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Client just asked to cut and apply some vinyl lettering and logos for a PVC backed polyester canopy tent. Has anyone had any luck using a specific type of vinyl for this purpose. I did a test tonight using Gerber 220, sticks for now but not sure of how long especially after multiple set-ups and take downs. Also the Gerber is quite thin.
Any suggestions would be a big help.
thanks,
-------------------- Bob Noyes Digital Graffiti 310 Main St NE Mapleton, MN 56065 Posts: 130 | From: Mapleton, MN | Registered: Nov 2007
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unless you could find someone with the sunbrella system that bakes on gerber HP vinyl. that is some cool stuff. we have n awning company here that has one.
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
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" Also the Gerber is quite thin." Bob, thin is good. It's high performance cast vinyl. Thick is cheap, intermediate vinyl with less flexibility.
I have decorated these with good vinyl but it can be a challenge. I actually roughed up the surface a bit with 400 grit emery-cloth which did help the adhesion. I also hit it hard with the heat gun and the rivet brush to work that adhesive into the cloth.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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I managed to get FabricBrite from Creative Banner to stick to one of these tents. "FabricBrite is a plain-woven polyester fabric with an acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesive backing. It is designed to adhere to nylon, polyester, and other synthetic fabrics, in vertical exposures. Applications include lettering and graphics for sails, nylon banners, awnings, and other high visibility fabric signage."
I added heat to encourage a good bond. Since I haven't heard back I assume everything is still stuck a year later.
-------------------- Kerry H Kerry's Signs Vallejo, CA Posts: 160 | From: Oakland, CA | Registered: Sep 2006
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I would use FabricBrite, too. Starting to experiment with it, but I don't have many takers and offer no guarantee. It's encouraging to see Creative recommending it so strongly. A year or 2 ago on the phone I asked them about using it on a nylon EZ up tent and they didn't think I should.
2 years ago I decorated this polyester awning (and had to wash years of grime off it!) with FabricBrite and it looks absolutely brand new today.
[ June 06, 2008, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: Frank Smith ]
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks for all the advice. I actually talked to Creative Banner Systems today about the Fabricbrite and it definitly sounds like the way to go. Think I'll use Bill's suggestion for the roughing the surface up a bit and a definite for the heat and brush.
Bill, I actually like the thin of the gerber cast materials and use Gerber 220 most of the time for smooth surfaces. I think therer are other cast materials out there that are thicker that might have been better for this job though.
Thanks again, Let you know how it goes.
-------------------- Bob Noyes Digital Graffiti 310 Main St NE Mapleton, MN 56065 Posts: 130 | From: Mapleton, MN | Registered: Nov 2007
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Creative Banner probably mentioned it, but I want to reinforce it - use hi-tack transfer tape. If there's a super hi-tack, go with that. Even then you'll have to watch it to make sure it comes off the backing paper. I ended up having to use lots of strips of masking tape the first time, because I tried to go with medium tack tape. That was quite a show
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