Now, MD5 has a stablemate in its swatchbook that is possessed of all MD5’s qualities and that adds a few of its own—the new product is MD5-H.

“MD5-H takes the much admired MD5 formula and face-film to surfaces that traditional pressure sensitive adhesives find challenging in terms of ultimate bond. Low energy plastics, such as the materials used to produce bins, canoes and other large moulded goods in particular will benefit from the new product’s design features,” says Ian Simister, sales director of Metamark.

He continues: “MD5-H offers a viable bond to low-energy surfaces, but is in all other respects the same quality reference material used by printer manufacturers for performance benchmarking. It can be printed with any digital ink species and yields deeply saturated results with the sort of poppy colours advertisers prefer and definition sufficient to satisfy the most critical eye and demanding application.”

Metamark also reports that MD5-H is a much more dimensionally stable film than others targeted at similar applications. Whereas other films are known to shrink back under the attack of influencing factors, so leaving a rim of exposed adhesive that rapidly picks up dirt and becomes black, MD5-H keeps its composure. No need to settle for graphics ringed in yellow fluff from dusters then.

Simister concludes: “Despite the very high ultimate bond achieved, MD5-H is surprisingly compliant when being applied. Its matched, lay-flat liner releases easily. Initial adhesion is manageable and assists application. Long-term reliability is assured as the applied graphic builds to its design-bond—even on difficult surfaces that are out of bounds to most pressure sensitive materials.”