vinyl in two panels

[grlazsigns]

Whenever I do some graphics that are bigger than the vinyl Im using, and they are cut in two different panels the two parts never align. Anybody knows anything about it.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

You're stretching the vinyl, not printing it straight, not applying it straight?

 

[Pat Whatley]

My guesses....

A. Your plotter is slipping or not tracking correctly.
B. You're allowing the software to decide where to split the vinyl. It's adding an overlap and when you go to put the two pieces together you aren't compensating for it.

 

[gabagoo]

we talking digital or cut vinyl?

 

[iSign]

printing?

cutting?

they align on the bench, but not after install?

or they come of your machine already incompatible?

 

[iSign]

hey, it's 20 questions..
I used to love that game!

 

[MikePro]

you usually want to overlap your graphics up to 1/8", anyways, to compensate for potential shrinkage.

 

[HulkSmash]

if you're using a plotter and this is happening on cut vinyl, make sure the clamps are on the second lock in the back of your cutter

 

[Ponto]

you usually want to overlap your graphics up to 1/8", anyways, to compensate for potential shrinkage.

...always be wary of "potential shrinkage".........

JP

 

[grlazsigns]

Its before I install it. I have done it leaving the plotter choose where to split and I have done it m self moving the panels.

 

[grlazsigns]

its is cut vinyl

 

[Pat Whatley]

What kind of plotter?

 

[grlazsigns]

it is a cheap one. its a pcut that works great other wise.

 

[vinylbarry]

Tracking.

 

[grlazsigns]

Thanks guy. I have a roland cj 500 that prints and cuts. Thats the one I use for big signs, but wante to know what the deal was with the pcut

 

[wes70]

Thanks guy. I have a roland cj 500 that prints and cuts. Thats the one I use for big signs, but wante to know what the deal was with the pcut

I'm guessing accuracy

 

[Pat Whatley]

yeah, I'm really thinking you've got a tracking issue. Cheaper machines aren't built to the same tolerances as better machines. If your pinch or grit rollers were manufactured just a bit off it will cause the vinyl to "drift" when cutting panels. Cutting individual letters the "drift" isn't enough to cause problems, cutting large panels the effect gets compounded until it causes problems.