lighted sign

[rushworks graphics]

i had a regular customer ask us to do some cut material for him for his outdoor sign which he wanted to apply himself. we supplied him with cast material and of course a few days later he says he screwed it up...surprise, surprise!

he brings in this 11' x 3' lexan sheet which is painted white on one side. so....now i'm thinking, hang on, is this for a lighted sign or is just a bit of scrap your just using. turns out its for alighted sign, something he didn't ever mention.

so, never having done a lighted sign in my life(i usually send them to one of the other companies in our area that specialises in that kind of sign) i was wanting to know what can and can't i do.

i understand that you need the special vinyl for lighted sign applications, however, if i wanted to print the graphic instead of using cut vinyl, what are my options? can i use a cast laminate for example and print on that? sorry if this is stupid question.....

 

[Billct2]

The lexan is painted on one side? As in it is clear and was painted with the correct translucent paint on the back side and vinyl was installed on the face? That would be really unusual.

 

[rushworks graphics]

looks like it yes. painted white on one side.

 

[Billct2]

But is it translucent paint?

 

[rushworks graphics]

ok, i just went and checked it....its actually a white plastic, not painted, i thought it was painted on one side but turns out its a white sheet.

 

[John Butto]

Orajet 3850 with 215 lam doublepass is the easy way or if you go to the search you will find the overlay method that others use

 

[Billct2]

Like John said for a printed graphic a double pass or overlay style will work.
if it's simple translucent vinyl will work fine.

 

[rushworks graphics]

ok, so.....knowing nothing about this stuff...so forgive my complete ignorance!!!! i can basically print the graphic on a cast laminate matarial and i have to double pass it in my rip correct?

i take it i then laminate over that correct?...sorry if this is real basic! i wouldn't normally do this job as i always point in the direction of a local place who does this kinda stuff but this just fell in my lap this afternoon!

 

[CentralSigns]

Print a double pass on clear cast vinyl, then laminate with cast laminate and attach to plastic sheet they have. Simple job easy money, when they bring it to you. Otherwise order in cast translucent material in the colors they want, cut the pieces on your plotter, layer on sign as required. You will get a longer life out of translucent colored vinyl as compaired to printing.

 

[rushworks graphics]

in versaworks, printing a double pass, do you do this way>> print the graphic, tick the return to origan point and then reprint? how long do you have to leave the first print to dry before you reprint it over the first print?

sorry, never used this method before and have never had to use the duble pass in versa works either.

also can you print on cast laminate instead of cast clear?

 

[J Hill Designs]

the correct way to do these is print on cast translucent first surface with reverse print on clear second surface

 

[rushworks graphics]

Printer controls/General/Use custom settings/overprint 2.

thanks pat, thats good to know.

 

[John Butto]

if you want translucent not just any cast will do it has to be made for that, 3M makes a trans cast but it is really pricey, Orajet 3850 is a calendered but has a good longevity and you can use a cast lam on top if you do not want to buy the 215

 

[rushworks graphics]

thanks john, appreciate the info.

 

[rushworks graphics]

ok, just picking up some trans material today....see how this goes.

 

[MikePro]

trans. vinyl is preferred, as the color holds true when lighting on/off.

for print, its recommended to at least double-strike to keep from washing out when lit but you'll have two different colors for day/night (daytime color being REALLY dark).

ideally, for printing trans., you want to do single-strike but printed twice. one for the face, and one reverse print for the backside (i've also heard of people just applying two layers on top of each other on the face, but edge-curl may be a factor in the long-run)

 

[signage]

trans. vinyl is preferred, as the color holds true when lighting on/off.

+1 Or printed with transparent foils.