Material comparison
Stone paper against PVC, PP pearl film, PET and paper
Flexstone is not a universal replacement. It is the stronger choice where flatness, print quality, a chlorine-free composition and a paper-like feel matter — and the weaker one where transparency, fire rating, long-term outdoor exposure or very high temperature decide the job. This page sets out both sides.
| Property | Flexstone film | Low-density pearlised PP film | PVC film | PET film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 | 0.6–0.75 | approx. 1.3–1.4 | approx. 1.3–1.4 |
| Stiffness | Selectable (soft to rigid) | Lower | Medium (soft, elastic) | High (rigid) |
| Flexibility | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | Poor (brittle, stiff) |
| Flatness | Excellent | Fair (creases easily) | Good | Excellent |
| Weatherability | Good | Poor (ages easily) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Heat resistance | Ratings published for two part-number groups only (see note) | Lower (prone to heat shrinkage) | Fair | Excellent (up to 250℃) |
| Environmental profile | Excellent (no wood, no process water, no chlorine) | Fair (petroleum-based) | Poor (chlorine, plasticizers) | Fair (petroleum-based) |
| Printability | Excellent | Fair (poor ink absorption, colour mixing) | Excellent | Needs surface treatment |
| Cost | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium to high |
Qualitative ratings from Newlife's comparison of wide-format printing films. Numeric heat limits are published only for some Flexstone grades (FS / FG 2K from 0.15 to 0.30 mm: 80℃ long-term, 100℃ FS or 120℃ FG short-term; FG digital press: 80℃ / 120℃).
| Competing material | Core replacement value of Flexstone | Applications to replace first |
|---|---|---|
| Low-density pearlised PP film | Solves creasing / orange peel and raises print quality | High-quality indoor display, brand graphics |
| PVC film | No chlorine, no plasticizer — greener and safer | Indoor labels, decorative stickers, brand display |
| PET film | Better flexibility, more natural feel | Furniture films, hang tags, packaging insert cards |
- 1Does the job need a transparent film?YesUse PET or another clear film — Flexstone is opaque warm white
- 2Is a strict fire rating specified?YesUse flame-retardant PVC for now
- 3Long-term outdoor exposure?YesUse PVC — Flexstone's outdoor durability is limited
- 4Retort, very high temperature or extreme tensile strength?YesUse PET
- No to all of the above
- Flexstone is a good fitIndoor display graphics, brand displays, labels and hang tags, interior decorative films and wallcovering without a special fire rating — wherever flatness, printability, a chlorine-free composition and a paper-like feel matter.Find a grade by print process →
01
Flexstone vs. Low-density pearlised PP film
Where Flexstone is stronger
- Flatness
- Pearlised PP is low in density (0.6–0.75) and foamed, so it creases into an orange-peel texture when bent. Flexstone is dense and unfoamed, which removes the creasing problem.
- Print quality
- Pearlised PP absorbs ink poorly and ink spreads sideways, mixing colours. Flexstone's optimised coating gives strong ink adhesion and accurate colour reproduction.
- Heat resistance
- Pearlised PP is prone to shrink and deform under heat. Flexstone holds its dimensions better in heat-curing print processes; its published heat ratings cover two part-number groups only (NMEQS-MACO 293 and 298).
- Physical strength
- The mechanical properties of pearlised PP are below those of clear BOPP film and it tears easily. Flexstone is stronger.
- Clear environmental attributes
- PP is petroleum-based. Flexstone uses zero trees and zero process water.
Where Low-density pearlised PP film is stronger
- Very low cost
- At a density of only 0.6–0.75, the same area uses less material, which gives a clear price advantage.
- Light weight
- Low weight per unit area suits weight-sensitive applications.
| Application | Reason to replace |
|---|---|
| High-quality indoor posters and stand graphics | The image must lie flat without creasing; pearlised PP develops orange peel |
| Brand window displays | High demands on print precision and visual effect; pearlised PP absorbs ink poorly |
| Display materials that are folded or transported repeatedly | Orange peel shows after bending pearlised PP; Flexstone stays flat |
| Brand customers with environmental requirements | Flexstone offers a quantifiable sustainability story; pearlised PP has no differentiating eco claim |
02
Flexstone vs. PVC film
Where Flexstone is stronger
- Environmental profile
- PVC contains chlorine; incineration can release hydrogen chloride and other toxic gases, and PVC is difficult to recycle. Flexstone contains no chlorine and no plasticizer, and burns without toxic gas or black smoke.
