To overlap or not to overlap . . .

[Iain Gordon]

I would overlap by 1/2″…should take into account for any shrinkage

Iain

[Paul Rollason]

Hi Bryan

I would ask the supplier of your vinyl if they could cut it for you before they send the vinyl.

We have done this in the past and they have been happy to.

If not a 2-3mm overlap should suffice

paul r

[Jill Marie Welsh]

If you do have to overlap, be sure to make the upper section be the overlapping piece.
I only have a 15″ plotter so I overlap when I must.
Love….Jill

[Lynn Normington]

We also have to over lap some times no more than 5mm and as Jill says make the top bit the front bit if you know what I mean

🙂
Lynn

[Bryan Cabrera]

Thanks all. I did already make one of the signs but wasn’t really happy with how the overlap looked, but I guess it just the nature of the beast. I probably need to be a bit more strategic in where I place the overlap.

Jill – At least it is good to know that I don’t have the smallest one in the group. Where about in the states are you?

[Robert Lambie]

as iain has made a point, take into account the vinyl you are using. i.e. if its cheapish, it WILL shrink.
another point is some folk aren’t great at aligning up. bigger over laps are better for this.
however, no matter what vinyl, or how much margin you use to over lap. its dead easy to trim back when applied.. personally ide Trim it back to show 1-.1.5 mm overlap. why? you have 2 layers. each shrinking about The same. if you have a good vinyl, shrink will be minimal. very little…. even if cheap vinyl. lets say 1.5mm, you have two layers pulling both ways 1.5mm that’s a shrink of 3mm… thats much more play than needed.
anyway, we are talking correx backing, cheap stuff, stop worrying about these sort of things when the customer sure isn’t 😉

[Nicola McIntosh]

quote Robert Lambie:

no matter what vinyl, or how much margin you use to over lap. its dead easy to trim back when applied..

i do the same thing also..and leave a 1 to 1.5 mm overlap 😛 leaving a bigger overlap just looks terrible and darker in colour which spoils the ‘hide the join’ 😀

nik

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I live near Mars, PA (20 miles north of Pittsburgh)
BTW, I am hosting a Letterhead meet next month near Emlenton if yer interested.
Love…..Jill

[Shane Drew]

quote Jillbeans:

I live near Mars, PA (20 miles north of Pittsburgh)
BTW, I am hosting a Letterhead meet next month near Emlenton if yer interested.
Love…..Jill

So women really are from mars…. sounds like a good title for a book 😮

(could not resist that)

The advise here is good tho mate. I’d overlap the top bit too, about 2mm

[Chris Wool]

some times i like to butt the joint the put a 4 or 5 mm stripe over the joint it saves building in or relying on soft wear to get it right all so easy to lign up.

chris

[Bryan Cabrera]

quote :

anyway, we are talking correx backing, cheap stuff, stop worrying about these sort of things when the customer sure isn’t

Good advice. I guess for this project it is not critical as the signs will be used short term. Just wanted to know the proper method for future work, as we are still getting our feet wet in the sign biz. It is true that sometimes we get wrapped up in small details when the job doesn’t warrant it.

I like the idea of trimming back once the vinyl is in place. I assume it is just a matter of getting a feel for cutting through one layer of vinyl and then pulling back.

We have been using Avery Intermediate 6 year vinyl so I am not sure what the shrinkage is as we have been in it for ON a few months. I would assume that it would not shrink anymore then 1/8″?????

Appreciate every ones input.

Bryan

[Robert Lambie]

that grade of vinyl should be fine mate, not much, if any, shrinkage.
trimming is very easy. just make sure you have a sharp blade. when you pull the vinyl away. pull off at an angle back the way. if its a light coloured vinyl give a wipe after with meths or something to remove any glue residue as it will pick up dust etc and look dirty after a few days. if you have none, rub over it with a dry finger tip and the glue will roll into little balls and fall off. 😀