FEATURE
LAMINATING APPLICATIONS
PART 6: FLEXIBLE OUTDOOR DISPLAYS
by Mick Budd
In this column, I present profitable applications in a series of eight contributions, discuss their
respective pros and cons and, at the same time, show how to avoid faults in production. In this sixth
article, I deal with a classic and widespread form of image processing: the Flexible Outdoor Display.
IN THE PAST this application tended to be regarded as a
nesscessary evil rather than being recognised for the
opportunities it can present. Vehicle livery was
restricted to sign painting or vinyl lettering stuck on the
back of a truck to announce its owners. Today, we see
fully liveried vehicles carrying full colour graphics
portraying the latest marketing messages from the
manufacturers, effectively they have become huge
mobile billboards. Big brands such as Coca Cola will
wrap minis and smart cars in printed vinyl to advertise
their latest drinks or to promote their latest campaign.
The opportunities are boundless.
Digital printing as the basis
Flexible outdoor displays fall into three categories: full
vehicle wraps (such as a VW beetle done as a Ladybird
for Wrangler jeans); partial wraps (large areas of vinyl
on the sides of trucks, buses and trains); and truck sides
(liveried tarpaulins for curtain sided trucks). The basis
for all these applications is a vinyl-based film which is
printed using a solvent based system to deliver
maximum durability.
Before starting to print any of the above, care must
be taken to use the right components for the finished
application. Considerations include: the vinyl’s life span;
ink durability; expected wear and tear; and whether or
not a warranty is required. All of these affect material
choice. For instance, to produce a fully wrapped vehicle
you should be looking at a solvent based printing
system with cast vinyl (for conformity) and either a
durable compatible overlaminate for long term
protection or a liquid coat such as the Seal AquaSeal
solution. (The liquid solution is particularly good when
looking for a warranteed application).
Typical vinyls for this application fall into three types:
cast vinyl (high end product, conformable in threedimensions) for tricky full wraps; polymeric calendered
vinyl (conformable in two-dimensions) for curves and
large areas in medium term applications; and
monomeric vinyls for basic short term flat signage. In
all cases, if the signage is to remain for extended
periods then, to ensure maximum longevity and
protection, you should be looking at a liquid laminate.
| 26 | Screen Process & Digital Imaging | October 2004
This application needs careful consideration before
entering into any commitment to produce. Let’s look at
a typical example: a fully wrapped Smart car. I’m sure
we have all seen this example.
These vehicles have lots of curves and angles and
need particular care even from experienced
applicators. Such a car could take up to seven-hours
to wrap and such an amount of labour needs to be
considered in any price calculation. Although the
material is designed specifically for this purpose, it
can be troublesome to apply.
It is important to identify
the correct film for the job.
There are many types of
vinyl and you need to
remember this film has to
be stretched in many
different
dimensions.
Ensure you have material
with the right adhesive
qualities; the last thing you
want is the image popping
off when the vehicle drives
away from site. If the
vehicle is to be sold after a
couple of years of being wrapped it’s important that the
vinyl can be easily removed without leaving any
detritus (particularly important if leasing).
Remember, pick the right product, cost the job
correctly, create the right image and you will have a
profitable application.
Vehicles with box-type bodies or largely flat surfaces
(buses and trains) represent less of a problem.
Generally, lifetimes here are three to five-years or even
longer. With this application you would use mediumquality polymer films which are calendered or moulded
products: the latter used mainly on vehicles or objects
that require a higher degree of conformity (small rivets
protruding from the surface for example) which have to
be covered. For finishing and protection against
environmental influences, laminates or lacquers are
ideal here too.
With curtain sided trucks, however, special
ABOVE & LEFT: When
planning vehicle wrap
applications considerations
include: vinyl life span; ink
durability; expected wear
and tear; and the level of
warranty required.
tarpaulins of up to 1,000g/m2 are used. These are
printed lengthwise in widths of approximately 2.5m
and then finished with a quality lacquer. Typically a
32m coating is employed. The tarpaulins are then
finished, joined together by high frequency welding,
with stiffeners and tensioning straps applied to
provide a fit-for-purpose product. Some
manufacturers offer guarantees. For instance, the
wide format printer company, Vutek, in cooperation
with Seal (finishing solutions) and a tarpaulin
manufacturer, offer a guarantee called the
Integrated Graphics Protection System
(IGPS), which promises the customer a
useful life up to five-years.
Mick Budd is key accounts manager, SEAL Graphics.
Find more information on laminating techniques at
www.sealgraphics.com