Laminating Prints with the Big Squeegee

[@AldonHara]

PS... I can't believe I've never thought of a swifter for dust on the material! Thank you so much for that!

[@TheSignGuy]

Glad it helped, I use it all over the shop and in prepping a sign before I apply vinyl.

[@LetsGoBanners]

Thank you for the video! This could especially come in handy when needing to do a short lam job instead of switching out the 54" lam roll. We've used Big Squeegees for 13 years!! Thx again!

[@TheSignGuy]

Thanks for the comments. Apparently we have some "older" BIG Squeegees the new ones look nice....

[@LetsGoBanners]

Definitely working, just getting some scratches and very small bubbles, but still beats changing lam out for very short jobs. Thanks again!

[@TheSignGuy]

I generally don't get scratches but I guess it depends on the type of laminate you are using. I found thinner, Cast will scratch and have more bubbles then thicker calendared.

[@RonderickHenry]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video for us newbies.

[@TheSignGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ericurdiales8978]

i laminate as much as possible but i also run 4x8 sheets through my laminator next to a 4x6 table at the same height. but i have learned how to spool it in every situation with hacks as well. I thread my laminator breaking the backer with my kershaw pocket knife and dont waste hardly any laminate.

[@TheSignGuy]

This is great for these short runs, still using mine about everyday.

[@ericurdiales8978]

@@TheSignGuy I’d love to know pros and cons of paying tax on items over a tax exemption and how it links to DBA or right to do business as a company. Or how it is “strategically” worded. My wife nearly died when I said “I am a mere simple sign maker”

[@SouthbayCreations]

Thanks for the video! Definitely gonna need to grab one of those! What is your go to laminate. I know you mentioned it in other videos but which type are you using?

[@TheSignGuy]

Substance media and laminate. 2755 and 3150 are my go-to for 80% of my "sticker" jobs. Appreciate you and thanks for watching 👍👍

[@SouthbayCreations]

@@TheSignGuy Right on thank you very much

[@SouthbayCreations]

@@TheSignGuy On the big squeegee they have a hard tip and a soft tip, which do you suggest?

[@TheSignGuy]

@@SouthbayCreations I have an older/original hard tip for laminating. I don't have any experience with the soft tip from them but I would assume it's for bigger irregular/bumpy surfaces? I prefer a harder tip for my smaller (4"-6") squeegees I have a few "softer" ones from Avery and for wrapping stuff but I prefer the harder tips 98% of the time.

[@SouthbayCreations]

@@TheSignGuy Sounds good, thanks for the input that.

[@mikeferretti7422]

There are 2 types of big squeegees can you really not laminate and or mount with the same squeegee? I see one says for laminating and the other mounting but they look identical.

[@TheSignGuy]

They both should work. I would guess 1 is more rigid than the other?

[@prit402]

Thank you so much for this video!! I run a small business where I make stickers for packaging for other small businesses and have been so annoyed with how much squeeging is needed to get a nice finish on the lamination so it's flat against the paper/vinyl. I work super small scale and the paper/vinyl I use is only letter size. I use oraguard 210 to laminate my stickers and I never knew that weird frosted look was called silvering. I noticed you said when it sits it goes away, does that mean I can run it on my laminator on the cold setting with enough sheets of paper so it has enough pressure to smooth the lamination out then have it sit for a day to remove the silvering that is left so it clears up? I have been looking everywhere to find something that could do the squeeging motion automatically with enough pressure to create the same effect if done by hand but cant seem to find anything. Thank you soo much and I hope everything I said made sense, haha!

[@TheSignGuy]

As long as the laminate goes on flat to the media with normal pressure the silvering will go away in about 24 hours or less. You can avoid the silvering with more pressure and thicker laminate, thinner cast laminate is less forgiving.

[@RonderickHenry]

I have to do some 80/20 window perf for my church and my wife’s business. I just got a HP 115 latex printer. The window widest width is 42 inches and the longest length is 68 inches. I have a work table that is 48”x98”. Do you think I can use this laminating process for this type of application? Thanks

[@TheSignGuy]

Congrats on the printer! The width should not be a problem, I can only stretch up to 56" to lam, so you will need to do it with a pause and the rest. This is just my opinion, window perf should not be laminated unless it's cast optically clear and it still looks a little hazy looking inside out. Widow perf in itself does not have the longest life for some reason 1- 3 years depending on the sun exposure it will get. I dont warranty window perf for maybe up to 10 days after I install it, make sure you leave 1/8" or more when trimming it , don't trim it to the edge it will curl.

[@RonderickHenry]

@@TheSignGuy Got it thanks. I was under the impression that window perf SHOULD be laminated. But I guess not. Ok I still will use this method to laminate other jobs. Really appreciate the feedback.

[@TheSignGuy]

@@RonderickHenry No problem, anytime. I have some samples of window perf in my shop 70/30 and 50/50 both laminated and un-laminated, 9 out of 10 times the customer does not want the laminate when they see how hazy and blurry it is. Everything else you should laminate LOL

[@guillermocastro551]

Great thanks

[@TheSignGuy]

Glad it helped!

[@SheldonMaddox]

do you make your felt squeegees or do you but them?

[@TheSignGuy]

The smaller ones I buy, I don't go through to many so the cost is justified.

[@keira_skyler]

Always start with the middle not the side!

[@TheSignGuy]

What are you referring to?