Graphics mounted onto a substrate such as foam board, Gator board, etc. are formally known as rigid displays. Rigid displays typically consist of a four elements: the rigid substrate (board), an adhesive, the print, and a laminating film.

Rigid displays are made in several ways. The most common mounting process involves two steps. First, a decal is made by simultaneously applying a laminating film to the face of a print and a mounting adhesive on the back. Pressure Sensitive laminating films and mounting adhesives are typically used together here. This decal is now like a large sticker that has adhesive and a protective release liner on the back side.

Next, the release liner is removed from the mounting adhesive and the decal is applied to the board by using a laminator.

Mounting adhesives can also be used to pre-coat boards for mounting rigid display graphics at a later time. To create a pre-coated board, simply apply a mounting adhesive to a rigid substrate and trim off any excess material. Just prior to mounting, remove the release liner to expose the adhesive and adhere the image to the board by processing through a wide format laminator.

D&K manufactures and recommends variety of mounting adhesives designed to work with different substrates and applications*.

Standard Foam Boards: General foam core boards with clay coated paper surfaces.
-General Purpose Mounting Adhesive – MG product codes
-Ultra Opaque White Mounting Adhesive – MU product codes
-Standard Solvent Rubber Mounting Adhesive – MES product codes
-Standard Solvent Acrylic Mounting Adhesive – MESA product codes
-Low Tack Heat Activated Transfer Adhesive – JA product codes
-No Tack Heat Activated Transfer Adhesive – JHA product codes

Heavy Duty Foam Boards: Extra rigid boards with thick or durable surface liners, i.e. Gator® and Ryno Board®
-General Purpose Mounting Adhesive – MG product codes
-Ultra Opaque White Mounting Adhesive – MU product codes
-Standard Solvent Acrylic Mounting Adhesive – MESA product codes
-2 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes
-5 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes
-SuperStick® Mounting Adhesive – CMP product codes

Plastic Surfaced & Corrugated Plastic Substrates: Duraplast™, Ultraboard™, etc.
-General Purpose Mounting Adhesive – MG product codes
-Ultra Opaque White Mounting Adhesive – MU product codes
– Standard Solvent Acrylic Mounting Adhesive – MESA product codes
-2 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes
-5 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes

Expanded PVC Board: Sintra™, Komatex™, etc.
-General Purpose Mounting Adhesive – MG product codes
-Ultra Opaque White Mounting Adhesive – MU product codes
– Standard Solvent Acrylic Mounting Adhesive – MESA product codes
-2 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes
-5 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes

Hardboards & Particle Boards: Wood/pulp based substrates including MDF board and Masonite
-General Purpose Mounting Adhesive – MG product codes
-Ultra Opaque White Mounting Adhesive – MU product codes
-2 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes
-5 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes

Aluminum Faced Substrates” Exposed aluminum surfaces including DiBond™, Alucobest™, etc.
-General Purpose Mounting Adhesive – MG product codes
-Ultra Opaque White Mounting Adhesive – MU product codes
-2 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes
-5 mil High Performance Transfer Adhesive – HPT product codes

Walls: Painted and fully cured drywall surfaces
-Graphic Wall Mount Adhesive – MWA product codes

Windows: Glass windows (interior or exterior facing)
-Optically Clear Permanent (UV) – OC product codes
-Optically Clear Removable (UV) – OCR product codes
-Optistick Permanent (UV) – OSP product codes
-Optistick Removable (UV) – OSR product codes

Clear Substrates: Optically clear substrates including Acrylic, Plexiglas™, Lexan™, lenticular lens, etc.
-Optically Clear Permanent (UV) – OC product codes
-Optically Clear Removable (UV) – OCR product codes
-Optistick Permanent (UV) – OSP product codes
-Optistick Removable (UV) – OSR product codes

*Note: Some substrates may require pre-treatment including cleaning with alcohol or lightly sanding or scuffing prior to adhesive application. All materials should be tested by purchaser to determine final suitability.