What You Must Know When Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Vinyl and Flock Films

Heat transfer materials are comprised of either polyurethane, vinyl or flock facestocks coated with a heat-activated adhesive, and laminated to a plastic release liner or carrier film. Using a plotter cutter to cut heat transfer vinyl is a little different than cutting pressure sensitive vinyl. Some problems have resulted from using a dull blade. Other […] Read more »

How to Make Vinyl Film Removals Easier and Faster

The process of removing vinyl films generally requires the use of  both heat and chemicals. Some removers contain hazardous chemicals, such as toluene, that can cause health problems. Before using any chemical remover, read the manufacturer’s MSDS sheet and instruction bulletin. Always wear the recommended safety equipment. Read more »

The Benefits of UV Curable Inkjet Inks

Compared to solvent and ecosolvent inks, UV curable inks have several advantages. No VOCs to pollute the air; the inks dry fast but don’t clog in the print head; and good adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including styrene, expanded PVC, polycarbonate, acrylic, gatorboard and corrugated polypropylene. Read more »

Priming and Painting for Wall Graphics Applications

New drywall must be primed and painted properly to ensure good adhesion of pressure-sensitive vinyl wall graphics. You wouldn’t think that applying vinyl wall graphics to newly painted drywall should be a problem. Of course, problems can and do happen. Especially when contractors rush to get the job done. Read more »

Which Typeface Should You Use?

Readability and Legibility When I worked in advertising, 40 years ago, I was taught that a serif type, such as Times Roman, was more readable than a sans serif type because the first words that we read in elementary school primers are in that family of typeface. The morning newspaper is also set in a […] Read more »