Treated veneer? The veneer is specially treated by a patented method using non - toxic
chemicals that enable it to be printed on in most standard inkjet printers that can accept thick
material such as cards stock and envelopes. The reasons for the special treatment is so it can
accept an accurate image and then accept a protective finish that will not disturb the image.
Our product works well with all finishes that have been tried.
Is there a difference between Small format and Large format materials?
No. All material manufactured now is about .018" in thickness, but can be slightly thinner or
thicker. All material has a paper backer that can be easily glued to a substrate of your choice.
How can I test the veneer in my printer? If you are using a desktop or small
format printer make sure that your printer is set for printing on thick material.
This may be the setting for printing on envelopes or card stock - check your
owners manual to be sure! Use the single sheet loading method for your
printer, load and eject a single sheet without printing to test for any feeding
problems. Also note that the veneers may slightly vary in thickness, but that
should not have any effect on the image. Choose a small image, say 2" by 2"
and place the image to print in a corner of the veneer - print and check the
results. By using a small image you can move it's location on a single sheet
until you are satisfied with the results. Make sure to save your print settings.
Inkjet printers can be adjusted for the amount of ink used in the printing
process - use the least amount that provides you with the best results.
If you are unsure of how this adjustment is done, consult your owners guide
or contact us for help. We can offer suggestions on an individual basis for
optimizing the type of images you wish to print.
Do you offer free samples? No.
What images can be printed? Any image that appears on your screen
and of the appropriate size can be printed. Keep in mind that you are
printing on a material that is not white in color and color adjustments
may be needed depending on the desired results.
Image Quality? The quality of the image will depend on the image itself,
your skills, software and your printers capabilities. We would also mention
that each sheet is carefully inspected before shipping. Please remember
that the basic product is created by Mother Nature and there may be hidden
flaws that may effect the printed image. We will do our best to offer support
for the successful use of our product.
Finishing the printed veneer? We cannot test every finish on the market.
We do know that you must use a spray finish. Brushed or rubbed finishes
can disturb the quality of the image. We have also sealed the image with
a spray finish and then brushed on an overcoat. Each user will have to do
some testing with his/hers own equipment and goals in mind. As of this
time we haven't found any spray finish that doesn't work. That includes
solvent, water, polyurethane and/or lacquer based finishes.
Will the veneer damage my printer? We have printed MANY sheets of veneer
with no obvious printer damage. The thickness of the paperback veneer is
around .018" but can be slightly thicker or thinner. Most of the newer inkjet
printers have a thickness adjustment for printing card stock and envelopes.
Obviously cannot guarantee the functioning of any printer.
Does the veneer require special handling? Try to keep the surface free
from oils or dirt, etc. Handle it by the edges as much as possible before
and after printing. Let the print fully dry before finishing. It doesn't hurt
to store the veneer in it's plastic bag under a stack of books.
Veneer curling? Humidity change can cause the veneer to slightly curl. To
help correct this to make for reliable feeding gently roll the veneer in the
opposite direction of the curl on a smooth edge of a table or counter top.
It also helps to keep the veneer on a flat surface under weight, say a stack
of books and in an air tight container when being stored will also help. We
would also mention when the veneer goes through the printer the printer
keeps the veneer flat while printing. Once printed and given a protective
coating, varnish, etc. the veneer can then be applied properly to a substrate
and the wrinkles should not be visible. If you are unsure about how this is
done feel free to contact us for assistance.
I'm not a wood worker - what can I do with this product? You don't need to be
a wood worker. The printed material can be cut and applied to almost anything
with glues or double-stick tape to most any substrate of your choice. You can
apply it to cardboard boxes, tin cans, plastic or glass containers. Make your
own business and greeting cards and postcards. You can cut the veneer with
craft knives, rotary cutters or sharp scissors.
Can I get different sizes and different woods? Right now no one is producing SMartGRAIN - As
soon as someone is offering it their link will be on the SMartGRAIN homepage.