A Digital Printing Network
Putting ESM-GCVP on NUDO Poly-Metal
Hello NEWBIE here. I just picked up a VS-540 and printed a sign on ESM-GCVP. My question is what is the best way to put it on the board. My sign is not laminated. I do not have a lamination machine yet.
Thanks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike F on -
Look into getting a Big Squeegee, I don't own one personally since I use my laminator for mounting but I've heard nothing but positive feedback. Quite a few people on another forum I frequent SWEAR by them. Look'em up, they make'em in different sizes all the way up to 64". Pricey, but from what I hear, totally worth every penny and then some.
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Permalink Reply by CYW on
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I don't know, Mike, maybe I'm just a klutz
I have a laminator and a Big Squeegee and I can't get the hang of using that thing at all
The laminator is a piece of cake, the BS is a cake-wreck
I've read how other people love it too.......but I'm definitely not one of them
Di
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Permalink Reply by Mike Seaburg on
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If I had another sign shop laminate it would it not stretch so much when putting it on? I have a shop 100 miles away that was doing my banners and other large printing and he would do it but I don't know if that would help?
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Permalink Reply by John H. on -
I was looking on trying a BS also, not sure which one though there's like 5 kinds.
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Permalink Reply by Butch on
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I use the laminating tool with the roll holder 38". A few things I have found out, make sure your substrate is on a firm surface. Dips and valleys will cause bubbles. Use 2" transfer tape across the leading end of your vinyl or laminate, this will allow you to fold back 1/2" of backing with ease and aids in starting leading end straight. Make sure you cut your work at least 1/4" bigger than substrate each sidean one end. Hold the squeegee at no more than a 30 degree upward angle, push with no downward force and with one motion from start to finish. Anything over 38" I think will need more than 2 hands.
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Permalink Reply by CYW on
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Butch, I've watched those BS videos over and over and over again
I'm seriously doing something wrong
Maybe it's the pressure or the angle like you said.
No pressure, huh?
Maybe one of these days I'll give it another try
sigh
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Permalink Reply by Butch on
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Di, place the squeegee on the first 1/2 " of the graphic the part you have manually started on the substrate.
Lift up the back between 11/2" to 2", push just enough to make sure your backing will roll from the media.
Now push forward with little or no downward pressure as if you were just quiding the squeegee. Try not to stop. Try to keep your hand or hands in the middle of the sign. Moving your hand or hands to one side will cause the squeegee to skew to on side. Imagine pushing the outside of an empty box, in the middle it goes straight one side or the other it turns.
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Permalink Reply by CYW on
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I feel spastic as all get out, Butch
But your explanation is really making me want to give it another try
I know for sure that I was PUSHING down hard, thinking I needed to replicate what the laminating machine was doing
I even tried with 4 hands, using the 2 extras my husband supplied
lol
That only resulted in a few colorful choice words flowing from my trashy mouth
I'll report bac, when and if I get the energy to give it a whirl
thanks a lot for taking the time to help
xoxoxox
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Permalink Reply by Kathy MacMannis on -
Di, can't fathom that you have a trashy mouth!
;-)
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Permalink Reply by CYW on
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ROTFLMAO, girlfriend
Glad to know you have my back!
lol lol lol lol
..........miss you
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Permalink Reply by Roland R. Irish III on -
I could give a couple classes on application of vinyl to signs...but the easiest way is the 'hinge' method. The largest squeegee I have is only 12", and I rarely use that-I have a bathroom wall squeegee for laying down the vinyl on large signs (over 3' high) otherwise 6" squeegees and I'm fine. I also have looong arms...that helps.
For the 'hinge' method-with or without transfer paper (and I recommend transfer paper until you really get good at it) lay your vinyl down on the sign face, use masking tape to hold it exactly where you want it. Now run a wide strip (2") of tape right down the center, overlap the edges if you are on a wider table, or wrap it around the back an inch or so. This makes your 'hinge'. Now tape down the left side in several places to help keep it from moving, and go to the righthand end. Lift up, and hold the vinyl/transfer tape in your left hand, peel off the backing sheet until you get to the center (hinge) and make a clean cut-remove that piece of backing sheet. Switch hands on the vinyl so you can get your left hand with squeegee around to the 'hinge' and carefully, lightly at first, start swiping the vinyl down from the center 'out'. Never from one edge-always from the center. If you want to do a 'wet' application, spray the sign face now-before you start laying it down. Then work your way across to the right end, go over it again very HARD to set the adhesive, and pick up the left hand edge. Pull back to the hinge, where the backing is cut, and remove the backing again while pulling the vinyl away from the sign. Reach to the center hinge, and start squeegeeing outward. Takes practice, lots of practice...but you'll get it!
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Permalink Reply by John H. on
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OK Di, I get LMAO, but I have been trying to figure out the rest "ROTF"(I should ask my 16 year old daughter but maybe not if it's,,you know something I don't want to hear her say) you can PM me if it's over PG13, i'm 50 years old I won't be offended, if that's possible anymore?)
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