posted
My ROLAND FJ400 prints 42" wide, so I'm able to print a complete 4X8 (w/3"outside border) in full color with trick lettering and all, and just walk away till it's done. I apply the vinyl to the substrate,then I cold-laminate the whole thing, board ans all, with a DAIGE QUICKMOUNT II 48" laminator. ROLAND gives a 50-month warranty on outdoor durability using their vinyl and laminate. I figure I'm into the materials around $3.50 a sq. ft. plus the substrate. That comes out to around $160 to $200 for a completed sign plus a whole 2 hrs. labor. Add whatever for DESIGN time. I'm averaging $700 per sign!....with very little labor! So....YES!....INKJETS ARE PROFITABLE IN A SIGN SHOP!.....but many of you already know that!
posted
Hey Bob, I wouldn't mind knowing the same things rob was asking about. I am hopefully in the market this spring for an inkjet or resin priner...
posted
I agree with Bob, you can do some awesome stuff with a printer and laminator in very little time. Design...print...laminate and mount. You could do several in a day and never wait for paint to dry. I have a 42" Encad and a 24" Encad.
The problem I have is with sun fade since I'm using dye inks. I have tried several methods printing with dye based inks to make them last outdoors. Laminating makes them waterproof but UV resistance is difficult. I have signs that have been outdoors now for about a year with no visible signs of fade using a UV laminate. It may depend greatly on how much sun hits the print. If the sign is under an overhang or doesn't get a lot of sun you will greatly increase the life of the print, especially using a UV laminate. I have prints using only a UV laminate and some with UV laminate and UV clear on top. Both seem to be holding up just fine but not sure if they are getting the same amount of sun light.
I'm sure switching over to pigmented inks would greatly increase the life of the print I just havn't gotten myself to justify the cost of switching. Switching would cost 4 new print cartriges, the pigmented inks and new print media. I probably should have started out that way.
The answer is getting the right set-up. I print mainly indoor posters and do mostly vinyl outdoors so I havn't justified the cost.
-------------------- Ace Graphics & Printing Camdenton, MO. USA
Posts: 1199 | From: Camdenton, MO. USA | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
Glenn@telltalesigns.bc.ca
unregistered
posted
I use a Nova Jet Pro 50 that I picked up used for $1,800 (CDN). Running DicoJet pigment inks, I give my customers a 3 year UV guarantee unlaminated. When doing full bleed digital billboard or vehicle graphics I will use my FIRST machine and the FIRST media. This media will give me 5-6 years outdoor without lamination And no colour shift, facing south with NO roof cover. I have also printed 7 foot tall reflective MacDonalds french fries for their billboards, which I guaranteed for 3 years, knowing it will last longer. These I did laminate because of the nature of the media.
IP: Logged |
posted
The question that I have to ask is what you are printing on. Are you using a outdoor vinyl? If you are they should last a long time. The large format guys down the street use paper. They laminate this to a substrate. It just don't last. And that I think is due to the laminate moving and the paper not. This causes problem when they get wet. Still the images don't beat an Edge print. No way in the world. But they are good. The reason for that is the Edge print is on the surface and the inkjet ink is in the substrate and absorbed. I am sure that they will find a way someday.
Kevin Landry KnL Signs
-------------------- Kevin Landry KnL Signs Halifax NS
posted
I print on adhesive backed vinyl, especially coated for inkjet. The image prints photo quality, then I laminate. That gives it a high gloss and UV protection, and weather protection for outdoor use. It's important to use the appropriate ink. There's "indoor" and "outdoor" ink. I do mostly outdoor stuff, so I stay with outdoor ink, and use it even for indoor applications.
posted
Ditto on that Bob! Just completed a double sided! backlit 4x4 feet in 2 hours on my CJ-500. Printed, applied and laminated. Sure shortens labor time. Love it
[ November 16, 2001: Message edited by: J & N Signs ]
-------------------- Mario G. Lafreniere (Fergie) J&N Signs Winter did show up! Posts: 1257 | From: Chapleau, Ontario | Registered: Jun 1999
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic