Laminating over UV printing on ACM

[WishIWereRunning]

We have a UV printer and often print directly to ACM or apply vinyl to ACM (and other substrates). When I put laminate over it, the laminate seems to shrink within months - a lot within a year. Am I using the wrong laminate? Is there a technique to avoid the shrinking? I assume it's due to the heat, as Texas has brutal summers.

 

[White Haus]

We have a UV printer and often print directly to ACM or apply vinyl to ACM (and other substrates). When I put laminate over it, the laminate seems to shrink within months - a lot within a year. Am I using the wrong laminate? Is there a technique to avoid the shrinking? I assume it's due to the heat, as Texas has brutal summers.

Would be helpful to know which laminate you're using before answering that, but probably yes.

 

[WishIWereRunning]

Would be helpful to know which laminate you're using before answering that, but probably yes.

That's fair! lol It's Briteline OLUV-GLS54

 

[signheremd]

That's fair! lol It's Briteline OLUV-GLS54

That is an Intermediate Lam. Wrong Lam indeed. Use their Briteline WrapCast Overlaminate - 7 years of UV protection and will not shrink as it is a cast laminate as opposed to the intermediate laminate you are currently using. I really like the optically clear version (rumor has it that this is the Arlon 3220 in disguise - rated the best laminate for UV inks). Frankly, While many suppliers on here think we should use more intermediate, if you want it to last and not shrink and actually protect the graphics from UV and some amount of vandalism, then you should use more cast. hope that helps

 

[Grizzly]

The technical answer is, if you don't want it to shrink then yes you have to use cast. But I've used plenty of 3M 8508 and 8510 series and GF 400 series with minimal shrinking, typically years not months. If you're seeing it in months, that's either a laminating issue, (too much heat, too much pressure) or a material issue. Not really a fan of the Briteline as I've had some issues with a few of their products over the years. It is very inexpensive though. We typically put on GF 400 series that is similarly priced and don't have products return with issues unless it's been 5+ years. If we really want a flatbed ACM print to last, we use GF Tedlar. It's twice the cost but has an expected life of 10 years and is considered anti-graffiti as well.

 

[LarryB]

We use the Briteline cast gloss with no shrinkage. Calendar lam will shrink.

 

[WishIWereRunning]

Y'all are awesome. Thanks so much for taking time to respond.

 

[MarkSnelling]

You can absolutely expect success with a cast lam....but you would also expect premium gas to work in a Pinto. A true 100% polymeric laminate on a flat surface like this will work perfectly for up to 7 years and they sell for around $300/roll.

 

[Notarealsignguy]

You can absolutely expect success with a cast lam....but you would also expect premium gas to work in a Pinto. A true 100% polymeric laminate on a flat surface like this will work perfectly for up to 7 years and they sell for around $300/roll.

Dime holding up a dollar. Aren't UV prints, laminated or not, considered inferior and have a shorter life expectancy? I'd be more inclined to spray a clear over it, frog juice or whatever but that labor time sort of kills the cost saving of using the flatbed to begin with.

 

[MarkSnelling]

Dime holding up a dollar. Aren't UV prints, laminated or not, considered inferior and have a shorter life expectancy? I'd be more inclined to spray a clear over it, frog juice or whatever but that labor time sort of kills the cost saving of using the flatbed to begin with.

While I'm not a true ink expert, I believe the UV ink manufacturers have closed the delta between solvent/latex UV stability and UV ink stability. The only thing I don't like blasting out there, but I feel the need to do it to compare to the mindset of those who are used to talking cast specs, is the 7 year performance. In all reality, the ink is unlikely to last 7 years but the true polymeric films will.

My general rule of thumb is if you apply a laminate with a UV inhibitor, you double the color fade of the print.

 

[rx7boy]

We have used the Briteline intermediate before as well and had issues with it shrinking within a couple months. Now we don’t use it at all not worthy the headache for the price. We use 3m cast lam or also we use a lot of Drytac weathershield which is not a cast either but it does not shrink

 

[MarkSnelling]

We have used the Briteline intermediate before as well and had issues with it shrinking within a couple months. Now we don’t use it at all not worthy the headache for the price. We use 3m cast lam or also we use a lot of Drytac weathershield which is not a cast either but it does not shrink

We sell the Weathershield for around $300 for a 54"x150' roll here in the states. As you confirmed, it doesn't shrink and puts HUNDREDS back in your pocket compared to a cast. If it is flat, the Weathershield is a killer solution and a real value as well.