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how do you determine whether to print or cut vinyl
I come accross this on a weekly basis. Obviously images, shading etc is straight to the printer.
But when you have say a 2 or 3 colour text only sign for example, do you just print? i know its easier, quicker? probably not.
Do you pick solid vinyl because its a better finish? holds up better longterm?
I have a job at the moment. Solid black backgorund with bright green text and logo. Now in my head i think the finish of solid vinyl is better, and to be honest i probably earn slightly better money doing it this way. The rest of the shop however he wants full blockout so i would opt to print as its much less hassle fitting.
Just wondering if you guys still layup multiple layers or the print button is your friend.
Im sure from the customers eyes they wont notice the difference either way.
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7 Replies
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Print button for job above. Just keeps everything same finish.
Comes down to job really. What’s quicker for fitting is the main thing. How small is the detail.
Possibly print more that we should. -
Mixed bag here.
I dont think you can really achieve the density, vibrancy of some solids printing them against a cad vinyl.
We’re doing a van Thursday, blue & green. A little overlay, but most of it is flat, and the customer wants a bright green. Cut vinyl.
We’ve printed small, simple 1 colour text signboards because its quicker & easier than weeding it all.
Done large signs and printed the logo (had to be printed) and done the text in cut vinyl.
I think we just know, we look at a job and ponder if we can be bothered. Time vs effort.
Personally I prefer weeding cad vinyl. Adding lamination increases the chances of messing it up, and a reprint will add a day to the turn round, where as cut vinyl we can smash straight out.
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I base it on costs, then speed.
multiple amounts get done in print unless only 1 or 2 colours in the graphic.
if only one or two signs/stickers, whatever, then it’s cut vinyl.everything other than cheap short term gets laminated for us. so… there are various costs you need to keep in mind
when choosing print over cut vinyl.artwork contour cut setup.
you have printer setup.
printing time.
laminating setup.
laminating time.
cutter setup.
contour cutting time.
lead into print, waste.
lead into laminator waste.
same applies for waste at the rear of the print and laminate if it has to be contour cut.
ink cost.
"waste" over the width of the roll if the print does not fill the width of vinyl.
"waste" over the width of the lamination if the print doesn’t go edge to edge.just some things to consider.
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Id of used a black dilite and then vinyl to face. It can also depend also on how busy i am. Vinyl i feel still gives a better finish and it also can be a pain flooding a print in case any blotches or issues.
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I still use vinyl whenever possible as I believe it has a more durable finish but if doing multiple copies of the same sign I often will print instead
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Thanks for your input guys. Interesting to hear your thoughts and a little surprised you speak so highly of cut vinyl over print but happy to hear it as i had the same opinion.
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Always a balancing act between quality, cost & time.
For ultimate durability cut vinyl whenever possible.
Print if the costs are similar as it saves time.
Print if it’s too much of a faf.
Cut for color intensity.
I probably print-wrap most of our panel signs these days.
Vans…bit of a mix.
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