Junkie · 02-16-2008, 04:48 AM

We have a Colorspan 5465 and we print a lot of .040 aluminum real estate signs with it. We really have the machine dialed in and the fininshed signs are flawless. We are debating whether or not we should be laminating these signs before we give them to our customers. Do any of you have some "real world" advice on this very matter. Our concern, obvoiusly, is longevity. Yes, we know the prints will last longer with overlaminate. If our customers will get a good 3 years out of these signs with out laminating, then I won't change a thing. However, if you are telling me that 1 - 2 years from now people are going to start bringing these signs back to us with complaints or worse, not coming back, then I would rather laminate them now. Our first priority is quality, but realistically customers cannot expect a $35 aluminum sign to last forever. What is your advice, based on your experience, not just what you've read. Thank you in advance to any and all responses.

gabagoo · 02-16-2008, 04:15 PM

If it's a one off sign, then $35.00 for aluminum is damn good, but if your doing 20 of the same then you may have issues of digital versus screenprinting. Screen printed signs will last in some cases more than 10 years depending on the ink used. I share your concerns with longevity of unlaminated prints. I will assume that red won't last 3 years in a southerly direction.

Junkie · 02-16-2008, 08:07 PM

We typically sell a 10 pack of 1 color, 2 sided aluminum signs for $35ea. Our cost to print them (besides the cost of the aluminum) is less than $2ea. and we can print them so fast. Once a customer approves the artwork we usually have them all ready the following day. I just can't decide if I should laminate them. If I knew they would hold up for 2.5 - 3years w/o issue, I wouldn't laminate them. I just can't get an answer from someone who knows first hand. Signs produced on our Solvent printer last more than 3 years no problem. I had customer in today with a yard sign we printed for him that he has had bolted on his landscaping trailer for over three years and it is just beginning to fade. He even commented how well they have held up. I would hate to print aluminum signs for the next two years and then realize I should have laminated all of them.

bpatrick3 · 02-18-2008, 11:27 AM

Laminate,Laminate, Laminate
If you are trying to come up with a standard real estate sign then I would say laminate. You can also come up with an unlaminated version at one price and a laminated price. Let the customer know what the expectations should be for both. You will have to average the expectations because you will not know how much UV each sign will see, I have a customer that is seeing some slight edge curl on one of his signs that I did over a year ago, I said that I would redo it because I know that I must have had too much tension on the laminate when I applied it, He said that this sign has been on a property every single day for over a year, the real estate market is in bad shape and alot of these signs are out in the elements and are seeing no down time in the trunk of cars or in garages--That is why it is hard to say how long these will last. Speaking of trunks of cars-without laminate the ink and vinyl will get scratched and damage from customers stuffing their signs in the trunk of their Benz.

SignPainter · 02-19-2008, 10:38 AM

Triangle inks sell a water based liquid laminate for uv printing. I have tried their laminate for solvent but not for the uv. I have had good luck with it. It's fast and easy to apply and also much less expensive than film lam's.

bigbly · 02-19-2008, 05:18 PM

Give the customer the option. Being real estate people they will always take the cheapest price, however next order they might get them laminated.

bpatrick3 · 02-22-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbly

Give the customer the option. Being real estate people they will always take the cheapest price, however next order they might get them laminated.

That is funny, They always say yes to laminate-I guess it is how the benifits are explained.

Media One · 02-28-2008, 10:25 AM

I encourage lamination on everything, especially those types of signs. There is often times more profit in lamination then the actual printing. Anytime you can purchase a product at $0.17 a sq.ft and re-sell it at $2.00 its a win win situation for your bottom line. I know everyone doesnt require laminate but its your job to sell it. You guys are not order takers, your in business to make profits and when presented correctly to the client it shouldnt be that hard. Anyways thats my two cents.

