Cutting vinyl tape for signs

[Seb]

Hi folks, long-time lurker, first-time poster.

I'm trying to make some custom signs. I've got access to a 30W and a 100W laser cutter at school. I've cut acrylic sheet on them for a previous project, so I know the basics of how to use them.

My question is, what material should I work with to make nice-looking signs? The signs I have are painted sheet metal, and they need to live outdoors rain & shine. The text and stuff I want to put on the signs are about 12" by 24". I'd imagined cutting it into some kind of wide vinyl tape, and then transferring the tape to the signs. Sound reasonable? What kind of tape should I look for, and where could I buy it? Or am I going about this wrong?

[kennected]

If I understand you correctly, you want to start cutting vinyl for signs. Not meant to be a plug but www.signwarehouse.com. They can explain it better than I but here is the gist.
Pressure sensitive, linered, sign vinyl is cut from pressure sensitive roll using a cutting plotter and waste is "weeded" out. A wide masking tape is applied to the face of the vinyl image so the backer sheet can be removed exposing the vinyl's permanent adhesive. The vinyl (and masking sheet) is applied to the sign surface, squeegeed to remove air and force contact, and then the masking sheet is removed leaving the vinyl image on the sign.
Simple, huh?
It's actually a lot of fun and rewarding. Try the link, a vinyl cutter will probably work better than laser but who am I? Can't say I've every een anybody try it.
Good luck, Ken

[Seb]

Thanks, I'll drop them a line!

[signbloke]

mate, cut your lettering from coloured acrylic on the laser, there is a good range of colours available. laser makes a mess of cutting self adhesive vinyl, the advise for a plotter is correct

[Seb]

Bummer... Is there adhesive-backed acrylic? Or what sort of adhesive would you recommend for making the acrylic stick to glossy painted aluminum?

[dragoneye]

look at 3m adhesives you can buy it with a barrier and different coat weights each side for any application or better still buy a pack of laser thin which come in all colours and are adhesive backing already on them and are for outdoor use

[jimmy2020]

I would not suggest cutting vinyl with a laser. The chlorine gas given off by the process is potentialy lethal.

If you are cutting any plastic with a laser, make sure it does not give off any dangerous gases. Acrylic is fine and safe to use, but PVC etc will give off Chlorine gas.

If you are cutting materials that give off noxious gases, ensure that your filtration system fully working.

Acryilic Letters on Aluminium, Just screw them in. Will last longer than any bonding material I know, also letters have a tendancy to fall off when you least want them to. Screw the letters in place, it's the best possible option for you.

I would follow the methods outlined by the other people on the board, and use a vinyl cutter (you can buy a new cutter from china for less than UK£400 including shipping), The school should have one as they are used in workshops everywhere). Vinyl is next to nothing in price, and will last many many years in most environments. For the metal board your using, I would suggest a material called dibond, it's what professional sign makers use, very cheap, light weight, will last longer than the person fitting the sign and can be reused many times over during its life span.