What comes first? 2 newbie questions.

[PixelGrafix]

I'm a newbie on a new-to-me Roland. I just printed some large vinyl numbers and cut them out (yay!). My question is this: Do i need to laminate the numbers? They will be used outdoors - (Michigan) They are about 20 inches tall. Black. I thought about laminating them. If i weed first, laminate second, I will have laminate in the inner circles of the 8s. Does it matter? Would i cut the inner circles of laminate out? Thanks for theory and insight. I'm peddling as fast as i can!


2nd question: Is it more economical to print and cut vinyl or stock a massive stockpile of vinyl. My printer does about 28.5 inches, so there are limitations. I'm tired of tripping over the vinyl rolls.

Thank you!
Mary

 

[BROWNDOG]

Check with your vendor to find out what works with the material and ink your using, while your on with them ask about printing training. Being new a relationship with a good vendor will be priceless

 

[spmracing]

I'm not really sure what you're printing on (material wise). I will recommend laminating ANYTHING that you want to hold up outside. You never know what is going to get sprayed on it, ect.

Its easier to laminate it now then replace it later.

Welcome!

 

[Desert_Signs]

I'm a newbie on a new-to-me Roland. I just printed some large vinyl numbers and cut them out (yay!). My question is this: Do i need to laminate the numbers? They will be used outdoors - (Michigan) They are about 20 inches tall. Black. I thought about laminating them. If i weed first, laminate second, I will have laminate in the inner circles of the 8s. Does it matter? Would i cut the inner circles of laminate out? Thanks for theory and insight. I'm peddling as fast as i can!


2nd question: Is it more economical to print and cut vinyl or stock a massive stockpile of vinyl. My printer does about 28.5 inches, so there are limitations. I'm tired of tripping over the vinyl rolls.

Thank you!
Mary

I pretty much always laminate. It will last longer. You should do it like this though: Print, laminate, cut, weed. Depending on exactly what Roland you're using, you can get away with short term exterior vinyl unlaminated. If you're going to laminate after printing cutting weeding, yes you definitely should cut out the 'holes'.

Question 2: For standard colors, it's almost always cheaper to keep rolls of vinyl. I keep on hand: Black, white, red, blue (a dark, and a light), silver, yellow, and green. If you have to print the colors #1, they probably won't last as long - depending on the quality of print vinyl vs. cut vinyl. #2, it will probably cost more to print. Many suppliers will sell you vinyl by the yard, so if you need a particular color, but not much, you can buy it fairly inexpensively.

 

[PixelGrafix]

thank you

thank you all for your generous information. helps me muddle thru my day!

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

Not to be rude or anything but your questions lets me think & say please get a job at a sign company & learn all the things you will be faced with other then buying some fancy equipment & saying you can do advertising or graphics on cars.

I am a sign painter & had to go to school to learn, excuse it just rubs the wrong way with me when someone goes out & buys fancy equipment & says oh I can do that WITHOUT any real knowledge or experience in the trade.

 

[theprintlabtx]

Question 2: For standard colors, it's almost always cheaper to keep rolls of vinyl. I keep on hand: Black, white, red, blue (a dark, and a light), silver, yellow, and green. If you have to print the colors #1, they probably won't last as long - depending on the quality of print vinyl vs. cut vinyl. #2, it will probably cost more to print. Many suppliers will sell you vinyl by the yard, so if you need a particular color, but not much, you can buy it fairly inexpensively.

^^^

As for question 1. I may have missed it, but what kind of Roland do you have? A print and cut? If so, print out the vinyl with the alignment marks, lam the print, put it back in the machine to cut then weed. Thats the way you should do it if you have the ability.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

1. Yes laminate... not the way you did it. You should pull off the printer laminate and then load back into the printer so it will cut both the lam and the vinyl.
2. Depends on what you do the most. If you almost only cut vinyl I would buy some different rolls. It is much cheaper then to buy a printable vinyl and use that. Plus it is easier to get different smaller sizes where you won't waste as much vinyl doing small jobs. If the majority of your business is printed graphics with some cut vinyl I would stick with the printable vinyl. Although its never a bad idea to have colored vinyl. You never know when someone may need a small number or something for a truck and print and cut takes more time. They always need that stuff yesterday also.