-
Pop Ups – problem with registration between the panels
Hi All
We have printed and supplied our first pop up. We’ve used an Ultima 3*3 stand and Metamark MD-PU media, printed on an RS640.
Despite 2 sets of prints we can’t get an acceptable registration (for the customer) between the panels when assembled.
The raw printed panels register well on the bench but are 3-4mm’s out after the magnetic strips and hanging bars are applied and then the whole thing is set up.
My question is whether from others experience is what sort of accuracy of registration we should expect to get? I note on Ultima’s product leaflet that they say don’t have design elements over the joins (I’m guessing the reason being the registration). However, the customer states they have seen them with absolute registration and won’t accept anything less.
Now to me the whole nature of these products means that the registration depends on the person setting it up (albeit we oursleves can’t get it exact), and to some degree how the hanging / magnetic strips are stuck on (we are making sure they are straight and level with the panel edges).
We will print it again and try once more but I’m not sure we can do anything different from the last 2 attempts – please can someone help me set a realistic expectation on what is usually achievable for registration between panels.
Cheers
Macky -
8 Replies
-
I cant see how you can install the panels EXACTLY anyway. I bet the one the customer claims was perfect was probably not given closer inspection.
It’s probably worthwhile stating some sort of disclaimer before doing these regarding panel match up.
-
try registering on the bench with magnetics applied if ok then its the stand not level, also when setting up panels dont start one end setting up work out from a center panel as any run off errors are minimised – i think if you get to 2 or 3 mil out that is acceptable to most on exhib stands
John 😀
-
if I’m understanding right the panels are not joining together with a 3/4mm gap between them? if so it could be the magnetic strip on the back of the panels. I made one earlier this year and metamark supplied me with the wrong type of magnetic strip.
if i remember correctly we was sent T-MV12-A but we needed T-MV12-B which has a grove down the middle.
i could be off the mark but its worth a mention.
-
Thanks for the replies
After playing around today I think my problem is two fold (i) the prints are getting curved slightly by the laminator (ii) the frame isn’t true even on a level floor.
So when i re-print I’m going to use wider media to make sure everything is straighter when loaded into the printer/laminator – I know this will mean waste as I can still only get one panel print across the media width. Also I’m going to put the mag strip around the long edges of the panels, set it all up on the frame and then mark out the positions of the hanging strip before sticking them on – I know the latter is a little ar$e about face but it will get over the frame not being true.
With this and the other feedback I’ve had then I’ll be happy with a 1-2mm tolerance on the design registration.
Cheers
Macky -
Registration between panels I get about 1mm. The variance is in the hanging. You can manipulate the panels by lifting them up and down slightly. As has been said work from the center panel then align to that.
Common mistakes are having your panels too long. Measure them after they come out of the RIP. I had this mistake when I first started. Having your magentic material go all the way to the bottom of the panel can make the panel bow and cause a gap or mis registration.
The pop up systems I use come supplied with a plastic strip.
Put the magnetic material about 1mm from the edge of the panel. This lets you move the panel and really get a tight registration.
Heres a pic of one I’ve done. Fair enough that there isn’t a lot to register but you can see how tight my panels are together by putting the magnetic strip 1mm from the edge.
Attachments:
-
we did 2 recently, the floor needs to be perfect, gap was about 0-1mm, not noticeable.
-
after laminating the cutting has to be spot on, and as jason says leave 1mm from side when applying mag tape to get it bang on, and also make the hanger sit in the middle of the top 1mm from top also, the secret is getting all the steps correct to make these fit perfectly 😀
-
Hi All
Thanks for the tips, giving it another try today so hopefully will crack it this time.
Cheers
Macky
Log in to reply.
