UV, solvent, latex, and more; various pressure-sensitive films and media; and Enviro-Cling and Opti-Cling static-cling vinyl.

Clear Focus Imaging
www.clearfocus.com
One-way vision films include JetVue and Image JetVue inkjet-coated exterior-mount films; plus various uncoated perf’d and unperforated vinyl films, and window films.

Contra Vision
www.contravision.com
Contra Vision XR and Performance (all in inside or outside versions), plus Open Outside and Sprint Inside, and Backlite see-through films, all for solvent, latex, or UV-curable printing.

Cooley Group
www.cooleygroup.com
CoolFlex frontlit and backlit, CoolMesh, and Cooley-Brite media. Also: Enviroflex environmentally friendly media, including Enviroflex PE with HP ColorPro technology for latex and Enviroflex PE for UV.

Creative Banner Assemblies
www.creativebanner.com
Titan Digital Media for solvent, eco-solvent, UV, water-based, and latex printers.

CET Films
www.cetfilms.com
Impact-modified acrylic films, metalized vinyls, and more. A division of Nekoosa Coated Products.

DAF Products
www.dafproducts.com
Adhesive-backed vinyl film, perforated window film, polypropylene film, polyester film, and more.

DaVinci Technologies
www.davinci-technologies.com
DaVinci polystyrene opaque and translucent banner media, backlit media, and paper for aqueous, latex, solvent, and UV printers.

Dietzgen
www.dietzgen.com
Magellan Bead vinyl and banner media for UV and aqueous printers; solvent banner and self-adhesive media; coated bonds.

Digital Art Supplies
www.digitalartsupplies.com
DAS Backlit, Outdoor Backlit, and Sticky Indoor Backlit; DAS Adhesive and Banner Vinyl; DAS Poster Papers; more.

Digital Media Warehouse
www.digitalmediawarehouse.com
Rhinojet vinyl, self adhesives, paper, and banner media.

Dotworks
www.dotworks.com
Scrim Vinyl Outdoor plus various inkjet media.

DreamScape
www.dreamscapedirect.com
Bling metallic media, GlassTex printable window film, Terralon PVC-free wall covering, and more.

Drytac
www.drytac.com
Variety of print media for aqueous, solvent, eco-solvent, and UV printers. Its SilkScape banner material is an 8-mil, 99%-opaque white polypropylene film with a satin matte finish and single-sided print-receptive coating; it’s compatible with latex as well as solvent, eco-solvent, and UV inks. ViziPrint is a clear, UV-printable, self-adhesive polyester window film with a specially designed, embossed release liner; the proprietary adhesive is removable and repositionable. Also, North American distributor of Lintec of America’s Wincos optically clear, printable window films.

DuPont
www.graphics.dupont.com
Tyvek, Tyvek Metallized, Tyvek Vivia, and Tyvek Brillion.

Eastsign
www.eastsign.com
Vinyl, banners, films, and papers for solvent, eco-solvent, UV, latex, and water-based printers.

Epson
www.epson.com
Epson signage media for advertising, banner, and P-O-P applications; paper and film for aqueous printers. Its Epson GS DisplayTrans Backlit Media is high-resolution film designed for professional backlit displays, for solvent inks.

FDC Graphic Films
www.fdcfilms.com
Cast and calendered sign vinyl, perforated, and reflective films; banner media; front and backlit media for solvent, eco-solvent, and UV printers.

Fellers
www.fellers.com
Product lines for aqueous, UV, latex, and solvent printers.

Fibermark
www.Fibermark.com
Converd’s EnviroScape Mural Plus! sustainable media, Blox-Lite opaque banner, GreenLight Plus for backlit displays, and more.

Flexcon
www.flexcon.com
FlexMark, FlexMark Floor Art, CounterDeco, BusMark and BusArt, RailMark, LiteCal, SeeThru-Sign, WindowDeco, and more. Its Super Clear 6525 window film is a polyester film for UV printing, removable for promotional or architectural use.

