Here's a random question that you wonderful people just might know the
answer to :-)
I need to make a sign. I've made the physical sign itself out of plywood,
and it's as yet unfinished. I need to mount a sheet of paper from a colour
printer on the sign. I'd like it to be permanently mounted, and waterproof
in case it has to sit out in the rain.
The sign is 2.5' X 3' and the sheet of paper is 11"X17"
I can configure a hard drive in under ten minutes but wouldn't have a clue
where to start here. Or is there any other relatively inexpensive way to
get an image from a computer onto a piece of wood?
Thanks :-)
> I need to make a sign. I've made the physical sign itself out of plywood,
> and it's as yet unfinished. I need to mount a sheet of paper from a
colour
> printer on the sign. I'd like it to be permanently mounted, and
waterproof
> in case it has to sit out in the rain.
>
> The sign is 2.5' X 3' and the sheet of paper is 11"X17"
>
> I can configure a hard drive in under ten minutes but wouldn't have a clue
> where to start here. Or is there any other relatively inexpensive way to
> get an image from a computer onto a piece of wood?
Your best option for outdoor longevity would be to have a sign company print
it for you on a uv stable substrate using outdoor-rated inks. This will be
more fade-resistant than even pigment inkjet inks (Epson). Even still, it'll
fade noticeably in a year or two.
On Fri, 23 Jul 2004 05:45:05 GMT, Experienced but Undocumented <[email protected]> wrote:
>> the paper isn't going to last, no matter what you do to it. computer
>> printer ink will fade quickly in sunlight and even if you use acid
>> free archival paper and coat it with plastic the paper will break down
>> in a few months.
>
> What if it's laser printed and not ink?
The paper is still going to degrade in the sunlight...unless you're planning
on putting the plywood through the laser printer. Might get tricky though,
with all those rollers.
I don't think it's a viable option. We put some computer-printed stick-on decals
onto one of our firetrucks 2 years ago, and it's already badly faded - this for
a truck that gets outside a couple times a month (small rural department).
So even with a good substrate, with inks made for outside, it's still not so
good.
I think paint is the answer here, friend.
Dave Hinz
For some strange reason, I can see three responses, but not the
original post.
If the guy wants to use it printed on paper, I think his best bet
would be print it, glue it down, then go over it with paint - something
like a paint-by-numbers, then a protective finish of some type, over
that.
Of course, on the other hand, I've never tried leaving paper out
there exposed to the sun, and all, even protected, so his idea may work
after all. But, I somehow doubt it - billboards are made to be outside,
and even they seem to fade after awhile - they do replace them.
JOAT
Every thing that happens stays happened.
- Death waxes philosophical
On Fri, 23 Jul 2004 04:07:49 GMT, "Experienced but Undocumented"
<[email protected]> calmly ranted:
>Here's a random question that you wonderful people just might know the
>answer to :-)
>
>I need to make a sign. I've made the physical sign itself out of plywood,
>and it's as yet unfinished. I need to mount a sheet of paper from a colour
>printer on the sign. I'd like it to be permanently mounted, and waterproof
>in case it has to sit out in the rain.
Do I understand you correctly: You want a printed piece of
paper on a painted plywood backer to be your sign?
>The sign is 2.5' X 3' and the sheet of paper is 11"X17"
Print one out on a single sheet and use clear epoxy to mount
and seal it, then see if you really want to do that. (Betcha
don't!)
Then take your drawing on disc to a sign printer and have them
print it on vinyl and transfer it to the plywood which has been
painted with epoxy paint to make it waterproof. Some of the quick
printers with vinyl cutters will do it cheaply, maybe $50. Call
around.
---------------------------------------------------
I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol.
---------------------------------------------------
http://www.diversify.com Refreshing Graphic Design
On Fri, 23 Jul 2004 04:07:49 GMT, "Experienced but Undocumented"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Here's a random question that you wonderful people just might know the
>answer to :-)
>
>I need to make a sign. I've made the physical sign itself out of plywood,
>and it's as yet unfinished. I need to mount a sheet of paper from a colour
>printer on the sign. I'd like it to be permanently mounted, and waterproof
>in case it has to sit out in the rain.
>
>The sign is 2.5' X 3' and the sheet of paper is 11"X17"
>
>I can configure a hard drive in under ten minutes but wouldn't have a clue
>where to start here. Or is there any other relatively inexpensive way to
>get an image from a computer onto a piece of wood?
>
>Thanks :-)
>
well... ummmm....
the paper isn't going to last, no matter what you do to it. computer
printer ink will fade quickly in sunlight and even if you use acid
free archival paper and coat it with plastic the paper will break down
in a few months.
so use the paper as a pattern and cut the design directly into the
wood. then fill the cut areas with paint.
what you use to make the cut will depend on what tools you have access
to and how fancy the typeface is....
On Fri, 23 Jul 2004 05:45:05 GMT, "Experienced but Undocumented"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>> the paper isn't going to last, no matter what you do to it. computer
>> printer ink will fade quickly in sunlight and even if you use acid
>> free archival paper and coat it with plastic the paper will break down
>> in a few months.
>
>What if it's laser printed and not ink?
>
it's still on paper.
there are different types of paper, laser toner and inkjet ink with
different properties, but none of them are meant for making permanent
outdoor signs. they are intended for *office* use....
promotional posters and lost dog signs are appropriate use of paper
outdoors. the information on them expires quickly, and you want the
paper to break down and go away after the event happens or the dog
either turns up or doesn't.
using a computer to design the sign makes a lot of sense. using a
printed page to get that design to the plywood makes a lot of sense.
using plywood, assuming it's outdoor ply, makes a lot of sense.
expecting a printed page of paper to withstand the weather does *not*
make a lot of sense.