Outdoor signage is one of the most demanding applications even when the graphic is to only be displayed short term or used for as little as 30 days. Some examples of outdoor sign applications are 4x8 commercial site signs used by realtors, promotional billboards or graphics placed on construction barricade walls.

Outdoor signs undergo harsh temperature changes, UV exposure and moisture ie.rain therefore all of the components used in creating outdoor signage must work together or the product will fail.


How to Produce

Outdoor signs require a two-pass process through a roller laminator, using an outdoor-durable, vinyl based over-laminating film, a high quality mounting adhesive and an outdoor substrate i.e. like ‘Duraply’ or ‘Coroplast’. Generally, outdoor signs are only laminated on one side. This application will explain how to do single sided lamination.

Step 1 - Decaling the image

1. Load your over-laminating film on the top supply shaft. Load PS vinyl or kraft paper on the bottom supply shaft of your laminator.
2. Check your recommended machine settings and film webbing.
3. Slowly insert the image into the laminator.

1. Trim your image to match the size of your substrate.
2. Place your image face down onto the substrate.
3. Peel back and fold over approximately 1-2" of your release liner along the top of the image.
4. Turn your image back over so it is face up and align the leading edge to the substrate and tack the exposed adhesive to the substrate.
5. Set the nip on your laminator to match the thickness of your substrate.
6. Insert the leading edge you tacked down into the nip of the laminator.
7. Lay your decal up and over the top roller.
8. Select a comfortable speed (approx 2-3 feet/minute) on your laminator and depress the foot pedal to advance the substrate and decal into the machine while removing the release liner.
9. Trim your substrate if required.

Premium
Top (Over-laminating Film):	n/a
Print:	Calendered Adhesive Vinyl
Bottom:	n/a

Application Layers:	Recommended Products:
Top	Print Shield UV Luster (PS)
Print Bottom	Calendered Adhesive Vinyl N/A

Application Layers:	Recommended Products:
Top	Print Shield Premium UV Matte (PS)
Print	Calendered Adhesive Vinyl
Bottom	N/A

Application Layers:	Recommended Products:
Top	N/A
Print	Calendered Adhesive Vinyl
Bottom	N/A