Been pondering on how to get large graphics from my computer onto a surfboard. I know there are large format printers that can print onto treated textiles that can be laminated onto the blank. But this seems to be a little costly and may add weight/weaken the lam. I’m thinking iron on transfers might be an option worth looking at.Has anyone had a go at this before? I’m going to conduct some experiments with transfer paper ie the stuff you can use to create iron on images for textiles. I was going to try tiling an image in Photoshop or whatever, - printing out the sections on the transfer paper, reassembling the image and applying to foam, or sanded glass. What I want to find out is: Is it technically possible? ie will the foam or glass withstand the heat and preassure required to transfer the image. If under glass will there be sufficient adhesion or will it cause de-lams. If on the glass can the image be sealed/protected. and howcolour fast will it be? Both inkjet and colour laser paper is available and I have acces to both types of printer. Lastly will it be economical? paper is about $25 for 10 sheets. Probably need 4-5 for the graphic to have as much impact as your average spray. Any experiences or feedback on the idea much appreciated
I’m no graphic art type, but I was wondering if there are inkjet printers that can print large or long sheets of rice paper that have your pattern on it. I recall reading somewhere that Weber used long sheets of rice paper that had the patterns printed on them for full fabric decks on their Performer models in the 60’s.
call the surf source in jacksonville, fla. buy their laminate paper (24"x36"). you can plot on it with an hp plotter. the ink doesn’t bleed under polyester resin (it may bleed with epoxy but i’m not sure). hope that helps.
Many years ago a friend of mine made me some decals, via computer, directly printed onto A4 backed tissue paper. The ink didn’t bleed and I was impressed with the fine detail. However I’ve never seen it done since, and I haven’t seen my old friend for years. May be worth a few enquiries.
check the resources section. there are some graphics co’s listed who do large format printing w/ rice paper. may cost a little more, but will save you the aggravation…
I have a Canon inket printer that I normally use to print lams on, using 8 1/2 by 11 rice paper that I attach to backing paper w/ a glue stick (slow but reliable). I also have a roll of rice paper 50 feet long that I found at an art supply co. Now I am just wondering how I can convince the printer to do really, really long pictures… anyone ever tried this? Seems like it should be easy but I haven’t worked out the details yet. Would love to be able to print, say, a 7 foot dolphin, 9 foot peeling curl, 10 foot lei, etc…
I don’t know about the West Coast, but here on the East Coast beer companies have promotional give aways-rafts,bikes and boards. On the boards they have giant logos. They seen to be printed on some sort of lam. Any one out there know the process? Seems like it would answer your question.
as a practicing engineer, I’ll tell you that every architect and engineering company in any town that worth sh*t has a large inkjet printer, usually capable of 32 inch width x unlimited length. Also any reprographic company (the guys who make blueprints, plans, etc for construction jobs) will have this capability. Now you just have to make friendly contact with these people and get the job done. Providing the paper would be a good start; also the graphics need to be made available in a format they can use. Know what you want, but be flexible about how it will be produced. The draftsman who will run the job will have his own preferences, and he’ll evaluate whether the paper you provide will run through his multi-thousand-dollar machine without damage, so that paper better be smooth, dry and wrinkle-free. A smoothly run print job, say on a 24x36 or 30x42 inch sheet (standard sizes, both) will take no more than 30 minutes including setup if the graphic is supplied on a diskette in a format that can be printed directly.