I'm neck deep into a project that I've already lost on, but I must finish it. I'm reverse printing some white text on clear vinyl and applying it to the back of clear Lexan panels. I am printing them on the Edge. The prints look great, and are applying nicely. There's just a fog between the Lexan and the clear vinyl that I can't seem to get rid of. The fact that they're being mounted on black backer panels just emphasizes the fog. Any help? Do I need to just have them screen printed instead? It's killin me!
[ January 07, 2014, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
yes.....or just white vinly letters reverse cut.
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
or try the optically clear laminate for window perf?
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
What vinyl are you using? 220 clear has a haze to it, Image Cast seems "clearer". Crumple up the weeded vinyl - I see a pinkish haze with the 220.
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
Rick,
are you laying the vinyl wet or dry? sometimes dry can give you a fog.
I'd agree with John - reverse cut white vinyl letters, but since it isn't your first day on the job - there must be a reason you decided to use a print rather than vinyl?
[ January 08, 2014, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: Shirley Carron ]
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Mostly because of the tiny print versus my huge hands. But, that might be the only solution
I think Chris is right. Image Cast might be the ticket
[ January 08, 2014, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by TJ Duvall (Member # 3133) on :
We do this a lot here in our shop too and use the 220. The fog really isn't a problem because we use mostly non-glare lexan. When we did use clear lexan we would use the Image Cast.
Posted by Lindsey Churchill (Member # 10966) on :
Hi Rick,
Not sure if this will help...but maybe...
We don't have an Edge printer, however I do use a Roland Versacamm to inkjet print on clear vinyl.
In the past I experienced a "fogging" when I would apply clear vinyl wet. The manufacturer told me the fog would go away after 24-48hrs, and some of did, but it never completely cleared up.
After some digging around for answers, I found out that the type of adhesive on the vinyl was the key.
My fog problem was completely solved by switching from a vinyl with a "Water-Based Adhesive"(Oracal 3620 transparent) to a vinyl with "Solvent-Based Adhesive" (Oracal 3651 Transparent).
I'm not sure what type of options there are for materials that can be used with the Edge printer, but perhaps a vinyl with "Solvent-Based Adhesive" would clear up your fog problem too.
Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :
Rick, I've had very good luck using Oracal 751 transparent with the Edge. I'm doing a reverse print image right now for clear lexan license plates and it looks great.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
I used Oracal 651 clear because it was an indoor project. The fog never went away completely. I even used Rapid Tac. I use Oracal clear extensively, and have great success with it.
Like I said, I think it's the black backer that enhances the fog and makes it worse. I'll probably wind up getting the lexan screen printed from behind.
Holding my nose and moving forward.
[ January 09, 2014, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
I used Oracal 651 clear because it was an indoor project. The fog never went away completely. I even used Rapid Tac. I use Oracal clear extensively, and have great success with it.
Like I said, I think it's the black backer that enhances the fog and makes it worse.
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