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Which Vehicle registration plate equipment?
Hi
I’ve seen this before but after spending hours trying to search and getting hundreds of posts about phone numbers etc I’ve decided to just ask.
I’ve just registered with DVLA to become a number plate supplier but now I need to find some equipment.
Is there a preferred method or system and what sort of costs are involved with them?
Can you still get the old roller type kits?This is only for small quantities so I’m not sure if I need anything really fancy.
Also as far as I know your only allowed to use the approved supplies to make them, is this correct?I’ve got the usual sign making equipment and a Roland SP540V and a Xerox laser printer.
Thanks
Steve -
20 Replies
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We have been using Oki printers for about seven years or more. Print onto the laser film, laminate through the rollers onto wet (sticky) perspex then laminate with sticky reflective. This is called the three part system and we have tried various things over the years but find this is the best.
We have all the sizes set up in Flexisign so don’t need any special number plate software.
We buy the films from Tennants.
Want any info give e a ring. -
Thanks Martin.
I’d been looking at the Tennents website so once I get my supplier number I’ll give them a ring.
Steve
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Stay away from the Konica printer.
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I was hoping to use my current laser printer, unless the Oki is reasonably priced
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We use the same system as Martin and an oki printer also, its a great job
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The oki printers (Eg C9650) have a straight line feed from the bypass tray, which makes them really good for a range of work – Intec rework these machines so they feed heavy weight materials.
C9650 in’t to expensive at the moment being a older model – If you use this machine for any other work, be warned, the can eat toner if you printing leaflets etc 😥
Good friend of mine, like Martin uses his in a three part system.
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Sorry to butt in but quick question to those using Oki machines. Are these just bog standard Oki machines or have they been upgraded for this sort of work?? Reason I ask is because I thought I had read somewhere that the fuser units were different for higher heat output & I think the other thing that was mentioned was the machine being altered to allow the thicker media required to pass through.
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The Oko printers are modified by magic touch for garment printing, the fuser unit is set to a higher temp, but for number plates a non modified Oko printer would do the job, but I would not suggest buying a second hand one, as they can develop faults with fuser if moved in transit and not properly packaged.
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So do you think I’d get away with using my Xerox laser printer, or is it suck it and see/take a chance?
Steve
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cheaper to do it all on the roland imo.
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I used a standard, Oki C5800 (from Tennants) for ages and made hundreds of plates without issue. Stay away from the cheaper C5600 units if possible.
Buy the best roller you can afford, stay away from the plastic budget ones that you drop the substrate onto the film before rolling as they get air bubbles and look awful and go for the roller that sandwiches the 2 together gradually instead.
I bought all my blanks from a local supplier up here who bough large in bulk and sold to me cheaper than I could buy from Tennants.
Most importantly…..Keep detailed records of all plates made as DVLA, Police etc can ask you to provide information for quite sometime after supplying plates.
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OKI for me too. It does the job and enables you to print all the different sized plates.
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Thanks for the replies, lots of useful info.
Regarding the 3 part and 2 part systems I understand that the 3 part is the clear printed film sandwiched between the acrylic and the reflective on the back of the plate and the 2 part is the clear printed film reverse printed and then mounted on the front of the reflective.
Is this correct and which is better, I seem to remember seeing the front mounted ones lifting on older plates.From a visual perspective I prefer the ones with the acrylic on the front so this would be the 3 part system.
I think I’ll order a minimal amount of the films and try them on my printer before buying a system, if it works then I only need to buy or make a jig and supplies.
Are the Oki supplies the LG ones I’ve seen?
Steve
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When I first started printing plates. I was told the 3 part system was dieing out and that the 2 part was more cost effective as less parts involved and slightly quicker to produce.
If you are looking for quality I would say thermal is the best. Its all down to budget, market and amount you plan to produce really.
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It all boils down to the application process really. I used a 2 part system with a top spec jig and I know of plates 3 years old still looking like new.
If you use the cheaper jig or don’t trim your excess film off the edge of the plate then dirt will get behind and start to lift.
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quote Paul Humble:It all boils down to the application process really. I used a 2 part system with a top spec jig and I know of plates 3 years old still looking like new.If you use the cheaper jig or don’t trim your excess film off the edge of the plate then dirt will get behind and start to lift.
same here top notch kit
:thumbup2:
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In my opinion the two part system looks cheap and tacky……What you have is a clear film mounted onto a reflective piece of foamex type plastic.
With the three part system you use proper perspex plates.
Regarding using the Roland, thats no good when you offer plates while you wait.
Stephen….Get some films from Tennants and try in your printer. The Oki is only a standard laser printer (actually LCD printer). -
That’s what I intend doing Martin, Probably bugger up my Xerox but it’s not an expensive one and it’s a few years old.
We also have a Xerox wax printer that’s meant to be able to print to loads of different media.Steve
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quote Martin Oxenham:We have been using Oki printers for about seven years or more. Print onto the laser film, laminate through the rollers onto wet (sticky) perspex then laminate with sticky reflective. This is called the three part system and we have tried various things over the years but find this is the best.
We have all the sizes set up in Flexisign so don’t need any special number plate software.
We buy the films from Tennants.
Want any info give e a ring.Hello Martin
May I ask you more detail about number plates printing system, I am from Hong Kong.
Thanks -
Your best bet is check out the Tennants website. All info on there. http://www.tennantsuk.com
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