The most-experienced shop can utilize the best available printer with high-end
inks in conjunction with top-of-the-line software and finishing expertise. But if
the wrong media is chosen for a particular job, then that job will surely suffer. To
steal—and slightly modify—a line from 1960s communications theorist Marshall
McLuhan, the media is the message.

Recognizing how critical media choice is, however, is just the prelude to identifying
the best media for a specific application or job. One vinyl, for instance, isn’t just like the others.

Just some of the factors that enter into the media equation include: weight, width, coating, thickness, inclusion (or exclusion) of adhesives, surface finish/texture, one- or two-sided printability, whiteness/brightness, printer compatibility, and so on.

To help you in your media selection, we’ve compiled this month’s media sourcelist: a compendium of manufacturers and private-label distributors of the most commonly used media in wide-format: rollfed vinyl, paper, films, and self-adhesives.

Note that we have only listed primary producers, manufacturers, and converters of media for the wide-format inkjet market; we’ve not listed distributors/dealers who are simply selling another company’s branded media. Also keep in mind that this sourcelist does not include rigid media (we’ll sourcelist this in October), specialty media (fabric, wallcovering, transfer paper, fine-art substrates, or magnetic media—covered later this year as well), or laminating media (covered earlier this year,
January 2009 issue). Finally, note that this information, sourced from company websites, was accurate at press time, but check company websites for the latest offerings.

Advantage Distribution
advantagedistribution.com
Advantage paper and vinyl.

Advantage Sign Supply
advantagesignsupply.com
Optima Opti-Jet media for aqueous and Opti-Solve for solvent printers.

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

American Permalight
americanpermalight.com
Photoluminescent media for solvent.

Arkwright Advanced Coating
arkwright.com
Paper, film and vinyl for aqueous, solvent, and UV-curable printers.

Arlon
arlon.com
Solvent-compatible DPF banner media, PSA, and films.

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

Avery Dennison Graphics
digital.averygraphics.com
Media lines for water-based, solvent, and UV-curable inkjets include: Multi Purpose Inkjet (MPI); Digital Banner Media (DBM); and Ink Jet Print Media (IPM). Also has an
EcoFriendly portfolio.

Bandanna Banner
cambridgecanvas.com
Extreme Digital vinyl for solvent.

Bayer Films Americas
bayerfilms.com
Makrofol polycarbonate films.

BF Inkjet Media
bfinkjet.com
SignMaster vinyl and CapStone papers for aqueous; MuralMaster textured synthetic for banners.

Big Systems
bigsys.com
BigJet, and WetJet media for aqueous printers, and BigSol solvent/mild-solvent media; also offers SeraMark wall-graphic media.

Bruin Plastics
bruinplastics.com
Value Banner and vinyl-coated mesh.

CalComp Graphic Solutions
calcompgs.com
Artisan line includes backlit film, PSA, and vinyl for aqueous and solvent printers.

Canon USA
usa.canon.com
Film, paper, and vinyl.

Catalina Graphic Films
catalinagraphicfilms.com
Mojave digital media for solvent printers. Its GMI sister company (gmintl.com) markets media for solvent and mild-solvent inks.

Cham Paper Group
qualimage-swiss.com
Visualjet, Motionjet, and Scrolljet media for solvent and mild-solvent; papers for aqueous and UV, as well as dye-sub. Formerly Qualimage.

Clear Focus Imaging
clearfocus.com
One-way vision films include ClassicVue, ImageVue, SuperVue, ReflectVue, PosterVue (solvent, UV-curable); and JetVue and ImageJetVue (aqueous).

Coldenhove
coldenhove.com
Jetcol OS digital transfer paper developed for oil- and solvent-based inks, plus Jetcol HTR, HS, and TA papers. Distributed in the US by Conde Systems and NextWave Media.

Continental Grafix
continentalgrafix.info
Panorama media including PanoramaStar, PanoramaDesign, PanoramaFilm, and others.

Contra Vision
contravision.com
XR, ORS, Backlite, and Perforated one-way viewable film for solvent or UV-curable printing.

Cooley Group
cooleygroup.com
CoolFlex frontlit and backlit, plus Polyflex, and Polyposter, and a full line of Enviroflex environmentally friendly media.

