posted
Need to know what materials Inkjet folks are using for specific applications. I'd like to hear what brand names and types. I'd also like to hear what sizes you use per application or the most ordered sizes.
Basically I need to put together my shopping list and I do not trust a salesman to advise me.
Vinyl for the following apps:
4x8 plywood signs Vehicle wraps Vehicle door graphics Corex Sintra Plex Small detailed contour cut decals Perferated
Laminates for the following apps:
Wraps Vehicle door graphics (if different from wraps) Small decals
Banner materials:
Light-weight 10oz Mid-weight 13oz Heavy-duty 18oz -- on this one, anyone have any issues printing on this thicker material?
I agree that other users in the field are a valuable resource & have knowledge that salesman don't have. But I also think you need to find a vendor you can trust. You will still look for advice from other users, but it sounds like you don't truct your suppliers. If not, you really should try out some other ones. A good supplier has several dozen of customers buying the products you need, & providing feedback on them... even if only to discontinue some & repeatedly buy others... but that is still valuable feedback.
Anyway, I don't print with a Roland, but I'll write down a few items I use:
-- on this one, anyone have any issues printing on this thicker material? I use 16 oz, & "TUFF" banner Tape (I believe it's from Transferite... I've used 2 or 3 other tapes that don't stick)
posted
I use laminated 3M Controltac and Eco Sol MAx ink- FOR EVERYTHING- well except window perf and transluscents. It's just easier. Buy it by the 50 yd rolls- don't have to dick around with the 10 yd ones. Why? well #1) I am paying for my delivery fees here as I am in the Boonies #2) they are bloody heavy rolls and I don't like switching for every job- then I can group the jobs together and make better use of the materials #3) I KNOW I can trust the stuff #4)everything laminated makes for MUCH easier application, (I work here as a one woman band) in the end it saves time- which is more expensive than materials
Even banners- I can print my own- but unless you can staple them as I don't sew- I would have to send them out, and then back. TIME + $$. So I buy the ready made banners, hemmed, shaped and grommeted and stick prints on them. Maybe its just that I'm lazy, but again time is of the essence. Speaking of which I should get off this BB and back to work. See ya. Deri
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oracal 3651 for the cheap stuff. 3M IJ180C for the good stuff.
We laminate with Avery DOL 1000 because it has a better gloss than 3M. You get best results laminating cast and calendered vinyl with a cast laminate. If you use cheap laminate, it may actually shrink faster than the cheap vinyl you printed on.
The 3M does have the comply hash pattern in the adhesive which actually causes it to appear slightly less shiny once laminated. They do have a new product coming out that still has the comply properties, but the hash pattern is no longer visible. It's currently being referred to as "Micro-Comply". They actually made the embossed liner super small. You can still feel it, but it's nearly impossible to see. We've been using it for awhile now and I believe once it's released it's going to replace IJ180C. It works great and is very shiny once laminated.
-------------------- Bruce Evans Crown Graphics Chino, CA graphics@westcoach.net Posts: 910 | From: Chino, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I with Doug with most of the same Items for our Roland Versacamm 4x8 plywood signs: Orajet 3651 Vehicle wraps: 3M control-Tac 180C(For Permanent) Orajet 3691 For Temp Wraps)We Buy the 60" and cut in half. Vehicle door graphics: 3M control-Tac 180C or 3651
Sintra: Orajet 3651 Plex: Orajet 3651 or 3m Translucent white Small detailed contour cut decals Orajet 3651
Perforated Testing some of the Solvex brand 6 mil 1 year ans seeing how it holds up.
What sizes do you folks order? I can't imagine handling 54" vinyl for fleet and wraps.
Doug, "find a vendor you can trust" The problem is there are only two Roland suppliers/dealers for Alaska and I have never used either. My regular supplier carries some inkjet materials but not a wide spectrum. So I need some real world advice to compare the suppliers recommendations.
Deri, I hear ya on the shipping thing, that's why I need to know what others are stocking so I don't get carried away.
Bruce, Interesting about the pattern dulling the apperance of the laminate -- something I would never have thought of.
William, What is the difference between ClearStar & ClearSheild?
posted
Oops wrong Discription. Clearshield on Signs and Wraps.. it is a Waterbase Liquid laminate Come in Gallons and we spray or roll it on.. ClearJet for the small Vehicle Signs and its a Rattle Can version and solvent base.. Pretty much the same as OneShot or Frogjuice Spray which we also use.
We buy 90% of all our stuff from Fellers/Ameriban. You might want to check with them as they have free shipping on orders over $75 which could save you a bundle in Alaska if they offer it on shipping to you.
posted
Doug... I ship all my media from Michigan! It's not that I can't get at at 100 other places closer... it's just that Advantage Sign Supply has risen that far above everyone else I've tried over the last 10 years, so I show them the kind of loyalty I want to get from my repeat clients... I don't quetion every price, but I don't mind asking for exactly what I want. I had quotes for buying my equipment locally... but I gave them a chance to see if they could do better on their quote & reminded them that I had a proven relationship already for buying almost all my media from them... so they gave me a real good price & I buy all my media from them.
On the sizes, I stock 30" Control-Tac. I stock 36" 54" & 63" Orajet white clear. I stock 36' 48", 54" & 63" banners - all 16 oz. except some 13 oz I bought in my first order. I only hem the far ends with tape... then I use an extra swatch of banner material behind each grommet.
posted
Doug, I guess I should have mentioned that this is a material order to be shipped with a new printer that was the reason only two options available for Alaska. After that I may likely purchase many materials from other vendors including a local supplier. I needed to know from you folks the real world material situation so I am sure they aren't just padding the bill and saddling me with materials I won't use or like the performance. I like the fact you are pleased with your supplier I will look at them again for materials. I was a bit turned off by them because I had requested some info on one of their printers (good phone -- but no promised samples or info packet).
Another question: (maybe I'll post on another thread)
I have a heavy duty sewing machine just for banners, but haven't sewn digitally printed ones yet, has anyone had problems sewing banner hems with full bleed prints (scratching prints, etc.)?
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic