Materials & Substrates
So what materials do we like to work with? Windles Group are a highly versatile and creative bunch of people, who continually look to inspire our clients with new and exciting print finishes.
To get the best from our processes, we have researched and tested a multitude of substrates to see which respond the best. This guide below is a quick guide to help you find the perfect combination. If there is a special material or finish you would like us to work with, please get in touch as we regularly run test sessions as part of our development programme.
Our handy quick reference guide shows you which of our processes works with which materials. Useful for when you’re designing your next product or greeting card range.
FBB
Folding boxboard, also referred to as FBB is a paperboard grade made up of multiple layers of chemical and mechanical pulp. This grade is made up of mechanical pulp in between two layers of chemical pulp. The top layer is of bleached chemical pulp with an optional pigment coating. This is a low-density material with high stiffness.
SBS
SBS board is made from recycled paper that is glued together to form one large material. This type of paperboard falls into the premium paperboard grade produced from bleached virgin fiber. It is a brilliant white in appearance and has a lower stiffness ratio that allows more flexibility in carton design.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is known to bring exceptional clarity, aesthetics, light-weighting, and increased sustainability to a variety of commercial packaging applications. When it comes to thermoformed and foldable packaging, polypropylene delivers a vast range of property and performance benefits. When it comes to polypropylene packaging, you don’t have to worry about weight. It has the lightest weight of all the polymers, resulting in a lighter, thinner, and stronger finished part.
Polypropylene consumes the least amount of energy during production and produces the fewest carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, its lower density means that adopting the resin reduces the absolute amount of waste. They are also easily recyclable because of their mono-material structure.
Paper & Board
The main volume of materials used and printed at Windles are paper and boards. Ranging from 80gsm all the way up 800micron, our production processes can handle a huge variety of fibre-based materials. As well as the FBB and SBS listed above, we work with coated, uncoated and lick-coated papers/boards, all of which have differing specifications, tactility and production advantages. Please get in touch to see our latest folio of papers and boards.
Static Cling
Static Cling window film is a non adhesive vinyl material which is applied directly to glass or smooth painted surface. As it is non adhesive, Static Cling film is very easy to apply, remove and re-apply, making it ideal for spaces and walls where zero surface damage is required, or where your signage will need to be removed and re-used. Available in white and clear, your static cling labels and signage can be fully printed with CMYK inks to promote your product, message or brand.
Foil/Holographic board
Produced using a base of FBB (see above), foil and holographic boards have a fully metallic surface. This layer is applied as a laminate, so be careful in specifying this material if you require greener credentials or your product requires recycling. This material is not recyclable. We do work with this material, and can print it with a host of conventional, white, neon or Pantone inks, however it is worth discussing your requirements with us so that we can advise on the best route to take. It could be that our Cold Foil process may in fact give you a far better visual finish, as well as with-holding 100% recyclable credentials.
Self Adhesive Vinyl
Flexible and highly versatile in terms of its application, self adhesive vinyl is resistant to high temperatures and water so it can be used indoor and outdoor applications. The big advantages of self-adhesive vinyl is the low cost and versatility. It can be stuck to more or less anything, including wood, aluminium, some types of concrete, marble and plastics.
There are very few places in a commercial setting where you can’t put self-adhesive vinyl. That means, if you’re part of a chain or group it’s much easier to come up with a one-size fits all decal to communicate offers, promotions or brand messaging. It can be cut into any shape and will cling to more or less any surface which makes it perfect for for long-life signage or stickers.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used polymers in the world. Due to its versatile nature, PVC is used extensively across a broad range of industrial, technical and everyday applications including packaging and healthcare products.
PVC is a very durable and long lasting material which can be used in a variety of applications, has excellent clarity when it’s ‘clear’ format, but can also be produced in white or black and a wide range of colours in between. PVC is not recyclable so choose carefully. A longlife product would benefit from PVC use.