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Printing on 3M High Intensity Reflective
- Thread starter dwarrior
- Start date
SignaramaFL
New Member
You have to make sure that the material that you bought is printable, other than that you should be fine. We print on 3M 5100 all of the time.
SightLine
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Not really sure. I'd definitley make sure the head is set to thick(high) and probably run a quick dot position correct. Then start experimenting with temperatures and maybe a couple different profiles. I see the blue off to the sides but I'm unsure what might be causing that. I've printed on diamond grade reflective in the past on our old JV3 but I've not yet had a need to try it on our JV33 yet.
Gino
Premium Subscriber
Not sure, but that looks like static is pulling some of your over-spray out a little.
Also, the amount of reflective still visible under the blue looks like when lights are on it at night, there won't be any..... or very little difference from background to copy. These will be more like signs by day and reflective blotches at night.
Screen printing inks are far more opaque and might be the only way to do these. Our flatbed prints far heavier and opaque than our Roland and it does a decent job on that level of reflective. Regular reflective is no problem for either printer.
Also, the amount of reflective still visible under the blue looks like when lights are on it at night, there won't be any..... or very little difference from background to copy. These will be more like signs by day and reflective blotches at night.
Screen printing inks are far more opaque and might be the only way to do these. Our flatbed prints far heavier and opaque than our Roland and it does a decent job on that level of reflective. Regular reflective is no problem for either printer.
Rick
Certified Enneadecagon Designer
If these are true traffic signs, (MUTCD) than the only thing currently out there to last a long time while allowing the whole sign to remain reflective is the 3M screen printing inks. Up to this point, I know of no digital print media what works with an MUTCD compliant reflective. Even with printing on clear and applying, these solutions are still problematic to the point where no one in that specialty has recommended it.
I have not called a 3M rep in a while so there might be one, that is who you should be calling.
I have not called a 3M rep in a while so there might be one, that is who you should be calling.
rfulford
New Member
I have ran this material using true solvent inks on my xljet. Static was always a huge problem. We tried static tinsel, dryer sheets, everything we could think of. The static would build up so much that it would actually pull a perfect little jet patter off the heads every once in a while. Fortunately, it was usually in a white area and could be cleaned with a bit of solvent.
I have tried the same material in my epsons an have had even less luck. I think it takes a really aggressive ink to adhere to this material. Your best bet is to print on clear, laminate and mount I think.
I have tried the same material in my epsons an have had even less luck. I think it takes a really aggressive ink to adhere to this material. Your best bet is to print on clear, laminate and mount I think.
You could get one of these:
http://www.durst.it/en/durst-phototechnik-ag/home/products-inkjet/rho-161-ts.html
but otherwise, if you got to meet specs, then they'll need to be screened just as Rick has said.
http://www.durst.it/en/durst-phototechnik-ag/home/products-inkjet/rho-161-ts.html
but otherwise, if you got to meet specs, then they'll need to be screened just as Rick has said.
Do you mean EC film? Those are only available in the same colors that the sheeting itself is available in so if he's trying to hit a different color(that's not available in film or sheeting) then this wouldn't work.
I was thinking about the spec issue. You're not going to meet specs with a wide format solvent print/ink unless your state is drastically different than mine.
Rick
Certified Enneadecagon Designer
Thats the issue I see, all states have to comply with MUTCD if they are funded by the fed. Some states have a stricter traffic code, even city have their own. Some smaller city wayfinding sign projects use various colors outside the translucent film choices 3M has, that is usually screen printed. every time I have seen a digital print, they failed or faded.
If you are not up on MUTCD than your bigger problem might be knowing it, than trying to find a way to safely print on digital media. There is a project out there that failed miserably because they tried a an unproven print process. If you are using 3M filMs, contact 3M, then get the specs in writing, then submit that to your client and cover your butt... IF this an actual traffic/MUTCD job.
First I have seen of the Durst machine, going to have to look into some samples.
I've been checking out for a few months. There's one in Canada but as far as I can tell, they are mostly just in Europe so far.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronsombilongallery/5509720799/
http://www.sherineindustries.com/web/
Rick
Certified Enneadecagon Designer
Yeah I was just doing a search. I noticed all the ones in Europe, I might call a 3M rep and see if these printers will work with US MUTCD signs and if so, call Durst and see if anyone has one here.
Will inkjet inks or UV inks, even with laminate, will last 5 years?
Traffic signs are mostly one color, I would think vinyl for short run, screen print for large run would be more appropriate.
We lost a good account printing reflective door decals with our solvent printer instead of farming out for screen printing, due to immature fading.
Traffic signs are mostly one color, I would think vinyl for short run, screen print for large run would be more appropriate.
We lost a good account printing reflective door decals with our solvent printer instead of farming out for screen printing, due to immature fading.
SightLine
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True - for longest longevity and what is most often used is a cut vinyl film 3M makes specifically for applying on top of HIP film. It does give the best look and longevity. Look up 3M 1170 Electrocut..... I know Grimco carries it but only in 50yd rolls. Not sure if anyone sells it in smaller rolls and it's expensive.