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Hey everyone! We use our versacamm a lot and for different things. However, we don't do many backlit signs and possibly may have to print an image on translucent vinyl. How does the versacamm print look on translucent? Does it look good once lit from behind...or does it have flaws? I suppose it may have to do a little with the actual brand of media used. Anyhow advice will be helpful! Brenda
-------------------- Ottawa Custom Signs Stittsville, Ontario Posts: 346 | From: Stittsville, ON | Registered: Dec 1998
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Brenda, What type translucent do you intend to use? White translucent or clear? White will for obvious reasons give you more vibrant color, and that is what I typically use so you can't see the insides of the sign. I haven't noticed any flaws doing trans. prints for backlit signs. We used white trans. material for our business signs and they look great. Though we did use a liquid lamination on them also because they are very large and mounted on the top facia of our building!
Hope that helps!
T
-------------------- Theresa N. Hoying Visual Concepts 130 South Lester Avenue Sidney, Ohio 45365 937.492.2110 Posts: 176 | From: Sidney, Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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We have done some printing on clear with our versacamm. We did one job where we printed on clear and then applied to white polycarb and another where we printed on clear and applied to high intensity reflective aluminum (so the graphics would be reflective). Color wise they both look good. However, we did have to tweak our color management in versaworks to get the colors like we wanted, so I would suggest doing some small test prints first. We film laminate everything and it still looked great. We just did these jobs recently, so I can't speak for any sort of longevity, but they looked good.
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I have done a few backlit projects with our Versacamm. I printed on clear vinyl, applied to Polycarbonate and liquid coated.
It looks good. However when lit it is a bit washed or toned down. But you can solve that by setting overprint to 2. I only did a single pass.
I have yet to print on white trans. You just have to apply to clear acyrlic or poly. I assume it will be better. Overprinting may produce more solid and vibrant colors when lit. Like Ben said experiment first and see if it makes a difference.
My next backlit I am going to use white trans. My only concern is hot spots from the lights (uneven lighting).
Will the trans white difuse the light as evenly as a sheet of poly or acrylic? Theresa said there signs look great so I am going to assume that may not be an issue.
Other factors like lamp spacing and color of lamps(daylight, coolwhite, etc) are factors in backlit signs. I've built tons of illuminated signs. My rule of thumb for lamp spacing is as follows: Your face distance from the lamps should be no less then half the distance of the lamp spacing. ex. 12" lamp spacing the face should not be less than 6" from the lamps. I've always warned customers if there sign lamps don't fall within that rule that they could have hot spots.
-------------------- Mike South ABC Glass & Signs, Inc. 1415 Main Street Miles City, MT 59301
abc@midrivers.com 406-234-1234 Posts: 167 | From: Miles City, MT | Registered: Mar 2004
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I've done both clear and white and will do white everytime. I have found that doing a two pass will give you the most consistent color from day to night. The only problem is that the white starts getting thin and then has a problem with it stretching more and curling around and grabbing itself.
The last time that I printed, I turn the temp down. I had to leave and let my employee install it so I don't know if that helped. I think that it did as I didn't hear her comment about it being difficult to handle.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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What about outdoor durability? For instance, how long will a south facing print last with laminate? I ask because I am debating the use of a seamed Edge print or to sub out a wider VersaCamm print.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3490 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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