Need Help UV Printed Cast Vinyl Cracks and comes unstuck after 6 months

[Iulian Strutu]

Hi!

I'm struggling for a year now to find a reliable way to mount vinyls on vehicles with printed vinyl but no joy.
For me it's obvious now that the vinyl is cracking because of the UV print. I have a FujiFilm LED roll to roll printer and I have this issue only with printed vinyl.
First I used PoliPrint 1200(75mic calendered vinyl), Ritrama RiJet 75 and finally Ritrama Cast RiJet 50. I didn't overlaminate them... if it matters

Does this happened to anyone before?

There is a solution beside printing the vinyl on solvent or latex printer?
I'm thinking if lowering UV lamps intensity or a special vinyl will do...

Many thanks,
Julian

 

[White Haus]

Print with a solvent or latex printer and laminate, problem solved.

 

[iPrintStuff]

Depending on the ink formulation UV can make prints brittle.

Not sure what’s happening here but the only thing I am sure on is that you should be laminating pretty much everything going on a vehicle. Why use cast vinyl then skimp on lam?

 

[Asuma01]

You should only be using cast vinyl that has been laminated on vehicles. Unless its for short term graphics that will be removed after a few months. Ideally with an eco-solvent or latex printer.

 

[Pauly]

UV printers are not really used for vinyl wrapping. As the ink sticks to the surface rather than bonds into the vinyl like solvents.
Although you can laminate them, the ink still may peel off the edges with the laminate.

 

[Inks]

UV printers are not really used for vinyl wrapping. As the ink sticks to the surface rather than bonds into the vinyl like solvents.
Although you can laminate them, the ink still may peel off the edges with the laminate.

There are UV inks for rigid stocks and UV inks for flexible stocks that are also compatible with PVC. If the laminate is peeling or falling off, then there is most likely a curing issue.

 

[WB]

You can't print vehicle wraps with a UV printer..

 

[zspace]

UV lamps can cause vinyl to turn brittle. Lowering the lamp intensity and lower passes might make a difference.

 

[zspace]

UV lamps can cause vinyl to turn brittle. Lowering the lamp intensity and lower passes might make a difference

 

[Inks]

You can't print vehicle wraps with a UV printer..

3M and EFI have a warranty program for their uv inks/material for wraps. Most UV inks used on flatbeds are not flexible enough and are designed for rigid stocks. Curing may also impact the adhesion etc. You can print with UV but not everyone has a 6 figure printer. Roll to toll solvent base would be the most common and easiest method, unless you are decorating many trailers, boats and vehicles.

 

[jfiscus]

Theres a lot of factors here, but I want to add in that the base factor; low end vinyl, is the main culprit here. That would probably have failed if printed on any type of printer.

 

[Kentucky Wraps]

It's like saying...
I keep making fires with aluminum logs and they don't burn. Is there any solution besides using flammable material in the fire?

 

[Retro Graphics]

You can't print vehicle wraps with a UV printer..

since when?

 

[Retro Graphics]

if you print on calendar, lam with calendar, if you print on cast, lam with cast.... don't mix them, I have printed UV wraps and had them on for 2 years so far without any such peeling. What UV inks are you using? The only time my prints rip like that is if I'm ripping them off without heat.

 

[WB]

Maybe technology has changed since I last had a UV printer. My Old AGFA was definitely not useable for vehicle graphics. if I was going to focus on Vehicle wraps a UV printer would be my last choice.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

Maybe technology has changed since I last had a UV printer. My Old AGFA was definitely not useable for vehicle graphics. if I was going to focus on Vehicle wraps a UV printer would be my last choice.

Times have, we now wrap all the time with our Canon Colorado 1650 and I know a few shops that use their Mimaki UVJC for wraps.

To the OP, I suspect that the lack of laminate is contributing to this. a Good UV rejecting overlaminate will help reduces the excessive curing which is causing your films to become brittle.

 

[Retro Graphics]

Times have, we now wrap all the time with our Canon Colorado 1650 and I know a few shops that use their Mimaki UVJC for wraps.

Using a mimaki ucjv here.
The jeep was done about 2 years ago in my garage at about 60 degrees and a space heater and a heat gun lol. The jeep is about to a tually be stripped and rewrapped with a new custom design.

The truck was done a week ago with a wonderful ambient temps of 70-75 degrees.

 

[Retro Graphics]

Using a mimaki ucjv here.
The jeep was done about 2 years ago in my garage at about 60 degrees and a space heater and a heat gun lol. The jeep is about to a tually be stripped and rewrapped with a new custom design.

The truck was done a week ago with a wonderful ambient temps of 70-75 degrees.

the pic if the jeep is from 2 days ago. Also its only on the doors below the window line.

 

[Ronny Axelsson]

My experience with UV-ink on vinyl is limited to small stickers but I can tell you that if they are printed to the edges and put up outdoors, the ink will continue to harden over time and the edges will start to curl in a couple of months.
I have seen stickers curl until they fell off because of this.
A laminate will most likely delay the process but I would not trust it for a car wrap.

FWIW, I have switched to flexible inks in my printer but it is too soon to tell whether it is better or not.

 

[Elwood "Woody" Smith]

UV inks are not the ideal solution for wraps. Latex or Eco-Solvent are best. Always laminate with CAST lam.