Service stickers material and longevity advice…

[Martyn Heath]

Hi simon, ive done a few batches in the past and used the method you are thinking about. I used polymeric which was printed with my eco solvent. I would think most important thing is the sticker staying on the machinery so you shouldnt have any problems.

[Stephen Morriss]

I’ve also done the same using a matt polymeric vinyl.

Steve

[Mike Thornley]

Hi

We produce 5000 little service stickers at a time for a client. This stickers are written on and then stuck to the machines they service. We use Digisol 3005 from Allprint. It works well, not sure about the jet washing though

[Joe Wigzell]

Thought about a high-tack polyester?

[Neil Danley]

We have used a high tack SAV for plant machinery logos and branding. Works really well. Add a laminate so it gives a bit more protection to the elements.

Neil D.

[Bernard Gallagher]

Avery Super Tack we use. The client has to have a bit os sense put under cover where they won’t get a lot of abuse.

[George Neagu]

quote Simon Worrall:

Hi
I have been asked to print and cut a run of service stickers by a customer who has been having trouble with his current ones.
The types of machinery these will be used on are all kinds of farming implements and motorcycles. They will get some harsh treatment, including jet washing.
These will need to be written on with a sharpie marker, which needs to also stay on.
The current ones have UPM written on the back (never heard of this brand), they have a matt surface, and look like paper, but cannot be torn so they are obviously some kind of plastic, but they seem to be stiffer than vinyl.
The existing stickers are simply not lasting the service period, (about a year).

My vinyl supplier says that labelling is a completely different process, done with specialist machinery.
I reckon I would get a better life out of a quality matt surface branded vinyl printed on my solvent printer, and I have tried sharpie on this and it goes on and stays.
I dont see that these need to be laminated, that would bring the costs up, and anyway if diesel got on them the sharpie would disappear before the print.

Does anyone have any experience or opinion on using vinyl for service stickers?

Thanks, Simon.

The material is UPM Raflatac, one of the popular brands in the industry. There are other brands available, just as our vinyl. It’s specifically designed for labels.

Comes in different grades, including industrial and marine, that will resist very harsh conditions and chemicals, will outperform any vinyl, both material and print.

It’s stiff because it’s polyester as opposed to vinyl.

It’s not laminated because it’s laser printed, very resistant, doesn’t need lamination. You’ll need a digital press, the desktop laser printer doesn’t have enough power to bond the toner to material. The print (toner) will scrape off with your nail.

The sheets tend to curl a lot after printing because of the excessive heat from fuser and can be annoying to kiss-cut them on plotter. A bit of practice can help find an optimal method.

I print and cut these so if you need help, please let me know.

[Simon Worrall]

Thanks for all your advice.
George, I appreciate your explanation of the "correct" service sticker making process.
The fact is that these stickers are not doing what they are supposed to, which is why the customer is asking for an alternative.
They are washing off in the elements, and they are fading in a very short time.
I would be surprised if an unlaminated vinyl sticker, as described by others on this thread, didnt last longer than this.

[George Neagu]

quote Simon Worrall:

Thanks for all your advice.
George, I appreciate your explanation of the “correct” service sticker making process.
The fact is that these stickers are not doing what they are supposed to, which is why the customer is asking for an alternative.
They are washing off in the elements, and they are fading in a very short time.
I would be surprised if an unlaminated vinyl sticker, as described by others on this thread, didnt last longer than this.

Yes but as I said the material comes in different grades. You can wrap a van in vinyl, just not removable monomeric.

If the label peels off, it’s clearly the wrong material for those conditions.

If the print is fading too quick, it could either be the printing process (using low power printer as opposed to digital press) or it may well be the coating that’s failing and this takes us back to point 1, it’s not the right material for those conditions. Laser printed labels last quite long, the toner is basically plastic melted onto material.

They must be printed on industrial grade material designed for such conditions and that will stick on wet, dirty and contaminated surfaces, something like this for example:
https://www.upmraflatac.com/emea/en/sol … s/durables

You may get better results than what they have now with vinyl+laminate but only time will tell.