ImagesMagUK_November_2020

STEP-BY-STEP: SINGLE-COLOUR VINYL PRINTINGON ANUMBRELLA STEP-BY-STEP: SINGLE-COLOUR VINYL PRINTINGON ANUMBRELLA Feed the vinyl into the cutter and lock into place. Always complete test cuts to set the perfect cutting pressure before sending any job to cut. Use CorelDraw to finalise your design, mirror the image and send to the cutter Feed the vinyl into the Roland SP300i print-and- cut machine. Always complete test cuts to set the perfect cutting pressure before sending any job to print. Finalise the design and cutlines on CorelDraw. Using the RIP software VersaWorks, send to print using the custom Xpres Profile Flatten and remove any moisture by pre-pressing the print area for a few seconds (cover first with a silicone sheet to protect the surface). Position the design sticky side down, then cover it with a silicone sheet and press for five seconds at 130°C using a medium pressure In order to flatten and remove any moisture, cover the print area with a silicone sheet and pre-press for a few seconds. Position the print sticky side down, cover with a silicone sheet and press for five seconds at 140°C, medium pressure Once cut, take your design off the cutter and weed away any excess material Once printed, allow the inks to dry for the recommended drying time of two hours. Weed away the excess vinyl, then use Xpres Universal Transfer Application tape and a squeegee to remove the design from the backing onto the tape. Once the press time has passed, carefully remove the silicone sheet and paper while hot to reveal the final image Once the press has finished, carefully peel hot to show the final design 1 1 3 3 2 2 4 4 www.images-magazine.com NOVEMBER 2020 images 67 TIPS & TECHNIQUES Single-colour vinyl Single-colour vinyl is a straightforward process where a vinyl cutter is used to create the logo or text, Emily explains. Xpres provides a range of single- colour vinyls including metallics, fluorescents and special effect films. "For this type of application, it is recommended that you use a low- temperature, five-second-press product, such as Ultra Cut Turbo or Superflex Evolution," she says. "Both products are available in up to 45 colours, are under 95 microns in thickness and can transfer onto cotton, polyester, polycotton and nylon products. They have excellent wash-resistance and are perfect to provide the durability an umbrella decoration would need." Printable vinyl "Printable vinyl can provide vibrant, multi-colour designs and can go onto any colour umbrella," Emily says. She recommends the quick-press, low- temperature, printable media Evolution Print. "This material sits light on the material due to it measuring only 80 microns thick, and can adhere to cotton, polyester, polycotton and nylon. It provides an excellent print quality and has a superb wash durability, making it ideal to use on umbrellas." She used a Roland SP300i printer/ cutter and Evolution Print garment film. A low temperature and short press is best when using vinyl on umbrellas Printable vinyls allow vibrant, multi-coloured designs on any colour umbrella