Woburn, MA (5/14/01) --- Charrette's new Sentinel Imaging branded Sol-R Guard uvX image stabilizing weatherable film products, which are UV stabilized and UV absorbing, offer environmental advantages over competitive PVC based materials. Used as an overlamination or finishing material, Sol-R Guard uvX films protect sensitive ink jet printed material from scratching, weathering, moisture damage, UV light fading and color shifting. Sol-R Guard uvX products represent a new development in overlamination film technology. This multi-layered material offers superior ultraviolet (UV) light blocking efficiency compared to other overlamination products currently available, resulting in greater longevity for print and substrate. Digital graphics such as signs, banners, POP displays, labels, fleet graphics, posters, and outdoor advertising have sharp color and greater "snap" and retain their original color for longer when laminated with Sol-R Guard uvX films. Sol-R Guard uvX films provide up to 93 percent UV light blocking efficiency. Tests have shown that an ink jet printed image retains its color sharpness for up to 5 to 8 times longer when overlaminated with Sol-R Guard uvX film versus no overlamination. The film's high optical clarity and low haze levels are substantially unaffected by UV light. In addition, Sol-R Guard uvX is "color neutral." Other finishing films tend to make the images they cover appear more yellow than they really are. In contrast, Sol-R Guard uvX is designed to eliminate this problem and prevent color shifting. Until now, overlaminating films have generally been PVC-based, with UV blockers added. PVC contains plasticizers and can produce toxic dioxin when burned. In contrast, polyester (PET) based Sol-R Guard uvX is more environmentally friendly and scrap and manufacturing waste can be recycled. PET films have not previously been recognized for UV blocking ability, but new Sol-R Guard uvX formulations have overcome this obstacle. Sol-R Guard uvX films are compatible with a range of inks and substrate combinations for indoor and outdoor lamination applications. They are 2 mil thick and are available in both gloss and luster finishes and in widths of 25", 38", 43", 51", 55" and 61". The three-layer lamination includes a 2 mil polyester with 1.4 mil UV stabilized PSA and a 1.5 mil polyester release liner. Charrette (www.charrette.com), established in 1964 in Cambridge, MA, is the country's largest independent provider of imaging products and services to the professional design marketplace, with operations in Boston, Providence, Portsmouth, New Haven, New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Mobile, Biloxi, New Orleans, Dayton, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. The company differentiates itself from competitors through its ability to serve the specialized needs of its customer base.