SoFlat is a non-curl substrate comprising a polyester core with PVC laminated faces designed to be printed using solvent, eco solvent and UV-cured printers.

"It's designed to replace products that have been printed using aqueous machines and over-laminated," said Soyang Europe managing director Mark Mashiter.

"SoFlat is a similar cost to aqueous film, but the cost of the finished work is around two-thirds as there is no laminate and no labour. You can also produce at higher speed as if you're producing in volume. The most time-consuming part is laminating."

SoFlat is available in two versions: Frontlit,  which is greybacked, and Blockout, which is white on both sides for double-sided printing.

Soyang Europe is a division of Chinese PVC manufacturer Soyang and produces a range of materials including laminates, frontlit, backlit, mesh and blackout substrates.

Its UK headquarters in Bury, Greater Manchester, stock a 1m sqm of substrate, which the company sells directly and via dealers, some branded and some as private-label products.

It also has sister operations in Europe and has recently opened a warehouse near Lisbon, Portugal.