Detaching Printed Vinyl

[zipper]

We've been having problem with shrinking printed vinyl using our Mimaki JV3-160SP, Mimaki inks and 3M vinyl. Has anyone experienced similar problem?

We bought our printer last October and we've been making tradeshow signs by printing on 3M IJ160-10C Controltac w/comply (54") and applying them to 3 mil trovicel. After a few months we've been getting them back because the vinyl is coming loose at the edges and curling up. As a test we printed some samples and left them on shelves. With no application tapes on the vinyl, they are separating away from the release liner and curling up. Therefore, it doesn't seem to be a problem caused by poor prepping of the trovicel surfaces. Our supplier claim they've never encountered this problem before so they can't help us.

[eye4clr]

maybe use a permanant adhesive vinyl. There are many out there for 1/2 the cost of 160C.

[jayhawksigns]

Make sure that your profile is good, and not putting down too much ink.

Another option is to laminate the prints.

[Barry]

This is actually a problem when cutting full bleed graphics, its not with just the Mimaki printer/inks, but with pretty much all the Solvent/Mild solvent inks. The problem is the ink attacks the vinyl causing it to shrink pulling the edges up and allowing them to curl. There are a few ways to combat this.

1. Laminate your prints... Once laminated the vinyl should not curl.

2. Use a thicker vinyl. Generally a 3.75 mil or thicker vinyl will curl less than a standard 2 mil vinyl. On heavy blacks you may still get some curling though.

3. Wait about 24 hours before cutting the graphics. This will help in most cases.

[tdgraphics]

Barry,
Thanks for the info. I have always wondered about that as a number of my customers want quick temporary prints for something and they end up using them longer. I have noticed how they curl at times and was wondering how to get round that.

Thanks again for the insight.

Neil