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  • What would you do? Re sticking vinyl print

    Posted by Jean Oakley on January 19, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    Hi all ive had a vehicle in for repair and there’s one small bit apx 350mm x350mm laminated print. Ive managed to remove the complete bit with no distortion and although ive scanned it in at a high res its not an exact colour match when printed. As you can see from the photo some of the glue has delaminated from the back but the print is really thick and was wondering if anyone has ever glued a print back and re used it on a van? It would need to be an adhesive that wont damage the van in a few years when its removed. Push comes to a shove ill use the print i have but the one thats been removed is in perfect condition just missing the adhesive. Any thoughts welcome

    • This discussion was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Jean Oakley.
    David Hammond replied 2 years, 3 months ago 5 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • Kevin Mahoney

    Member
    January 19, 2022 at 4:45 pm

    I wouldn’t go there Jean, sounds like a whole heap of trouble down the line, & you’ll be on the hook. I would use the new print all day long. I will only do a complete side or back as an accident repair, regardless if it’s all damaged or not. I’m not getting involved in that game of ‘this bits peeling or shrinking, pretty sure you did that bit’.

    Don’t waste your time trying to solve all their problems. As my old gaffer used to say

    ‘Don’t make other people’s problem your problem’

  • RobertLambie

    Administrator
    January 19, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    I 100% agree with Kev, here.
    Complete redo of the side for damage repair work.
    No matter what you do, you will never get it exact, regardless.
    Solid colours weather, as do prints. change of media, printer settings, inks etc all things that come into play when determining the output of the print.

    We used to do lots of damage repair work for a big customer. so we were making lots from van graphics from the customer but the damage repair work was a pain.
    you have to visit to see what’s up. colour match, artwork setup. patch here, patch there… all to save money for them. but all the inconvenience is on your shoulders and they don’t want to pay you properly.

    best of luck Jean. hope alls good with you! 👍

  • Phill Fenton

    Member
    January 20, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    I’ve been running my own sign business for over 25 years now and I still get it wrong on occasion. Only a couple of years ago I was asked to replicate the entire side of a vehicle that was in for repair based on photos sent to me by the repairer. I acted in good faith and did the best job I could only to find the end customer complained to the repairer that he was not satisfied with the match and wanted me to re-do the job. I suspect he had other issues about the quality of the repair in general and was simply on a mission to find fault in everything that was done. I explained that without being given the actual artwork anything I re-did would be exactly the same. Bottom line was I never got paid and I no longer carry out any further work for that repair shop.

    It’s not your problem. All you can do is offer to replicate the print as best you can but without being given the actual artwork and the same print system and media as used originally – there’s no chance on earth it will match (unlike the case with cut vinyl where you generally can replicate most things). I certainly wouldn’t try and glue the old print back on. Explain to the customer what the issues are and ensure he is aware of the limitations of trying to replicate printed signage. If he’s not happy walk away.

    • This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Phill Fenton.
  • David Hammond

    Member
    January 20, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    On a side note, this is why we pop a small sticker on all the vans we install with our logo & contact details on it.

    They’ve paid for themselves multiple times supplying replacement graphics to accident repair centres, some supply only, others with installation 👍

  • Jean Oakley

    Member
    January 20, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    Thanks all, that was pretty unanimous😀. I would say 30%-40% of my work is accident repair centres, so yes it is a faf but i actually enjoy the challenges of matching vinyls and fonts. That said every year more and more jobs are being partially printed and that of course is another matter altogether. Most of the time i can lift from the internet, occasionally i will if its not too detailed match the ink (not always easy) and on the odd occasion i have rung the original sign company and bought in the decals. This job is done by a rival company in the area and i would not call them to ask for them to supply, I did mention it to the garage and funnily enough before i even mentioned my stand they made it colourfully clear they would not ever deal with them so this is why i’m where i am. I’ve printed them this afternoon and actually they look pretty good just a bit brighter than the original. Think sometimes im too fussy in getting the exact match, most companies do seem to care as long as its readable.

    • David Hammond

      Member
      January 20, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      We’re our own worst critic at times.

      I enjoy doing bodyshop jobs for our customers, the last one we did didn’t even want a quote “its not my money, it just needs doing” 😂

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