- No plasticizer migration
- PVC depends on plasticizers for flexibility; over time they migrate and the film becomes brittle. Flexstone does not rely on plasticizers, so its properties are more stable.
- A paper-like feel
- Flexstone is warm white with a paper-like texture for applications that want a natural aesthetic. PVC has a strongly plastic surface.
Where PVC film is stronger
- Flexibility
- PVC is soft and conforms well to curved and irregular surfaces.
- Weatherability
- PVC can be used outdoors long-term; the outdoor durability of Flexstone is limited.
- Mature process
- PVC has been used in wide-format printing for many years, with complete installation and converting know-how.
| Application | Reason to replace |
|---|---|
| Indoor eco labels and decorative stickers | No outdoor durability needed; Flexstone is chlorine-free and plasticizer-free |
| Brand stores and exhibition displays | Brand owners explicitly ask for eco materials; Flexstone can replace PVC |
| Hotel and commercial interior fit-out | Interiors do not need PVC's outdoor weatherability |
| Short-term promotional materials | Short-lived graphics are discarded quickly; a chlorine-free substrate is the more sustainable choice |
| Children's and maternity-related applications | Avoids the plasticizer and chlorine concerns associated with PVC |
Note: Applications with strict fire-safety requirements still need flame-retardant PVC; Flexstone is not yet a suitable replacement there.
03
Flexstone vs. PET film
Where Flexstone is stronger
- Flexibility
- PET film is stiff and brittle and does not bend easily around curves. Flexstone is moderately flexible and conforms to arcs and irregular surfaces.
- Easier to process
- PET has low surface energy, needs surface treatment before printing and builds static. Flexstone's print coating is already optimised and can be printed directly.
- A more natural hand
- PET film is rigid with a strongly plastic feel. Flexstone is warm white and paper-like.
- More competitive cost
- PET is a high-performance engineering plastic with a higher cost. Flexstone is positioned more accessibly.
Where PET film is stronger
- Very high mechanical strength
- PET has outstanding tensile and impact strength.
- Excellent heat resistance
- PET tolerates up to 250℃, far above Flexstone.
- Dimensional stability
- PET elongation can be held within 0.8%, suiting high-precision register.
- Clarity and gloss
- PET is highly transparent and glossy; Flexstone is warm white and opaque.
| Application | Reason to replace |
|---|---|
| Interior decoration and furniture films | Must conform to arcs; PET is stiff and brittle, Flexstone is moderately flexible |
| Brand hang tags and display cards | PET's extreme strength is not needed; Flexstone prints better and feels more natural |
| Packaging insert cards and gift cards | PET is too stiff and cold to the touch; warm white, paper-like Flexstone reads as more premium |
| Indoor signage and wayfinding | PET's heat resistance and outdoor durability are not needed; Flexstone is more cost-effective |
Note: Applications that need transparency, extreme strength or high temperatures (for example retort pouches or long-term outdoor signage) are not suited to replacement with Flexstone.
04
Flexstone vs. art paper and BOPP synthetic paper
Against paper, the difference is resource use and durability: no trees, no process water, and a sheet that does not disintegrate when wet. Against PP synthetic paper, it is the share of fossil plastic.
| Per ton produced | Flexstone Eco-Material | Art paper | BOPP pearlised paper (synthetic paper) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main raw material | Calcium carbonate 600–800 kg (60–80%) | Wood pulp 600–800 kg (60–80%) | Polypropylene resin 800–850 kg (80–85%) |
| Other components | Resin 200–400 kg (20–40%) | Filler (CaCO₃ / talc) 120–200 kg; binder (latex) 50–100 kg | Pearlescent masterbatch (contains CaCO₃) 150–200 kg |
| Water | 0 t | 20–35 t | — |
| Waste water | 0 t | 20–35 t | — |
| Trees | 0 adult trees | 20 adult trees | 0 |
| Carbon / fossil profile | 65% fossil energy reduction vs. PP synthetic paper manufacturing | — | Fossil-fuel derived plastic; 3.5–4 t CO₂ footprint |
Source: Flexstone Eco-Material flyer, “A Sustainability Deep Dive”. Versus art paper: saves 20–35 t water and 20 trees per ton. Versus BOPP paper: reduces 500–650 kg plastic and 2.4–3.5 t CO₂ per ton.
Ratings on this page are qualitative and come from Newlife's own comparison of wide-format printing films and the Flexstone flyer; they are not third-party test results. Reviewed 2026-10-12.
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