Product news and information for the sign, screen and graphic arts trade
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Painting over a powder coated metal surface can be frustrating because it is difficult for new paint to stick to the old coating. Most paint will not stick to slick surfaces. Special preparation and compatible primers are required for success. Read more »
How Pigments and Dyes Differ What is the difference between pigments and dyes? The easy answer is that dyes are soluble, while pigments are insoluble. So much for easy answers! When we scratch beneath the surface, differences between these two classes of colorants are much more complex. Read more »
Paints are comprised of two basic components: a binder (or resin) and a colorant (either a dye or pigment). Paint can also include a solvent, which alters its viscosity. The combination of the binder or resin with a solvent is sometimes referred to as the vehicle. In addition, paints can also include a variety of […] Read more »
Advancements in digital print technology and the introduction of top coated fabric have allowed printers to expand their product offerings to include fabric banners. These technological advancements include: the ability of the machinery to feed and process heavier weight materials; improved compatibility of the inks with fabrics; and higher print quality. Read more »
Edge peeling usually makes every sign maker’s list of top vinyl problems. Failure to properly clean the substrate and failure to resqueegee the graphic after removing the application tape causes many edge lifting problems. While graphics installers often get blamed if a problem occurs, application mistakes aren’t the only reasons. Read more »
Walk-in business is usually easy money. That’s because it is more about the customer buying than about you selling. Real selling, in which you must hunt for new business, isn’t so easy. It fact, it can be a complex process. First you need to track down viable prospects: those who need your products and services […] Read more »
I cannot think of another business with so many cross selling opportunities as sign makers have. If you are unfamiliar with the term cross selling, all it means is selling a current customer, such as a fleet graphics account, other products and services, such as posters, window graphics and window displays, wall graphics, hanging signage, […] Read more »
What makes painting a challenge for sign makers, compared to vinyl application, are all of the variables. And with each variable the chance that what can go wrong increases. In fact, it seems that that guy Murphy has stacked the odds against us. Our only recourse is to identify the causes of our failures and […] Read more »
Digital printing inks are similar to other inks and paints. All of these products consist of two basic components: a colorant (dye or pigment) and a liquid carrier or vehicle. The varieties of digital printing inks include aqueous inks, solvent inks, ecosolvent inks, latex inks and UV-curable inks. With so many choices available in wide […] Read more »
With the right film, the right application tools and the right techniques, vinyl graphics can be applied to textured wall surfaces such brick and concrete block. Many of old time decal applicators would heat a cast vinyl with an industrial heat gun, and burnish the hot, pliable film into the textured surface using a rivet […] Read more »
