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  • whats the best method of applying silver dots on clear vinyl

    Posted by autosign on 1 June 2006 at 18:04

    I’ve got a customer asking for a 1m x 1m image that will be a silver dot-matrix pattern on clear. It has to be one piece and the silver has to be proper silver, i.e. not something grey looking. I’m guessing the only way to achieve this would be via screenprinting?

    George Zerbino replied 19 years, 4 months ago 7 Members · 14 Replies
  • 14 Replies
  • Peter Normington

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 18:11

    It can be done with a thermal printer, I think there are a few members who run large format thermals, not common though
    Peter

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 18:22

    why not cut it in vinyl… with app-tape applied it becomes all in one?
    i think that would look better once apllied also.

  • Nicola McIntosh

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 20:57

    i would go with robs suggestion with the vinyl, as it would cost a fair bit to screenprint 😀

    nik

  • Lynn Normington

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 21:08

    i would also go with vinyl I know what you mean about some silver looking grey but oracals 751 silver is really nice sparkles in the sun.

    Lynn

  • autosign

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 21:33

    I suggested vinyl but they don’t want the dots to be slightly ‘raised’, if you know what I mean.

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 21:35

    where will this be used and why the need for 100% flat?

  • Nicola McIntosh

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 21:37
    quote autosign:

    I suggested vinyl but they don’t want the dots to be slightly ‘raised’, if you know what I mean.

    screenprinting it is then, but remember to charge accordingly…as the costs are high to set up a one off 😀

    nik

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 21:41

    unless this is fitted to something with a white background the "true silver" colour you are after isnt going to work regardless to how it is printed, or am i missing something?

  • Nicola McIntosh

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 21:45

    yeh just had a thought…if its going to be screenprinted onto clear you will still see a risen outline of the clear vinyl 😕 which i think looks worse with dirt through time, than cut vynil 😀

    nik

  • autosign

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 21:49

    It’s going on a clear perspex sheet. I think it’s some sort of modern-architecture-science-museum type thing.

    I can’t see how they are going to get anything that will look better than vinyl myself. I think it may also be in sunlight so any sort of print is going to fade aswell.

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 22:23

    with the clear vinyl area acting like a skin to the glass it will loss its clarity, giving an almost mottled effect. printing it backed up by white is the only solution here if cut vinyl is out the question. however, regardless to what method of printing you use it will appear semi transparent and wont give the true silver you are after. i would suggest showing a sample of the silver on glass cut to appear in reverse. that way if one side isnt viewed up close and it is applied on the rear, nobody will be any the wiser.

  • Phill Fenton

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 22:52

    I agree with Rob – this is best done with cut vinyl. Your customer isn’t always right. It’s also your job to guide him and give him sound advice as to the best way of achieving what he wants.

  • Nicola McIntosh

    Member
    1 June 2006 at 23:21
    quote Robert Lambie:

    with the clear vinyl area acting like a skin to the glass it will loss its clarity, giving an almost mottled effect

    i agree a wee bit…..but most clear vynil spreads its self out through time and its not so noticeable only if its screenprinted 😀

    nik

  • George Zerbino

    Member
    2 June 2006 at 09:45

    How about reverse cutting in stencil mask, apply to panel & use a silver paint? Cheaper than screen sprinting, no raised effect, no loss of clarity in clear sections.

    Just a thought…

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