Oversized backlit box - graphics?

[DesireeM]

We are fabricating a circular backlit box. The face of the sign will be translucent white acrylic or lexan and the graphics need to be translucent as well. The problem is the size. It's 6' x 6' and I can only find translucent vinyl of 48" rolls and our printer is only 54".

-I want to avoid seaming the vinyl because that will stand out too much. This box will be close to head-height on the building.
-If printing is an option it would need to be two-layer. I hate the double-strike method because then the color isn't true day/night.

Does anyone know of a vinyl supplier for super-wide rolls?
Or can anyone suggest a print supplier that can do 72" prints on translucent and clear vinyl?

 

[DesireeM]

That's a tough one. Does the design lend itself to printing and shape cutting?

Unfortunately no. The design is a solid-colored background and has some light-colored text/logo elements in the center.
Really hoping someone has an alternate solution to seaming

 

[DesireeM]

Hmmm... Can you post the layout? Even if you substitute the logo or text it will help. I've cheated on a few faces with seams lol there is (almost) always a way.

Another option may be a flex face, although I have no idea how that would work for stretching onto a circular frame.

edited to add: You could cut a mask the shape of all the text/logo, apply and paint, remove mask and in-lay those elements using either cut translucent or digitally printed/cut vinyl.

Here is the layout. I see what you're saying about painting the background and masking out the green elements and overlaying them later. My issue is that I don't know anything about painting a backlit sign face... so if you can give me some information on proper translucent paint and methods that would be great- I'll go do some research in the meantime but any advice would be a big help.

 

[Marlene]

this is one you might want to out source if you don't have a spray booth. dark colors can be patchy looking even done by someone who knows how to spray paint. can the background color be opaque? it will look lot better if it can be

 

[Gino]

With all the technology at your fingertips, I wouldn't go backwards and back-spray it. Look for someone with a wide enough flatbed or roll-to-roll and have them do it. Opaque, sounds doubtful with macron. It will look black at night, so that would be out of the question for me.

There are many ways you can get what you need and have it done correctly, so find a vendor you trust to do it and try a few experiments and move on.

I tend to think your best bet is gonna be a reversed second surface flatbed print on clear with a white backup. Also, at 6', I'd use poly-carbonate. Even with bumpers, that would be too large for my liking in acrylic.

 

[DesireeM]

With all the technology at your fingertips, I wouldn't go backwards and back-spray it. Look for someone with a wide enough flatbed or roll-to-roll and have them do it. Opaque, sounds doubtful with macron. It will look black at night, so that would be out of the question for me.

There are many ways you can get what you need and have it done correctly, so find a vendor you trust to do it and try a few experiments and move on.

I tend to think your best bet is gonna be a reversed second surface flatbed print on clear with a white backup. Also, at 6', I'd use poly-carbonate. Even with bumpers, that would be too large for my liking in acrylic.

Thanks Gino! I think that is the best option so far. My only issue is that I can't find a local flatbed printer that can handle that size...I will keep looking though. And yes- completely agree about the polycarbonate especially with the sign being so low to the ground.

 

[DesireeM]

this is one you might want to out source if you don't have a spray booth. dark colors can be patchy looking even done by someone who knows how to spray paint. can the background color be opaque? it will look lot better if it can be

Great tip. We use an HVLP sprayer for most of our oversized opaque signs, small routed letters etc but our painters are not super concerned with attention to detail all the time so you may be on to something...

 

[signfab]

A lot of flex face extrusions can be slotted to allow it to curve, I've done this in the past for a 3 metre dia disc. with the cover trim fitted it looked perfect.

 

[DesireeM]

So down to the wire and had to make a decision....not my decision. The company owner has instructed me to print it and seam it...yuck. I will do the best I can though and maybe I'll post the final result for reference later...if I remember.

Painting was not an option (according to the boss)
Flex face would have required us to fabricate a different, more expensive type of sign.
Couldn't find a large-scale flat bed printer anywhere near us(max was 64"...not even close!).

Thanks for all your suggestions! Wish me luck....

 

[Gino]

So down to the wire and had to make a decision....not my decision. The company owner has instructed me to print it and seam it...yuck. I will do the best I can though and maybe I'll post the final result for reference later...if I remember.

Painting was not an option (according to the boss)
Flex face would have required us to fabricate a different, more expensive type of sign.
Couldn't find a large-scale flat bed printer anywhere near us(max was 64"...not even close!).

Thanks for all your suggestions! Wish me luck....

So, if you add some kinda decorative or even black border at 3".... you have a 64" print. Make a mistake look like it was intentional.... and it's no longer a mistake, but a well calculated piece of gingerbread.

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[DesireeM]

So, if you add some kinda decorative or even black border at 3".... you have a 64" print. Make a mistake look like it was intentional.... and it's no longer a mistake, but a well calculated piece of gingerbread.

View attachment 103126​

Definitely a great suggestion but unfortunately we are bound by the branding standards for this. The encircled text is actually their complete logo. Their branding standards document actually specifies that the logo can be placed on a white or black background but may not be closely encircled as to suggest the logo has a border or frame.

 

[Mosh]

Flex face, use maroon cooley material. eradicate the letters and apply the tan/beige lettering over that.

 

[d fleming]

send it out

http://www.wholesalesignsuperstore.com/

Have them send it to to you finished

 

[Gino]

Definitely a great suggestion but unfortunately we are bound by the branding standards for this. The encircled text is actually their complete logo. Their branding standards document actually specifies that the logo can be placed on a white or black background but may not be closely encircled as to suggest the logo has a border or frame.

Well, if that's the case, give them their black circle and do die-cut vinyl and forget about the maroon, which doesn't sound like one of their company colors, anyway. You'll never see a seam on black.

 

[J Hill Designs]

miratec - 80" seamless - wholesale only - http://www.miratecsystems.com/

 

[DesireeM]

Well, if that's the case, give them their black circle and do die-cut vinyl and forget about the maroon, which doesn't sound like one of their company colors, anyway. You'll never see a seam on black.

No no, the Maroon circle is their logo. Can't change that color. I just meant that we can put it on a black or white background but not in such a way that it looks like a border or part of the circle.