Creative Banner Assemblies
creativebanner.com
Titan banner media for aqueous and solvent printers.

DaVinci Technologies
davinci-technologies.com
Range of DaVinci banner, films, and vinyl for aqueous and solvent.

Dietzgen
dietzgen.com
Magellan film, paper, vinyl, and banner for aqueous printers.

Digital Art Supplies
digitalartsupplies.com
DAS film, vinyl, backlit, and paper.

Digital Media Warehouse
digitalmediawarehouse.com
Rhinojet paper, vinyl, and banner.

Domtar
domtar.com
Various coated inkjet papers.

Dotworks
dotworks.com
Spotlight backlit and other media.

Dreamscape/Roysons
dreamscapedirect.com
Dreamscape glassTex window film for solvent printers, Bling metallic.

Drytac
drytac.com
WindowFX, Eclipse, Printable Cast Vinyl, Polypropylene, TriPrint, and EmeryJet, plus PolystyGreen UV, BioFab, and BioFab Blockout.

DuPont
graphics.dupont.com
Tyvek, Tyvek Vivia, and Melinex are wide-format compatible.

EcoMedia
goecomedia.com
EcoBanner, EcoBacklit, EcoBlock.

ElevenTen Color
eleventencolor.com
Aqueous and solvent banner and sign media, vinyls, paper and more.

Emblem
emblem-usa.com
Emblem media for aqueous, solvent, and mild-solvent printers.

Epson
epson.com
Epson signage media for advertising, banner, and P-O-P applications; paper and film for aqueous printers.

FDC Graphic Films
fdcfilms.com
Cast or calendered PVC, perforated, and reflective films for solvent and UV-curable inkjets.

Fellers
fellers.com
Product lines for aqueous and solvent printers.

Ferrania Technologies
ferraniait.com
OptiJet paper and film.

Flexcon
flexcon.com
Media lines include: FlexMark, FlexStat, BusMark, BusArt, RailMark, LiteCal, and SeeThru-Sign.

Folex Imaging
folex.com
FolaJet, Tack Jet and Stoplight Jet media lines for aqueous and solvent.

Fujicopian USA
fujicopianusa.com
FixFilm-IJ is a static-cling film (white or translucent) for aqueous.

Gavrieli Plastics
gavrieli.com
Gavrieli-Jet paper and film.

GBC
gbc.com
SurePrint and SurePrint Direct for aqueous and eco-solvent/solvent.

General Formulations
generalformulations.com
Media lines include Concept, Traffic Graffic, TransMark, WallMark and MetroMark for solvent and UV-curable printers, as well as GMI Vehicle Wrap, a 2-mil white cast vinyl.

Gerber Scientific Products
gspinc.com
ImagePerfect calendered, banner, backlit film, reflective, and translucent media.

Glatfelter
glatfelter.com
Pixelle wide-format papers.

Graphics One
graphicsone.com
GO Solvent Backlit and Blockout, PolyPro for dye and pigmented inks, and various other GO media.

Gregory
gregory1.com
Gregory Trendfilm for solvent.

Grimco
grimco.com
BriteLine Duration media for solvent.

Harman Technology
harman-inkjet.com
Harman OpalJet XL 125 for roller banners, OpalJet XL 300 for pop-up displays and banner stands.

Hawk Mountain Paper
hawkmtnartpapers.com
Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Sharpwing, and Condor for aqueous printers.

Herculite
herculite.com
Bantex digital banner media, Bantex for solvent and UV printers.

Hewlett-Packard
hp.com
Various HP paper, film, backlit, banner, and self-adhesive media for aqueous, solvent, and mild-solvent.

Hexis USA
hexisusa.com
Hexpress vinyl and PVC for solvent and mild-solvent printers, SupTac vinyl.

IJ Technologies
ijtechnologies.com
DuraGraphix (aqueous and mild-solvent), UltraGraphix (aqueous), and SolGraphix (solvent).

Infiniti Digital
infiniti-dt.com
Orasign flex-face, vinyl, paper, and film for aqueous and solvent.

InkJet Set
inkjetset.com
InkJet Set media for a wide range of wide-format printers.

