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can anyone give me tips on hand laminating please?
Morning all
I dont normally have the need to laminate prints (most of my work is based on canvas/labels etc), but have some prints for the side of a tranny that I have to do.
I have about 9m in total that are in tiles of around 1.5m. I dont have a laminator but is this something that could be done by hand? I have done smaller stuff by hand before but nothing on this scale.
If it can be done, any tips?
Many thanks
Adrian
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26 Replies
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liquid laminate applied with a sponge roller 😀
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Did think of that, but wondered how it would hold up on the road?
What sort of finish does it give? Sorry to seem dumb, but never seen a liquid laminated job on a big panel.
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I used to do 4x1m liquid laminate panels before I got a laminator. 2 Years on they still look great.
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I can recommend ClearStar semi gloss, which is distributed in the UK by Landor, I apply this using a roller with great results.
http://www.landoruk.com
Tel: 01252 624411Ask to speak with Lynn, tell her the application and ask for a sample.
Cheers
Jeremy -
Thanks Jeremy, will give them a call. 😀
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One thing though, I will be applying a graphic over the top of the print, so would I be right in assuming that I would have to do that before applying the liquid laminate?
The graphic will also have a 10mm chrome contour, so will the laminate affect that?
sorry for the questions 😳
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I don’t see why it should if the laminate is applied smoothly as in the fine is smooth.
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Jason
Didn’t know if the adhesion would be strong enough to take application tape removal. Had visions of it peeling off! 😮
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No chance. I use this stuff for some surf board graphics I do. Safe as houses.
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Brill!
How long does this take to dry dust free and how long before you can apply over the top?
Just tried Lyn at Landoruk but not there until tomorrow,
Thanks
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Following on….
I was under the impression that you would fit then liquid laminate…. but if adhesion is not a problem then am I right in assuming you do it with the print flat on the bench?
adrian
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What sort of roller do you use for liquid laminating?
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That’s the way I do it, but I would also read the info about the range on the web site, have a chat with Lynn, choose an applicable product, try a sample and take it from there.
Jeremy
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You guys liquid laminate after the prints have been applied? ???
What about scratching the prints when applying them? I’ve always laminated then applied.
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Hi Jason,
No, I would liquid laminate then apply, just happened that by the time I had answered one question, two others were fired.Jon,
I use a bog standard 4" High Density Foam Roller…. Tray, Handle, Roller and two spare rollers for under £5.00.
As I opted for the water based laminate, everything can be washed and re-used.Jeremy
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have you cosidered using a wrap laminate and do by hand? It can be done
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Not sure about wrap laminate, but do have the laminate film thats matched to the vinyl. Have used it by hand before but nothing as large as this. Not that confident that I can do it without destroying the print! 😕
Might have a practice with some scrap just to see, but can see this one going liquid! lol
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Adrian, practice makes perfect. I use a window film applicator as a squeegee with plenty of water, drop of baby shampoo and meths. Even done wraps using this method
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Chris
So if laminating with film by hand go wet rather than dry? Whats your mix for the meths and water? or is it just a splosh per ltr? 😀
Cheers
Adrian
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you have to go wet with this one, I use 50-50 meths water with a drop of soap. the only thing is you need a very hard squeegee for this. Try it and see, it does work.
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Chris
Thanks for that have play!
Adrian
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Well, didn’t have any baby shampoo at home so done a meths/water with a few drops of bubblebath mixture. Just laminated about a metre and cant believe how good it looks 😮
Counting out beginners luck its either the special bubble bath or the red vino either way will repeat tomoz on the gassed out prints 😮 😮
Only thing I found is that my yellow squeege (hard as nails) was too hard and dug in. Used a new felt block and got sweet results!
Cheers all
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I do 3 meter runs like this only 760 wide, works very well I have found the best applicator is a blue Avery one using felt side.
Rich -
3m 😮 I am worried about a 1.75m run! lol
I used a Hexis felt block. They are a bit thicker than the oracal ones that europoint do and you can get a bit of umpff behind them.
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8" Super Squeegee (T handle type)
Product Code: T-255
This squeegee is great for flat glass jobs, large windows and security film jobs. Offers good leverage and a hard squeegee for getting moisture out from underneath the film.
£11.19
£12.87 inc VATI get these from Johnson window films
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The best way to do it is to apply the graphic to the vehicle and then apply the laminate afterwards using vinyl application fluid.
Please note this has to be done in a clean enviroment and you have to keep a constant eye out for dust particles. Don’t use a squeegee, use a roller instead, it goes through bubbles like butter!
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