Summary:
Direct to substrate printing provides a faster, more durable way to print your design directly to your material type. It’s ideal for printing signs, packaging materials, promo items and more. Simply prep your design for transfer, load your substrate, start your printer and apply any finishes after inspecting the final product.
Direct to substrate printing is transforming the way we think about quality, speed and durability for signage and display graphics. Traditional inkjet print methods involve printing on paper or vinyl first and then mounting it to another surface, while the direct to substrate process prints your design directly onto your material like acrylic, metal, wood or plastic.
We use direct to substrate printing for several types of print projects at Little Rock Printing, so we understand how this method differs from inkjet and other methods. Learn more about the benefits and how it works below, then get ready to order your print marketing essentials.
Common Applications
Direct to substrate printing is incredibly versatile, with benefits that span across industries. Here’s a breakdown of key applications and how this technology enhances each one:
| Example Product | Materials | Benefits | |
| Signage | Coroplast Signs | Aluminium PVC Acrylic | Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Provides durability, weather resistance and vibrant colours. |
| Decorative Panels & Wall Art | Art Prints | Wood Metal Acrylic | Artists and designers print directly onto surfaces for long-lasting, high-resolution artwork and photo displays. |
| Personalized Gifts & Promo Items | Notebooks | Ceramic Metal Plastic Cardstock | Custom printing on rigid items like mugs, keychains and notebooks enables one-of-a-kind merchandise and branding. |
| Packaging & Product Branding | Plastic Cardboard | Enables printing directly on bags, boxes and containers—creating a unified brand aesthetic and reducing the need for labels or additional packaging. | |
| Industrial Applications | Steel Aluminum Plastic | Commonly used for durable labeling on equipment, control panels and machinery where resistance to abrasion and chemicals is essential. | |
| Fashion & Apparel | Cotton Canvas Cloth | Involves direct to garment (DTG) printing—ideal for T-shirts, hoodies, hats and canvas bags; best on natural fibers. | |
| Exhibition & Event Displays | Counter Cards Banner Stands | Foam Poster board VinylFabric | Direct printing allows for vibrant, seamless backdrops and booth elements for events and trade shows. |
Read More: Boosting Your Trade Show Booth Display With Banners & Other Print Essentials
Want to see the direct to substrate process in action? View our (gallery/video) below.
Little Rock’s Direct to Substrate Printing Process
Step 1: We Prep & Transfer Your Design
- Your design file is checked for correct format, resolution, and color mode (CMYK or RGB based on the material).
- Once approved, the file is transferred to the printer’s onboard memory for seamless output.
Step 2: We Prep the Printer
- The chosen substrate—like acrylic, wood, or aluminum—is aligned on the printer bed.
- Color profiles and ink flow are calibrated to match the material and artwork.
- UV-curable or textile inks are loaded into cartridges depending on your print job.
Step 3: We Start Printing!
- The printer applies UV ink directly onto the material using pinpoint droplet placement.
- UV lights instantly cure the ink, hardening it as it touches the surface.
- This process bonds the ink to the substrate for a durable, high-quality finish.
Step 4: We Inspect & Apply Finish
- Every piece is visually inspected for clarity, alignment, and color vibrancy.
- We trim, laminate, or apply other finishes as needed to meet your final specs.
- The result is a ready-to-use, professional-grade printed product.
Start the Process With Little Rock
Direct to substrate printing isn’t just faster than other methods; it’s better as well. You get a longer-lasting product that reduces waste and looks better when you display it.
When you’re ready to print your next project, contact our team at Little Rock. We offer fast delivery, flexible timelines and bulk savings when you combine designs. We also print nearly everything in our Calgary print shop and ship across Canada.
