Tips for Cutting Flock Material

If you want to provide your customers the rich look of an embroidered emblem, but the cost of embroidery is too rich for their blood, consider using RTape’s VelCut™  flock material. This velvety soft material is a great alternative at a fraction of the cost. Flock heat transfer appliques are cut in reverse (mirror image). […] Read more »

Choosing a Translucent Vinyl

Which is Better for Backlit Signs: Cast or Calendered? Vinyl manufacturers, such as 3M™ and Arlon, produce a broad color selection of translucent cast vinyl films for backlit signage applications. In addition to backlit building signage, other applications include taxi-top signage, mall and airport-terminal advertising, menuboards and canopy fascias. Read more »

Outgassing and Health Concerns

I have received several letters from those who have read my story about outgassing. I certainly did not intend to cause alarm. Plastics outgas (also referred to as off gassing or degassing). The rate at which this outgassing occurs depends on the resin type,  time, temperature and atmospherics. The good news is that outgassing of a […] Read more »

More on What You Need to Know About Rivets

Discover the ins and outs, dos and don’ts of installing vinyl graphics over rivets.  What you find out may surprise you. Dealing with rivets is the price you pay for greater profits.  But applying over rivets need not be a nightmare if you have the right knowledge and skills.  Read more »

Sign Software in Action

Discover how signmakers are using industry specific software to raise revenues, increase production – and get creative. All softwares are far from equal.  See how sign industry specific software can make your company more money faster than ever before.   Read more »

Should You Buy Ink in Bulk?

Discover the pros and cons of buying ink in large quantities. Want to save money on your ink budget?  Barring using third-party inks, you have two options: buy in bulk or install a bulk ink system. Read more »

Dimples in Paper Application Tape

Dimples on a person’s face are usually regarded as being attractive and desirable. But dimples on the surface of paper application tape…not so much!  In fact, dimples in the application tape are aesthetically unappealing. In most cases, however, a little dimpling does not mean the roll is bad and can’t be used. Generally, sign makers can […] Read more »

Application of Vinyl Graphics to Acrylic Signs

When decorating acrylic sheet, selecting the right vinyl film for the job depends on a variety of factors: Read more »

Adhesion to Powder Coated Paints

Why Pressure Sensitive Materials Fail to Adhere to Powder Coated Surfaces?   Adhesion failures of pressure sensitive materials, such as labels, decorative films, foam tapes and graphic panels, to powder coated substrates are quite common.  Just as there are several reasons for these failures, there are several steps that the fabricator can take to avoid […] Read more »