how big of a difference is cheap ebay laminate roll compared to other laminates?

[reQ]

8508 is garbage overlam by default & never was good

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

We used Arlon 3420 for years and never had that issue then The 3M rep came in one day and was trying to show us how 8508 was a cast film and so much better than anything at that price. We bit, and got burned... now I'll never recommend a 3M product. We also got burned on 3M 8512... it shrinks like that and we never had issues with arlons 3590 or GF Concept 230.

More reasons why I steer our clients away from 3M.

 

[FatCat]

I would skip the instant one media material or any cheap laminate if you are doing anything that will go outdoors.
Read the specs on the instant one laminate, 1 year outdoor exposure.
I tried their material and would never go back to a cheap laminate for outdoor use.
The pic attached is from a sign up around 1 year with IOM Lam with some sun exposure.
Do you want your signs to look like this????

Yup, been dealing with the same crap here because of IOM's laminate. Honestly, we didn't use it for anything long term, as we know better than that. However, I never would have believed a cheap laminate could be so bad. We were using it to do vehicle magnets, real estate signs and riders, etc. Stuff that would get moderate exposure, and should have expected to last at least 2-3 years, especially in Ohio's mild climate. I've used many of the cheap Britelines and GF laminates over the years and never seen failures like this.

To be fair, their print vinyl is good and never had an issue with it - just the laminate...

 

[Signchief]

I once had a sales rep from a local distributor trying to sell me on their private label laminate tell me "the outdoor durability rating doesn't really matter because the ink fades after two years anyway" now I come here for advice.

 

[Oroscoe]

If you want to chance loosing your customer and them telling everyone they know not to use you, go ahead.

 

[0igo]

this thread is like over half a year old lol. anyways just go with arlon laminate. love that stuff, shines nice and they sell it everywhere. looking back at this i cant help but think of how much i used to love home depot (i still do)

 

[henryz]

Orafol, Avery, 3M. Why mess around with cheap stuff is not worth the $.20 cents your trying to save.