Window perf...... to laminate or not?

[TimToad]

Any general consensus on how often or under what conditions most of you laminate window perf?

I've got a fairly big job consisting of 11 56" x 80" panels, so it might be worth it. I'm waiting on word about where they ill be installed and how long they expect them to be up.

 

[Solventinkjet]

I believe the general consensus is to laminate. It's easier to install and when it rains the water doesn't get caught in the holes and render the "view thru" features useless.

 

[DesireeM]

I believe the general consensus is to laminate. It's easier to install and when it rains the water doesn't get caught in the holes and render the "view thru" features useless.

This. And even when it's not raining the holes will accumulate dust and dirt and that will kill the view-thru as well. The laminate also makes the ink saturation last longer and UV protects it.

I suggest using a laminate that has roughly the same lifespan as your perf though. Using a 4yr lam on a 1yr perf is just a waste.

 

[TimToad]

Thanks, a lot of the perfs we do are very temporary, so we skip it, but these are both huge and I just found out they will be up at least a year.

 

[CanuckSigns]

if it's goin on a vehicle, it get laminated with optically clear laminate. if it's goin on a storefront window it doesn't get laminated, perf is a temporary product anyway, no need for laminate.

 

[Baz]

if it's goin on a vehicle, it get laminated with optically clear laminate. if it's goin on a storefront window it doesn't get laminated, perf is a temporary product anyway, no need for laminate.

That's my thinking as well.

Also ... To make installing non laminated window perf easyer, premask it. That way you can use a hard squeegee and really press it down.

 

[bigben]

I've never laminated any window perf (store or car) and never had complaint/problem. I have store windows that still look good after 7 years.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

This is a Loaded question.... I firmly stand on the no laminate side of things, but others are firmly a laminate everything type.

Do what works for your company, I'm in AZ and have no laminate window perf on my truck and its going on year 3 and the colors are still vibrant.

 

[DesireeM]

I've never laminated any window perf (store or car) and never had complaint/problem. I have store windows that still look good after 7 years.

What brand of Perf do you use that lasts 7 years?

 

[NextDoorGraphics]

We liquid lam our perf prints for long term applications,
never had a problem.

 

[AF]

For those who laminate their storefront perf, do you prefer matte or gloss lam?

 

[visual800]

Laminated perfs just do not look good to me, at least gloss. I did a little somn different on a customer bout 2 years ago. i ordered the perf from signs365, got it in and lightly misted a few coats of automotive clearcoat on it. It still looks great today and its for a lawn dude and hes always out and about.

we also did this storefront 2.5 years ago and still holding up, it faces east so Im sure that helps, no laminate on it

 

[TimToad]

My primary reason for thinking about laminating them is their size and being able to not premask them because the lam will make them easier to handle. That being said though, I wasn't asked for an install price, so maybe I'm worrying over someone's hassle.

Not gonna lose sleep over it until they call and give go ahead and tell me who is actually installing them.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

Why does everyone have issues installing window perf without lam or mask? Its one of the easiest vinyls to install.

 

[bigben]

What brand of Perf do you use that lasts 7 years?

I used a house brand from a suplier here in montreal.

 

[bigben]

Why does everyone have issues installing window perf without lam or mask? Its one of the easiest vinyls to install.

True. My 6 years old niece have done her bed room window by herself. It wasn't perfect, but it was done.