Inkpress Paper
inkpresspaper.com
Inkpress film, vinyl, and paper, including Inkpress Eco Matte for pigment ink printers.

InkTec
inktec.com
Inktec papers (including synthetic) and PET, for solvent and aqueous.

Ink2Image
ink2image.com
i2i paper for aqueous systems.

InteliCoat Technologies
magicinkjet.com
Magic brand offers a variety of media for aqueous, solvent, mild-solvent, and UV-curable printers. Media range from paper and banner to self-adhesives and films. 

International Paper
internationalpaper.com
Accent Opaque line for inkjet.

iVivid
ivivid.net
iVivid vinyl and film for aqueous, solvent, and mild-solvent inks.

Japan Pulp and Paper USA
jpusa.com
Wide-format paper and film for aqueous inkjets (dye and pigment).

Kanzaki Specialty Papers
kanzakiusa.com
KS paper and film for aqueous.

Kapco Graphic Products
kapco.com
Media lines include vinyl, self-adhesive, banner, and film for aqueous and solvent inks.

Kimoto Tech
kimototech.com
Super KimoJet and KimoJet graphic media for aqueous printers.

Kodak
graphics.kodak.com
Kodak Wide-Format Media (paper, vinyl, and banner) for aqueous.

Legion Paper
moabpaper.com
Moab Entrada and Colorado paper.

Leinix Enterprises
leinix.com
LEeyes Digital Signage vinyl and paper for aqueous and solvent printers.

LexJet
lexjet.com
LexJet and Sunset films, self-adhesive, banner, paper, for aqueous, solvent, and UV-curable inkjets, more.

LG Chemical America
lgvizuon.com
LG Vizuon and Bannux banner, pressure-sensitive, and films.

Liberty Photo
libertyphotoproducts.com
Liberty Signature Series banner, vinyl, film, and paper.

Lintec of America
lintecofamerica.com
L-AG Mother Green films, Printerior wall media.

Lockfast
lockfast.com
Opaljet media for solvents, Opaljet translucent media, more.

MacDermid Autotype
macdermidautotype.com
SigmaGraf films for aqueous or UV-curable printing, and FootPrint floor-graphics systems.

MacTac
mactac.com
Imagin series of self-adhesive and vinyl for aqueous, solvent, and UV-curable printers.

Mehler Texnologies
mehler-texnologies.com
Valmex Backlit, Truck, and Blockout.

Metamark
metamark.co.uk
Metamark Digital Media includes vinyl, polyester, and one-way vision film. Distributed by Splash of Color in the US.

Milano Digital
milanoinc.com
Milano Digital products for aqueous and solvent inkjets includes film, banners, and vinyl.

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

Mitsubishi Imaging
mitsubishiimaging.com
DiamondJet paper and film—photograde, matte, proofing and specialty. Also: Pictorico paper and films for aqueous inks.

Mutoh
mutohmedia.com
Vinyl and banner media specifically designed for the ValueJet 1608 and 1618.

Nazdar Source One
sourceoneonline.com
ImageStar paper, vinyl, self-adhesive, and film for aqueous, solvent mild-solvent,
and UV-curable.

Neo Media America
neomediaamerica.com
LFP for aqueous and Solink film and vinyl for mild-solvent and solvent.

Neschen Americas
neschenbrands.com
Media for aqueous, solvent, and UV-curable inks: Neschen SolvoPrint and PrintLux; Seal Solvent Vinyl.

Next Wave Media Solutions
nextwavems.com
Aqueous media lines include BanJet, PermaJet, and DuraJet; also paper and polypropylene for solvent.

NuSign Supply
nu-flex.com
Nu-Flex banner, backlit, perforated vinyl, and more for wide-format.

Océ North America
oceusa.com
Océ Pro-Select, Display Graphics Inkjet, Options, and Solvent Inkjet Media for aqueous and solvent.
 

Oji Ilford USA
ilford.com
OmniJet paper, vinyl, and film for aqueous printers.

Oracal USA
oracal.com
Orajet vinyl, film, perforated window media, and more for solvent printers, including: OraJet 3628 Removable Wall and Window Graphic film and OraJet 3641 Intermediate Calendered PVC Digital media.

