How long does a print last on reflective vinyl?

[JgS]

How long does a print last on reflective vinyl before it starts to fade? This sign will be placed in a location that gets a lot of direct sunlight. The client wants this sign to last at least 3 years. Is printing and laminating the right way to go or would it be best to go with cut vinyl?

 

[HIGHSPEEDGRAPHIX]

cut vinyl is always better for single color parking signs, printed would last safly three years with lam. depeding on you printer/ink. (is it even a parking sign?) Printed is in my opinion is longer to produce doing small single color 12x18/18x24 one-z two-z's signs, unless your running you printer alot and nesting jobs.....larger volumes just have them screen printed on reflective will last a very long time.

 

[Gino]

If it's only one or two signs..... or just a few, die-cut vinyl will be your best bet.

More like a dozen or more, I'd screen print them, unless the customer is real cheap, then I'd flatbed print them.

 

[MikeD]

Fading depends on several things such as ink type; solvent, thermal resin, aqueous?
Are you planning to laminate the print? Does your lam have UV inhibitors, or just scratch resistant?

 

[JgS]

Thanks. That is what I expected. It's for a 3' parking lot sign.

 

[SlightlyChilled]

Well red fades the fastest. I have 2 green stickers on the wifes car no lam with eco mutoh inks on oracal.5600 I think. They have been there for 3+ years and still look good.

 

[mark in tx]

screen printing them lasts the longest.