Beware of composite aluminum with clear plastic coating and no graphics

[gabagoo]

Burned myself this morning...
A customer brings me 2 4x4 composite aluminum panels and I cut 1 colour vinyl for a directory board. I used the laminator to apply it and then I am removing the premask and the graphics are lifting right off. On close examination I see that this composite aluminum has a clear plastic like every other brand I use but absolutely no graphics or copy on it whatsoever.
I never even thought about it and I guess subconsciously thought he had removed it before bringing it to me.... At least it is easy to remove lol

I need Friday to end

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

Ouch. Easy temporary graphics.

 

[flyplainsdrifta]

coworker did that with a new brand of mesh. hemmed it with the backer on and made a big ol mess.

 

[petrosgraphics]

did something like that years ago. when tuffback was around. hand cut the lettering, sprayed the face, peeled the tuffback off , had a nice piece of white alum when i was done. always checked for vinyl after that!

 

[SightLine]

I had an employee do that to about 35 license tags with cut vinyl. lol

 

[IDB Signs]

Haven't done that one, but I have had several face palm monents.. Like forgetting to check which side was up before applying the 2nd graphic on a double sided ACM panel..

 

[w2csa]

Oh my gosh, I haven't done that yet but now I KNOW I'll do it!

 

[mmblarg]

We have that problem with a new brand of PVC - never had a backer in the 7 years I've been here, now there is a clear backer with no graphics on it. Best part, it's hard to get off. Unlike aluminum and composite where we can scratch at it to get the backer started, do that to PVC and you might as well just drag a nail across the face of it...