Outdoor Sign Supply
outdoorsign.net
OSS banner and self-adhesives.

Pace Industries
pace-industries-inc.com
BioGraphics and PS-Absolve.

Parrot Digigraphic
parrotcolor.com
Parrot film, vinyl, and paper.

Photo Tex
phototexgroup.com
Photo Tex and Photo Tex(S) self-adhesive paper for aqueous, solvent, and mild-solvent printers.

Pitman
pitman.com
DuraTex solvent media include vinyl, banners, and films.

Plastiprint
plastiprint.com
Eclipse, SuperCling, Plasticling, EarthCling, and PlastiView.

PoliSigns
polisigns.com
Poli paper, vinyl, and film.

PPG Industries
teslin.com
Teslin is a microporous, polyolefin-based film for aqueous printers.

Premier Imaging
premierimagingproducts.com
Premier Display film, paper, and vinyl for aqueous printers.

Quality Media & Laminating
qmls.com
Vinyl and film for solvent and aqueous.

Que Media
que-media.com
Vinyl, film, and paper for aqueous; solvent media “coming soon.”

R Tape
rtape.com
VinylEfx self-adhesive metallized vinyl for solvent, mild-solvent, UV-curable.

Rayven
rayven.com
Vinyl, film, and paper.

Read & Co.
readandcompany.com
Read media for water-based, solvent, and mild-solvent printers.

Rite-Media
rite-media.com
Rite-Media paper, vinyl, backlit, banner, and reflective media.

Ritrama
ritrama-us.com
RI-Jet vinyl for solvent printers.

Rock of Ages
roausa.com
Coated media for solvent and eco-solvents; water-resistant outdoor media; indoor media.

Royal Sovereign
royalsovereign.com
Film and paper.

Roland DGA
rolanddga.com
Banner, paper, vinyl, and film for aqueous, solvent, and mild-solvent.

Scarab Graphics
scarabgraphics.com
Scarab Graphics vinyl, films, and paper for aqueous inkjets.

SID Signs
sidsigns.com
OneSign vinyl and banner.

SignGold
signgold.com
SolGold solvent-printable gold vinyl.

Sihl Digital Imaging
sihlusa.com
Aqueous and solvent inkjet media, as well as a line of green medias plus ArtNow inkjet media.

SKC Films
skcfilms.com
Skyrol films.

Snyder Manufacturing
snyderman.com
Advertex, Weatherspan, Banner, and Blackout media.

Sonoma Graphic Products
sgpweb.com
Inkjet-compatible lines include: Platinum, AW, Sahara, and Opelene. EcoTyvek Banner is new.

Spartech Plastics
spartech.com
PETG sheets and more.

Stafford Textiles
staftex.com
Grandform for large-format solvent.

Tekra
tekra.com
DuraView vinyl and polyester for solvent; JetView for UV.

3M
3m.com
Wide-format inkjet lines include 3M Banner, Controltac, Scotchcal, and Scotchlite banner, self-adhesive, film, reflective, perforated media, and more.

Transilwrap
transilwrap.com
Transalloy (including biodegradable) and Transvy, plus static-cling, vinyl, polyester, and synthetic paper.

Triangle Digital INX
triangleinx.com
Polyethylene Ecos PosterFlex and FlexiLite.

Trivantage
trivantage.com
Brite Awn polyester, Bantex, more.

Ultraflex Systems
ultraflexx.com
Media lines for solvent and/or UV-curable printing including Bio-Flex, SuperPrint, SuperSmooth, Vulite, Jetflex/Normandy, Eclipse, Ultra-banner, Ultima Supreme, Ultra-vision, Ultralon, and Ultramesh. New: Ultratex Organic and Normandy Lite FL.

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

US Banner Corp.
usbanner.com
Crown vinyl for solvent inks and Pearl Solvent digital media.

Utopia Digital Technologies
udtfilms.com
Effex polycarbonate for aqueous, and KromaPlex for solvent; Utopia for UV also available.

Value Vinyls
valuevinyls.com
FreedomMedia (matte, gloss, opaque, more) compatible with solvents.