Printing on Regular Paper?

[Stormyj]

Hi all,
I have a customer that wants some laminated sheets made to hang in a display cabinet. Sizes range from 24"^2 to 35 x 72. He wants info printed on them and then have them laminated to stand the elements, cabinet is outside. I thought of vinyl and then laminating it, but feel that it might not work very well, ie if I remove the release paper on the vinyl, it will later come off, if I take it off, it will be a pain to apply laminate to it and cause problems. I thought of purchasing a roll of photo paper and using something like that, but not sure if that will work with my sc540. Any suggestions? How would you attack this?
Thanks
Jim

 

[Gino]

A little more about this cabinet. Do you have a picture of it, or can you describe it better ?? That alone will probably dictate how and what to use.

 

[Stormyj]

Its just an outside display cabinet on the front of their building, for info sheets, temporary stuff I guess. Its probably only about 4" to 6" deep. I think that these will be simply hung with push pins.

 

[SightLine]

There are many non-adhesive materials for solvent/ecosolvent printers from Intelicoat (Magicinkjet) and several others like Sihl. Your choices are paper based or synthetic based materials. Synthetic based (like tradeshow display films) would not be susceptible to moisture but will sometimes cost more. On the paper side you could go with a regular cheaper paper like gfphoto, eco satin or a latex (nothing at all to do with latex printers or inks) saturated paper gfiop which does have moisture resistance and is pretty cheap but does have a slightly beige color to it. We have used tons of the gfphoto over the years and a few rolls of the gfiop as well for different things and they print great.

http://www.magicinkjet.com/product-list.html

Depending on how long you expect it to last you might not even need to laminate (any direct sun? or only need to look good for up to a year?) and depending on the material you might even be less expensive than any vinyl.

 

[DizzyMarkus]

The problem we had using photo paper for this was it always wanted to curl, we now set up the file and send it to the copy shop :0)

Markus

EDIT---- you did say push pins -- it may work sorry.

 

[Gino]

Its just an outside display cabinet on the front of their building, for info sheets, temporary stuff I guess. Its probably only about 4" to 6" deep. I think that these will be simply hung with push pins.

Okay, this is still vague, but I'll play along.

Most things of this nature, have a plexi or glass covering to protect the things inside. Many times, they'll even have a locking mechanism on it. Heck, simple vandalism would be the main reason. People taking things in order to mess with their heads and all kinds of other reasons. It would also help prevent direct elements from getting to it. So, if it has a glass covering of sorts, any lame old piece of vinyl should work, especially if they're going to pin it up. Laminating is just a wasted step. If there is no protective covering, the same method will work.

However, if you want it to look a little more professional and you can get an extra buck, I'd print on cheap vinyl, apply it to a piece of shocard and they'll have a wonderful cheap good looking sign which will hold up in the elements with or without a glass cover.

 

[lgroth]

Alternatives...

A couple of alternatives I've used with success for the type of application you describe. One alternative is a coated PET anti curl material used for retractable displays, will handle short term exterior in a cabinet, longer if laminated. It does want to roll a bit like paper but not so much if it's laminated. Another alternative is a smooth banner material (8-10oz), also reasonable in cost, hangs well and will handle exterior use without laminating, just print/ trim and done. Using the right paper paper works ok for short term, long term if you encapsulate it with lamination, protects it well and the double lam helps prevent it from curling, but it becomes pricey laminating both sides.