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Boy-o-boy do I need some help here! I've laid small--3'x4' sheets of digitally printed vinyl, but now I've accepted a job that calls for me to do (3) 4'x10' panels, on Alumicore, and I'm just this side of panic. I've been told that the easiest way to do this--it's 3M Controlltac with Comply (for no airbubbles) is to line it up, peel off the backing,flip it over and squeegie it down. This seems fairly reasonable, but then on the second panel, how will I keep from having a gap between panels? When they are installed they won't butt up seamlessly, so how would I handle this??? If it were sheetrock, I'd tape the edges, but it's not, and I just can't think how I can do this. My email address is : hal711@juno.com. I surely would appreciate some guidance here, folks!! Mary Black Mountain Sign Studio
-------------------- Mary Soyenova Black Mountain, NC USA Posts: 13 | From: Black Mountain, N.C. USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I'm assuming that your image is suppose to be continuos across the three panels.
Simple fix. Simply tile the job so that you have a few inches of image past the panel it goes on.
Apply as you will but leave this small strip with backing on it. Assemble the panels...then lay down this "filler" strip which should register directly to the nex "panel".
Kinda hard to put into words so feel free to give me a call at the office.
I've done a lot of what you're talking about with the output from our 50-inch printer.
Stan's method is right, if you're going on a continuous 12 x 10 surface. But, am In right in assuming you're applying 4 x 10s on 3 separate 4 x 10 panels? If so, panel overlap may not be of use.
I'd trim the prints to the exact dimension of the panels (also, panel the image in your software to that exact size). Then carefully apply the print to the edges of the panel.
ControlTac is great to work with on the bubble side of things. But for tight registration of large panels, I've found a wet method works best. I use a super mild soap/water solution, then spray the substrate and the adhesive side of the face-down print. Then I can slide the image into place pretty easily. Finally I spray the top of the print to provide lubrication, and squeegee out the soap/water with a 12-inch wide screen-print squeegee (medium firmness).
Also, you'll want to transfer tape the prints to avoid any stretching. If the prints are laminated premask may not be necessary as the laminate can add dimensional stability (a Lexan overlam especially ... one of my favorites for indoor, since the matte finish eliminates glare).
By the end of your three panel job, you'll never fear this again.
Regards,
Jim
-------------------- Jim Doggett General Manager, USA Yellotools, Ltd www.yellotools.com Posts: 500 | From: Sherman, TX USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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I do mine with my laminator. Cut your print to size and center on your board. Insert sheet in laminator leaving 1/4 of it out. Peel backing paper and cut with scissors then stick that portion. Turn sheet around, curl up material over laminator and peel backing and proceed to stick the other segment. If you don't have a laminator it is worth finding someone that has and go do your job there!
-------------------- Mario G. Lafreniere (Fergie) J&N Signs Winter did show up! Posts: 1257 | From: Chapleau, Ontario | Registered: Jun 1999
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