Any ideas anyone? Printing/etching on glass/plastic

[Mikejohno1]

Hi everyone, hopefully the photos have uploaded successfully below. These seem to have come out alright...apart from the ‘Let it snow...Christmas is coming’ I’ve used sign vinyl but flipped it and stuck it to the inside of the thin plastic, it will do for the prototype but I’d like a better result, does anyone have any ideas of how I could do it better?

Many thanks
Mike

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[Ricky@Xpres]

Hi Mike

If you want to move away from vinyl then i would suggest UV printing. We have both Roland and Mimaki UV printers in our showroom - if you would like to arrange a visit or would like any samples please let me know.

https://www.xpres.co.uk/c-452-sign-digi ... xpres.aspx

Ricky
Xpres

[webtrekker]

I did something similar a while back where I sandwiched a paper cutout between two layers of glass in a frame.

Another idea would be to use static-cling vinyl instead of adhesive sign vinyl.

[Reg]

As you have a vinyl cutter do as I do cut a stencil then acid etch it that way it is permanent, you can get the etching paste on ebay and just use your vinyl to make the stencil.

[Mikejohno1]

I think that’s gonna be my next effort Reg, isn’t it a pain in the backside Printing stencils every time though?

[webtrekker]

Try etched effect window vinyl, or a stencil and spray - on etch from the likes of Valspar. I've used this on glass bottles and it's great.

[Mikejohno1]

Great stuff Webtrekker thank you I’ll get some of that too and see which I prefer and find easier. They should both be pretty straight forward I’d imagine as it’s going into a flat surface

[Reg]

isn’t it a pain in the backside Printing stencils every time though?

It's no different to what you're doing now its just you throw away the bits you using instead of the other bits.

[webtrekker]

Great stuff Webtrekker thank you I’ll get some of that too and see which I prefer and find easier. They should both be pretty straight forward I’d imagine as it’s going into a flat surface

This is what I use - http://www.diy.com/departments/valspar- ... 225_BQ.prd but others are available from the likes of Rust-o-leum and Plastikote. It makes a very smooth, unblemished surface, just like etching, but so much easier and cheaper. Hard-wearing and I've even hand-washed the bottles I decorated (to make lamps).

[Mikejohno1]

I'll try that today actually. I will spray the inside of the glass I think. Would you recommend removing the vinyl stencil when the pain has dried or whilst still wet?