I have had nothing but p[roblems subbing this banner out. 1st, I am trying to gain knowledge of digi printing and the materials, resolutions and such.
Without getting into so much details, decided to use AZON 820 banner mat. for a customers banner. The banner is 3 x 7' and is for tradeshows. Going on the AZON website, it appears that the life expectancy of the banner is 6 months - indoor. Now, at an indoor tradeshow will he be still using this banner in a year or will it mysteriously start unraveling? Will the UV H2o inks deteriorate? What do they mean by 6 mopnths indoor and how can I charge my customer $400 for a temp banner. Really, how long would a banner like this last with the proper TLC?????
posted
Hi Corey, I don't use that brand and I didn't find the life expectancy but I found this:
"820 Premium 15 mil Scrim Vinyl material provides a great deal of opacity for banner applications. Its opacity minimizes show-through from sunlight and other factors. Its reinforced layers provide excellent durability for both indoor and outdoor applications plus the inkjet coating allows for high-end, water-resistant imaging"
The life you're talking about is probably with dye inks. With dye inks it probably wouldn't last outside in the sun a month before fading beyond recognition. Indoors for short term (used only at trade shows) it should be just fine, especially if you're using pigmented inks.
I would laminate it just to keep it from getting scratched and give it better gloss. It may be water and fade resistant but I'm pretty sure it will scratch fairly easy.
If it's indoors and you're using pigmented inks I would just use a good photo gloss paper, trim it out, laminate it, trim it out again leaving about 1/4" of laminate all the way around sealing the print inside. Throw some grommets in there and it should be fine for inside or even outside as long as it's not windy or it's up against a wall.
Hope this helps.
-------------------- Ace Graphics & Printing Camdenton, MO. USA
posted
Hiya Corey, I wouldn't worry too much about the warranty from the manufacturer. That's a standard disclaimer to cover their butts. Depending on how the client takes care of the banner, he will easily get a lot more use out of it. We have trade show banners that are nearly 5 years old with no obvious fading. These are exceptions, rather than the rule though. Most graphics will last a year or 2, mainly because of the mistreatment by the client. I've never used azon banner material so I can't comment about the material or lamination other than I would not recommend a gloss laminate. The glare will be a problem.
Havin' fun, Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
If this comes across as a shameless plug, forgive me...but if you have ongoing opportunities for this type of work, you should take a good look at the new Gerber Jetster.
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Corey, we bought the Soljet from Roland about a year ago and one of the first jobs we did was a banner, on the scrim banner provided by Roland. We printed it first then sent it to the upholstery place to be sewn up and then brushed on a clear uv paint. I look at the sign today and it is still going as strong as the day it was made. No sign of fading and this sign has been left outside since they bought it off me. My only regret was that I used a gloss uv coating, the next time we used a semi gloss paint. Sorry if this sounds like an add for the Soljet, but it really has proved itself , especially here down in Australia.
-------------------- Greg Baker Sign City 14 Milton Circuit Port Macquarie NSW 2444 signcity1@bigpond.com Posts: 48 | From: australia | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic