Tips for Digitally Printing & Laminating Top-Coated Polycarbonate Films
RTape’s Claritex® 10 mil bright white velvet-matte polycarbonate
films feature a specially formulated ink-receptive coating for solvent, ecosolvent
and latex inkjet printers. The good hold out characteristic of the top coating
keeps the colorant of the ink on its surface for brilliant color reproduction.
The coating also quickly absorbs the ink, which prevents bleeding and maintains
the integrity of the dot structure for superb print sharpness. Its fast
absorption of ink also promotes fast drying times for unimpeded output.
These films
are compatible with OEM inks used in Epson, HP, Mimaki,
Mutoh, Roland and other popular solvent, ecosolvent or latex inkjet
printers. The 95% opaque white film provides for
exceptional hiding power, which makes it ideal for Point-Of-Purchase posters,
retractable banner stands, tradeshow booth panels, transit advertising and bus
shelter advertising.
Test, Don’t Guess.
Before running a job in production, you should evaluate Claritex® top-coated polycarbonate films for compatibility with the inks, backer films, overlaminates and transfer adhesives. You should also test samples under the same lighting conditions in which the finished product will be used. My story,
Prior to applying a backer film or overlaminate to the printed
image, it is critical that the ink is thoroughly dry. Several factors can
affect drying times, including printing environment, ink formulation and ink
saturation. Ideally the ambient shop temperature should be approximately 21º C
(70ºF) at 50% RH.
Ink Saturation.
If you want to reproduce bold, rich colors, you need a good deposit of ink. Without the right ink setting, you potentially could not reproduce a full range of the color gamut. Not printing enough ink results in a print that will look washed out.
Printing too much ink, however, is as bad as printing too little.
Ink saturation should not exceed 270% to 300%. High ink densities can result in
print problems. Over saturation of ink can cause the ink to bleed. Also with
dot gain, the individual ink droplets can bleed together or coalesce, resulting
in the loss of contrast and image definition. As ink dots bleed, the hue of a
color can also change.
While the top coating on the polycarbonate film is designed to
absorb a heavy ink load, its ability to absorb ink has a limit. Once that limit
has been exceeded, the print often exhibits a defect that looks as if the ink
has crinkled.
Printing Mode.
To ensure optimal printing results, we recommend printing in the unidirectional print mode. When printing on clear Claritex polycarbonate films for backlit applications double strike printing may be required so the print would not wash out when a backlit display is illuminated. When printing on the white Claritex film, the single strike setting is typically used.
Heat settings should not exceed 38º C (100ºF). High heat settings
can distort the film, which can result in head strikes. Printer settings,
however, will vary from one brand of printer to another, and from one shop
environment to another.
Profiles.
Printing with generic profiles for glossy vinyl and for frontlit/backlit films usually produce acceptable results. Profiles for Premium Backlit Film and Premium Cast have been used successfully. Profiles for the most popular solvent and ecosolvent printers and RIPs are available at http://www.rtape.com/icc-profiles.Laminating.
As a general rule of thumb, always wait at least 24 hours before laminating a print. Higher ink levels often require additional drying time. If you must roll a laminated print for shipping, never roll the film on a core smaller than six inches in diameter.
Printable Claritex® polycarbonate films are compatible with Eclypse™
polycarbonate overlaminates. To make a
rigid tradeshow booth panel laminate the printed graphic with either a
10 mil or 15 mil polycarbonate overlaminate.
In constructing header panels or laminating posters use a 10 overlaminate. Use the 10 mil media with a 3 mil or 5 mil
laminate for headers and end caps.
Polycarbonate overlaminates are tougher than other laminating films. Used for
tradeshow applications, you can roll and unroll these graphics show after show.
They will provide long term durability, if the graphics are rolled properly,
image side to the outside.
Storage.
Store rolls in their original packaging either
vertically or horizontally. After opening, use polycarbonate films within six
months.
Polycarbonate Applications.
Printable polycarbonate films are an excellent choice for tradeshow graphics and booth panels, retractable banner stands and Point-Of-Purchase posters and displays.
For more information on printable polycarbonate films, contact your RTape distributor or RTape directly at www.rtape.com.
Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link
Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link
Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films. Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link
3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free. Click to Link
Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link
Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Videos
Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link
Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link
Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link
Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films. Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link
3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free. Click to Link
Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link
Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link
About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
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