Gavrieli Plastics
www.gavrieli.com
Gavrieli vinyls, paper, banner, and film for wide-format printers.

GBC
www.gbc.com
SurePrint Direct Select vinyl, Window Vinyl Perf, Photobase, and Polyester; SurePrint Vinyl for aqueous printers.

General Formulations
www.generalformulations.com
Concept solvent & UV adhesive-coated PVC films; MetroMark and SubMark outdoor media; WallMark wall media; Barrier film; perf’d and static-cling vinyls; more.

G-Floor Graphic
www.gfloorgraphic.com
G-Floor Graphic floor media in various patterns; also, G-Floor Graphic Ultra and G-Floor Graphic Clear and Absolute White print media; for solvent and UV inks.

GPA
www.askgpa.com
InCycle Sheet Expanded PET manufactured from recycled water bottles for UV and offset printing.

Graphics One
www.graphicsone.com
GO Premier films and papers.

Gregory
www.gregory1.com
Gregory Trendbanner media, Trendfilm floor- and carpet-graphic media, wall fabrics.

Grimco
www.grimco.com
Briteline Duration intermediate films and Briteline economy films; Briteline Window Perf, Static Cling.

Harman Inkjet
www.harman-inkjet.com
OpalJet Display Media for aqueous and solvent printers; CrystalJet Elite coated inkjet media.

Hawk Mountain Paper
www.hawkmtpaper.com
Various cotton-rag papers for inkjet.

Herculite
www.herculite.com
Bantex digital banner media in various sizes and weights.

Hewlett-Packard
www.hp.com
HP paper, film, backlit media, banner, self-adhesive media, and more, for Designjet, Scitex, and latex printers. Brand Management Group (brandmanagementgroup.com) is the exclusive US distributor for its latex media.

Hexis USA
www.hexis-graphics.com
Skintac cast-vinyl wrap films, vinyls and mesh for signmaking, UFlex3 printable flex, and more. Its Skintac HX30000 comprises a multilayered cast vinyl film and release liner with Hex’Press adhesive; the film is designed for vehicle graphics and interior décor items such as furniture, phones, and laptops.

IJ Technologies
www.ijtechnologies.com
Black Diamond adhesive-backed vinyl and Tyvek; DuraGraphix adhesive-backed vinyls, Vinyl BannerJet, and PolyArt; double-sided media; more.

Ilford
www.ilford.com
BioMedia biodegradable display films, OmniJet wide-format media, and more. Its Omnijet Bright White Solvent Canvas 335gsm is a PVC-free, 100% cotton canvas with a satin finish for use with solvent and eco-solvent printers; designed for décor, point-of-sale, and commercial displays.

Infiniti Digital
www.infiniti-dt.com
Orasign vinyl, paper, banner, and film.

Inkpress Paper
www.inkpresspaper.com
Inkpress adhesive-backed vinyl, backlit film, and more.

InkTec USA
www.inktec-usa.com
Inktec Premium Clear films for pigment and dye inks.

Ink2Image
www.ink2image.com
i2i archival papers for pigment and dye-based inks.

InteliCoat Technologies
www.magicinkjet.com
A variety of media for aqueous, solvent, mild-solvent, latex, and UV-curable printers. Media range from paper and banner to self-adhesives and films, and more. Its Eco-Satin Paper is 200-gsm, 8.5-mil paper designed for indoor posters, backlit displays, banners, and P-O-S applications; one-side printable and recyclable, it’s engineered for latex, solvent, eco-solvent, and UV inks.

Japan Pulp and Paper USA
www.jppusa.com
Wide-format glossy and matte media, resin-coasted media.

Kapco Graphic Products
www.kapco.com
Kapco banner material, paper, vinyl (including Etch Glass Vinyl), and films for water-based inkjet, solvent, latex and UV. Its Economy Window Film has a clear pressure-sensitive adhesive that is designed for P-O-P, retail, and commercial window graphics for short-term use. Compatible with latex, solvent, and mild-solvent inks. Available in 42-, 54-, and 60-in. widths.

