By Jim Hingst
Pick Up Tips...if you are having problems transferring graphics, here are some solutions:
Who hasn’t had the occasional problem in transferring
vinyl graphics from its release liner? In many cases, the solution may be as
simple as selecting a higher tack tape, or making a slight change in your
application procedure. Here are a few pick up tips to make transferring vinyl a
more uplifting experience.
The tape won’t pick up the graphics! The
problem may not be with the tape or the vinyl. Could it be something you did or
didn’t do?
Some vinyl films utilize release liners with a tight
release. The release value is the amount
of force required to peel the vinyl film from its liner. A film with a tight
release keeps the film from slipping and sliding on the liner during plotter
cutting. The high release is great when you’re cutting small letters and fine
detail. But it can make transferring the graphic more difficult. Transferring high gloss films, highly
textured films and vinyl with a “boardy” or stiff facestock, can also be
problematic. Application tapes with a slightly higher tack, such as RTape
4076RLA®, are designed for the “hard-to-lift” films.
Difficulties in transferring vinyl often occur in
environments with high humidity, such as Florida. Colder temperatures also
cause problems. At lower temperatures the adhesive on the application tape is
less malleable and will not wet out on the surface of the vinyl quite so
readily, as when it is warmer. In these environments, the slightly higher tack
tapes do a better job of lifting graphics.
To minimize problems make sure that you use good pressure
when laminating the application tape. Remember: pressure-sensitive tapes need
pressure to stick. Firm squeegee
pressure in the laminating process and the heat generated from the friction of
the squeegee aids the adhesive in wetting out and sticking to the vinyl’s
surface.
There’s a right way and a wrong way to do everything. The
right way to transfer graphics is to turn the graphic over so the tape is
against your work surface, after applying the application tape to the vinyl.
Peel the release liner from the back of the graphics, rolling it 180°against
itself (as shown in Photo #1), rather than trying to pick the graphics off of
the liner.
Photo #1
If the graphics release with difficulty from the release
liner, rub the back of the liner against a sharp edge of your work bench as
shown in Photo #2. This will help break the bond between the vinyl’s adhesive
and the release liner, making transfer of your graphics easier.
Photo #2
RECOMMENDED VINYL GRAPHICS APPLICATION TOOLS
3M Power Grip Rivet Brush Applicator RBA-3
● Thicker handle provides a more comfortable
grip and put less stress on the tendons around your elbow.
● Stiffer bristles provide the more burnishing pressure to
better secure vinyl films to rivet heads.
● Minimizes
strain on muscles, nerves and tendons that lead to repetitive motion injury.
Teflon Hard Squeegee 4in for Car Wraps
● The slick
Teflon surface of the squeegee glides smoothly over vinyl films without
scratching.
● Ideal for
vehicle wrap applications for pushing out stubborn wrinkles as you work the
film around compound curves.
3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-G Gold
● Stiff nylon squeegees provide the right amount of pressure
to force air from under vinyl films and aid the adhesive’s flow out.
● Nylon squeegees can be sharpen over and over for longer
life.
● Preferred by most
professional decal applicators.
3M Hand
Applicator Squeegee PA1-B Blue
● Softer, plastic squeegee is more
conformable, for better vinyl application to curves, corrugations and irregular
surfaces.
● Flexible yet durable plastic.
3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-B Tool-Kit w/ 3x Felt Tips & Lint Free Gloves
● 2 Wrapping
Gloves.
● 1 Blue 3M
medium-hard professional squeegee.
● 3 Self adhesive felt edges for squeegee.
SEALITPEN
● Felt tipped marker filled with acrylic clear coat.
● Use the SEALITPEN to edge seal a vinyl graphic.
● A clean way to apply edge sealer - no brush required.
3M Brand 3950 Edge Sealer
● Seals exposed edges of vinyl graphics.
● Prevents pressure-sensitive vinyl films from lifting resulting from environmental exposure or cleaning.
● Easy to apply clear edge sealer with a small artist’s paint brush or sign maker’s quill.
● Essential sealer for any professional graphics installer.
● Suitable for graphics applications in temperatures from 50°F to 100°F.
3M Tape Primer 94 1/2 Pint 8oz For Vinyl
● Promotes adhesion of all brands of pressure sensitive vinyl films and 3M™ VHB™ Tape.
● Use when vinyl graphics will be stretched into concave areas.
Steinel HG 2510 ESD Programmable IntelliTemp Heat Gun with a LDC Display
● Temperature range: 120°F -
1200°F.
RollePro Vinyl Application Roller
● Using a RollePro eliminates the need to puncturing holes in vinyl films. No need to use a rivet brush.
● Reduces the speed of applying vinyl graphics over rivets up to 50%.
● Install vinyl graphics faster to make more money.
RollePro™ Textured Surface Kit
The RollePro™ Textured Surface Kit includes a standard handle, an original wheel and a high temperature wheel. The high temperature wheel can be used on a variety of surfaces such as brick and concrete.
3M Air Release Tool
• Needle point punctures bubbles under vinyl graphics to remove
entrapped air. • Retractable point protects graphics installer from puncturing
himself.
Car Wrap Magnets
• Vinyl
wrap magnets hold vinyl graphic in place for easier application.
• Replaces
masking tape in positioning graphics.
Knifeless Finish Line Vinyl Wrap Cutting Tape 50 Meter Roll
● Knifeless tape cuts vinyl graphic film without using a
knife.
● Extremely flexible. Applies smoothly around doors,
windows and wheel wells.
● Creates perfectly smooth, straight lines.
RAPID TAC Application fluid for Vinyl Wraps and Vinyl Graphics
● During hot weather applications RapidTac prevents
preadhesion that results in damaged vinyl graphics.
● RapidTac allows you to reposition vinyl graphics
without distortion, until you register it to the right location.
● Proven formulation.
RAPID TAC II Application fluid for Vinyl Wraps Decals
● Specially formulated for vehicle wraps.
● Allows application of vinyl graphics at lower
application temperatures.
RELATED ARTICLES
Banner Care
Selling Banners
Hemming Vinyl Banners
Installations of Banners to Walls
How to Apply Vinyl Graphics to Banners
Design Basics for Banners
The Effect of Wind Loads on Banners
Buying Vinyl Banner Material
Fire Rating of Banner Materials
Pressure Sensitives 101 Made Easier
A High Tack Solution for Problem Graphics
Problems Transferring Graphics?
Taking Marketing to the Streets
Mold Growth on Application Tape
Why Premask Laminated Graphics
Vinyl Application Tool Box
Metalized Special Effects Films
Wall to Wall Graphics Application
Removing Vinyl Graphics
Why Buy Commercial Grade Application Fluid
Avoiding Application Tape Problems
Applying Vinyl Graphics to Painted Wood
Visit My Vinyl Sign Techniques Community
RELATED ARTICLES
Banner Care
Selling Banners
Hemming Vinyl Banners
Installations of Banners to Walls
How to Apply Vinyl Graphics to Banners
Design Basics for Banners
The Effect of Wind Loads on Banners
Buying Vinyl Banner Material
Fire Rating of Banner Materials
Pressure Sensitives 101 Made Easier
A High Tack Solution for Problem Graphics
Problems Transferring Graphics?
Taking Marketing to the Streets
Mold Growth on Application Tape
Why Premask Laminated Graphics
Vinyl Application Tool Box
Metalized Special Effects Films
Wall to Wall Graphics Application
Removing Vinyl Graphics
Why Buy Commercial Grade Application Fluid
Avoiding Application Tape Problems
Applying Vinyl Graphics to Painted Wood
Why Premask Laminated Graphics
Vinyl Application Tool Box
Metalized Special Effects Films
Wall to Wall Graphics Application
Removing Vinyl Graphics
Why Buy Commercial Grade Application Fluid
Avoiding Application Tape Problems
Applying Vinyl Graphics to Painted Wood
Visit My Vinyl Sign Techniques Community
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.
© 2015 Jim Hingst
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
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.
© 2015 Jim Hingst
No comments:
Post a Comment