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To overlap or not to overlap . . .

Posted by Bryan Cabrera on 23 July 2005 at 15:58

We are making a bunch of coroplast signs each with a logo that has a circle border to big for the plotter. At present we only have a 24″ plotter and the sign is 38″ x 38″.

Should I overlap or just butt them up. If overlap what is the appropriate overlap amount.

Thank you,

Bryan

Robert Lambie replied 20 years, 2 months ago 9 Members · 12 Replies
12 Replies

Iain Gordon

Member
23 July 2005 at 16:09

I would overlap by 1/2″…should take into account for any shrinkage

Iain
Paul Rollason

Member
23 July 2005 at 16:11

Hi Bryan

I would ask the supplier of your vinyl if they could cut it for you before they send the vinyl.

We have done this in the past and they have been happy to.

If not a 2-3mm overlap should suffice

paul r
Jill Marie Welsh

Member
23 July 2005 at 16:37

If you do have to overlap, be sure to make the upper section be the overlapping piece.
I only have a 15″ plotter so I overlap when I must.
Love….Jill
Lynn Normington

Member
23 July 2005 at 17:28

We also have to over lap some times no more than 5mm and as Jill says make the top bit the front bit if you know what I mean

🙂
Lynn
Bryan Cabrera

Member
23 July 2005 at 20:02

Thanks all. I did already make one of the signs but wasn’t really happy with how the overlap looked, but I guess it just the nature of the beast. I probably need to be a bit more strategic in where I place the overlap.

Jill – At least it is good to know that I don’t have the smallest one in the group. Where about in the states are you?
Robert Lambie

Member
23 July 2005 at 22:29

as iain has made a point, take into account the vinyl you are using. i.e. if its cheapish, it WILL shrink.
another point is some folk aren’t great at aligning up. bigger over laps are better for this.
however, no matter what vinyl, or how much margin you use to over lap. its dead easy to trim back when applied.. personally ide Trim it back to show 1-.1.5 mm overlap. why? you have 2 layers. each shrinking about The same. if you have a good vinyl, shrink will be minimal. very little…. even if cheap vinyl. lets say 1.5mm, you have two layers pulling both ways 1.5mm that’s a shrink of 3mm… thats much more play than needed.
anyway, we are talking correx backing, cheap stuff, stop worrying about these sort of things when the customer sure isn’t 😉
Nicola McIntosh

Member
24 July 2005 at 00:16

quote Robert Lambie:

no matter what vinyl, or how much margin you use to over lap. its dead easy to trim back when applied..

i do the same thing also..and leave a 1 to 1.5 mm overlap 😛 leaving a bigger overlap just looks terrible and darker in colour which spoils the ‘hide the join’ 😀

nik
Jill Marie Welsh

Member
24 July 2005 at 02:40

I live near Mars, PA (20 miles north of Pittsburgh)
BTW, I am hosting a Letterhead meet next month near Emlenton if yer interested.
Love…..Jill
Shane Drew

Member
24 July 2005 at 08:20

quote Jillbeans:

I live near Mars, PA (20 miles north of Pittsburgh)
BTW, I am hosting a Letterhead meet next month near Emlenton if yer interested.
Love…..Jill

So women really are from mars…. sounds like a good title for a book 😮

(could not resist that)

The advise here is good tho mate. I’d overlap the top bit too, about 2mm
Chris Wool

Member
24 July 2005 at 13:30

some times i like to butt the joint the put a 4 or 5 mm stripe over the joint it saves building in or relying on soft wear to get it right all so easy to lign up.

chris
Bryan Cabrera

Member
24 July 2005 at 15:12

quote :

anyway, we are talking correx backing, cheap stuff, stop worrying about these sort of things when the customer sure isn’t

Good advice. I guess for this project it is not critical as the signs will be used short term. Just wanted to know the proper method for future work, as we are still getting our feet wet in the sign biz. It is true that sometimes we get wrapped up in small details when the job doesn’t warrant it.

I like the idea of trimming back once the vinyl is in place. I assume it is just a matter of getting a feel for cutting through one layer of vinyl and then pulling back.

We have been using Avery Intermediate 6 year vinyl so I am not sure what the shrinkage is as we have been in it for ON a few months. I would assume that it would not shrink anymore then 1/8″?????

Appreciate every ones input.

Bryan
Robert Lambie

Member
24 July 2005 at 15:18

that grade of vinyl should be fine mate, not much, if any, shrinkage.
trimming is very easy. just make sure you have a sharp blade. when you pull the vinyl away. pull off at an angle back the way. if its a light coloured vinyl give a wipe after with meths or something to remove any glue residue as it will pick up dust etc and look dirty after a few days. if you have none, rub over it with a dry finger tip and the glue will roll into little balls and fall off. 😀