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Laminating ucjv300 print without heat

willkho

New Member
Hi all,

Need help or advice here.
I got a ucjv300 and a flat applicator with no heat assist.

I heard that UV print is hard to be laminated.
Wondering anyone know the trick to do it with the flatbed applicator? Probably there is a laminate that work better with UV ink that no requires heat assist?

The vinyl I'm using is Arlon 4600.

Thank you
 

White Haus

Not a Newbie
We've been running and laminating prints from a UCJV for almost 5 years now. Heat assist is suggested/probably a good idea, depending on what you're doing. Our printer came with a Mimaki laminator w/ heat assist, probably because they knew it required it. I take it they've abandoned that program by now.

Silvering will be present/obvious on any dark areas of print, and around any edges of vector print lines/shapes. Silvering on dark print areas does go away over time, but doesn't look too good at first and will show pressure points from rollers, pneumatic feet, fingers, rulers while processing/finishing prints.

We mainly use a cast gloss (3M 8418G) on prints from this machine but occasionally use Avery DOL 2080 matte, and we usually use a bit of heat assist.

Long story short, I'd suggest figuring out a way to add/use heat assist for laminating prints of this unit if you're counting on shipping prints shortly after finishing.

If you're mostly doing small decals however, it shouldn't be a problem. Do some testing, and make your own observations.

Alternatively for small decals, you may find that laminate isn't even required. The prints off those things are pretty scratch resistant.
 

MarkSnelling

Mark Snelling - Hasco Graphics
It isn't really the level of adhesive aggression that matters, but rather the coat weight of the laminate. If you don't have heat, then go with a laminate that has more adhesive and you should be fine. Drytac's Interlam Pro should do the trick for you.
 
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