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 ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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yes.....or just white vinly letters reverse cut.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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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.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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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?
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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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.
-------------------- TJ Duvall Diamond State Graphics, Inc.
New Castle, DE 19720 Posts: 396 | From: New Castle,Delaware | Registered: Jul 2002
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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.
-------------------- Lindsey Churchill It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Road. Burlington, Ontario Posts: 21 | From: Burlilngton, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Apr 2009
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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.
-------------------- 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 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 ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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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.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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