Kernow North America
www.kernowna.com
Hydroprint Pro vinyl adhesive-backed media.

Kimoto Tech
www.kimototech.com
KimoJet polyester film for aqueous printers.

Kodak
www.graphics.kodak.com
UV-Curable Display Paper and UV-Curable Display Film-Plus (day/night) for the commercial display market, available directly through Kodak; also Kodak Matchprint inkjet proofing media. Kodak Wide-Format Inkjet Media distributed by Brand Management Group (brandmanagementgroup.com).

LexJet
www.lexjet.com
LexJet and Sunset films, self-adhesives, banner, paper, and more for aqueous, solvent, latex, and UV-curable inkjet printers. Plus: Valeron Banner film; Absolute Backlit; Avatrex printable coating with built-in laminate; more. Its Print-N-Stick Fabric is a repositionable and removable adhesive-backed fabric for wall murals and cut-out wall graphics, P-O-P displays, and more; compatible with aqueous and latex inks.

Liberty Photo
www.libertyphotoproducts.com
Its Liberty Signature Series media line includes Signature Series Poly Poster, Premium Scrim Vinyl, and various papers.

Lintec of America
www.lintecofamerica.com
L-AG films for solvent and mild solvent inks, Printerior wall media, Mistlass and Wincos optically clean window film, and more.

Lockfast
www.lockfast.com
Opaljet Translucent media, Solvent media, and SuperGloss.

Mactac
www.mactac.com
Imagin series of self-adhesive and vinyl media for aqueous, solvent, UV-curable, and latex inks; Rebel series of vinyl, polyester, and foil media for solvent and UV screen and digital printers; Bloom Enviropath films and papers; Macmark colored vinyl; more. Its Permanent Imagin WallNoodle PN629 features a thick vinyl facestock coated with a permanent acrylic adhesive and offers a semi-rigid print surface; for eco-solvent, solvent, latex, and UV-curable inkjet; indoor and outdoor applications.

Mehler Texnologies
www.mehler-texnologies.com
Valmex Backlit, Frontlit, Truck, Mesh, and Blockout media; also Valmex Airtex banner fabric (three varieties).

Metamark
www.metamark.co.uk
Metamark Digital Media includes vinyl, polyester, banner, backlit, and one-way-vision films; most for solvent, eco-solvent, UV, and latex inks. US distributors: Splash of Color (splashofcolor.com) and NuSign (nuflex.com).

Milano Digital
www.milanoinc.com
Milano Digital products include film, vinyl, static cling, paper, banner media, and more.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper
www.mitsubishi-paper.com
Jetscript films and specialty papers.

Mitsubishi Imaging
www.mitsubishiimaging.com
Grace wide-format papers; DiamondJet paper and vinyls; Pictorico films.

Mutoh
www.mutoh.com
Mutoh vinyl and banner media; also, Ready2Print pre-grommeted and pre-hemmed banner material.

Nazdar Source One
www.sourceoneonline.com
ImageStar paper, vinyl, self-adhesive, display films, banners, and Illusion 60/40 one-way vision film for aqueous, solvent, mild-solvent, latex, and UV-curable printers.

Normandy Coating
www.normandy-coating.com
Polyester films for wide-format printers.

NuSign Supply
www.nusignsupply.com
Nu-Flex banner, backlit, perforated vinyl, mesh, static clings, one-way-vision films, and more.

Océ
www.oceusa.com
Pro-Select (instant-dry), Display Graphics Inkjet (aqueous), Options (for short-term outdoor graphics), and a line of Océ media (film, banner, vinyl, and paper) for UV, latex, eco-solvent, and solvent printers.

