Have you replaced Metamark MD3 and MD5 with any other similar grade vinyl's?

[Martyn Heath]

Image perfect polymeric for me. i dont stock monomeric anymore.

[Jamie Wood]

We use Orajet 3164 for monomeric, and Metamark for polymeric, although we do occasionally use Drytac for polymeric, which is good vinyl.

[David Hammond]

LG do a polymeric and monomeric vinyl.

I’ve been using the monomeric for about 12 months, with no issues. I found 3164 shrank really quickly, in my opinion not really comparable to MD3.

I’ve used the LG polymeric vinyl and laminates, increasingly so, as the cost saving is noticeable. I can’t speak for longevity.

[Jamie Wood]

I agree that MD3 is superior to Orajet. We do use MD3 when a higher grade monomeric is required.

I’ll look into the LG vinyl. Could you let me know where you purchase this from please.

[David Hammond]

I’m buying it from Pyramid, they’re local to me so I can collect, and when they deliver it comes on their own vehicle.

[Jamie Wood]

Cheers

[Pane Talev]

“I found 3164 shrank really quickly, in my opinion not really comparable to MD3.”

Thank you David. That is very valuable information to me.

[Ian Jenkin]

Logged back in after a long time to reply to this one 🙂

We religiously used Metamark MD3A, up until recently, where we have moved over to the Image Perfect, which is fantastic, it really is.

[RobertLambie]

For Polymeric Digital we are mainly using “Arlon and Image Perfect”, at the moment, but have also been using Oracal for 20+ years, and occasionally use Drytac.

For Monomeric Digital we use Oracal and Image Perfect.
However, I must point out, we ONLY use Monomeric vinyl for short-term “Correx” fluted board advertising signs.

I see and hear of lots of sign companies chopping and changing their suppliers of vinyl these days.
During Covid, I personally saw differences in the quality of various types of vinyl. I also heard from credible sources that different face films were being used under branded names, when that shouldn’t happen. Survival of the fittest, Covid was a one-off scenario, I get all that, but it doesn’t mean it’s right!
That was then, but It makes me wonder if these sorts of practices are still in place, post-covid, and with prices not coming back down, even though shipping costs are. And I do fully understand that unsold stock sitting on the shelf which was purchased at a higher price, must still be sold at profit. But If this is the case, an email to announce in 2 months’ time prices may drop by X% would be nice, instead of the continual increases.

[Hugh Potter]

I run a 365 latex,

I’ve never used MD3 but was a regular user of MDL100, MD5 AB & MD5 H.

A couple of years back I had awful trouble with the MD5 laminate turning light grey to pink, it almost cost me a very good client, I wasn’t happy with Metamarks answer to the issue (buying opti clear lam at £10= p mtr) so switch to Arlon 4550 GTX, have never looked back on that.

I continued with the MD5 High tack until they messed about with the liners and I ended up with around 75m of wasted prints, ruined in the HP. I moved to Vion 5000 high tack, I stuck with that for a year or two but gave MD5 H another go after a long chat with Metamark on the phone, the issues I experienced appear to have been sorted and I actually prefer the MD5 to the vion, it sits nice and flat when cut up into laminated stickers which are kept as stock, and I think the adhesive is better too. I’ll stick the MD% H for the foreseeable.

I also use now the Vion 3000 (mono) and laminates, in place of the MDL100, I don’t recall the MDL being an issue, I think it was a case of ordering along anyway so thought I’d try it, and stayed with it. It’s only used for site boards, short-term displays, stickers etc. but I don’t think I’d have any issue going back to the metamark.

[Jeff]

was it not discussed on here, not so long ago about a list of misleading descriptions of vinyl and changes to several Metamark vinyl. one being the “cylindered cast” 🤔
that kind of thing by a manufacturer doesn’t sit well with me. trying to make a living is tough enough without my supplier cutting corners in the background, at my expense.

[David Hammond]

I think it was.

There is MDI, which filled the gap between MD3 & MD5.

MDX, from memory was their first hybrid wrap film, that is Cylinder cast.

MDC is their more recent Cast digital vinyl.

There’s M-CC, the colour change cylinder cast, and the new M-CX a cast colour change.

PPF has been added too.

I’ve used all of those materials except the MCX, and PPF.

They do have their place. Right tool for the job.

I also use Avery, Oracal, and Arlon, and a Cast vinyl where I deem it necessary.

Before these hybrids (possible still now) there were cowboys using cheap calendered vinyl for wraps.

[RobertLambie]

I do recall a couple of UKSB posts that have been flagged up by people questioning some things with regard to changes or alterations to products or descriptions of certain Metamark products. It was two or three years ago I think. Though I don’t remember the actual details of what was been said. So it is not fair for me to comment. However, the description of their wrapping vinyl at the time was “Cylindered Cast” and raised a few eyebrows.

Calendered Vinyl
Imagine a huge lump of chewing gum being forced between a series of hot and cold cylinders until perfectly flat and cured. [Fast process]

Cast Vinyl
Imagine a paint-like liquid being evenly poured, onto a high gloss-moving surface, self-levelling in a relaxed state. Taken through ovens to cure. [Slow process]

The Cast process takes far longer and uses more expensive products in the mix. Ultimately resulting in a superior product.

The technical description of Metmarks wrapping vinyl being a “cylindered cast” implies both of the above manufacturing processes, when it should be “one or the other”, therefore it is “misleading” to those purchasing it.

[Jeff]

thanks for clarifying that rob.
there were some other things being questioned about other ranges of metamark vinyl. fair enough it was a few years back but it just loses my faith in the product or manufacturer.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Been reading this one with interest. I moved away from Metamark completely a number of years ago. I went through about 4 or 5 rolls of MD5 a month plus plenty of their cad offerings at the time, then, a very good & reliable material. I began to notice the liner change on the newer deliveries which usually indicates a change in the manufacturing process, but no issues so ignored it. Then along came a really simple job, a front to back horizontal strip on a Transporter, as flat as a bloody billiard table, just under the crease on the waist. 4 days later, after a bit of rain, client returned asking if it was normal for it to come loose & collect water. Not a small failure, a pocket 4’ wide holding enough water to make a cup of tea. After cleaning off the egg on my face, I arranged to replace but didn’t want to use the same roll so contacted Metamark in case I’d received a dodgy batch, I’m sure all manufacturers have them occasionally. The roll was collected & apparently analysed, which is when I was told ‘I must have fitted it wrong ‘. Not something I was expecting to hear from the Telesales expert considering I’ve done at least 4-5 vans in my time. It was then that I discovered the Metamark ‘cylindered warranty’ where the supplier & the customer go round & round blaming each other. Contacted Spandex soon after & used them ever since, solve any problems first then come back & sort out who was at fault later