How to Choose Printed Acrylic Splashbacks

Acrylic splashbacks from Innovative Splashbacks

There are some very good reasons why acrylic (polymer) printed splashbacks are fast becoming popular with designers, architects and DIY'ers across Australia. Being acrylic they are stronger than glass and half the weight, which means it's easy to install and safe. Plus not having tiles and grout is, lets face it, what everyone wants!

When looking at printed acrylic splashbacks, there are differences in the products in the market. They are not all the same nor will you get the same result. You will soon see with our tips below what it is you need to know when sorting the wheat from the chaff in the world of printed acrylic splashbacks.

Innovative Splashbacks have 8 years of experience with printed acrylic splashbacks - proudly far surpassing all others now producing printed acrylic splashback in the Australian market. Below is our experience on what makes or breaks a printed acrylic splashback and what you should look for.

Printed splashbacks from Innovative Splashbacks

Tip 1. Is the print directly on the acrylic?

Or is it printed on vinyl or printers film that is then applied too (stuck onto) the acrylic? Some printers cannot print white - because they are simply not made or designed for printing on acrylic. Therefore, they use the poorer lower quality technique of backing a print in white vinyl to get the white in the colour image. And in our option is a disaster when wanting a printed acrylic splashback that will last. Why? See point 2 below.

Tip 2. How is the print backed?

What is the supplier using on the back of the print? Vinyl? Or what sort of other material? This is important to know as this can cause problems with the splashback in time. What you need to remember is you are wanting to purchase a splashback and not a sign.

Printed signage has been around for decades, but they are installed in a completely different manner than splashbacks. Signage is usually not siliconed to a wall, like a splashback. Instead signs are usually screwed or mounted in frames. Therefore if the splashback is backed with vinyl or some sort of other similar material, the movement of the acrylic versus the ink and vinyl (which is notoriously known to move and shrink) can cause disastrous effects over time.

Tip 3. Has the supplier tested their printed splashbacks in splashback situations?

Has the supplier tested what they are selling as splashback - as splashbacks and not just signage? And for how long? Years? What is the warranty on the printed acrylic splashback? Answers to these questions will naturally tell you how much confidence and experience the supplier has in their product as printed acrylic splashbacks.

Polymer splashbacks from Innovative Splashbacks

Tip 4. What is the acrylic material being used? Does it have a warranty of no UV yellowing?

There are lots of different quality acrylics on the market and like everything they are not all the same. Some have only a 1-2 year no UV yellowing warranty (if at all). UV warranty is usually the only way to compare apples to apples with acrylic quality. Clearly the ones with no or very low UV warranty are el-cheapo's and should be avoided at all costs, however are what signage companies use so it's really buyer beware and in your best interest to get informed.

The acrylic Innovative Splashbacks use has an unrivalled 30 year no UV yellowing warranty and we only use CAST PMMA acrylic and not extruded.

Tip 5. What is the max print panel size and are all cut outs and tapholes included in the cost?

If you want a big printed panel (most people do not want joins) most suppliers cannot produce it. They are usually limited by their printer and table size and some charge extra fees for printing bigger splashback panels as well. Also, do you need your splashback to be cut to shape? Need power points? Need tapholes? Suppliers may simply be unable to do this at all or there may be add on costs for power point and taphole cut outs.

Remember doing it yourself or getting your installer to do it costs you both time and more money.

Tip 6. Can you use any image, graphic or pattern you like to have a unique and one-of-a-kind printed acrylic splashback?

Some companies force you to choose an image from their image list/portfolio. Limiting you on what looks good in your space and creativity and not giving you an option of changing the colours, images or design. We dont do that. Innovative Splashbacks® gives you total design and creativity control. We can print any high definition image, graphic or pattern your heart desires creating a true one-of-a-kind printed splashback that no one else in the world has, or will ever have.

With Innovative Splashbacks® You have 3 choices with images:

Provide your own high resolution image, graphic or pattern.
Choose a high resolution image form an image site such as Shutterstock, iStockPhoto, etc.
Work with our graphic designer to create a totally unique masterpiece of your own.

You can find out more information on how to choose your image here:
Definitive Guide: How to Choose An Image for your Printed Splashback

Printed on vinyl from Innovative Splashbacks

Tip 7. Will you have to pay to have my preferred images be checked?

Some suppliers - who do offer custom printed splashbacks - will charge a fee for checking images. So you need to check if the supplier does this as this will add more costs onto your purchase.

Innovative Splashbacks® are directly printed onto our unrivalled quality acrylic - which has a no UV yellowing warranty of 30 years.

All Innovative Splashbacks® are cut and formatted to your size requirements and have a crisp image quality like no other thanks to our superior print process technology. To find out more, get in touch with us directly by calling us today, or to see our latest projects go to Innovative Splashbacks.