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Did I do the right thing?
Hello people….it’s been a while since I’ve posted on here so I have either been busy or away a lot….well it’s a bit of both really.
Anyway I’m in need of some advice/guidance from you good people.
I recently had a job in for some printed graphics for a LWB panel van. The owner is renown for not keeping things for very long. I advised he would be best off with his graphics done on GrafiPrint S05S semi permanent white gloss wrap as it is, as stated in the Grafityp catalogue as ‘Great for taxi/bus advertising’. It is also removable up to 12 months after application without leaving residue or damaging his nice new respray. Also as it is likely he will not have the vehicle for the long term I felt laminating would be a little pointless.
Anyway I received a call telling me that his ‘fitter’ says the vinyl is rubbish for this job, it should be laminated and will shrink!! He is also using application tape to apply the graphics as he (the fitter) says the graphics are too big to be done any other way. Apparently this chap has been ‘in the trade’ for many years and his comments have got me wondering …..’have I screwed up’?
So kind folks….have I?
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8 Replies
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I wrapped a mini bus a few months ago, it was printed on 3m control tac and was not sealed. Fitting was a little tricky but it can be done easy, I thought about putting application paper on it but preferred to get on with fitting it. You need to change the way you handle the vinyl since it is so flexible. If you go about it the same way you would as if it had a seal it will be very hard. We did a total of 3 mini buses like this, I would say the fitter is not experienced enough to know how to handle the print. You could offer a seal at extra cost if he is not up to fitting with out seal.
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as luke says the fitter will have to change his fitting technique, if it was laminated it would have made handling easyer.
also may have been a hot day as well as limp vinyl.give them the option next time.
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Hi Chris…..like I said the customer rarely keeps things for long…he’s renown for getting rid at the right price so laminating would just have been a waste of time and money in my opinion. The thing I was concerned about was the comment that I used a ‘cheap’ vinyl and it will shrink…..I bet Grafityp won’t be too happy if they read this… 🙄
Supposedly the ‘fitter’ has been in the ‘trade’ for over 20 years so I’m a bit puzzled as to why he would use app tape on a medium size (1 mtr x 0.80 mtr)panel?
Luke…thanks for the ‘mini bus’ info ….it makes me feel a bit better about non lamination…..though I have posted now about getting a laminator.
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have you fitted any of these. how did you get on,
on some printed non laminated vinyls using app tape does make fitting easier and a lot faster. -
Hi Chris…..no I’ve not had the ‘pleasure’ of fitting yet and that’s why I was concerned when I was told he was using app tape. Being a ‘beginner’ my knowledge has been gleaned from here and the font of video knowledge…’youtube’…and not the rubbish that sometimes pops up on there either. Having seen some of the professionals there….vehicle wrapping of Dakar rally cars and the impressive Mr Lambie truck & vehicle wrapping it seemed strange to be using app tape….but I’m ready to stand corrected.
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really think you need to have a chat with the fitter ask for constructive criticism of the material then speak to your supplier.
in the mean time try and fit some your self, learn from it.
fit some test bits unprinted and some with a heavy lnk load picture and one with app tape and see the difference.a few mts of print for test fitting is time well spent
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I know it doesn’t help with your problem but i always laminate, its just not worth the hassle of fitting unlaminated. The cost saving gets eaten up in the extra time it takes to fit. Removal is also easier on laminated prints. Just my opinion
Kev
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I did some prints for some site boards the other day, I left them unlaminated as it’s a 90micron vinyl – but with the ink load on them they are still soft and tricky to fit. I can understand the fitters aggravation.
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