Liquid laminating Versacamm prints

[Chris Wool]

a good quality laminate will out perform liquid in all ways imho.

if you intend to use a application tape to apply the do not use liquid.

chris

[Ross Archer]

I have tried Frog Juice on some Versacamm samples and been really impressed with the durability: scratching, panel wipe etc. I have tried application tape and it has been OK on the small samples. Does it depend on haow long the tape is on before application?

[Chris Wool]

frog juce and even low tak application tape cost me to redo 10 vans and all the help i got was the disclaimer on the tin from a company with a v in there name.

frog stuf is a good product with lots of uses this aint one of them.

buy a laminator and dont look back.

chris

[Ross Archer]

Are you using a Versacamm? If so how do you rate it?

[Cheryl Tissington]

quote Ross Archer:

Are you using a Versacamm? If so how do you rate it?

Fan dabby dosey ! 😀
Completely trouble free !

I laminate most of my stuff by hand. I’ll probably look at a laminator early next year.
At the moment, its easy to apply by wet application.

Cheryl

[Ross Archer]

How long have you been using the vesacamm. You have had no come backs regarding print fading etc.

[Cheryl Tissington]

Ross,
I bought mine from Grafityp about March this year.
Good price – good service.

I can’t really comment on fading as none of my work has been out that long.

That said, I’ll be a bit cheesed off if I get complaints in the future considering no one told me this could happen. 👿

We all know that printed work has a limited life, however I was led to believe it should last for quite a few years if its laminated.

We’ll see ! 😕

Cheryl

[Nigel Pugh]

Hi Cheryl 🙂

Prints ought to last a good two years outdoor un-laminated (without any noticable change), add a UV blocker laminate and you can extend the life of the print by 18 months and longer.

[Cheryl Tissington]

Cheers Nigel…..thats what I thought 🙄

No worries. The machine is great.

Cheryl 😀

[John Simpson]

quote Cheryl Tissington:

quote Ross Archer:

Are you using a Versacamm? If so how do you rate it?

I laminate most of my stuff by hand. I’ll probably look at a laminator early next year.
At the moment, its easy to apply by wet application.

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,
Hope you aren’t hand laming with water when using wrapping vinyl over recesses?
Would not advise this as the adhesive on the clear needs to be 100% in contact with the print.

I know through experience………even the same when laminating with the machine but not left the print long enough to out gas before laminating.

L J

[valegraphics]

I have been liquid laminating for about 8 mths now. I use a clear acrylic from graphityp.

Good results so far, no complaints. Excellent abrasion guard too. As long as you give it time to cure rock hard. Too many variables to go wrong tho. Dust, static, etc get it wrong and the print looks cr@p.

You can also get a spay can from graphityp, but it stinks! And you’ve got to be pretty good to achieve a decent finish. As said above tho, proper matching laminate is the correct way to go.

(mod-edit)

Just my 2pence worth.

Matt

[Ross Archer]

Thanks you guys. I have placed my order for my Versacamm and Laminator, but I am still going to play around with liquid laminates mainly as you can print, cut and then laminate rather than taking out and then putting back and plotting. I spoke to some guys at Roland who said that the only liquid lam they suggest is ‘One Shot Acrylic Clear Laminate’ and it’s alot cheaper than Frog Juice.

[Cheryl Tissington]

Hi John,
no, don’t worry ! I’m just doing flat stuff at the moment…..pavement signs, shop signs etc.

I haven’t ventured into vehicle signs and wraps yet :lol1:

Hopefully, I’ll get a laminator early next year and progress from there. I’ve been happy to just take my time with the machine so far and not put too much pressure on myself. Its a learning curve that I’m enjoying.

Ross,
well done on ordering your versacamm. You wont regret it.

All the best,
Cheryl

[Chris Wool]

ross part of the problem is material curl at the edges as the inks and or liquid laminate dry sheet laminate solves all of those problems and does not make a smell or dust.

make sure the suppliers sell you matching laminate to the print material.

oracal 751c clear is very nice and as its higher quality than most print vinyls so will not pull nice gloss and is very thin.

a lot of laminates are designed for the graphic market as a whole and not really designed for vehicle work.

and when you get used to it print – laminate – cut is a doddle

chris