No laminator

[Bluedog]

I am new to digital printing and was researching printers and laminators, so I have a few questions . I just watched the big squeegee videos on you tube, so being that I have budget constraints am I right in thinking I don't need a laminator right off the bat? This can be done with the big squeegee? Does all lamination film have backing paper? I don't plan on anything big at this time and was considering the VersaStudio BN 20! Last one, am i correct in saying u can laminate with cast laminate over calendered vinyl?
Thanks for any help!

 

[Gino]

It kinda depends on what you need laminated. For onesies and twosies, the Big Squeegee will work just fine, but if you do a partial wrap or some 4' x 8's it could get old real quick. If funds are lacking, be careful and try to make that your next purchase, even if it's a used one.

 

[Signsforwhile]

I'm in a minority here but our Daige Quickmount has been producing money for us for over 5 years. It's seen it's share of wear, and it did take a VERY long time to figure out it's quirks. It is an extremely simple machine that works well enough. I think it was thrown together with our Mutoh package as incentive to buy. I think a new one can be picked up for $2k....

 

[Bluedog]

My thoughts are to trim off the extra lamination film and reload to contour cut? Is this my best solution to small outdoor signage ? I have been doing cut vinyl for years, but this digital printing is all new to me! I have learned a lot just reading on here, Thank you everyone !

 

[Patentagosse]

I've worked over 4 years with my 38" Daige w/o any issue. When I swapped my 30" printer for a 54", I've decided to go a step higher in term of quality but as I was still on a budget, I haven't made the move to the expensive ones like Seal, Royal S, GBC... but found decent laminator for about half the big boys prices.

As for your laminate question (cast - calendred): you'd better use cast on cast and calendred over calendred BUT, if like me you hate to change your laminate roll just for a sheet, you can laminate cast over calendred. Other than cost by sq. ft., I never seen any difference. No problem. NEVER DO THE OPPOSITE THOUGH...

 

[Bluedog]

Thank you for the replies!

 

[chafro]

Last month was my seal laminator 10th birthday.

These laminators are well made and worth every penny!

 

[Bly]

To make money along with a printer you should budget for a good laminator and colour management tools.

 

[tsgstl]

I never make a purchase unless it is warranted.

I have been printing for almost 5 years now and don't own a laminator. I have good relationships with people who do. I either trade out completely or pay from 15 to 25 cents a sq if I provide the lam. For me a panel saw was needed much more than a laminator and until my cost for laminating warrant me buying a laminator I wont.
The big squeegee is essential and very inexpensive. If you have a good table top you will not need anything else unless you do a full wrap.

 

[4R Graphics]

Buy a laminator you wont be sorry.

You can get a good china made one from ustech on ebay.

they are in Orlando Florida but ship all over.

 

[TheSnowman]

I've used the BS for probably close to 6 years now. Arlon laminate with heavier backing paper allows you to do way bigger pieces with higher success rates, but you can still do it with Oracal, just takes a bigger learning curve.

I don't do anything over 30" with mine. If it's bigger than that, I have a MM print it so that I don't have any risk of ruining a big print and just having to throw it away, and start my time over as well. It's worked perfect being a one man shop, because when I get really busy, that saves me a ton of time and I'm still meeting production demands.

 

[Banners Signs Etc.]

Buy a laminator you wont be sorry.

You can get a good china made one from ustech on ebay.

they are in Orlando Florida but ship all over.

+1 we got a UStech AK-600 and I love it...does everything I need it to do without all the bells and whistles...(it still has a few bells and whistles, which I have since taken off)...much easier than the big squeegie.

 

[ironchef]

I agree kraig. We outsourced printed media for over a two years before we bought our printer, i still send the guy i outsourced to jobs like cnc router jobs, channel letters, installs.

 

[petesign]

We bought a daige when we didnt know any better. It lasted almost two grueling years. I have a royal sovereign now, and the daige sits in the corner.

 

[gabagoo]

if I were starting over with what I know now, I would have had a laminator even before I was digitally printing.

They are great for running pre mask on large vinyl cut jobs as well as applying the vinyl to the signs virtually bubble free.