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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Application Tape Tips


By Jim Hingst

Here are some helpful tips for working with application tape:

  • Whether you laminate application tape by hand or with a laminator, avoid trapping air bubbles between the vinyl graphics and the application tape.   Bubbles and wrinkles in the application paper often result in bubbles and wrinkles in the applied vinyl graphic, regardless of the skill and effort of the installer.  If you inspect the adhesive side of a graphic, after removing the release liner, you often can see the formation of wrinkles and bubbles in the adhesive.  In the vinyl application process, you will just transfer these wrinkles and bubbles to the substrate.

Avoid trapping air bubbles between the vinyl graphics and the application tape.   
  • In the lamination process, avoid stretching the application tape.  Stretched tape usually shrinks, causing the vinyl graphic to curl.

  • If you can afford a laminator for your shop, it’s a worthwhile investment.  If the laminator is set up properly, you will apply application tape to graphics with a minimum of wrinkles and bubbles. The next best alternative is to buy some type of application tape dispensing system. Three, that I have, are the WEBERmade dispenser, the Mask-Rite tape applicator and the new ProRoll Application Tape Roller from Image One Impact. The WEBERmade system bolts right on to your workbench with a couple of clamps. What I like about the machine is that it has a clutch, which allows you to adjust  the unwind tension of the roll. The Mask-Rite tape system works differently.  It consists of two rollers which the application tape feeds through. You simply roll the application tape over your graphics. The ProRoll Application Tape Roller is described in my article: Image1Impact Introduces a New Tape Applicator.

The new ProRoll Application Tape Roller from Image One Impact aids lamination of tape to graphics without wrinkles and bubbles.
  • Use a single sheet (rather than overlapping pieces) of tape to cover the vinyl graphic.  Otherwise, a fine line of tiny air bubbles will appear in the applied vinyl graphics where the pieces of tape overlap.

  • For screen printed and digitally printed decals, thoroughly “cure” inks and clear coats before applying the tape.  Solvents in uncured inks and coatings often cause the decal and tape to adhere to each other, making it difficult to remove the tape once the graphic is applied.  Solvents can even    cause ink to delaminate from vinyl during tape removal.

  • For screen printed or digitally printed vinyl graphics curing the ink system is critical. You may not want to hear this, but the rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours, allowing inks to thoroughly dry, before clear coating or overlaminating.  Then wait 24 hours before applying the application tape and trimming the print.

  • After a vinyl graphic has been “taped”, it should be applied shortly thereafter. Prolonged storage can increase the bond between the tape and the vinyl film, making tape removal difficult following application.  This condition worsens if the graphic is stored at elevated temperatures.

  • Wet applications generally require more time for the vinyl’s adhesive to bond to the substrate.  This means that you will need to allow more time before removing tape. It’s best to apply the graphic dry, if you can. If you must use application fluid, use the least amount to accomplish the job.

  • If an application paper tape isn’t releasing easily following an application, lightly spray the paper with application fluid, wait about 30 seconds, and then remove it.  The application fluid will penetrate the paper facestock and soften the tape’s water-based latex adhesive, causing it to release more easily from the graphic. See my story: The Right Way to do a Wet Application.

To facilitate the removal of paper application tape spray the tape with application fluid and wait 20 to 30 seconds before removal.

  • In removing the application tape, carefully pull the tape 180° against itself. This tape removal procedure prevents you from pulling the vinyl graphic off of the substrate. To minimize edge lifting, use a squeegee covered with a low friction sleeve to resqueegee the entire graphic, especially the edges.  The low friction sleeve will prevent the squeegee from scratching the graphic.
Remove the application tape by pulling it 180⁰ against itself.


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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