02-16-2008, 04:48 AM	#1
Junkie Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10 Printer:	To Laminate or Not? We have a Colorspan 5465 and we print a lot of .040 aluminum real estate signs with it. We really have the machine dialed in and the fininshed signs are flawless. We are debating whether or not we should be laminating these signs before we give them to our customers. Do any of you have some "real world" advice on this very matter. Our concern, obvoiusly, is longevity. Yes, we know the prints will last longer with overlaminate. If our customers will get a good 3 years out of these signs with out laminating, then I won't change a thing. However, if you are telling me that 1 - 2 years from now people are going to start bringing these signs back to us with complaints or worse, not coming back, then I would rather laminate them now. Our first priority is quality, but realistically customers cannot expect a $35 aluminum sign to last forever. What is your advice, based on your experience, not just what you've read. Thank you in advance to any and all responses.

02-16-2008, 04:15 PM	#2
gabagoo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 561 Printer: mimaki jv3 spII	If it's a one off sign, then $35.00 for aluminum is damn good, but if your doing 20 of the same then you may have issues of digital versus screenprinting. Screen printed signs will last in some cases more than 10 years depending on the ink used. I share your concerns with longevity of unlaminated prints. I will assume that red won't last 3 years in a southerly direction. __________________ Barry All Star Signs & Decals Ltd. Concord, Ontario Canada

02-19-2008, 10:38 AM	#5
SignPainter Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Printer: Mimaki JV3, HP 5000, Colorspan 5465	Overlaminate Triangle inks sell a water based liquid laminate for uv printing. I have tried their laminate for solvent but not for the uv. I have had good luck with it. It's fast and easy to apply and also much less expensive than film lam's.

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02-16-2008, 08:07 PM	#3
Junkie Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10 Printer:	We typically sell a 10 pack of 1 color, 2 sided aluminum signs for $35ea. Our cost to print them (besides the cost of the aluminum) is less than $2ea. and we can print them so fast. Once a customer approves the artwork we usually have them all ready the following day. I just can't decide if I should laminate them. If I knew they would hold up for 2.5 - 3years w/o issue, I wouldn't laminate them. I just can't get an answer from someone who knows first hand. Signs produced on our Solvent printer last more than 3 years no problem. I had customer in today with a yard sign we printed for him that he has had bolted on his landscaping trailer for over three years and it is just beginning to fade. He even commented how well they have held up. I would hate to print aluminum signs for the next two years and then realize I should have laminated all of them.

02-18-2008, 11:27 AM	#4
bpatrick3 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbiana,Ohio Posts: 212 Printer: HP Design Jet 3000, SP540V, Orca I 55" laminator	Laminate,Laminate, Laminate If you are trying to come up with a standard real estate sign then I would say laminate. You can also come up with an unlaminated version at one price and a laminated price. Let the customer know what the expectations should be for both. You will have to average the expectations because you will not know how much UV each sign will see, I have a customer that is seeing some slight edge curl on one of his signs that I did over a year ago, I said that I would redo it because I know that I must have had too much tension on the laminate when I applied it, He said that this sign has been on a property every single day for over a year, the real estate market is in bad shape and alot of these signs are out in the elements and are seeing no down time in the trunk of cars or in garages--That is why it is hard to say how long these will last. Speaking of trunks of cars-without laminate the ink and vinyl will get scratched and damage from customers stuffing their signs in the trunk of their Benz.

02-19-2008, 05:18 PM	#6
bigbly Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 303 Printer: SJ-745EX, hp5000/5500, epson4000, summa d120se	Give the customer the option. Being real estate people they will always take the cheapest price, however next order they might get them laminated.

02-28-2008, 10:25 AM	#8
Media One Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Huntington Harbor Posts: 56 Printer: HP-5500	I encourage lamination on everything, especially those types of signs. There is often times more profit in lamination then the actual printing. Anytime you can purchase a product at $0.17 a sq.ft and re-sell it at $2.00 its a win win situation for your bottom line. I know everyone doesnt require laminate but its your job to sell it. You guys are not order takers, your in business to make profits and when presented correctly to the client it shouldnt be that hard. Anyways thats my two cents.

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