Air egress release liners create tiny tunnels in the
adhesive system of the vinyl film. These tunnels function
as escape routes for entrapped air. Photograph courtesy of Mondi.
By Jim Hingst
Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Here’s how the product works. These release liners are comprised of multiple layers of paper, a polyethylene coating and a siliconization layer. The polyethylene coating of the release liner is embossed with a textured pattern. The textured structure of the release liner imparts tiny air channels in the adhesive of the vinyl film. Think of these as escape routes for air. As the installer squeegees the facestock, the air between the film and the substrate is directed through the air channels to the edge of the graphic.
Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Here’s how the product works. These release liners are comprised of multiple layers of paper, a polyethylene coating and a siliconization layer. The polyethylene coating of the release liner is embossed with a textured pattern. The textured structure of the release liner imparts tiny air channels in the adhesive of the vinyl film. Think of these as escape routes for air. As the installer squeegees the facestock, the air between the film and the substrate is directed through the air channels to the edge of the graphic.
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Magnified picture of the highly textured surface structure of an air release liner. Photo courtesy of Mondi.
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Ridges in the surface structure of the release liner impress micro air tunnels in the adhesive of the vinyl film. Photo courtesy of Mondi.
Don't Forget the Basics of Vinyl Application
When working with air egress films, even a novice installer can look like a pro. Is it idiot proof? Of course not! Someone will always manage to mess things up. I actually saw a sales manager trap a humongous air bubble in his company’s film, while performing a vehicle wrap demonstration. I have no idea how he did it. This feat was no easy task, because the film used was one of the best on the market and arguably the easiest one to work with. My point is that even when you use a great product, you must employ proper application procedures, or the product will not work as intended. In working with these films, here are some recommendations:
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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.
© 2015 Jim Hingst |
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