Orafol Americas
www.orafol.com
Orajet vinyl, film, perforated window media, and more for solvent, eco-solvent, UV, and latex printers. Its Oralite Series 5650RA Fleet Engineering Grade Reflective Film with RapidAir Technology is a 5-mil printable reflective film with an air-release liner for latex, solvent, eco-solvent, UV-curable, and screen-printing inks.

Parrot Digigraphic
www.parrotcolor.com
Parrot Jet vinyl banner; Parrot-branded film, paper, and more.

Photo Tex
www.phototexgroup.com
Photo Tex, Photo Tex(S), Photo Tex (EX), and Photo Tex (EXS) self-adhesive, peel-and-stick polyester fabric for aqueous, solvent and mild-solvent, latex, and UV; plus Photo Tex (OPA).

Piedmont
www.piedmontplastics.com
Sign Grade line including AluPoly aluminum composite material, Print Tuff printable polypropylene, and SupraFlex banner material (in three types: Horizon front lit, Breeze mesh, and Eclipse two-sided blockout).

PlaLight America
www.plalight.com
PlaLight-Ad printable reflective materials for solvent and water-based inks.

Plastiprint
www.plastiprint.com
Adhesive-backed and static-cling vinyls; transparent window films; window cling media; various eco-friendly media.

PoliSigns
www.polisigns.com
Vinyls, banners, and papers for water-based inks; vinyls for solvent/eco-solvent inks.

PPG Industries
www.teslin.com
Teslin IJ and IJWP (waterproof) films for inkjet; Lumit Digital Paper (polyester-based synthetic).

Premier Imaging
www.premierimagingproducts.com
PremierArt display films, papers, and vinyls.

Presto Tape
www.prestotape.com
Papertac, with removable and repositionable adhesive, and a line of colored papers: PaperTac Gold Iridescent, PaperTac Silver, PaperTac Pink Pearlescent, and PaperTac Pink Velvet. All colored papers are 6-mils thick and can be printed with UV-curable inks.

Quality Media & Laminating
www.qmls.com
Vinyls, banners, and films for solvent, UV, latex, and aqueous printers.

Qué Media
www.que-media.com
Magnate eco-solvent media comprising self-adhesives, static-clings, vinyls, and more; Majestic, Monarch, and Motif media for aqueous printers.

Quick Roll Leaf Mfg
www.quickgoldfoils.com
Quick Sign gold and silver vinyl film.

Rayven Inc.
www.rayven.com
Vinyl, film, and papers (including metalized gold and silver).

Read & Co.
www.readandcompany.com
Read-branded banner vinyl, cling, and films for water-based, solvent, and mild-solvent printers.

Rite-Media
www.rite-media.com
Rite-Media Promotion and Premium Polymeric Vinyl, Promotional Fleet Wrap, Solvent Printable Fabric and Paper, MuralTex, and more.

Ritrama
www.ritrama-us.com
RI-Print for solvent, Eco RI-Print, RI-Trans, RI-Wrap, RI-Mount, and more.

Roland DGA
www.rolanddga.com
Papers, including Paparazzi premium matte; banner vinyl; films including RolyPoly polyester banner film; static clings and other vinyls; and more.

RTape
www.rtape.com
VinylEfx self-adhesive metalized vinyl for solvent, mild-solvent, and UV-curable printers; GlowEfx phosphorescent vinyl; Claritex polycarbonate film for UV and latex printers.

Seal (Neschen Americas)
www.neschenbrands.com
PureNature eco-friendly media; self-adhesive vinyls and wall media; InDisplay film, flex and fabric media; PVC flexface; PureColor media for solvent, eco-solvent, UV and latex printers; more. Fresco AdTex is a lightweight polyester textile with a removable and repositionable adhesive, designed for indoor wall-graphic applications; compatible with solvent, eco-solvent, latex, and UV-curable inks.

SID Signs
www.sidsigns.com
OneSign vinyl and banner media.

Sihl Digital Imaging
www.sihlusa.com
Digital-imaging papers, including TriSolv PrimeArt, TriSolv PostArt, Wet Strength Poster Paper, and others; display films including ExhibitPro blockout, PolySol Popup, Syntisol with EasyTack, and more; SureBet vinyl banner and mesh; UV Fusion backlit media; and more.

