Printing on clear.

[mastersignwizard]

Is anyone printing on clear vinyl? if so what are the results?

[Alan Smith]

Hi Corey,
I get an occasional request for prints on clear. When I do, it usually is a small job and just put in a roll of laminate. It’s a little more expensive but easier than stocking clear vinyl. It prints surprisingly well.

[jayhawksigns]

We have done several jobs on clear vinyl, with good results, just depends on what the print will be going on.

Our largest one so far was for a restaurant that wanted a full color backlit sign. They supplied the frame and using flexface wasn't an option so we got white acrylic and printed on clear vinyl, looked a lot better then if we would of printed on backlit film, that stuff always is off color.

[mastersignwizard]

What brand of clear vinyl are you using to print on?

[jayhawksigns]

Out current roll came from a company from California called MediaOne, and we won't be ordering another roll from them. Not because the media is bad, because we haven't heard from our sales guy in months, so I will have to see about trying Oracals clear vinyl instead.

[Jus' Roach]

Originally Posted by jayhawksigns

We have done several jobs on clear vinyl, with good results, just depends on what the print will be going on.

Our largest one so far was for a restaurant that wanted a full color backlit sign. They supplied the frame and using flexface wasn't an option so we got white acrylic and printed on clear vinyl, looked a lot better then if we would of printed on backlit film, that stuff always is off color.

I was asked yesterday if I could give a quote for a backlit sign, the face is there. What do you mean by off color? Is it better to print on clear?

[jayhawksigns]

The backlit film that we got in isn't white, its kind of off-white and messes with lighter colors. After doing the one sign using clear, I just feel that the final product looks better. If you are using white plastic/acrylic for your sign, why put another layer of any shade of white on it, its already there. I think for the most part it will be a preference thing.

As a note, I am picky about the color of the media we use, I almost threw a fit when I got in our first roll of Oracal 3651, that stuff has a definite blue/grey cast to it.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by jayhawksigns

The backlit film that we got in isn't white, its kind of off-white and messes with lighter colors. After doing the one sign using clear, I just feel that the final product looks better. If you are using white plastic/acrylic for your sign, why put another layer of any shade of white on it, its already there. I think for the most part it will be a preference thing.

As a note, I am picky about the color of the media we use, I almost threw a fit when I got in our first roll of Oracal 3651, that stuff has a definite blue/grey cast to it.

That is the only complaint I have with 3651, its white point is just not as bright as some of the other vinyls out there. Im guessing it probably has to do with the grey adheasive showing through the vinyl.

[Jus' Roach]

Originally Posted by Barry

That is the only complaint I have with 3651, its white point is just not as bright as some of the other vinyls out there. Im guessing it probably has to do with the grey adheasive showing through the vinyl.

Someone said they put the gray adhesive on it so you will NOT use it for backlit signs, instead buy their "special" backlit material

[jayhawksigns]

It may very well be the adhesive, but the day I opened the first box I almost sent it back. There probably is a vinyl out there to use in place of the 3651 that doesn't have that problem, but the 3651 has worked for every job we have needed it for so why look for something else.

I was just trying to show that I might be a little too picky about my media color, somethings might not bother other people as much.