Perforated Vinyl

[Gavin MacMillan]

Just print as per standard vinyl, that’s really all it is except it has holes!

G

[Richard Urquhart]

Just done a few meters on my Roland just use a standard profile and press print, easy stuff !

[Peter Dee]

For application to vehicle windows, can I use ordinary clear laminate instead of the optically clear stuff, which seems way over the top on price just for vehicle work?

[Robert Walker]

Hi Peter

you can but you cant see naff all through it, its like using
window frosting

[Peter Dee]

Thanks Rob.
Richard, do you always laminate? What do you use?

[PeterSaint]

Peter, if it needs to be laminated, please make sure the laminate (needs to be clear view) is stuck to the glass and (it is recommended to) seal the egdes after you trim the graphics… as the laminates glue may go "milky" sometimes when any moisture will get underneath and driver won’t see a thing through it. Usually it is better to not laminate it, just explain to the customer that it may be better this way…

[Peter Dee]

That’s another thing I’m not sure about; does it really need laminating when put on car windows. I guess it would be yes for a back window with a wiper.
What about lightly applying Clearstar liquid laminate with a roller?
I need to 2 side windows & 1 rear and not having used perforated before will be grateful for all advice.

[Steve McAdie]

I have found that when laminated condensation can be a problem but if not laminated then water and dirt will get into the holes. So damned if you do damned if you don’t. Personally i think it looks better without. I prefer the metamark to the robert horne one but have not tried the original contravision. Another thing to consider Peter is that it comes in varying degrees of visability such as 40/60 50/50 60/40 the figures relate to open area 40% open 60% closed ect. Different manufacturers offer different configs metamark was 40/60 robert horne was the other two.

Steve

[Turk Erhamza]

Just to reiterate, you NEED to use optically clear. Yes, kind of pricey but only other option is no laminate at all but that presents its own problems as mentioned.

[Peter Dee]

Thanks guys. I saw a van with a perforated print on the back window today.

Guess what, the wiper had worn off all the print so it had a nice white arc across the window!

[Martin Pearson]

Just remove the wiper when you fit it for the customer Peter, that solves that problem.

The other option would be to do it the way Rob did in a demo with normal printed vinyl and then with stripes cut and removed.

Not sure if that would be any different once laminated though. I know Rob said it was better from the rain & dirt perspective but might still require the optically clear laminate film.