Grafix
Grafix: Innovative Plastic Films and Art Supplies for Creative Projects
Grafix has been at the forefront of creative plastic films and papercraft supplies for over 50 years. They create a wide range of materials for mixed media, collage, airbrushing, scrapbooking, model making, graphic arts, and much more.
Founded in 1963 as Ohio Graphic Arts Systems with a single product - DuoShade, a shading medium used by editorial cartoonists - the company has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of artists and makers.
By the 1980s, Grafix had expanded into a larger facility and introduced many of the products that remain popular today, including Drafting Film and Acetate.
In 1990, the company rebranded as Grafix, reflecting its broadened product lines and growing reach in the creative materials market. Today, Grafix also offers plastic film alternatives, fine art accessories, and decorative films developed specifically for the art and craft sectors.
Renowned for their Dura-Lar®, Clear-Lay®, and Acetate ranges, Grafix products are acid-free (in most cases) and ideal for archival work and a range of creative techniques.
- Dura-Lar® is their most versatile polyester film. It is clear, durable, and available in the widest selection.
- Clear-Lay® offers a clear surface with a subtle blue tint and is budget-friendly.
- Acetate is the clearest option, but the least durable and biodegradable of the three.
Grafix also provides helpful guidance for using their films: an acrylic gel medium is recommended for both adhering films to surfaces and protecting the final artwork. Their FAQs are a helpful resource for choosing the right film and application for each project.
From hobbyists to professionals, Grafix continues to inspire creativity through innovative products that combine quality and flexibility for every type of creative.
‘Grafix Dura-lar is a unique painting surface. It’s like a sheet of thick plastic that you can draw and paint on. It’s non-absorbent and smooth, which feels quite different from most substrates, but it somehow still accepts most art media.
A perfect surface for oil paint sketches as you can just start painting without any preparation! I find it great for quick sessions and small studies as it’s a truly no-fuss product. These super lightweight sheets can also be used for painting en plein air.’
- Rupam Gupta, ‘Artist Review of Grafix Dura-Lar Gummed Pads’, Jackson’s Art Blog