Cutting Full Bleed Printed 1/4" Clear Acrylic 4'x8' Sheets

[Sabernathy]

I'm printing a 100% coverage job @ 72"x46" on a full sheet of acrylic with white behind the entire print and 1/8" bleed. The print is on a Vanguard VK300D with max passes of white and I'm using Adhesive Promoter. I need to cut out the final product with square corners and holes for standoffs. Using a Colex Sharpcut with a 4mm T00525 router bit to cut. Will cutting this print up or print down yield best results with no ink chipping? Does anyone have any other recommendations to help avoid ink chipping when cut?

 

[GaSouthpaw]

Can't speak to your particular setup, but when running print down, I get better results with a spiral upcut bit. For print side up, a downcut bit. This is using a CNC router table though, not a flatbed with a router attachment.
FWIW, I just always cut the material first and printed after to avoid messing up the print.

 

[Sabernathy]

Can't speak to your particular setup, but when running print down, I get better results with a spiral upcut bit. For print side up, a downcut bit. This is using a CNC router table though, not a flatbed with a router attachment.
FWIW, I just always cut the material first and printed after to avoid messing up the print.

I am using a spiral upcut bit. I continue to have the ink chip when cut through but I was worried about overspray when it comes to cutting then printing. I will have holes for standoffs and want to avoid the ink getting on the sidewalls of the final product and the sidewalls of the standoff holes. I know i can tape off the standoff holes but will the ink print on the sides of the substrate or will I get the same results as a print then cut?

 

[GaSouthpaw]

To keep the overspray off the sides, I'd usually either tape them off, or use alcohol and carefully clean the edges after printing. The holes I never worried much about because the mounting hardware always covered it.

 

[bpp]

I'm printing a 100% coverage job @ 72"x46" on a full sheet of acrylic with white behind the entire print and 1/8" bleed. The print is on a Vanguard VK300D with max passes of white and I'm using Adhesive Promoter. I need to cut out the final product with square corners and holes for standoffs. Using a Colex Sharpcut with a 4mm T00525 router bit to cut. Will cutting this print up or print down yield best results with no ink chipping? Does anyone have any other recommendations to help avoid ink chipping when cut?

I have the same setup I do it all the time print side up without an issue. I print to the edge but don't print with bleed though.