Signage Question

[Quinsfan]

Hi fellow subbers
I know that this is not a sublimation question but I know some of you do signage as well. I have installed signs for 12 years now and whenever I have applied a printed vinyl, not vehicle wraps, it has been laminated. I had a job to do this weekend as my client had bought the vinyl from someone else who then let them down on installation. I said I would do it but as it was not laminated it was a real pain in the a~se. The ink came off on my soft squeege and ripped when using a hard squeege. I was embarrassed as I have never had this happen before. The material was Metamark block out ( grey back) so not a cheap one. Should you laminate all printed vinyl as standard?

[phoenixalpha]

If its printed on a normal ink (dye or pigment) yes I would. If solvent printed it really depends on how long the signage is going up for.

[Quinsfan]

I find with it laminated it can take a bit more punishment when applying.