Bubbles

[glow30]

Just want to say thank you for this forum. I'm learning so much .

Question : Did two signs 72" x 36 and 48" x 30" for client mounted Oracal 3640 matte vinyl and used matte Oracal 210 lamination on our Roland SP-540V.
Mounted it to alupanel but they produced lots of bubbles , removed them but after running thru lamination , they popped back up .

Any suggestions ? Do you install wet with water ?

 

[DChorbowski]

If I read that correctly, you applied lamination after you mounted the print? You should apply lamination to the print before you mount the print to the substrate. Also you can you use your lamination machine to mount the print to the aluminum.

 

[Boudica]

It doesn't look like Oracal 3640 has air release, so that might be why your getting bubbles. You could try wet applying it - you will want to use a big squeegie rather than the laminator.

 

[JBurton]

You could try wet applying it - you will want to use a big squeegie rather than the laminator.

While I don't have as fancy a laminator as you, I regularly soak down panels and mount 3m 3630 with the laminator.

 

[Stacey K]

As stated above...use an air release vinyl going forward or after this roll is gone IJ40 with matching laminate. Laminate the print then use the laminator to mount on the substrate (depending on your laminator). After that you can use your finger to press any bubbles out vs. popping with a pin.

JBurton, I've never done the wet method using my laminator. Duh...Stacey

 

[JBurton]

As stated above...use an air release vinyl going forward or after this roll is gone IJ40 with matching laminate. Laminate the print then use the laminator to mount on the substrate (depending on your laminator). After that you can use your finger to press any bubbles out vs. popping with a pin.

JBurton, I've never done the wet method using my laminator. Duh...Stacey

It's super satisfying. You can run it with very little fluid at the edge where the vinyl and roller hit the substrate, and just watch this thin line of fluid dance as it runs the whole length of a sheet, then fwaps out of the end.
Also, Stacey, have you heard the good news of Substance vinyls yet? If you haven't tried their ij35-40 equivalent, it's about $200 a roll, free shipping, and comes in two thicknesses. I've stopped buying 3m ij35c in favor of this, though I still prefer the arlon satin laminate to match to it. Give these guys a call or email and they'll shoot you a sample roll. Notareal kept pushing me on the stuff, and I guess I've taken the tourch since he's too busy playing with his new router that he swore he'd never get.
This is the stuff most like ij35/40: https://substance.com/products/icon-pm-2755?variant=43449019138303

 

[Stacey K]

It's super satisfying. You can run it with very little fluid at the edge where the vinyl and roller hit the substrate, and just watch this thin line of fluid dance as it runs the whole length of a sheet, then fwaps out of the end.
Also, Stacey, have you heard the good news of Substance vinyls yet? If you haven't tried their ij35-40 equivalent, it's about $200 a roll, free shipping, and comes in two thicknesses. I've stopped buying 3m ij35c in favor of this, though I still prefer the arlon satin laminate to match to it. Give these guys a call or email and they'll shoot you a sample roll. Notareal kept pushing me on the stuff, and I guess I've taken the tourch since he's too busy playing with his new router that he swore he'd never get.
This is the stuff most like ij35/40: https://substance.com/products/icon-pm-2755?variant=43449019138303

Oh! OK, I just added it to my order list for Monday. I remember one of you saying something about it. Time to try it!

Now I want to make a sign and wet apply on my laminator! ...wow...I live an exciting life LOL

 

[Geneva Olson]

We've been flooding the heck out of the substrate with soapy water, then lay the graphic on top, then we have this squeegee for window tink that we squeegee all the soapy water out. no bubbles.