Sonoma Graphic Products
www.sgpweb.com
Banner media, films, self-adhesive vinyl, and papers for aqueous, solvent, UV, and latex inks.

Stafford Textiles
www.staftex.com
Grandform backlit, frontlit, mesh, cloth, and banner media for solvent inks.

TechNova Imaging Systems
www.technovaworld.com
NovaJet papers and films for aqueous inks; NovaSign vinyl and banner media for solvent, eco-solvent, and UV printers.

Tekra
www.tekra.com
DuraView films for solvent inks; JetView polyester and polycarbonate for UV inks; and more.

3M Commercial Graphics
www.3mgraphics.com
Wide-format inkjet lines include 3M Wall Decorating Film, Controltac, Scotchcal, Scotchprint, and Scotchlite banner; self-adhesive, film, reflective, and perforated media for aqueous, solvent, UV, latex, and electrostatic printing. Its 3M Envision Print Wrap Film 480Cv3 high-performance, non-PVC graphic films are compatible with latex, UV, and some solvent inks.

Top Value Fabrics
www.topvaluefabrics.com
Frontlit, blockout, mesh, and polypropylene banner media; direct-print textiles; and more.

Transilwrap
www.transilwrap.com
Transvy and Trans-Block vinyl films; a variety of synthetic papers, including Teslin and Pro-Print (with a biodegradable option); clings and pressure-sensitive films; polyesters; and more.

TriVantage
www.trivantage.com
Vivitex fabrics for sign and banner applications.

Ultraflex Systems
www.ultraflexx.com
Frontlit flexible PVC banner for UV, latex, and solvent inks; backlit PVC banner for UV, latex, solvent, and eco-solvent inks; mesh PVC for solvent, eco-solvent, and UV inks; blockout banner; and more. Its IllumiSol BL Film is a multi-platform, 8.5-mil PET film coated on one-side for eco-solvent, solvent, and UV printing, and is specifically designed to produce vivid backlit graphics, the company reports.

Universal Products
www.u-p.com
Solutions-branded vinyl, banner, and film for solvent, mild-solvent, and UV-curable inks.

US Banner Corp.
www.usbanner.com
Crown, Coral, Pearl, and Pearl Prints vinyl for solvent inks; also, BigFoot Banner rolls.

Valloy
www.valloy.com
Topaz banner and paper for aqueous and eco-solvent inks; plus additional banner media.

Value Vinyls
www.valuevinyls.com
Grand-Flex coated backlit media; Ad-Flex; Freedom Media (matte, gloss, opaque, and more) compatible with solvent inks. Also: Rio Mesh, Gloss, Matte, and more; its Rio 9-oz. Mesh Supreme with Liner can be used for printing on one side and is intended for indoor and outdoor displays for long-term use (also available without the liner).

Worthen Industries
www.worthenindustries.com
Perception wide-format media including canvas and fabrics for aqueous, eco-solvent, solvent, UV, and latex inks.

Xcel Products
www.xcelproducts.com
Blockout banner for UV and solvent inks, window and wall film, and more.

Making a Media Choice
A few questions to ask when it comes to choosing media:

• Where will the graphics be installed: indoors, outdoors, under bright lights, etc.?
• Does an application have special considerations: one-way-vision requirements, needs to conform to any vehicle regulations, wind is a factor, etc.?
• How long is the printed graphic expected to last?
• Will the graphic need post-output finishing: laminating, mounting, sewing/welding, grommeting, hanging?
• Are ICC color profiles available for the media/ink/printer combination?
• How consistent is the media from one batch to the next: surface texture, brightness, etc.?
• What’s the cost per square foot?
• Can this media be used on all your printers, or just select ones?
• Does the media manufacturer offer a warranty? What does it cover?
• Does the media supplier offer samples for test prints?