Media & Material Terms

The substrates and coatings behind printable media: PET and PP films, resin-coated paper, cast-coated surfaces, release liners and the constructions they combine into.

PET Film

Polyethylene terephthalate film — a dimensionally stable, optically clear polyester film widely used as inkjet media. Its low shrinkage keeps printed graphics true to size, and its stiffness makes application easy; with a printable coating it suits water-based, eco-solvent, UV and latex inks. PVC-free, it is a more environmentally friendly alternative to vinyl.

FreePost® AC™FreePost® WALLIZARD®

PP Film

Polypropylene film — a lightweight, PVC-free polyolefin film used for cost-effective printable media. It is softer and more conformable than PET and fully recyclable in polyolefin streams, making it popular for short-term promotional graphics and eco-conscious campaigns.

FreePost® Octopus™FreePost® Spider™

PVC Film

Polyvinyl chloride film — highly conformable on curves, common in traditional vinyl graphics. ZST uses it on selected Spider™ models; most FreePost® films are PET or PP and PVC-free. PVC is less environmentally friendly than polyester or polypropylene.

FreePost® Spider™

Cast-Coated Photo Paper

Photo paper whose high-gloss ink-receiving layer is formed against a polished drum (cast coating), giving a mirror-bright surface that locks dye ink for vivid, photo-lab colour, instant dry and water resistance. This is the construction of ZST Glossy papers (120–300 gsm, sheets, optional self-adhesive).

ZST Glossy

Micro-porous Photo Paper

Photo paper with an open-pore ink-receiving layer that wicks the droplet in by capillary action, locks dye or pigment inside, and dries in seconds so colours do not bleed. ZST RC papers use a microporous coat over a PE-sealed core; the same micro-porous chemistry is tuned across ZST coatings for water-based, eco-solvent, UV and Latex inks.

ZST RCZST GlossyZST Matte

RC Photo Paper

Resin-coated paper: a paper core sealed with polyethylene, then a microporous inkjet layer. It has photo-lab stiffness, flatness and water resistance, in glossy, satin, luster and silk finishes. ZST RC is typically 260 gsm and suits dye and pigment inkjet as well as photo-lab workflows (Epson, Fujifilm, Noritsu).

ZST RC

Matte Photo Paper

Photo paper with a non-reflective ink-receiving coat on a wood-pulp base. It accepts dye and pigment, dries instantly and stays opaque enough for double-sided work without show-through. Unlike cast-coated glossy paper, it has no mirror shine — the usual choice for portfolios, brochures and albums.

ZST Matte

Eco-Solvent Photo Paper

Wide-format photo paper with a solvent-receptive coat (ZST typically 230 gsm rolls). It takes eco-solvent, UV and Latex inks at poster scale without the cracking or pooling that water-based photo paper shows on those machines. Not for desktop dye/pigment printers.

ZST Eco-Solvent

Colour-Laser Photo Paper

Photo paper with a heat-stable, toner-receptive coat for colour-laser and LED presses. It survives fuser temperatures above 180 °C without blistering or curling, and the toner is fixed to a photographic gloss or clean matte — inkjet photo paper melts or jams in the same machines.

ZST Colour Laser

Ink-Receiving Coating

The printable top layer on a film or paper, formulated for a specific ink chemistry. A micro-porous network wicks the droplet, locks pigment or dye and leaves the surface dry in seconds. Wrong coating-to-ink match causes bleeding, mottling, pooling or slow drying — every ZST model lists its print compatibility.

Release Liner

The siliconised paper or film backing that protects the adhesive layer before use. Its release force (g/25mm) is calibrated so the liner strips away smoothly without disturbing the adhesive; the liner is removed during application and discarded.