Vinyl Shrinks after printing

[joshuamalachi]

New to the digi printing biz...just took delivery of my valuejet a couple weeks ago.

Is there a way to keep the vinyl from shrinking up around the print areas?

I'm printing on a 720 x 720 bi mode

Don't know all the right terminology yet....but we're learning. (with a lot of help from this site)

Thanks in advance!

Josh
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[PMG]

how can you tell if it is shrinking? are your contours off?

 

[javila]

Thicker vinyl, profiles with less ink, don't print to the edge, vinyl with more aggresive adhesive.

 

[zigaroo]

Heh, I had a problem with that when printing an outside sign for a C-17. It was as if the vinyl was a sponge where the ink was laid down and just shrunk along the edges. Then again it was just basic calendared vinyl.

javila, thanks for the tips!

 

[tsmith@oracal.com]

Wait to cut

If you're printing to the edge of contour-cut graphics it is important to wait 24 hours before cutting. The solvents, while dry to the touch, are still outgassing which can cause the problem you've described.

Also, as noted, use the correct profile for the media selected.

Good luck!

Todd Smith
Director of Technical Services
ORACAL USA