Screenprinters only!...

[threeputt]

Ok, encountered a problem. We print 5000 24"x24" signs on Orange Corex each year for the logging industry. (we sell these through our 21 distributors west of the Mississippi) We outsource the printing, and have been for years using the same screenprinter.

Here's the rub. The last batch we had drop-shipped to our printer are "unsuitable for screenprinting". Or at least that's the conclusion of our screener. They printed some of the signs to show us, and the edges are not crisp and sharp. It's due to the flute ridges being a little bit deeper, and not allowing the stencil to print properly.

Can this be overcome? (We have 1000 of these blanks sitting down there at present, and a committment to purchase 4000 more before year-end.)

Or...alternatively, is this something our supplier should have known about, or informed us about, or...are they going to say, "hey, Corex is Corex, different manufacturers' standards are going to vary." Remember, our supplier simply buys full sheets from some company in Houston, and shears it to size for us, and then drop ships them to our screener.

Any advice or knowlege on this topic is appreciated.

[iSign]

I would ask you supplier to help find usable product immediately... don't attempt to negotiate a solution to the current issue just yet. Just tell them that THIS TIME, you are screenprinting (as you always have) ... and for THIS purpose... the 1000 pieces will not work... THEY MAY work for other sign types... so no need to resolve every detail simultaneously... BUT 1000 acceptable screenprintable blanks are needed ASAP...

If they can work with you to find what you need immediately, for the current job, & can establish that there is a difference, they want to be your vendor, and they can help you get the immediate print job done on time...

..I wouldn't worry as much about the first 1000 YET... because if they come through on finding the suitable material, you may at least be able to establish the difference, learn what language will identify your preferred material in future ordering discussions with them, and resolve the issue of your agreement to 4000 more pieces.

This is my "divide and conquer" problem solving technique... if you get the right stuff.. get the current print job out, & clear up the concerns regarding 4000 more blanks that might be unusable... THEN the 1000 pieces become a smaller problem...

Now, that smaller (yet still expensive) problem can be negotiated. Maybe they have other clients who use that for something where the ridges are not an issue... maybe they would swap them out if you give them time to get an order from someone else. Or maybe if you offer freight to return them, they will just accept the return. 24" x 24" is not like an odd size or shape.

[Pro Image]

Are they road signs or are they meant to be view up close.........The edge detail will not be noticable at a distance of more than 5 to 6 feet.......If the problem is what I think it is..............The lnk might run out of the flutes a little also if too much pressure is used to print down in the fultes.......If you can post a pic of one and I'll see what I or someone else can tell you............

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

I'd like to see some photos too- it seems a bit weird...

[Simon Belmont]

This problem is not weird at all. I used to be production manager for a very large wholesale screen printing shop and we would have this problem on occasion. Two points to consider, if you are NOT using pneumatic screen presses then the problem will be near unsurmountable and the media is scrap, the second is that I would never print on customer provided material for this same reason. The 3 big plastic producers all vary in their product. Just because its 4mil coro doesnt mean that its all the same. All of my presses were set to run Interplast brand plastic, and we always had problems with the Coroplast brand. So, if I were you I would have the printer acquire the material and pay the cost, that is the only way to ensure good product and a happy print shop. oh, and absolutely do not let printing commence with the current stock, not only will the edges be rough, but if your printer is using UV inks then you may have a curing issue on your hands and then you will have to rerun the job regardless of appearances.

[threeputt]

Ok, here's a couple of photos. If they end up not being clear enough, I'll repost.

[threeputt]

Forgot to indicate which is which. The one on the left is the "ink bleeding" ones. The one on the right was printed a week or two before but using different stock.

Note: The ink bleed is more noticable in person than in these photos.

[Replicator]

Personally, I think it may be an ink limit/density problem as apposed to a material problem . . .
or maybe in the flashing ?

[i45signs]

we print thousands of signs a week. this looks like a bad screen. looks to me like the screen was not coated enough to create a thicker stencil. im in houston and would be happy to print one here for you.
keith

[threeputt]

Nice offer, I-45signs. Thanks, but hold on. Just talked to the supplier moments ago and they're going to replace all the "bad" stock. He says this problem is not uncommon. The company that extrudes this stuff (Coroplast) has 17 huge machines running to produce this product. If the temperature drops or increases, (I forget which) during production then the peaks and valleys can be exagerated.

At any rate our screener is going to "cull" the blanks and pull out any that he can use. Then they'll go back to the supplier, who, presumably will get a credit from the manufacturer.

Thanks all for contributing your ideas.

[Replicator]

glad to hear the supplier is gonna stand up and take it on the back-side for ya !

[ChicagoGraphics]

Iv'e gotten cor-x before that the flutes were to deep to print them, send em back.

[vinylbarry]

Flutes do look little deeper but looks like it still could be a screen problem also if there using a older screen. Im new to coro printing but have read a ton of meterial on it but thats just my 2 cents.

Thanks
Barry

Stupid question do these all go to one company or they just sold out right?:Sleeping: