Printed graphic edges lifting – what could be the cause?

[David McCarroll]

Really unusual looking for the circles. Possibly a polymeric vinyl with a monomeric laminate shrinking much faster depending on conditions?

The circles look to be lifting too well and even if that makes sense for it to be a coincidence.

[David Hammond]

We had similar issue, but applying to a painted wall.

I assume you allowed the print to out gas for 24+hours, before laminating?

Was there too much tension on the laminate when going through the machine?

I put out issue down to the paint on the wall, and ended up using some really high tack vinyl to sort that.

[Omar Benmez]

David! you swooped in the and stole my point. :tongue:

I’ve seen this alot in the past where the laminate has but applied with to much brake (tension) on the top end. That with the laminate shrinking slightly quicker that the vinyl was enough for 15mm of the edge of the graphic to peel away.

a good test would be to try and remove the rest of the graphic. Does it have a good bite? or does it just come away easy? if its the latter the maybe they cleaned it with a silicone based cleaner?

just a few ideas there hope it helps.

cheers O

[Jon Miller]

Thanks for the responses guys!
Yes, all that you have mentioned had crossed my mind but wanted to hear some input anyway.
Media was matching, MD3AB and MD3 lam.
As you say, seems to be an overly even lift around the circle suggesting tension issues..

[Robert Lambie]

very hard to tell just from pictures. the fact the customer applied them though throws the biggest probable cause.
Various reasons…

Was it wet applied.
Too much tension on laminate (as has been said)
It has been fitted to a Matt finish film. Adhesion is never great on matt surfaces.
Cold surface repels adhesion.
What was the surface prepared with prior to install.
Not out-gassed properly prior to lamination.

Just some reasons why the media can fail like it has.

I think tension could be blamed, however, "IF" the base film had proper adhesion, then it would de-laminate rather than lift the base film also! and on the letter its just corners, not 360 degrees.

if it was an out-gassing issue ide expect signs of adhesion left behind below the graphic, as well as some surface trapped air bubbles, possible wrinkles in laminate too.

on the circle, has it rolled up at the bottom like it has at the top?

[David Hammond]

Yes I never thought of that, I wouldn’t apply the air escape vinyl wet, I’d imagine you’ll get water trapped in the channels, plus it also kind of defies the point of using air escape vinyl.

[Phill Fenton]

Is the matt black background a painted surface, and if so was the paint given enough time to finish drying properly (paint can take a week or so to finish outgassing)?

[Stuart Taylor]

quote Jon Miller:

Thanks for the responses guys!
Yes, all that you have mentioned had crossed my mind but wanted to hear some input anyway.
Media was matching, MD3AB and MD3 lam.
As you say, seems to be an overly even lift around the circle suggesting tension issues..

Hi Jon

Looking at the photos and the spec of the film you have used I think you have the "perfect storm" for a failure such as this.

I don’t think it is one specific reason why this has failed but a combination of factors –

(1) MD3 – This is a monomeric film and regardless of what any manufacturers spec sheet says I would never recommend anyone using a monomeric film for vehicle graphics unless it was for a short term application i.e. up to a year …. monomeric films are just too unstable once printed and I would recommend switching up to a polymeric film as a minimum for permanent vehicle graphics.

(2) The surface you have applied to appears to be a matt vinyl …. This adds complication no 2 as a matt or satin surface will always have a lower surface energy than either gloss vinyl or the factory painted vehicles. You may even have to use an aggressive adhesive film for this application (metamark’s spec sheet for MD3AB states not suitable for low energy surfaces)

(3) As others have already suggested if there has been too much tension on the laminator then shrinkage/edge curling is not uncommon – This is particularly problematic with monomeric films as the chemistry of the product makes them less stable and more likely to shrink/curl.

I would suggest upgrading as a minimum to a polymeric combination such as MD5 or similar and you may need to consider using a more aggressive adhesive type that would be suitable for low energy surfaces. Finally reduce braking/tension on the lamination process to minimise shrinkage and curl.

Stuart

[Jon Miller]

Thank you for all the input.

I have supplied this customer on numerous occasions with no issues using this media. They have applied it to a matt air release vinyl. I imagine they would have applied them separately rather than layering and applying both at once. I am awaiting a response regarding the specifics of their install/application.

Middle photo shows the bottom of the circle graphic Rob so yes, it has.

Maybe the van has been pressure washed and the slightly lower surface adhesion on the matt vinyl has caused edges to lift?

Although, my initial thought was tension issues when laminating looking at the way it has lifted..