PUBLICATION CENTER

Your challenge is to make the graphics as saleperson-proof as possible. Although laminate failure probably isn’t your fault, the buck (and the damaged graphics) will stop at your door.

Here are a few steps you can take to prevent the likelihood that careless handling of the graphics will result in delamination.

Don’t rush the printing/laminating/trimming process.

Ideally, you should allow the print to dry at least 24 hours before laminating. Then, allow the laminate to cure for 72 hours before trimming. Unfortunately, we all live in the Real World, where deadlines are yesterday and customer demands are unyielding. So, if you must rush the job, print in the morning, laminate in the afternoon, and trim the next morning.

The reason you don’t want to print, laminate, and trim all in one fell swoop is because the inks on the prints will still be outgassing and the adhesives won’t have time to cure properly. This increases the likelihood the your customer will experience the thrill (not!) of delamination.

When cutting laminated graphics, use the hardest surface possible, slice with the blade at a 90-degree angle, and score the material first instead of trying to slide all the way through in one pass.

When trimming a laminated graphic remember the 3 S’s: Surface, Slice, and Score.

The cutting surface should be hard (preferably tempered) glass on a cutting table that is level and true. Those handy cutting mats aren’t so handy when trimming laminated graphics because the softer surface can cause the material to belly in, placing undue stress on the adhesive.

When cutting into the graphic, your knife slice should be a 90-degree angle. Using a different angle when cutting the graphic creates a lip between the print and the laminate, exposing the adhesive.

Instead of trying to cut through the graphic in one pass, score it two or three times to ease the tension on the layers (print material, laminate, and backer) as you cut through them. Ideally, you should use an automatic or manual cutter to quickly and cleanly trim the graphics. Cutters such as those made by Keencut or Rotatrim can save labor, time, and waste. LexJet sells a variety of models for different types and volumes of graphic production.

Pay attention to how you pack the graphics for shipping.

Roll the graphics no tighter than a 12-in. diameter, with the thinnest or softest material facing outward. Although it’s possible to roll certain materials and laminates into tighter diameters, it’s best to try to stick with this rule. To reduce the risk of delamination, roll the the graphics the same way every time.

For example, if you’re using a LexJet 6.5 mil Gloss Opaque Display Film with a 10 Mil PreLume Display Flex or 15 Mil PreLume DisplayFlex laminate, roll with the protected image side facing in.

Place a sticker on the outside of the roll that tells the end user how to handle the graphics properly. This sticker can include your logo, and these three bullet points:

• After unpacking and unrolling the graphics, lay them flat to uncurl. Don’t roll them in the opposite direction.
• When re-packing, don’t roll the graphics tighter than 12-in. diameter.
• This side always faces out when you roll the graphics up.