AutoMark: The definite answer

[OADesign]

Hi All,

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

So I have read all of the posts here that contain the phrase "automark". But I see the responses going either way. Its good, it not good, its ok on flat surfaces, its ok for contours but only short term.

I have a 04' Jeep Liberty (the roundy bubbly looking one) full wrap to do (its long term).

But I have this uneasy feeling about using the AutoMark products for it.

Anyone use this for complex / deep contours with success? And by success I don't mean looking good till it rolls out of your shop. I mean after a few months/years in (or ON in this case).

Side bar: Have any of you seen this new 3M Envison combo (480Cv3 & 8548G)?
Features sounds good but they are TRIPPING on the prices.

 

[mudmedia]

I have not seen pricing on the new 3M pricing what is the baseline they are asking for the material?

 

[J Hill Designs]

I thought envision was just for lighted signs?

 

[Fred Weiss]

I thought envision was just for lighted signs?

3M Envision Wrap Films and Laminates

 

[CanuckSigns]

To answer your original question, we've used a bit of automark, but never for a full wrap. If you are looking for a long term product, I would look elsewhere, it does shrink a bit.

There are other vinyls out there except 3M that will do the job, Oracal has a nice wrap combo, as does avery, both are a true cast material and will outlast the Automark, at a much better price than the 3M material.

 

[Charlie J]

We got a sample of the envision material a couple weeks ago. The print quality was terrible.

 

[P Wagner]

I just received a roll of IJ480 today. I plan on attempting to profile it on the HP L26500 and Roland printers (although I understand that the Roland inkset may be iffy for this material).

 

[HulkSmash]

don't use it for a full wrap. it won't work.

doesn't do well in complex areas. Flat.. no problem.

Keep in mind after a year it is permanent

 

[Salmoneye]

Everyone here is talking about different products but the OP mentions automark, I assume this is the GF material that we use of box trucks; if so this is absolutely not what you would use on a liberty Nooooo. Box trucks, yes. With rivets, ok. A graphic on the side of a truck door? Might shrink a bit over time but OK. Jeep Liberty? Noooo!

 

[HulkSmash]

I only use auto mark on wraps that are flat, and will be removed within 9 months. Everything else gets cast.

 

[OADesign]

Well...

I take that back. The price sheet I got was wrong. Glad I called. The price listed was for 100yds (Not 50 yds). Still quite a bit more expensive than the average. Still about $100 more per roll from my local vendors.

So now its either this combo, IJ480Cv3 & 8548G
or this combo IJ180Cv3 & 8518. I think the latter is my best (safe) bet.

I think the hoopla of the product is its a Green Non-PVC product.

I just received a roll of IJ480 today. I plan on attempting to profile it on the HP L26500 and Roland printers (although I understand that the Roland inkset may be iffy for this material).

Please share your results! The product sheet says, "...Inkjet – latex, UV,
some eco-solvent...

What does that mean? I have to pull the trigger today, but I still would like to hear the real deal about the Envision Product.


And thanks everyone for the tips on the AutoMark.

 

[National Sign Co. - Print]

Envision Combo is a great product. It is a premium product and should be priced, sold and advertised that way. The non PVC is a great sell to the right market.

3M was kind enough to sponsor us with a few rolls to test, give feedback and a couple case studies.

The cinder wall was printed on HP LX 850 latex and installed on a 50 degree day.

The trailer was printed HP XL 1500 solvent.

Very impressed.

 

[P Wagner]

OK, I successfully profiled for the Envision 480Cv3 on the HP L26500 latex (for Onyx and Wasatch). The media seems to receive the latex ink fairly well.

I plan on attempting to profile the 480 on a Roland with Eco Sol Max ink tomorrow (using Versaworks). Will keep the board appraised.

 

[johnnysigns]

Off topic but it's quite nice that Merrits installers covered the moldings. It's such an eye sore when they're cut out and left aluminum.

 

[petesign]

Also off topic... how long is 480 supposed to last on cinder block?

 

[OADesign]

Just to update this thread, I ended up going with the 3M IJ380cV3 and the Envision 8548G combo.

Printing right now and the 380 looks good!