Printing on Metallic

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

I'm just going to jump right into it.

We're trying to wrap a trailer to match the RV that hauls it. The customer does not want layered vinyl, he wants it printed.

We've been able to match the color but because metallic changes in the sun the print isn't 100% match 100% of the time.

So, we're going to try to print on a metallic to get the shine the changes in the sun. Since this isn't something we have yet messed with we're just kind of looking for any advice or suggestions that will help get this knocked out.

I know that 3M has an over-laminate that gives the metallic look, but I'm afraid that will just make the print sparkly not the shine that changes in the light, like the RV has. I also know there's a diamond white metallic as well that we could print on(but isn't under warranty).

The RV is mostly a beige color so that in itself is a little difficult to get to match. We did get the color code from the paint and have a body shop that we can get the Pantone color from to match it more exact but we just won't want to waste any more material than we have to, if there's someone out there that's already doing the trial and error part of this process.

Any suggestions help.

thank you.

 

[TXFB.INS]

unless you know the material that was used on the RV, then you are battling an uphill battle as each material reacts differently and to get a match on the "shine" is very hard.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

Print on Pearl white or if everything is darker a Satin Silver Metallic.

Just know that you will never 100% match a metallic paint when printing.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

unless you know the material that was used on the RV, then you are battling an uphill battle as each material reacts differently and to get a match on the "shine" is very hard.

---The RV is painted. It's actually matched to an old alumina beige car paint. I already know the uphill battle is a real pain.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

Print on Pearl white or if everything is darker a Satin Silver Metallic.

Just know that you will never 100% match a metallic paint when printing.

---I'm very aware but the customer is demanding exact. I'm hoping if we get it super super close with the metallic it will be way better than it turning green or red with the simple print. thank you for the idea though. I was wondering if pearl would be an option but haven't seen anywhere that people use it.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

---I'm very aware but the customer is demanding exact. I'm hoping if we get it super super close with the metallic it will be way better than it turning green or red with the simple print. thank you for the idea though. I was wondering if pearl would be an option but haven't seen anywhere that people use it.

We use Avery Satin Pearl all the time for metallic effects. From past experience I would recommend that you make sure of your clients expectations and show them what is and isn't possible.

 

[TXFB.INS]

sounds like a waiver needs to made detailing the scope of the material and have them sign it that they understand the limitations and it won't be an exact match.

 

[Gino]

---The RV is painted. It's actually matched to an old alumina beige car paint. I already know the uphill battle is a real pain.

Right here is your answer. You are mixing two complete different mediums. While you'll be close is some lighting conditions, you won't be in others.

---I'm very aware but the customer is demanding exact. I'm hoping if we get it super super close with the metallic it will be way better than it turning green or red with the simple print. thank you for the idea though. I was wondering if pearl would be an option but haven't seen anywhere that people use it.

If he/she is demanding exact, then use the same procedure. If you had dogs and wanted the same kind for pups, you wouldn't bring in a different sire.

 

[CanuckSigns]

---I'm very aware but the customer is demanding exact. I'm hoping if we get it super super close with the metallic it will be way better than it turning green or red with the simple print. thank you for the idea though. I was wondering if pearl would be an option but haven't seen anywhere that people use it.

Sounds like you need to ensure the client is on the same page as you, if he demands an exact match, he needs to go to a body shop and pay to have it painted to match, anything else is a compromise.

It sounds like your client's expectations are out of the realm of possibilities with vinyl.

 

[Pete Moss]

We use Avery Satin Pearl all the time for metallic effects. From past experience I would recommend that you make sure of your clients expectations and show them what is and isn't possible.

This is an instance where we would be sure to do a nice fat sample print for color matching for the client to sign off on before output.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

We use Avery Satin Pearl all the time for metallic effects. From past experience I would recommend that you make sure of your clients expectations and show them what is and isn't possible.

We've been trying our best to beat it into his head but he swears he has seen this done before so he doesn't understand why we keep saying we can't match it exactly. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. Looks like we need to try a few different vinyls regardless because there's not a one right answer on this one. I've already suggested just painting the thing if he wants it exact. Only 98% of my job is magic, and this is the 2%.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

sounds like a waiver needs to made detailing the scope of the material and have them sign it that they understand the limitations and it won't be an exact match.

Most definitely. Here's to hoping we get this right with ease.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

Right here is your answer. You are mixing two complete different mediums. While you'll be close is some lighting conditions, you won't be in others.



If he/she is demanding exact, then use the same procedure. If you had dogs and wanted the same kind for pups, you wouldn't bring in a different sire.

Amen to that! When the boss says to do it anyway, you gotta do what you can to make a mastiff look like a pug. I just wish we did paint jobs too, would make it waaaay easier for sure.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

Sounds like you need to ensure the client is on the same page as you, if he demands an exact match, he needs to go to a body shop and pay to have it painted to match, anything else is a compromise.

It sounds like your client's expectations are out of the realm of possibilities with vinyl.

We've tried to get him to paint it but he's demanding vinyl. I'm hoping we at least get close enough that it's one of those, you and I would notice, but to the untrained eye, they wouldn't see a difference.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

This is an instance where we would be sure to do a nice fat sample print for color matching for the client to sign off on before output.

When I get it close, that's the plan. I'm not wasting a bunch of material on something he won't like.

Thank you!

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

It may look close in one light and be way off in another. We did a 40' car hauler once and did 14 color tests 2' x 2' till they were happy. Wrapped the 1400sqft of trailer only to have them freak out that under bright race track lights the colors didn't match. Luckily we were smart enough to have them sign off on proofs and quote. They paid up.

 

[Graphics@ToysForTrucks]

It may look close in one light and be way off in another. We did a 40' car hauler once and did 14 color tests 2' x 2' till they were happy. Wrapped the 1400sqft of trailer only to have them freak out that under bright race track lights the colors didn't match. Luckily we were smart enough to have them sign off on proofs and quote. They paid up.

THIS! This is exactly what happened when he came in the first time. He wanted it just printed, he didn't care for the metallic, we got it to match the best we could and he just hates it because it looks completely different on a cloudy day than when it's directly in the sun.

The struggle.

It's real.

 

[2B]

sounds like he went to get it painted they said it will cost XXXXXX and then he got a quote from you for XXXX and now you have to bend over backwards.

if you have or haven't already done a color sample, tell him all future samples cost XX amount for each color swatch and design time is XX per hour for testing and let the meter run

 

[CanuckSigns]

We've tried to get him to paint it but he's demanding vinyl. I'm hoping we at least get close enough that it's one of those, you and I would notice, but to the untrained eye, they wouldn't see a difference.

Sou do like you have it backwards, at my shop I tell the client what we can and can't do, not the other way around.

 

[shoresigns]

So many red flags. Stop wasting time and tell the client to take a hike.