Window perf overlap?

IMO overlaps look bad. I butt the prints up, and try to make the seam along some kind of line or border in the art so it's not noticeable if the vinyl happens to shrink any over time. I purposely add something for that purpose to the design and work with the eventual seam.

 

We always overlap a small amount because of the shrinkage possibility. I don't think it looks too bad. We also do some with vinyl logo or whatever applied on top of the perf. Problem with that is, of course, it cancels out the see-throughness of the perf.

 

butt seam. an overlap will be highly visible. use a straight edge to trim off any overlap to about 1/16" don't worry about shrinkage on perf,

 

You want the finished Perf to have a butt seam.
Depending on your abilities, you can install as a butt seam or install with an overlap and then cut the overlap so it becomes a butt seam

Perf is temp material, so any shrinkage will be minimal before it is replaced

 

I have seemed it together at customer request and have also done a butt seam at the customers request.
More importantly make sure it lines up correctly and if you seem it try and avoid it from being at eye level from when the customer looks out and can't see through it.

 

You can overlap and then take a strait edge down over the overlap to make a but seam.

 

When you overlap apply 2 sided tape between the seams, this will help some of the shrinkage problem it may have with the heat from the sun. It will look cleaner also.

 

I cut about 12" off the top of the panel's backing. I walk up the ladder and visually line up the top of the panel with the top of the window. Then I put pressure on the two corners...enough to hold the panel up long enough for me to start squeegeeing where the paper backing starts and work up to the top. Once that 12" section is applied I work down the window like normal, using sideways strokes until I get more than halfway down, then I squeegee down.

This video is KIND OF like how I do it, however I cut the backing paper so you don't have that big fold and the perf can lay flat so you can see exactly how it will lay on the window. They start squeegeeing from the very top and I don't like that because it can track and get wrinkles. I squeegee where I cut the perf.

 

I forget what the tool is called, but it's cuts the backing paper with ease. We used to pull away the backing paper and then start to work the vinyl. Now we just make a slit on the back of the paper, align it, and then simply remove the backing paper.

Overlaps can reduce the overall look of the window perf for sure.

You can use the butt/cut method to where you trim down the middle of the panel with a steady hand and guide. Then remove the trimmed areas to make it look like one piece. The brand you use will help determine the amount of time the print will last, but it should last at least a year of looking good.

 

Looks good and glad you had time with your boys. Keep it in the family...

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