Direct printed ACM print coming up with laminate

[michsanford]

I direct printed some ACM on a HP FB750, then we try to laminate it after and the laminate comes up way too easy and pulls the print with it...leaving an almost perfectly clean piece of ACM.

I have increased the UV power, and even let it sit over night before laminating.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[TrustMoore_TN]

It depends on the brand of ACM. Grimco's MaxMetal did exactly this to me printing on a HP FB700. If I'm not mistaken, Nudo's Polymetal was the alternative that was suggested for this printer that allowed the ink to grip better. Others may have another suggestion, but this was my experience.

 

[BALLPARK]

I don't have any suggestion for the laminate method.

I'm going to spray some clear coat on a few sample pieces of printed ACM. Have you ever tried that method with your ACM prints?

We have pretty good scratch resistance considering it's printed ACM, but not enough to remove the stress of handling it during packaging..lol.

I love the appearance of printed ACM and hoping to find the right method / process using a clear coat to protect our prints.

Good luck with your project!

 

[michsanford]

It depends on the brand of ACM. Grimco's MaxMetal did exactly this to me printing on a HP FB700. If I'm not mistaken, Nudo's Polymetal was the alternative that was suggested for this printer that allowed the ink to grip better. Others may have another suggestion, but this was my experience.

thanks, I'll check my brand.

 

[michsanford]

I don't have any suggestion for the laminate method.

I'm going to spray some clear coat on a few sample pieces of printed ACM. Have you ever tried that method with your ACM prints?

We have pretty good scratch resistance considering it's printed ACM, but not enough to remove the stress of handling it during packaging..lol.

I love the appearance of printed ACM and hoping to find the right method / process using a clear coat to protect our prints.

Good luck with your project!

I would really like to try to avoid spraying it...that scares me.

But, nice to know it is an option.

 

[ChrisN]

Try changing your substrate. I've had good adhesion using MaxMetal DP & Duratex Alumaboard Fast. I did not try digital Alupanel, but that's another option you may want to look in to.

 

[michsanford]

Try changing your substrate. I've had good adhesion using MaxMetal DP & Duratex Alumaboard Fast. I did not try digital Alupanel, but that's another option you may want to look in to.

Thanks!

 

[TimToad]

We do a two stage cleaning first regardless of brand. There seems to be something in the liner that leaves a residue that even 99% alcohol won't dissolve. We wipe with 99% alcohol first, followed by an automotive wax and degreaser. Both are wiped on liberally and wiped off with dry WypAll wipes.

When we want extra protection we spray with rattle can FrogJuice or ClearShield Production Clear out of our spraygun.

 

[michsanford]

We do a two stage cleaning first regardless of brand. There seems to be something in the liner that leaves a residue that even 99% alcohol won't dissolve. We wipe with 99% alcohol first, followed by an automotive wax and degreaser. Both are wiped on liberally and wiped off with dry WypAll wipes.

When we want extra protection we spray with rattle can FrogJuice or ClearShield Production Clear out of our spraygun.

Thanks. Frog juice may not work in this particular instance...it's going in a hospital. They may not like those fumes.