A Digital Printing Network

How long after print to cut with black ?

I've noticed when print cutting using black with full bleed that, laminated or not , even if I let the print sit for up to 3 days after cutting the edges of the decal will curl up slightly.

I understand why ( heavier pigmentation in the ink is my understanding ?? ) , my question is how do I prevent it from occurring ? How long do you all leave after printing heavier colors do you wait before cutting?

thanks guys !! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Steven Jackson - Admin on June 9, 2012 at 11:15am

General formulations is a low grade quality vinyl. Do you experience this same effect with a cast vinyl or a thicker calandared as well?

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Permalink Reply by John H. on June 9, 2012 at 11:03am

I missed the deleted post? but, I believe your questions were addressed mostly but I'll go into detail with how I do it not saying it's the only way others may have better ways but... Two posted they have no issues with curling except a bit with Solutions Opaque, I wrote that using Color print I get it sometimes and that's why I only use when I have to, Quick Print for one doesn't curl and I "always" cut immediately after printing, once in awhile I'll have it delay a minute, now heat pressing you have to let the ink dry several hours or some of the ink sticks to the mask, even with that I don't weed until I'm ready to press then I mask immediately = no curl, With decals if I make them with a perf cut I'll try to leave a white border, if my design goes to the edge I make a cut line slightly inside the perf cut then the edge won't curl, when customer peels the decal off the backing it leaves a small ring of material on the backing that get's discarded preventing curling, you can even do that with any type of decal or cut it out of the sheet with extra material around the design and don't weed the excess off. I use Arlon DPF 4560GTX or if they want less expensive, Regular Roland Calendered Decal Vinyl = no problems. Using Max Impact will increase your drying times but I still cut right after printing then leave the whole sheet to dry on a line in my shop with a ceiling fan on, that's where every thing goes after printing. Hope that helps, Gotta go now Wife's weekend list is a long one this week.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Jackson - Admin on June 9, 2012 at 11:21am

heavy saturation of inks (dark colors) will have a heavier saturation of solvent. Kind of goes hand in hand. Thinner vinyls will be more affected bu this and can have some curling a the edges. Try using a thicker vinyl and possibly if you are seeing this most with black - try using a RGB black vice a rich CMYK black that uses a lot more ink - this will reduce the amount of solvent on the media and allow it to dry better prior to cutting.

You could also allow for a slightly longer dry time prior to cutting by changing the custom settings in versaworks to allow the media to set out drying for a specified period of time prior to returning to cut - you will not need registration marks for this as the media will not leave the printer, it will just hang out until the time is up and then return to cut.