Digital printing on a wood-based substrate for exterior application

Abstract

A system and related methods for high-resolution digital printing on wood-based substrates for exterior applications or outdoor use. Textured wood-based substrates include, but are not limited to, plywood, wood planks, oriented-strand board (OSB), laminated strand lumber (LSL), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), paper board, and various forms of engineered wood. A manufactured or engineered wood product with an engineered orientation is used as the base substrate to minimize deformation. A resin-impregnated paper overlay, which may include a special adhesion-promoting primer layer, is placed on the surface that will be subject to exposure outdoors. An image or images are printed using UV-resistant inks or film coatings, and a protective layer applied over the printed ink. The elasticity of the ink or film coating and the protective layer should match the protective overlay.