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Trimming vinyl from boards
May sound like a bit of a daft question, but what methods to people use to trim the excess vinyl away from composite signs?? I use a Stanley blade at an angle, but have also seen them trimmed using a thin metal ruler before. My reason for asking was after inspecting a sign whilst out on my travels, I was very impressed with the edges, it almost seemed as though the print was part of the board, which made me think that my prints never seem quite as good as this!
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19 Replies
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someone posted on here a while ago about using a metal ruler, hled at a slight angle to the board and diagonally dragged over the edge of the board, I tried it and while it took a while to find the right method, I wouldn’t g back to using a knife for anything but rough trimming now! The ruler method leaves such a nice edge to the vinyl that you could almost think it was bonded somehow!
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ps, works on flamed actylic and foamboard too – the latter you need to be gentle!
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I finish all my flood coating of ACM panels with a file. I file the excess off with a rough file moving down away from the panel. This cuts the vinyl off and at the same time heats it and thins it to make a very clean edge which I have never seen lift yet. I may also go over it with a some fine wet & dry paper to give an even smoother finish. A bit time consuming if doing a lot of boards but has alway worked well for me.
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quote Luke Culpin:My reason for asking was after inspecting a sign whilst out on my travels, I was very impressed with the edges, it almost seemed as though the print was part of the boardCould it have been printed using a UV flatbed printer? :smiles:
We mount lots of our prints onto full sheet boards with crop marks etc then guillotine the lot up.
the prints and board are cut in a single cut, giving a perfect finish to the edge. so it could have been this method too. -
It was definitely a mounted print, just finished perfectly! I guess you have a pretty big guillotine? We have a small one, but only 900mm wide, it’s just the larger stuff we have to trim from!
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Hi Luke
Yes, its about 3.2m wide foot operated Guillotine.
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Hi Luke
Yes, its about 3.2m wide Guillotine.
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Hugh, I’m trying to visualise what you mean…any pics or a video?
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quote Ewan Chrystal:Hugh, I’m trying to visualise what you mean…any pics or a video?
I’m about to do a coupl of panels shortly, if I remember I’ll video it!
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Here you go, don’t know what the sound is like as the phone is bugggered!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXrM_eCM7SM
ooooh, my 8000’th post, seems fitting to mark the occasion with a helpful post!
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Excellent little demo, well done Hugh :thumbsup:
Nice Wellies btw :smiles:
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quote Martin Cole:Excellent little demo, well done Hugh :thumbsup:
Nice Wellies btw :smiles:
oh don’t!! I’ve had a mad day and haven’t had chance to change out of them since 9 this morning, was hoping to get back and refit the signs i took down first thing but the darkness has beaten me!
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Brilliant Hugh. I can’t wait to try this out
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I will add, it’s not my idea, I saw it mentioned here a month or two back.. amazing what you pick up round here!
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ye nice one. ive also seen this done with a fine metal file but may vreate a little more mess
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Brilliant Hugh, Thanks
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:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: How have I never heard of this :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:
Well done hugh!
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You can use this method for deburring plastics and soft metals too :thumbsup:
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Another top tip from Hugh.
I’m popping in to finish of a couple of signs this afternoon. Will just have to practice this on some cut offs.
Thanks again Hugh.
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