Anybody out there seen or heard anything about a new vinyl from 3-M that has any superior qualities? I have always used Arlon High-Performance for everything, other than a little bit of Gerber. Anyway, my best client heard about a new 3-M vinyl product at a trade show, (claims it "breaths" and is easy app.) and wants me to check it out. Anyone seen or used it?
Jennifer
-------------------- Jennifer Craig Bright Morning Signs 3908-190th Pl. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036 brightmorning1@msn.com Posts: 72 | From: Lynnwood, WA, USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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I'm guessing that what your client saw was one of 3M's vinyl films that features 3M "Comply" Performance Technology - which was introduced several years ago.
The adhesive coating process was developed to allow for fast, bubble-free application. Any idiot (me, for example) who can't apply graphics to save his own life can lay this stuff down with perfect results. I've done demonstrations of the stuff at tradeshows and it was like holding court. Great innovation - especially for RTA graphics, for example.
[ February 07, 2005, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Thanks Jon! This looks like what he was talking about.
He owns several Tourist-related transportation companies; motor coaches, tour boats.
Sometimes he leases boats to several different companies in a year's time, so the lettering and graphics are changed often.
When you demonstrated this, was it a large-scale digital graphic? From what the local supplier tells me, that's what this technology is made for. Ever seen this technology on regular, colored, 2-mil, cast vinyl?
Jennifer
-------------------- Jennifer Craig Bright Morning Signs 3908-190th Pl. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036 brightmorning1@msn.com Posts: 72 | From: Lynnwood, WA, USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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Avery makes a similar vinyl called EZ vinyl. I just bought some to try with my digital printer and it really is magic. I believe they offer it in all of their color choices.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
3M Comply was indeed developed for large format, digital graphics. The demo's I did were relatively small pieces (for purely economic reasons). I had this corrugated/rivetted panel to simulate a trailer side and made a perfect application every time (no exaggeration). You should see me weed or apply regular vinyl. You would laugh your a** off!
I think several of 3M's most popular colours featuring Comply are available in 3M's 180-C Controltac (the '-C' is for 'Comply') series. Check with your local 3M dealer.
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Thanks for the specifics, Jon. I, myself, am great at applying normal sized lettering, but give me a large stripe or a big solid logo, and I'm really sweating. I'm glad to hear there's something like this out there.
I'll try it
-------------------- Jennifer Craig Bright Morning Signs 3908-190th Pl. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036 brightmorning1@msn.com Posts: 72 | From: Lynnwood, WA, USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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Ditto to what Jon said. Like you, I use Arlon, almost exclusively, but on occasion I had the pleasure of applying 3m on large graphics, full wraps actually, on 54ft trailers and trucks. The 3m Control Tac Comply, is awesome, the bubbles seem to just vanish. it's like butter in your hands. Other manufactureres claim to have this same technology, and I tried it, but there's no comparison. We did another 54 ft trailer this past fall using this other Vinyl, and it took us an extra 2 days for install, because we had to go over the truck and pop the bubbles, it would'nt have happened using the 3m. I still use Arlon for everyday Jobs, there's a local supplier, so it is more convenient.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Do you guys print your own digital graphics, or do you have another shop do them for you. I'm mulling over the idea of investing in a summa or Gerber printer, but that $18-$20K pricetag makes me hesitate.
Thanks again for your help. Jennifer
-------------------- Jennifer Craig Bright Morning Signs 3908-190th Pl. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036 brightmorning1@msn.com Posts: 72 | From: Lynnwood, WA, USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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I used to be the Marketing Manager for 3M's biggest dealer in Canada - a company that also happens to be owned by Gerber. I left to start my own marketing consultancy, focussed primarily on helping sign companies.
The price tag of the equipment should never be your primary concern. Return on investment (and all factors affecting ROI) -- along with your ability to maintain positive cashflow while you seek ROI -- should.
There is no harm in finding reliable sources for digital printing (you will probably find some right here, in Letterville) while you concentrate on developing your market for digitally printed products...to the point where investment makes sense for your business.
[ February 08, 2005, 03:09 PM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Ditto what Jon and Neil said. At the Signs Now International Training Center they teach application and how to do full wraps. THE biggest "secret" is using the 3M Comply vinyl. I fully believe you could pull someone off the street and have them apply this stuff and it would look like a professional did it. It's just that good. They even stuck it to itself, pulled it off and it was fine. Break out the heat gun and a rivet brush and it goes right around a rivet like butter. I don't normally get a woodie over vinyl but in this case I'll make an exception. imho, anything that 3M puts their name on is about as good as it can get.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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One use for Controltac is that it is very easy to remove if you are doing a short duration job. We put the colored vinyl on a Controltac background, when the event or season is over, removal is in minutes. Often not requiring adhesive remover.
Great for rental vans or buses.
-------------------- Paul McDowell 7 Hills Signs Virginia Posts: 84 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia | Registered: Oct 2004
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I wish I knew a distributor for that particular 3-M product. Mail order or internet ordering for it would be fine with me. Hint Hint (Please) Thankyou
-------------------- Regina Rae Red Apple Design Ringgold, GA Posts: 46 | From: Ringgold, GA | Registered: Jul 2003
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Jennifer, for large Outputs I use Toronto Digital in where else? Toronto. Geoff Dove is his name. They output this stuff on Control Tac using Scotch Print Technology,oe Electrostatic, it's probably the best for large format. I still do a fair amount of large printing on my edge though, the thing is always going. Good Luck!
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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there is a 3M aero-use vinyl with slits in it that does "breathe", but it's mostly for the high altitude/extreme temp changes you'll find on aircraft, et cetera. the "comply" is prob what you're after. it's an excellent product we use tons of it.
-------------------- Scott Pagan Admark Graphic Systems Admark Motorsports Graphics 9700 Metromont Ind Blvd Charlotte, NC 28269 www.admarkgraphics.com Posts: 325 | From: Charlotte, NC | Registered: Nov 2001
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