Abstract: A microvoided film formed by mixing a microvoid forming additive with a composition including a polymeric material. The microvoided film includes a printability additive. The microvoids formed during the processing of the composition to convert it into a film result in a reduction of the density of the film, making a lighter weight film requiring less polymeric material to produce a film of desired thickness while maintaining suitable structural characteristics than required when making a higher density film. The microvoids are formed through ? crystallization of the polymeric material during casting and in a later cold drawing stage of the orientation portion of the film fabrication process. The microvoided film may be fabricated to be opaque with or without pigment additive included in the composition. The film may multilayered. In one embodiment, the multilayered film is three-layered including a core without printability additive and two outer layers with the printability additive.

Abstract: A polymeric film and method for making the film. Mixing a structural material with a secondary material to form a unitary mixture prior to processing forms the film. For a printable film, the secondary material is a printable material. The unitary mixture is extruded and heated so as to cause the printable material to bloom to the surface of the mixture. The result is a film that is stiffer and that lays flatter than prior multi-layered films that were prone to curling. The rollers used to stretch the film during this heat-setting stage are preferably very smooth so as to enhance the transverse-direction strength and stiffness of the film. In another embodiment of the invention, the secondary material is a clarity-enhancing material that may be styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer. The blend combination is a suitable replacement for polyvinyl chloride films in that it is soft, conformable, flexible and clear.

Abstract: A polymeric film and method for making the film. Mixing a structural material with a secondary material to form a unitary mixture prior to processing forms the film. For a printable film, the secondary material is a printable material. The unitary mixture is extruded and heated so as to cause the printable material to bloom to the surface of the mixture. The result is a film that is stiffer and that lays flatter than prior multi-layered films that were prone to curling. The rollers used to stretch the film during this heat-setting stage are preferably very smooth so as to enhance the transverse-direction strength and stiffness of the film. In another embodiment of the invention, the secondary material is a clarity-enhancing material that may be styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer. The blend combination is a suitable replacement for polyvinyl chloride films in that it is soft, conformable, flexible and clear.

Abstract: A monolayer printable polymeric film and method for making the film. The film is formed by mixing a structural material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, with a printable material, such as vinyl-acetate or methacrylate, to form a unitary mixture prior to processing. The unitary mixture is extruded and heated so as to cause the printable material to bloom to the surface of the unitary mixture. Stretching of the mixture at temperatures greater than permissible for multi-layered films formed of separate structural and printable materials heat sets and relaxes or stress relieves the film that is formed. The result is a monolayer film that is stiffer and that lays much flatter than the prior multi-layered films that were prone to curling. The mixture is preferably heated to 270.degree. F. or greater during the stretching process.