At Payler, flex face is a category we are continuing to grow, and the EFI VUTEk Q5r is a big reason why.

This printer gives us the ability to produce flex face graphics with the scale, efficiency, and finish flexibility needed for illuminated signage, while helping us maintain the color consistency our partners expect. With built-in clear coat capability, we can create a more polished, protected final product in the same pass without adding extra alignment steps later.

Built for day-to-night color consistency

One of the biggest advantages of our flex face process is that we run it in a three-layer configuration: color, white, color.

Flex face graphics need to maintain their appearance both during the day and when the sign lights up at night. This layered approach helps keep colors more consistent across lighting conditions, so a color like red stays red instead of shifting pink once illuminated.

For sign shops and brand-driven environments, that kind of consistency matters. It helps the final product look more intentional, more professional, and more dependable once installed.

G7 process control, carried into translucent applications

At Payler, color is already a major focus, and that attention does not stop with standard print work.

As a G7 Certified printer, we put additional research, development, and process control into translucent applications like flex face so we can maintain stronger color consistency across challenging materials. That gives our partners greater confidence when a job calls for dependable, repeatable color on translucent materials.

Clear coat in the same pass

The Q5r also allows us to apply a clear coat as part of the print process itself.

With flex face, we can print color, white, color and apply clear over the top in the same pass. There is no backing up the material, no separate lamination step, and no need to realign the print afterward. The result is a finished product that comes off the machine aligned, protected, and more production-ready.

Why built-in clear matters

This is where the process really sets itself apart.

In the past, coatings on products like flex face were often applied by hand using methods like rolling, spraying, or other manual techniques. The challenge with that approach is consistency. Thickness can vary, coverage can vary, and the final result is not always as controlled as it needs to be.

With the Q5r, the clear is applied through the printer itself, just like the ink. That gives us more control over application and helps create a more uniform finish across the entire print. The result is a cleaner look and a more consistent final product.

Gloss and Matte finish options

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Finish is another area where this setup adds flexibility.

We offer both gloss and matte clear coat options on flex face, but gloss is our recommended finish. It gives the graphic a smoother, cleaner appearance and adds the kind of visual pop that really helps the print stand out. In person, gloss tends to make flex face look crisper and more refined.

Matte is available as well for projects where a softer, more understated finish is preferred. Having both options gives partners flexibility, but for most applications, gloss is the finish we suggest first.

Spot gloss opens the door to even more possibilities

Beyond full matte or full gloss, the Q5r also gives us the ability to produce spot gloss effects.

That means specific areas of the artwork, like a logo, architectural detail, or key design element, can be called out with gloss while the rest of the print remains matte. It is a great way to add dimension, contrast, and visual interest without changing the full graphic.

For partners looking for something more custom or premium, that creates another way to add value.

A better flex face product for our partners

For us, this is not just about adding another printer to the floor. It is about producing flex face in a better, more controlled way.

With the EFI VUTEk Q5r, we can combine three-layer printing, inline clear coat, matte or gloss finish options, and G7-driven color consistency into one streamlined process. The result is a flex face product built for illuminated performance, finished with more precision, and produced with efficiency in mind.

At Payler, we are always looking for ways to help our partners offer more to their customers. This is one more way we are doing that.

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