Warning Label Colours... Need Help

kennykro · 11-21-2009, 08:04 PM

My bro prints vinyl decals and such, and we're trying to get the proper colours for warning signs, and we can't get it. We've done many test prints, but the colours keep coming out rather pale in comparison to some that we've got from companies like clarion. If anyone has ideas it would be much appreciated.

Enforcer · 11-22-2009, 02:14 AM

I assume this is digital prints onto vinyl?

What kind of printer is he using?

Also, which programs?

kennykro · 11-22-2009, 09:38 AM

It's a roland, don't know the name, and he uses flexi imaging. I can get the name if you need. and yes he prints on vinyl

Enforcer · 11-22-2009, 02:14 PM

Different printers give a vast range of quality, I use a cadet at work and it's ok but I've never used a roland.

Off the top of my head there are a few things he can check:

1. Check that the colour settings are correct for the job in hand (make sure you are using solid or process colours)

2. Check that the ink lines are not blocked and if the machine has a cleaning facility give that a go (if it is an inkjet printer) or that the foils are not damaged if your roland is similar to a gerber?

3. Check that the vinyl being used is compatable with digital printing other wise the ink will not penetrate the vinyls surface and will look poop.

4. You could also check that the print settings in the flexi software are correct.
I've never used flexi imaging but the package I use at work (signlab by cadlink) allows you to change the number of ink passes, head passes, speed etc.

Giving the print an extra ink pass will make the colour more solid but be sure that the head passes are also right because the image will look grainy if there are not enough passes.

That's about as much as I can think of without getting more familiar with the set up, hope it helps

kennykro · 11-22-2009, 02:45 PM

Thanks a lot, I'll pass that on.

Enforcer · 01-11-2010, 04:42 PM

Ever get this figured out?

kennykro · 01-11-2010, 05:34 PM

He went into the place where he buys his equipment and told them that if they can match the colours on the printer he was looking at that they had a sale, and they did. I think what he does is lowers the opacity and sends the file to do 2 passes.
We also got the blacks figured out, I never realized that Adobe Illustrator didn't give true blacks unless you typed in the numbers.