Printing VinylEfx Using Thermal Transfer Printers

Question: Do you need to allow for a border when printing VinylEfx®  with a thermal transfer printer?

You can print VinylEfx® films using just about any type printer with just about any type of ink system EXCEPT water based inkjet inks. Sign makers and screen printers have successfully used vinyl screen print inks, thermal transfer systems, solvent-based ink jet printers and hot foil stamp devices.

Before going into production, the sign maker needs to carefully read and heed the printer manufacturer’s recommendations. Prior to running a job using new materials or new processes, it is best to “Test, Don’t Guess”.

When printing with solvent and ecosolvent printers, you must allow a ¼” border around the printed graphic to prevent edge peeling. You do not always need to leave an unprinted edge. When printing with the Gerber Edge® you can print edge  to edge or what is also referred to as a full bleed. 

In the graphic shown below RTape’s VinylEFX®  Gold Florentine Leaf was printed using the Gerber Edge®. In printing this picture, the setting  for cast vinyl was used. The graphic was applied to a painted aluminum sign blank using RTape 4075RLA application tape. Following the application, the applied graphic was clear coated by spraying the entire applique with Frog Juice. This sealed the edges preventing edge lifting.

One unique characteristic of our VinylEfx® product is the deep embossing, which creates the 3D illusion in patterns, such as MultiLens® and Diamond Plate™. Deeply embossed patterns, however,  can cause problems, when printing with  thermal transfer systems, such as the Gerber Edge®.  

Printing on films, which are not perfectly smooth, can result in flaking, in which there are voids in the printed image. To avoid this problem, please read my article Thermal TransferPrinting on VinylEfx.

Slides of VinylEfx films used for store graphics.

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