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Direct UV or Laminated vinyl for outside?

CC-CMYK

New Member
I’m installing a 36” Sentra blade sign on an exterior store front. Is it better to direct uv print or latex print on cast vinyl with laminate and then mount that to the sign?
 

akuarela

New Member
If it's a flat surface, I wouldn't be using cast vinyl, but be using uv protection laminate. I'm on the fence with direct uv prints, not as durable as a printed and laminated print, if laminated, you want to make sure the ink is not going to pull out of the substrate.
My to go material is Substance 2755 (Substance Incorporated) with Substance 3150 laminate.
 

DL Signs

Never go against the family
If you want it to last, printed vinyl with lam. Still the best for longevity outdoors.
Polymeric are perfect for this (the Substance vinyl akuarela uses is one, 3M IJ40 is another, most brands have a line of them). They're more affordable than cast, and don't shrink like plain ol' calendared vinyls, take lamination well, and are all rated for at least 7 years, which is comparable to cast.
 

CC-CMYK

New Member
If it's a flat surface, I wouldn't be using cast vinyl, but be using uv protection laminate. I'm on the fence with direct uv prints, not as durable as a printed and laminated print, if laminated, you want to make sure the ink is not going to pull out of the substrate.
My to go material is Substance 2755 (Substance Incorporated) with Substance 3150 laminate.
Why not use cast vinyl?
 

White Haus

Not a Newbie
I’m installing a 36” Sentra blade sign on an exterior store front. Is it better to direct uv print or latex print on cast vinyl with laminate and then mount that to the sign?
I would be more concerned about using PVC on an exterior sign, but to answer your original question we would use something like GF 201 HTAP + 3M 8418G for this.
 

visual800

Active Member
i woundt use sintra for this I would go with .25" max metal or .080 aluminum, as far as decoration I would use digital print lamnated or oracal 751 vinyl
 

DL Signs

Never go against the family
Why not use cast vinyl?
It's like buying grade 8 bolts to hold something lightweight together, no added benefit, just added cost.

It's just using the right material for the job, and staying competitive with pricing. You have to charge the customer more, and pay more for cast that's best suited for surfaces that aren't flat and smooth, like wraps. Polymeric's hold up as well on flat surfaces as cast, at a much better price point. Most are air egress and removable just like their cast counterparts. Anything with compound curves, lots of rivets, etc, yes, use cast, but for basic flat surfaces, like trailers, box trucks, heavy equipment, signs, walls... It's just like using that grade 8 bolt, no added benefit, just added cost.
 

CC-CMYK

New Member
I would be more concerned about using PVC on an exterior sign, but to answer your original question we would use something like GF 201 HTAP + 3M 8418G for this.
Is pvc bad for exterior signs? This compile
I would be more concerned about using PVC on an exterior sign, but to answer your original question we would use something like GF 201 HTAP + 3M 8418G for this.
Whats wrong with pvc for exterior signs? The brand I’m actually using is 1” thick komacel. It says it’s for exterior signage..
 
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