What does it do?

Phototex is a durable printable fabric with a self-adhesive back that can be removed and repositioned, even after several years in place, without leaving a residue. Its main applications are interior display graphics, especially wall murals and wallpapers, but the materials can be used for vehicle signage and similar outdoor applications if a waterproof coating or laminate is applied. 

When was it launched?

The main supplier is Photo Tex Group in the US, though the material is manufactured in South Korea. Landor UK has for several years been European distributor of the full range, which it calls Phototex Digital Wallpaper. There are versions for aqueous or solvent inkjets. The latest variants, just introduced, are high-strength adhesive versions called EX that can adhere to rough or poorly prepared walls; and a high-opacity material to go over dark or strongly coloured backgrounds. So far there isn’t a high-opacity EX option. 

In the past year the aqueous (but not solvent/UV) material has also been sold under the Kodak brand, with a different spelling: Aqueous Photo Tex Repositionable Fabric. Although it’s the same material, the supply chain is a little more complex: the prime supplier’s name is the US Brand Management Group, which licenses the Kodak brand name. Kodak itself has no involvement in the manufacture of Photo Tex. Colourgen is UK distributor for Kodak branded wide-format media and supplies Aqueous Photo Tex to resellers. 

How does it work?

Printing is simple on any inkjet, with no special requirements other than choosing an appropriate profile. It’s available in 30m rolls, in four widths to suit 24-60in print widths. There is also an SRA3 cut-sheet option in boxes of 100 (not available from Kodak). Images can be split between adjacent strips or sheets in any design program, although some wide-format RIPs can do this automatically, including overlaps if you want them, and apertures for doors and windows. Kiss-cutting is said to be easy and Phototex can be used with contour cutters plus inkjet printer-cutters from the likes of Mimaki and Roland DG. 

Derric Landor, owner of Landor UK, says that solvent Phototex is also suitable for inkjet printing with latex or UV inks, as well as offset presses. He says rolls have been used with Xeikon web-fed toner presses, though this is rare. The cut sheets can be used with toner presses or HP Indigos, he says. 

For outdoor applications, Landor recommends his company’s liquid laminate clear protective coating, applied by brush or roller. A dedicated WallPaper Matte liquid has just been introduced. 

Application is easy: the first few centimetres of backing paper is peeled back and the fabric pressed against the wall. Then the rest of the backing is peeled away while the rest of the fabric is smoothed on. 

What’s its USP?

The clever part is the adhesive. Because it is repositionable it’s easy to adjust for errors or creases. The adhesive bond is strong, yet the material can be peeled away even after several years in place, without leaving a residue on the wall and, because the adhesive is still active, can be reattached elsewhere. 

The fabric itself is tough and resists stretching or tearing, which helps both durability and reuse. 

A small label sample that Colourgen was handing out at the Sign & Digital show in May has been on my wall since then: in December I peeled it off and reattached it, with no residue and no creasing. 

How easy is it to use?

Very easy. I tried it with a sample length of the Kodak-branded material cut down to fit my 17in Epson aqueous inkjet. Landor posts helpful online recommendations for setting the media profile, after which printing is just the same as paper media. 

Training and support?

“There’s none needed,” says Colourgen. But there are videos on YouTube for double-checking correct usage. Landor offers a dedicated Phototex website, including an optional Phototex Club with free registration, that offers useful tips and a user forum.