solvent printing - mimaki jv-3
We print on uncoated outdoor-durable materials up to 63 inches wide with our six-color Mimaki JV-3 digital screenprinter. Unlike regular inkjet printing on coated media, which can run if it gets wet, the organic solvent-based inks "lock in" to the vinyl they are printed on without an inkjet-receptive coating. Printing from the JV-3 printer has a far superior appearance to the grainy-looking 180 to 300 dpi printers often used for outdoor printing. It works great for all outdoor applications, including signs, vehicle graphics and decals.
We use uncoated media for the JV-3, such as 3M Controltac 180-10 cast white self-adhesive vinyl, perforated window vinyl, and 3M Scotchcal clear adhesive vinyl. Most of these products provide a three year minimum outdoor life for vehicle graphics and outdoor signage. We recommend laminating outdoor vinyl products for abrasion resistance and longer outdoor life. We run our JV3 using Onyx rip software version 7.0.
We print full color banners on both standard 13 oz. gloss banner material (360X720 dpi) and premium "smooth finish" 13 oz. matte banner material (720 dpi). Both are outdoor-durable without lamination. Banners over 60 inches wide may be seamed for greater width (like the Film Festival banner to the left)
We also print transit advertising on our JV-3 printer, using Flexcon Busmark, an MTD- and TDI-approved self-adhesive vinyl product. Busmark is a relatively low-tack product, is easily removed for up to one year, and has at least a one year outdoor life. Busmark also works well for temporary outdoor signs, such as event schedules and maps.