Top tips for printing Avery Dennison printable vehicle wrap
When using Avery Dennison printable vehicle wrap, you'll achieve the best print and application results by following our top tips! Whether you're new to digitally printed vehicle wraps, or have been printing them for years, these tips may offer some little golden nuggets that will help every job run smoothly...
#1 Print Preparation
Media Profiles
Ensure the correct media profile is installed and selected in your print server. This profile contains information about the printer, RIP, ink, and the specific Avery Dennison media being used.
Winding
When drying, avoid tightly winding the material on a core, as this can hinder solvent evaporation. Loosely wound or stacked sheets are preferred.
#2 Printing
Resolution
For sharp, clear images, a resolution of 300 DPI is recommended.
#3 Finishing
Drying and Overlaminates
For solvent printing, films need to be fully dried before applying overlaminates. A 24-hour drying time is generally sufficient for full solvent inks, while 48 hours is recommended for eco-/mild solvent inks. Allow for longer drying if a lot of ink is deposited.
Cutting
Ensure the cutting blade is clean and sharp. The last thing you want after so carefully printing the graphics is a scruffy edge!
Stabilisation
After curing, allow 4-8 hours for the ink and substrate to stabilize before die-cutting, pre-masking, or chemical resistance testing.
#4 Application
Surface Preparation
Clean the substrate thoroughly before applying the media. Avery has a whole collection of fantastic products, including the ever popular Avery Surface Cleaner. Don't forget their specially designed Vehicle Wrapping Liquids for professional preparation and finishing.
Application Tools
Use a squeegee with overlapping strokes, applying moderate pressure.
Temperature
Avoid applying films in extreme temperatures. If necessary, use a heat gun to gently warm the material during application.
Troubleshooting
If bubbles or wrinkles occur, try using a heat gun or repositioning the film with the Avery Dennison Easy Apply™ or RS technology. Perfect products for this are Avery MPI 1105 EARS Super Cast Vehicle Wrap, Avery MPI 1103 Easy Apply Smart Wrap Vehicle Wrap and Avery MPI 1104 Easy Apply PW Vehicle Wrap.
#5 Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning
Use a gentle cleaning solution (water with a small amount of soap) and a soft cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
Pressure Washing
Use pressure washing with caution, keeping pressure below 1200 psi and water temperature below 120° F.
#6 Additional Tips
Testing
Thoroughly test all performance characteristics, including print quality, durability, and chemical resistance, before each production run.
For more information about the printable vehicle wraps available at Victory Design, click here to see the full range.
