Sticker printing

[paul 44]

Hi folks,

I have done some single color vinyl cuts for signs etc but a customer is looking for mutli-colored stickers but i dont have a solvent printer, only inket and sub printer.

Does anybody know of where I could get a specialist vinyl/adhesive backed paper that I could print on without it fading, these will be going on the outside of car.

Thanks

[Vynmarius]

I would recommend outsourcing to someone with a solvent printer for best results it shouldn't be too much for stickers and would get the best result for your customer, the solvent "bites" into the vinyl and protects it from scratches and fading, dye based ink would be terrible in the weather, you could look at getting something laminated or magnetic sublimated but there would be an issue with UV fading still?

I can give you a quote for solvent printed stickers as I am sure a few others on here can too

kind regards
Ben

[paul 44]

Well i have been quoted £2.50 each for a 21cm x 18cm sticker to go on the outside of cars with a minimum order of £15.00

[SSPLTD]

We specialise in vehicle graphics, and have a solvent machine, even with solvent ink I would strongly suggest getting them laminated as the ink will scratch, and it will fade perhaps not for a few years.

[paul 44]

is it possible to use white sign vinyl as a background and then layer more sign vinyl (main image) on the top?

[SSPLTD]

Yes you can layer vinyl to make up multi coloured decals, but registration is an issue and the adhesive make's it more challenging than transfer film.

There's also the time it takes, it's often much quicker and easier to just print a 2col job, unless there's a reason not to.

Also best to make sure you use the same type of vinyl, monomeric with monomeric, or poly with polymeric, as they'll shrink at different rates

[paul 44]

Thanks for the reply, appreciated.

These are for the outside of a car so will they need to be laminated or should they be ok as is?

thanks again

[SSPLTD]

Depends how long you want them to last, but for as a general rule we laminate everything that's going on a vehicle, also helps applying it as it's much more manageable.

[paul 44]

Great, will look into the laminating process, everything else seems ok, layering shouldnt be a problem, just need to measure the base (white) and the main image on top will be single colour also

thanks

[froggy]

If its not your type of work get someone else to produce it. You cant be all things to all people. If its a product you want to move into then spend some time on it but you will need to invest in the right kit to have a chance of earning from it.

If I were going to layer a cast vinyl for vehicle graphics I wouldn't bother laminating it, print yes.