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Monday, March 21, 2016

Benefits of Metalized Vinyl Films

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By Jim Hingst @hingst_jim

Metalized vinyl films, such as RTape VinylEfx® films, have always been popular for decorating racecars, billboards, and short-term promotional signage. With metalized vinyl films sign makers can give their designs a competitive edge. The distinctive look of these eye-catching films adds value to their designs, so their  signs will command higher selling prices and profits!

Some sign makers, though, have shied away from specialty films, because in older generations of products, many films lacked long-term durability and were difficult to cut and apply.

Using professional tools and professional vinyl application techniques, you can apply metalized vinyl films in many of the same applications that other vinyl films are used. 

The good news is that the newer generation of metalized vinyl films feature several remarkable improvements, which should provide wary buyers with reason enough to give these products a second look.

Fade-resistant colorants and UV inhibitors extend the outdoor life of films classified as  “Durable Series”. Improved release liners greatly minimize tunneling during plotter cutting. And more forgiving adhesives make repositioning during graphics application much easier.

Metalized vinyl films print like other vinyl films.

 Features & Benefits of Metalized Vinyl Films


1.       Add value to your designs with these eye-catching films. That way your signs can command higher selling prices and profits!

2.       Attract more attention to your signs so your message gets noticed, read and remembered.


3.       Vinyl films outperform polyester special effects films. Because metalized vinyl is vinyl –  it cuts, prints and installs like other vinyl films.

4.       Printable using a variety of screen print inks, thermal transfer systems, solvent and ecosolvent inkjet printers and UV-curable inkjet systems. 


5.       Easy to process. Metalized vinyl films can be computer-cut, steel rule die cut, thermal die cut, embossed, thermoformed and domed.



6.       Cost-effective alternative. For demanding applications such as truck and boat graphics, metalized vinyl films, such as the RTape VinylEfx® Durable Series films, provide a superior alternative to the expensive simulated gold-leaf films.

 Slides of VinylEfx films used for store graphics.

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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. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst
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