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Thursday, October 9, 2014

Why Premask Laminated Graphics

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Learn how premask stabilizes a vinyl film graphic during installation and protects the graphic from scratching.


By Jim Hingst

Do you really need to premask a graphic, if it has an overlaminate? Many installers believe that an application tape is unnecessary.  In the vast majority of cases, however, premasking the graphic will make your installations  faster and easier as well as providing protection for the graphics during shipping and handling.


Masking with application tape adds to the stiffness of vinyl graphics, which makes it easier to handle. If you need to re-position a graphic, the extra body that the tape adds to the graphic makes it easier to snap the film back off of the substrate without deforming it.  

More importantly, when you are performing a vinyl graphics installation in hot weather, a paper application tape will prevent the graphic from stretching. This is especially important if you are applying multiple graphic panels with multiple points of alignment. If one panel stretches, then you will need to stretch all of the subsequent panels so that the images on one sheet of film match up with the next one.

Using a premask or application tape also protects vehicle graphics during application. Many of the high gloss cast vinyl overlaminates are soft and susceptible to scratching during the installation process.  The scratches from squeegees, especially the hard nylon squeegees, that are preferred by professional installers, are very noticeable.  After squeegeeing the graphic and removing the application tape, you will need to resqueegee the  applied film.  In doing this always use a squeegee with an low friction sleeve or a squeegee with some type of edge protection. 

After removing the application tape, a low friction sleeve
will prevent scratching the graphic while resqueegeeing
the applied film.



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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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