Laminating photo onto MDF

[philfoot]

Hi all

I produce personalised wall clocks in which i use many photographs, either ours or the customers.

I want to extend our range and add a couple of MDF based clocks. These will about 6-8mm thick and maximum diameter will be 12". We will then insert a clock mechanism through a hole in the middle of the clock.

I want a nice attractive professional finish, clear to show the image to its best, and of course it will protect from sticky fingers, carried out in a speedy manner. I am looking at cold/hot lamination and then glued on to the surface of the MDF board (clock face) under pressure.

But not sure if this is the best way, or the most economical way. I say about the cost because i have been advised I would need a vacuum glass press, at some £3,000 a little over my budget. As well as over the top for the maximum diameter of clock face i will be using (12" maximum), would take up most of my work room.

I use a heat press for sublimation, which could of course be used cold, wondered if this could be used?

Is there a cheaper but effective method besides paying for a huge bit of equipment that i wont use to the full, as well as break my bank.

Any help or advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Regards

Phil

 

[Coley.]

Contact spray adhesive and a scalpel ?

 

[Flashman]

I use a Hot Press JetMounter for cold pressure laminating and mounting onto foamboard, should work just as well onto MDF. Mine's 44 inches but an 18 incher is available and not too expensive...
http://www.dpsb.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=38600

If you're passing Harrogate sometime you're welcome to try it.

 

[mark richards]

if you want a high gloss finish, then i would use a spray mount to stick it to the mdf, then use a two part resin to finish, I have used this many times in the past for water affects on some carvings...like this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8oz-Envirotex-Lite-Pour-On-Resin-High-Gloss-Finish-/130507105223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e62d463c7

 

[pollie]

Cold mounting using double sided from drytac in bristol or Lion in B`ham.

You can do it without a roller on a small area like your clocks.

carefully peel off one layer of silicone paper, apply sticky to mdf, press it down with a roller of squeege, peel off top layer, apply your image, roll again to stick it down...seemples