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Does unused vinyl really have a use by date?
I was wondering if vinyl really has a use by date. Why? Well we all have rolls of vinyl that may not have been touched for a while but from what I’m use to in the past never had a problem using the older stock. Maybe I’ve been lucky?. I was wondering is it true about use by date? I mean with inks that’s fair enough but vinyl im unsure.
I can logical guess the solvent adhesive may or could break down but how long because if I stuck to the use by date all the time I don’t think I would be in business? I always test and trial the vinyl before use and never have a problem. But realistically I can’t test lest say for 2 years etc.Just wanted to throw the question out there to you more experienced people and wondered if any suppliers could chime in here ?
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9 Replies
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Yes. After maybe 3 years on the shelf it’ll be pretty much on the fast track to being unusable.
The glue migrates away from the edge if stored vertically and the paper backing can break down and go a bit ‘crispy’.
I bin anything older than 2 years as I won’t sell it to a customer…rare that I do it as I maintain pretty tight stock control.Dave
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Had some old stock from a couple years back and thought maybe save some money.
I won’t bother now. It will be good for arts and crafts of to poobay it is.Have 10 rolls of 50m digital print gloss ritrama what a shame Cheers mate
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quote Michael kalispera:Had some old stock from a couple years back and thought maybe save some money….Have 10 rolls of 50m digital print gloss ritrama what a shame Cheers mate
Sell it as such then – something that lifespan guarantee really isn’t an issue on.
Indoor stickers / wall graphics / self adhesive building plans for architects / safety signs / SALE & PROMO graphics for shops / hoardings..
I just wouldn’t warrant it for shop fascias for more than a couple of years…although it’d probably be OK.
Dave
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I’ve got a few old rolls of vinyl that I got in a job lot some 8yrs ago… I still use them for cheap church / fete banners and other short term signs, sure – they’re shrunk a couple of mm on the roll but surely that’s a feature, right? "pre-shrunk graphics"!!
to be fair, I’d never use it on anything I was getting properly paid for.
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Hugh to be fair we all shrink a few mm after a few years lol
Thanks guys !
It’s actually not bad vinyl so may use for labels it’s feels (solvent adhesive) and looks like new in a clear sealed bag in the box so may just use as it’s money even if it is labels etc.
Just found 15more boxes in shed lol shit that 35x 50m hahaha lots of labels stickers coming. Lol -
Ive used old stock and had no issues whatsoever, mainly I buy better product to begin with mactac 9800 or similar – cheaper brands I would throw.
john 😀
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quote John Harding:Ive used old stock and had no issues whatsoever, mainly I buy better product to begin with mactac 9800 or similar – cheaper brands I would throw.john 😀
I’m with John, we have old stock of 9800 which I haven’t bought in over 8 years which we have used with no issues. I suppose the problem is you don’t know how long the supplier has had it before you buy it.
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quote Gary Birch:quote John Harding:Ive used old stock and had no issues whatsoever, mainly I buy better product to begin with mactac 9800 or similar – cheaper brands I would throw.
john 😀
I’m with John, we have old stock of 9800 which I haven’t bought in over 8 years which we have used with no issues. I suppose the problem is you don’t know how long the supplier has had it before you buy it.
Good point Gary. I’m not aware of a manufacturers made date. Be nice if they did.
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Just wrapped the back of a van with 5 year old Oracal 3951 although new laminate, it was for a regular customer and did it partly as a trail to see if it would last, went on and heated in beautifully in fact much better than the rest of the van where brand new air release version was used…….
time will tell if it holds but 2 months on no probs.
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