Applying print to max metal tip?

[SameDay Signs]

Hey guys are laminator we have is currently down and we are needing to apply 12 4' x 4' vinyl prints to some max metal signs. We have tried using the big squeegee but it is not laying down well at all and we have already reprinted 2 pieces. Any tips on laying down the vinyl would be helpful. I wasn't sure if I should try to spray it first which I'm not a fan of so again any tips are appreciated.

 

[J Hill Designs]

if the BS aint workin for ya, just tape it down and squeegee the old fashioned way..

 

[Gino]

What kinda vinyl and what kinda inks are you using ??

Sounds odd, that you can't get 4' to go down correctly with a Big Squeegee.

 

[SameDay Signs]

Dreaded eco solvent. Im using Avery 2923 matte air release vinyl. Never really had a problem before using big squeegee and felt is good and in one piece

 

[J Hill Designs]

I'm guessing, since the laminator is down, these aren't lammed...if not, transfer tape would make it easier

 

[Gino]

For the most part, we often put vinyl prints down with a Big Squeegee without any problems We'll go up to a 4' x 8' with practically no problems.

With air egress vinyl, regardless of the manufacturer or level of quality or ink saturation, place the print 100% evenly at one end for about 3" or 4" and then just shove up til ya can't reach anymore and go around and pull it the rest of the way. If the Big Squeegee, presents an obstacle..... still put a few inches down at one edge and with a person on each side, slowly using felt squeegees just hand laminate it on. Before laminators and stuff, we could do a 4' x 8' in about 4 or 5 minutes. Once the Big Squeegee came along, we got it down to about 2 or 3 minutes. With a laminator, taking into consideration loading and the speed of the machine, it still takes a few minutes, but there's never a mistake.

I think you might be doing something wrong. Explain your process, please.

 

[2B]

when we use the BS on sizes 36" or wider;

• make sure the table is PERFECTLY flat
• use 2 people for even pressure
• we take a weighted core (cardboard core from a 54" vinyl roll filled full of rocks (we used decorative rocks from the dollar store since they were already cleaned) place that in the cradle. This ensure that if one person is doing the install even pressure. even with 2 people it ensure uniformity.

 

[SameDay Signs]

Fixed my problem. After looking at the max metal I received it looks as if all the boards are warped about 1/8". We started putting down by hand and though it takes a few minutes extra were getting done just fine. Thanks for all the replies