UltraFlexx 13oz getting thinner?

[Jack Knight1979]

I've notice that around the beginning of the year UltraFlexx 13oz if feeling for like a 8oz material

I've called UltraFlexx to see what's up and they addressed my complaint as a bad roll. It happens. I moved on.

Now over half way into the year I'm getting more thin rolls than thicker ones. My customers have begun asking me why I switched my banner material. I'm fired up now. When my customers are asking about the thin materials, I feel like I need to make a switch.

I've used UltraFlexx exclusively for six years with no problems, but I can't sell a 13oz banner on what feels like less than 10oz.

Anyone else notice a huge difference in the gauge of UltraFlexx vinyl lately?

 

[CS-SignSupply-TT]

Jack, it seems, according to recent signs101 posts, UltraFlexx is not an isolated situation. I recall similar posts for Grimco's BRITELINE banner

 

[genericname]

First Grimco, then Ferrari, and now UltraFlexx? What the hell is going on with QA in this industry?

 

[Jack Knight1979]

I hope that the powers that be see this and make some corrections. I won't buy substandard products. Not to mention, they can't sell 13oz material that is actually 8 ounces.

 

[ProWraps]

Jack, it seems, according to recent signs101 posts, UltraFlexx is not an isolated situation. I recall similar posts for Grimco's BRITELINE banner

probably the same materials. grimco doesnt make their own banner materials and i know their key banner materials is ultraflexx.

 

[Hog Wild graphics]

We sometimes use star banner 13oz matte and I noticed that the last few rolls feel thinner also. I asked my supplier and they said nothing has changed.

 

[Typestries]

There really are not that many coated vinyl plants overseas. And with it coming by the container load, it's a you get what you get kind of situation. Exactly why, although we have the ability to buy container loads, we do not. I'll pay a few pennies more a square by the pallet and if there's an issue with a roll, we just send it back.

More times than not lately, there have been mid roll defects in our stream of ultraflexx causing jams, head strikes, and toasted heads.

We tried the pitman stuff as an alternative, and it's awful.

Until someone overseas starts caring (as a result of the big boys here bitching enough) things won't change. A 5-7¢ margin psf in the quantities they are moving adds up to big money, and they really should start caring more. Sadly, that won't happen until all of us start bitching.

Another reason why I love this place. So when our reps say "nothing has changed" I'm armed with the info I need to call BS.

 

[bob]

The 13 ounce rating means that's the weight of a square yard of the material. The only way to determine of the material is sub-standard is to actually weigh a square yard of it. If it weighs 13 ounces then it's exactly as advertised. If not, then...

While thickness might be indicative of weight, it's not weight. Weight is weight.

 

[Suz]

Hmmm, Hope we don't have to buy 15 oz to get something comparable to 13 oz!!! I'll be a "b-with an itch" if that happens.

 

[Salmoneye]

Do What bob said and report back your findings.

 

[Suz]

Do What bob said and report back your findings.

Salmoneye, yep! Gonna do that when I replenish the banner.

 

[Jack Knight1979]

There's no question that if the material is thinner it will weigh less.
I doubt they are putting lead in the scrim to bulk up the weight on the thinner stuff.

 

[Salmoneye]

No they are not putting lead in it; it could however be denser than other material and therefore thinner. They are not selling by guage or mic thickness but by weight. If it doesn't add up or there is a number that you can correspond to other rolls you now have information to go to your distributor/rep/ultra with.

 

[Jack Knight1979]

I've wanted to weigh some of this thin material, but I don't have a sensitive enough scale at such low weight.

My wife may have one at the house that would work.

 

[dypinc]

Not sure what is going on with Ultraflex. I got a bad roll of Pole Banner Pro last week. Ink coalescing all over the place. Couldn't get anything like a decent print on it. Nothing like the previous roll I had.

 

[guitarguy69]

Noticed about one year ago a pallet of material fit this description. I did weigh it and it still came to 13 ounce, but had a noticably different fell and appearance. Grimco Key banner material may be super similar to Ultra-Flex Jetflex, but is slightly different in color. I bet it's from the same factory, maybe with a slightly different formulation. I have seen issues with both of those materials, then again I burn through over 1,000,000 square foot of the stuff per year.

I even sourced a Chinese made product that we receive by the container load, and have had pretty good luck with.

Bottom line, all materials will have bad batches. Hope you guys are fortunate enough to avaiod them.

 

[shoresigns]

I've wanted to weigh some of this thin material, but I don't have a sensitive enough scale at such low weight.

My wife may have one at the house that would work.

You don't need a very sensitive scale if you learn some basic math and weigh the whole roll :Big Laugh

 

[Jack Knight1979]

um yeah.

A) this thread is from 2012, buddy.
B) much easier and more accurate to weigh a square yard, compared to an entire roll. at least with the scale I have here.

 

[Biker Scout]

Well, since it's a year old, how about an update on the banner material, and if you've switched or not.