Soft signage sublimation printing for visual communication
Transfer papers for vivid banners, flags and backlit displays — with efficient production and predictable results.
Signage needs impact and reliability
From in-store campaigns to exhibition systems and outdoor flags, soft signage has to look perfect from the first print to the last. Printers face pressure to deliver rich color, sharp graphics and consistent quality — often on tight deadlines and with demanding brand guidelines.
Large formats, high ink loads and polyester display fabrics require a transfer paper that remains stable and predictable throughout long production runs.
How Coldenhove supports your signage workflow
Our papers for soft signage are engineered for flatness, fast drying and excellent ink handling. Whether you are producing backlit lightboxes, trade show backdrops, flags or in-store POS, our papers help you maintain smooth production and consistent visual quality.
With support from our technical team and a global distribution network, your signage production stays reliable — even when job types and fabrics change from day to day.
Digital soft signage with dye-sublimation
Digital dye-sublimation has become a key technology for fabric-based signage. Coldenhove invented digital sublimation transfer paper in 1998 and has been optimizing papers for signage, sportswear, fashion and home textiles ever since.
High visual impact on polyester display fabrics
Sublimation inks bond inside the polyester fibers, creating deep color with smooth gradients and excellent light fastness. This makes it ideal for backlit frames, tension fabric systems and hanging banners where brand colors need to stand out and remain stable over time.
Flexible run lengths from one-off jobs to campaigns
Digital workflows allow you to print single pieces, short series and full campaign rollouts on the same line. There are no screens to make or store, enabling faster turnaround, easier versioning and on-demand replacement of graphics.
Efficient production and finishing
Sublimation printing and calendar transfer integrate well into automated finishing workflows for sewing, keder application and frame mounting. With the right paper, you reduce misprints and handling issues, helping your team deliver more jobs in less time.
Challenges we solve in signage textile printing
Achieving consistent color on large-format graphics
Large lightboxes and backdrops make every imperfection visible. You need transfer papers that support high ink densities and uniform drying so you can avoid banding, mottling or visible color steps across big surfaces.
Handling high ink loads for deep blacks and saturated colors
Brand campaigns demand rich blacks, saturated gradients and bold spot colors. Papers must handle heavy ink loads without cockling, waving or slowing down your printers, so you can keep quality high without sacrificing speed.
Preventing ghosting, blurring and edge defects
Soft signage graphics often include fine text and sharp logos. Papers must stay flat and stable during printing and transfer to avoid ghosting, double images and soft edges, especially on stretch fabrics and large panels.
Running long jobs with minimal waste and downtime
Soft signage jobs can run for many hundreds of meters. Paper must feed smoothly, remain dimensionally stable and maintain constant transfer behavior from the first meter to the last to avoid costly reprints and finishing delays.
Recommended transfer papers for soft signage
JET-X
Lightweight, allround sublimation paper for cost-efficient everyday production.
Xtreme® Sign
Designed for signage with vibrant colors and anti-rivering performance.
Jetcol® HTR3500
The problem-solver against rivering for sharp, flawless prints.
Jetcol® HTR4000
Maximum stability and rich color transfer for high ink volumes.
How Coldenhove supports signage printers
Soft signage production needs to be fast, predictable and visually flawless — especially on large surfaces viewed from close range. Coldenhove papers are made to support that workflow with stable quality, reliable drying and consistent transfer behavior on polyester display fabrics.
Papers engineered for soft signage textiles
Our Xtreme® Sign, Xtreme® and Jet-X® papers are developed with the needs of soft signage printers in mind: large formats, high ink loads and demanding finishing steps. Our engineers design and test each grade for stable behavior and repeatable results on backlit, frontlit and blockout polyester.
Color consistency in every print job
Because we control the full process — from fiber selection to coating — our papers behave predictably from roll to roll. This helps maintain color consistency from approval samples to full campaign rollouts and across repeated jobs for the same brand.
Practical technical support
Our engineers and application specialists help signage printers adjust settings, improve print-room conditions and solve issues such as rivering, cockling or uneven color. Their experience with machines, workflows and materials helps you run a smoother process with less trial and error.
Worldwide availability
With partners and distributors around the world, Coldenhove papers are readily accessible in key signage and display markets. Local stock and coordinated logistics help shorten lead times, reduce transport distance and keep your campaigns on schedule.
Why signage printers choose Coldenhove
- 350+ years of papermaking expertise – and the inventor of digital sublimation transfer paper.
- Application focused – Our papers are specifically designed for soft signage, fashion, sportswear and home textiles.
- Consistent quality – We control every step of the production process in our own mill, providing stability and consistency from campaign to campaign.
- Technical support – Our technical teams can support with printer setup, optimization and troubleshooting.
- Global availability – We offer a worldwide network of distributors and agents, close to major signage and display hubs.
Sustainability in soft signage
Brands and print buyers increasingly ask for more sustainable display solutions. Our papers help you move in the right direction:
- Electric boiler – By generating steam electrically, we significantly lower CO₂ emissions. The eBoiler also absorbs peaks in the electricity grid.
- Water reuse – we currently reuse around 95% of our process water and are working towards 100% reuse with our water treatment plant (IWE).
- FSC®-certified fibers in every paper – we only purchase wood fibers from responsibly managed forests, so every Coldenhove paper product is FSC® certified.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Clear answers to the most common questions. Can’t find what you need? Send us your question and we’ll help right away.
Why is sublimation printing a good fit for soft signage?
Sublimation printing produces vivid, durable graphics on polyester display fabrics, with smooth gradients and deep blacks that are ideal for banners, backdrops, flags and backlit frames. It combines high visual impact with flexible run lengths and relatively low finishing complexity.
Which Coldenhove papers do you recommend for signage?
For most polyester soft signage we recommend Xtreme® Sign for demanding display applications, Xtreme® for high-productivity jobs and Jet-X® for a balance of speed and quality. When you need very high throughput, Jetcol® High Speed is an excellent fit.
Can I use the same paper for backlit and frontlit applications?
In many cases, yes. Papers like Xtreme® Sign are designed for high ink loads and even transfer, which makes them suitable for both backlit and frontlit fabrics. For critical backlit work, we recommend test prints to fine-tune ink limits and profiles for your specific fabric.
How do Coldenhove papers help reduce waste in signage production?
Stable runnability, fast drying and predictable transfer behavior help reduce misprints, rework and downtime. In addition, all Coldenhove papers are made from FSC®-certified fibers and produced in a mill with high levels of water reuse, energy recovery and an electric boiler, helping to lower the overall footprint of your signage workflow.
Ready to improve your signage workflow?
Let’s optimize your soft signage production
Tell us which printers and fabrics you use, and we’ll help you choose the most suitable transfer papers for your signage applications.