Transferring and Applying Frosted Window Graphics Films

Learn the right way to weed, transfer and apply plotter cut frosted window graphics films. 

Transferring frosted window graphics films and other textured films can be troublesome. Using the right application tapes, professional application tools and the right application techniques will minimize your troubles.

NEW VIDEO: Jim Hingst provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply frosted window graphics films quickly, easily and without problems. 

Link to Vinyl Application Videos

In this article I used RTape's AT65 and 4078RLA to transfer 3M frosted window graphics films. This standard grade application tape worked like a charm. For other textured films, RTape manufactures other types of application tapes that also work well, such as our 4885 Ultra High Tack Tape. The following story explains how I got the job done.  

Before I get into my explanation, I wanted to caution you that if you are using older material, plasticizers may have gradually leached to the surface of the film.  These plasticizers can prevent the application tape from adhering to the vinyl. For this reason, you may want to take the precautionary step of wiping the surface of the film with soft paper toweling moistened with isopropyl alcohol (IPA), after you plotter cut the graphics and before you weed it. Before the alcohol dries, wipe the film with a piece of dry paper toweling.

Weeding Plotter-Cut Frosted Window Graphics Films. 

When you are weeding a clear film on a clear liner, it is usually difficult to see what you are doing and very easy to make a mistake. When weeding films such as the 3M Frosted Crystal, working on a dark background can help greatly. See photo A below.

Photo A

To mask the window graphic, I used RTape 4078RLA. In applying the tape use good squeegee pressure.  Application tapes are pressure sensitive materials, which means that you have to apply some pressure for them to work. Simply smoothing on the tape with your hand, just won’t cut it. Good tools and good squeegee technique are also critical. For applications such as this, I use a 3M gold nylon squeegee. See photo B below.

Photo B

Alternate Method: An easy way to hand apply application tape to a graphic is to “stick it in reverse”. Using this method, unwind the application tape (RTape’s new AT65 is shown in the above picture) so that the adhesive side of the tape faces upwards and the facestock is against your work surface. Turn the weeded graphics so that the vinyl film faces down and lay the graphics panel on top of the sticky side of the application tape. Squeegee the release liner side of the graphics.

Many people do not like to use a paper tape when applying clear films, because they can’t see the graphics. Here’s an old tip from an old timer. Use a Conte crayon or a carpenter’s pencil to do a rubbing. Voila! The graphic appears. See photo C below.

Photo C

Alternate Method: When using a clear film application tape, such as RTape’s AT65, it is much easier to see the cut graphics, when positioning the film on a window. 

To ensure that the graphic transfers properly from the release liner, peel the liner from the back of the graphic rather than peeling the graphic from the liner. In removing the liner, peel it at 180 degrees against itself, rolling off of the plotter cut graphics. See photo D below.

Photo D

Surface Prep for Window Graphics Applications. 

Proper surface preparation will ensure good adhesion of the graphics. The right way to prep glass is a multi-step procedure. First, wash the windows with a liquid detergent and water. After washing, rinse the surface with clean water and let the windows dry. Next re-clean the glass with a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Dry the surface using lint-free paper towels. See photo E below. 

Caution: don’t use such glass cleaners as Windex® that contain silicones, which can leave a residue that could inhibit adhesion. Some soaps, ammonia cleaners and solvents can also leave a residue that cause similar problems.After washing, carefully inspect the windows. To clean windows speckled with dried paint, use a razor blade and re-wipe the windows with alcohol.

Photo E

Application Temperature Range. 

Cold weather applications can be problematic. The recommended application temperature will vary from one vinyl film to the next. Always read the technical data sheet for the film used. If the surface temperature of the glass is too low, the adhesive will not flow out properly onto the glass and the film will not stick.

After thoroughly cleaning the glass, you are ready to apply the film. Use good squeegee pressure in applying the film to the glass surface, always overlapping your strokes and keeping the angle of the squeegee shallow (i.e. close to the  graphic). When you have completed the application, peel the 4078RLA from the applied graphics at a 180 degree angle against itself. See photo F below.

Photo F

After removing the application tape, always resqueegee the entire graphic to make sure that the film has adhered properly and that none of the edges have lifted. 

Click here to see a video covering the application of frosted window graphics films

New! Click here to visit my new blog about heat transfer films

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