A Texas sign shop is wrapping the big rigs and we don’t mean trucks. Discover the ins and outs of wrapping in an oil field. Read more »
Processing and Installing VinylEfx Films
ABOUT VINYLEFX® FILMS Eye-catching RTape VinylEfx® metalized vinyl media give your designs a distinctive look, which attracts attention and creates favorable visual impressions. Your graphics are noticed, read and remembered. That’s your competitive edge! The rich look of these metallic vinyl films is perfect for signage, POP, exhibits and store interiors. Read more »
Peel Recommendations for Heat Transfer Films
After you heat press an applique to a garment, how long should you wait before peeling the carrier or the hot mask from the applique? A number of variables come into play, which are covered in my story: Heat Transfer Films: Hot, Warm or Cold Peel. The physical properties of the particular flex or flock film that […] Read more »
Cleaning Polycarbonate Sheet Before Vinyl Application
Polycarbonate is one tough plastic. Not even Dirty Harry with his .44 magnum could blast through a one-inch sheet. To use Harry’s words: “a man has to know his limitations”. Read more »
Reading, Writing and Profits With The School System Near You
You can position your company for profitability by serving the growing market for in-school advertising. When George Mason High School needed funds to install lights in its new football stadium, it looked for advertisers to foot the bill. Read more »
Cleaning Vinyl Graphics
Sign makers should assume that many of their customers will do some pretty stupid things when cleaning graphics. For this reason they must provide the end user with instruction covering proper cleaning and care of any graphics. When I sold fleet graphics, many years ago, I would give my customers an instruction sheet which included the do’s and don’ts listed […] Read more »
What Causes Ink Adhesion Problems?
The $64 question is: what causes ink adhesion problems when screen printing polycarbonate film? While some have suggested moisture absorption as the culprit, the most likely candidate is exposure to UV light and oxygen. As the polycarbonate absorbs UV light, it excites the photons of the atoms, which in turn creates free radicals. Free radicals […] Read more »
Vinyl Application to Polycarbonate Sheet
Even if polycarbonate sheet was covered with a surface protection film, you should always consider the surface contaminated. That means that you must clean the sign face before applying the graphics. Before you prep the substrate with a solvent or detergent, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions. For most plastic-sheet applications, the most reliable cleaning method […] Read more »
Hygroscopic Plastics
Outgassing: Problems Arising Out Of Thin Air Some plastics can absorb moisture from the air. These materials fall into the category called “hygroscopic plastics”. The best known product in this group is polycarbonate. It’s not, however, the only hygroscopic plastic. Nylon and polyester can also absorb water vapor. Read more »
Mottling and what to do about it
Have you ever occasionally noticed a dull, hazy or blotchy appearance on the surface of some vinyl films or overlaminates? This is a condition called mottling. There’s no reason to get too excited. While this hazy appearance certainly detracts from the aesthetic appeal of your graphics, mottling can easily be remedied, which I will explain […] Read more »
