Patrick Industries Inc. announced its latest industry-leading solution for the RV industry: Patrick Printing Solutions (PPS).
Featuring direct-to-panel printing technology, PPS can print high-quality graphics and physical textures directly onto a wide variety of panel materials, providing RV manufacturers more freedom in how interior surfaces are designed and produced.
How it works: Instead of sourcing a material with a specific texture or applying a separate decorative laminate, veneer or wall covering that may have supply, service and obsolescence limitations, PPS allows printing of both the visual design and the tactile finish directly onto the panel itself. That means OEMs now have an array of panel options, including varied woodgrains, patterns, textures and finishes that did not exist using pre-finished material.
The process works across a range of panel materials including composites (specifically Patrick’s proprietary composite panel NTXT), MDF, particleboard, wood products and other compatible materials. RV manufacturers now may source from a broader range of substrates while digitally changing the finished “look and feel.”
“RV OEMs are continually looking for new ways to differentiate their products while making smart decisions around materials, design and production,” said Charlie Roeder, president of RV of Patrick Industries. “PPS affords them a powerful tool to deliver such optionality while complementing the strength of our existing decorative products portfolio. We expect this solution to bring more options, value, and service to our partners, helping them solve challenges and create better products for the next generation of RV owners.”
PPS also offers manufacturers more flexibility around inventory. In lieu of stocking inventories of pre-determined panels, designs can be stored and archived digitally, allowing panels to be produced on demand/just in time. PPS unlocks the ability to respond faster and more easily to changing design trends. The revolutionary printing process is designed to support both high-volume manufacturing and more specialized applications that span value-oriented interior panels to premium surfaces featuring detailed textures and finishes.
Key capabilities & OEM benefits of Patrick Printing Solutions include:
- More Design Freedom: Designers can accelerate production from a digital design concept to a finished physical panel more quickly, make design changes efficiently, and explore a broader range of colors, patterns, textures and finishes. This capability complements Patrick’s broader digital design and visualization offerings, including The Experience, Patrick’s interactive design platform.
- Faster Lead Times: RV manufacturers can accelerate the process from concept to full-scale physical panels in days rather than months. This helps RV manufacturers respond to changes in design trends more quickly.
- Reduced Inventory and Obsolescence: With digital libraries for panel solutions, our partners no longer need to commit to panel designs months in advance or stock finish-specific inventory that may become obsolete if design preferences change.
- Innovation Process Reduces Risk: In select applications, direct printing removes the need for a separately applied decorative layer and the associated risk of peeling or delamination.
- Broad Material and Large-Format Capability: The PPS technology prints directly on flat and/or textured panels made from natural wood, high-performance composites and other materials commonly used throughout RV interiors. Current printing capabilities may accommodate sizes up to approximately 4 feet by 10 feet with significantly larger formats planned for the future as we continue to expand our capabilities and options in this product solution space.
“Patrick Printing Solutions gives our customer partners multiple options, industry-leading innovation and product differentiation,” said Hugo Gonzalez, Patrick’s president of Powersports and Housing and chief operating officer. “Additionally, speed of design and speed to market is greatly enhanced as well as our operating flexibility to change on the fly, allowing us to respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer preferences.”
For more information, email [email protected].
