External Sublimation

[Leadbelly]

Is anyone sublimating small external signs with any success, or is it still a developing product.

LB

[Justin]

They'd need to be coated/laminated to give any sort of UV protection. Without the image would disappear very quickly.

Depending on your needs if you have a cutter making simple small signs is very cheap from sign vinyl. We do our own print and cut but still laminate as UV in our area is incredibly high.

[webtrekker]

As you may know, I've recently found out I can successfully sublimate cast acrylic sheet. Now, I understand the acrylic already possesses a certain amount of UV protection, so I may now try placing a printed sample outside (our garden is south-facing and gets unblocked sunlight many hours a day) and see how it goes.

The theory is that, as the ink actually penetrates the surface, it may well enjoy some of the acrylic's UV protection.

[Leadbelly]

Hi Justin, I make lots of external signage mainly through the Roland and always UV laminate especilly for vehicle wraps and the graphtec plotter for text.
I'v been asked if a can make an external memorial plaque which I can using a laminated print mounted on a composite panel. I was however weighing up the option of using a dye-sub external chromealuxe panel, just wondering if anyone had any experience of using this product.

LB

[Justin]

I'd go down the printed route, the Chromaluxe will fade very quickly. You could coat it in FrogJuice but I don't see much point.

[Leadbelly]

Yes I did pick-up on your post in relation to the acrylic panel, the problem is my customers first question is how long will it last and I get the same question ever day.
Just wondering are you printing reverse on a clear panel turned to the back then mounted on a white backing substraite, or just face printing on a piece of white acrylic.

LB

[GoonerGary]

I printed onto clear polyester film, put it inside my car windscreen and it showed no fading in full sun.

[socialgiraffe]

I think The Magic Touch sell a couple of items that might be suitable...

Firstly isn't there a metal they sell with a five year guarantee and secondly I think they sell UV adhesive sheet that you can apply after printing.

This is not really my field so don't take my exact word for any of the above, but thought I would throw it in the mix in case it helps.

[webtrekker]

Yes I did pick-up on your post in relation to the acrylic panel, the problem is my customers first question is how long will it last and I get the same question ever day.
Just wondering are you printing reverse on a clear panel turned to the back then mounted on a white backing substraite, or just face printing on a piece of white acrylic.

LB

Just face-printing directly to the white acrylic. The print is superb. No special coatings needed and the paper (CIE sublimation paper) can be peeled straight off and doesn't stick to the acrylic.

At this very moment I'm heating the same printed pice up to around 100 °C in my halogen oven and I'm going to cold press it in my flat press to see if I can get it absolutely flat.

[pisquee]

We've printed standard cheap white sublimation metals for a few outside signs, as well as silver Chromaluxe and not had fading problems - a few Business Car Park type signs, keep clear, emergency exit type stuff
(Inktec inks and papers)