Print Media & Consumables
How a self-adhesive print medium is built (substrate, coating, adhesive/cling layer, liner), the main substrate families (PET, PP, PVC, paper), the five adhesion technologies, and how to read the key specifications.
Anatomy of a self-adhesive print medium
A self-adhesive print medium is a sandwich: a printable topcoat that absorbs or fixes ink, a substrate film (PET, PP or PVC) that gives strength and flatness, an adhesive or cling layer underneath, and a silicone-coated release liner that protects the adhesive until application. ZST's removable films use either vacuum cling (Easy Cling™), Octopus™ adhesive-free micropore negative-pressure cling, WALLIZARD® micro-cling with air channels, or Spider™ / AC adhesive — so they remove cleanly within the conditions given on each datasheet.
- Topcoat fixes or absorbs the ink
- Substrate film: PET / PP / PVC gives strength
- Adhesive or cling layer enables removal without residue
- Release liner protects the adhesive until application
Substrate families: PET, PP, PVC and paper
PET (polyester) film is dimensionally stable, tear-resistant and the most durable choice for long-term indoor and outdoor graphics. PP (polypropylene) film is flexible, economical and commonly used for window and short-to-mid-term graphics. PVC offers excellent conformability for curved surfaces but is less environmentally friendly. Paper-based media — ZST's glossy, matte and RC photo papers, art paper and writing boards — are rigid, inexpensive and used for posters, photos and indoor display where no adhesive or cling layer is needed.
- PET: stable, durable, long-term indoor/outdoor
- PP: flexible, economical, window & mid-term graphics
- PVC: best conformability, less eco-friendly
- Paper: rigid and economical for posters, photos, boards
The five adhesion technologies
ZST builds five film series on five distinct adhesion principles. WALLIZARD® uses SCITOP patented gecko-toe inspired cling — micro-cling and air-channel technology with a non-static, dot-pattern removable cling; it applies dry and bubble-free to smooth surfaces. Octopus™ uses adhesive-free micropore negative-pressure cling — bubble-free, repositionable, no residue in short-term indoor use. Easy Cling™ clings to glass by vacuum force, best applied wet. Spider™ and the AC series use dot-pattern or strong adhesive. Choosing the right principle is the first step in selecting the right medium.
- WALLIZARD®: gecko-toe inspired micro-cling & air-channel (dot removable cling)
- Octopus: adhesive-free micropore negative-pressure cling
- Easy Cling: vacuum cling, wet application
- Spider / AC: dot-pattern / strong adhesive
How to read the key specifications
Four numbers matter most when comparing media. Film thickness (μm) and total weight (gsm) tell you rigidity and handling. Peel strength (g/25mm) describes how firmly a removable film holds — a balance between staying in place and coming off cleanly. The specification sizes tell you what roll widths and sheet sizes are available for your printer. ZST publishes these on every model page, so you can compare series side by side before ordering.
- Film thickness (μm) + weight (gsm) = rigidity & handling
- Peel strength (g/25mm) = hold vs clean removal balance
- Sizes = roll widths / sheet sizes for your printer