IES64930B2 - A method of printing and producing sheets of material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a process for printing information such as a graphic image 35 onto a vinyl sheet 20. The sheet of vinyl sheet material 20, one surface of which is provided with a removable liner 10, is treated so that the other surface of the vinyl sheet material 20 is made ink receptive by screen printing the usable surface with a matt ink which is compatible with the vinyl material 20. An image 35 is then laid on the matt surface of the vinyl sheet by an apparatus such as a laser printer or a colour photocopier. A transparent laminate film 40 is then overlaid the graphic image 35 to produce and entire laminated structure.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of printing and producing sheets of material, in particular sheets of t laminated material for use in displaying information and/or for advertising particularly, though not exclusively, for outdoor use or in public buildings or structures.

In displaying the information or advertisements, there is 10 very often a need to produce small batches or indeed oneoff batches of particular items. Thus, it is uneconomic to produce these by normal methods.

The present invention provides a process for printing information onto a vinyl sheet, comprising taking a sheet of vinyl sheet material, one surface of which is provided with a removable liner; treating the other surface of the vinyl sheet material to make it ink receptive by screen printing the usable surface with a matt ink which is compatible with the vinyl material; laying an image on the matt surface of the vinyl sheet.

Preferably, the method includes overlaying the graphic image with transparent laminate film to produce an entire laminated structure.

Advantageously, the liner selected is compatible with the particular machine either a laser printer or a colour photocopier on which the image is produced.

I Conveniently, the laminated sheet can be made to any particular size, for example A4, A3 or any other size as required for poster or display purposes.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows by way of example only, one schematic illustration of a laminated sheet according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the various layers in the laminate.

Referring to the drawing, the laminated sheet 1 comprises a sheet 10 of silicon lining material, a layer of adhesion 15, a vinyl sheet 20, a layer of matt vinyl matched coating 25, a graphic image 35 and a transparent laminate film 40.

The vinyl sheet 20 used can be any vinyl sheet such as those provided by the 3M Corporation, Fason or Ultramark. Examples of the 3M vinyl sheet are 3690E and 3690A. The silicon liner material 10 used with 3690E is compatible for use on a Canon or Minolta colour photocopying machine. The liner material 10 used on 3690A is suitable for use on a Xerox photocopying machine.

The adhesive 15 selected is determined on the particular use which the ultimate product will be used on. For instance, if the laminate is to be stuck to an outdoor bus timetable device, then the adhesive is one which is compatible with the structure of the bus timetable holder. Also, the adhesive must be an adhesive which allows for easy release of the liner material from the finished product. In the particular example discussed, the adhesive is a 100% acrylic adhesive coating which ensures the long life of the product. It can virtually eliminate trapped air and flag edges and failures caused by poor adhesion.

The self-adhesive product adheres to metal, plastic, irregular and textured surfaces.

The vinyl sheet 20 is a durable vinyl fact stock which resists solvents, abrasion and the effects of humidity, sunlight and temperature extremes. f The matt vinyl surface 25 is by its very nature porous and * is a screen-printed two-micron thick coating which allows ink from fabric ribbon and photocopiers to permeate deeply, preserving the data or image desired. In the present embodiment, the opaque matt vinyl ink is screen printed onto the vinyl sheet 20 via a screen printing mesh nos. 90-120 monofilament screen and is air-dried for 5 to 7 minutes and is then jet-dried for 15 to 20 seconds depending on the equipment used.

With the 3M product called No. 3690A as previously discussed above, it is found to be very suitable for screen printing with a matt vinyl ink. The product takes on the characteristics of paper so as to allow the over-printing of the image required via a standard desk top publishing system, through a colour photocopier, such as those manufactured by Canon, Rank Xerox and Minolta. After the graphic image 35 has been applied, a final laminate film 40 is used in the particular embodiment.

In this way, if the final product is a performance engineered product, it protects the image from attack by ultra-violet light and vandalism. For instance, any graffiti that is applied to it can easily removed by a cleaning solvent. Also, the laminate film 40 gives rigidity to the product. The vinyl sheet 40 and the entire product is put through a heated pressure roller so as to ensure that the laminate 40 adheres to the entire product and to remove any air, etc.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON, Applicants' Agents, Merrion Square, DUBLIN 2.

Claims (5)

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1. A process for printing information onto a vinyl sheet, . comprising taking a sheet of vinyl sheet material, one surface of which is provided with a removable liner; treating the other surface of the vinyl sheet material to make it ink receptive by screen printing the usable surface with a matt ink which is compatible with the vinyl material; and laying a graphic image on the matt surface of the vinyl sheet.

2. A process as claimed in Claim 1, including overlaying the graphic image with transparent laminate film to produce an entire laminated structure.

3. A process as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, including selecting the liner to be compatible with an image producing apparatus, such as a laser printer or a colour photocopier.

4. A laminated sheet for displaying a graphic image which is printed by a process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, comprising in sequence a sheet of removable lining material, a layer of adhesive, a vinyl sheet, a layer of ink carrying the screen printed graphic image, and a transparent laminate film.

5. A process for printing information onto a vinyl sheet, or a laminated sheet for displaying a graphic image, substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.