backlit marquee making question

[Dan8ls]

Hello Err'body,

Our company makes video slot casino games and we want to start making the backlit marquees that go at the top ourselves. I've been researching and trying a couple ideas, but still living in newbieville, populationme).

First off we are working with an Epson 10600 with Ultrachrome inks. From what I've read a solvent-based is the backlit way to go, but this is the printer that's here and I hope to make it work out for us.

I just tried this Canon backlit film and tried to adhere it to the back of the plexi with 3M photo mount spray adhesive... that worked awesome :ROFLMAO:

I saw a hint that some will print on clear vinyl and then again on a translucent white, putting them together to get that deep-rich-non-washed-out color. I have just had the hardest time finding vendors of aqueous materials though. **Thanks to this forum, though I have stumbled into Sihl's website and hope there are some choices to be directed to in there.

So, any insight and experience making nice backlit marquees with pigment inks would be divine! Again, it's not going outdoors, but we do have a liquid laminator with Clear Shield if need be.

- Dan

 

[Gino]

Welcome from PA..........................................

 

[GB2]

So let me understand....you are making or are seeking to make signs and graphic products for your own needs....and don't quite know what you are doing...hmmm

 

[rjssigns]

We print on a poly from Fellers for the scrolling billboard trucks. It has a satin finish and looks incredible off our SP540. You could give that a shot. Sorry I can't remember the p/n right now.

 

[Dan8ls]

Thanks for the responses. I saw it mentioned to print once on translucent and back that with same design printed on clear to get the best color saturation when backlit. This sounds optimal, but could someone tell me specifically what is used to adhere these to one another as well as the plexi in the end? Thanks! I'm gonna get this eventually

 

[J Hill Designs]

if you want to still try using your media, find a optically clear mounting laminate (basically really really clear double-sided tape on a large roll)

 

[Dan8ls]

if you want to still try using your media, find a optically clear mounting laminate (basically really really clear double-sided tape on a large roll)

Thanks jhill! Yours was the technique offered in above mentioned I'll look into that laminate roll adhesive. Perhaps 2 copies of the design on this canon backlit film, adhered together and again to the plexi will fit the bill.

 

[J Hill Designs]

I would do a test with just 1 layer of the backlit film also - lite em up and see

 

[The Big Squeegee]

Welcome

:Welcome: TO :signs101:

 

[sfr table hockey]

Not sure what the cannon backlit media looks like but if you have water based inks you could try the InteliCoat Magic SLB7. It is a backlit media that has a diffused plastic like backing (no adheasive). It prints quite nice with water based and has very good color with just the print. I have not layered a second layer to get a rich color. You do have to laminate to protect the front. You also still may need a thin rigid backing media to mount it on (with double sided clear film) so that it has something to support it. I have hinged it on existing white lexan that was in the cabinet and that works fine. This was for indoor use only but have wondered what it would do out side being laminated.

With solvent I was surprised to see how Oracal 751 white was not bad as a backlit printed (not intended for this). I did a double print by way of printing on clear and layering but the white vinly diffuses the light fairly well. Comparing them both the SLB7 was a better look by far.

 

[Dan8ls]

Hi,

I received my optically clear adhesive roll today. Would you recommend using the wet technique to get the adhesive onto the backlit film? Or should I apply the adhesive to the plexi first?...

Thanks!

-Dan