For years I have recommended edge sealing the RTape VinylEfx® films with SuperFrog’s Frog Juice, which is an acrylic enamel automotive grade clear coat. While it is great for protecting vinyl graphics, you can also use it for other applications, such as clear coating digital prints and even gold leaf. Read more »
How Thermoplastics and Thermosets Differ
Thermoplastic and thermoset plastics are both comprised of very large polymer chains. Both have similarly sounding names. Each type of plastic, however, is very unique. Here’s how thermoplastics and thermosets differ. Cast vinyls are thermoplastics, which are very soft and conformable films, suitable for fleet graphics application over rivets and corrugations. Photo courtesy of Nazdar. Read more »
Why Application Tape Tears Unexpectedly
From time to time application tape will tear when you least expect it. When this happens the graphics can be trashed. Frustrated sign makers want to know the cause of these mishaps. There’s no one single answer why this happens. Application tape can tear when it is unwound for a variety of reasons. Here are […] Read more »
How to Sell Your Airbrushed Vinyl
Butch ‘Superfrog’ Anton shares his secrets of his success in selling airbrushed vinyl. Hint: it’s a three-tiered pricing approach. Read on to learn more. It’s time to get a return on the time and money you’ve invested into becoming an expert at airbrushing on vinyl. Learn how to generate a buzz and close the sale […] Read more »
The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films
Many in our industry use the all-encompassing term “heat transfer vinyl” to refer to any heat transfer flex film. The fact of the matter is that many of the heat transfer films on the market today are not vinyl at all. Much of what is sold today is polyurethane or a polyurethane blend. Read more »
Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing
Some screen printers, who print directly onto t-shirts or who print plastisol heat transfers, will stretch the garment before printing or heat pressing. By doing this, the weave of the shirt opens up allowing the ink to better penetrate the fibers of the fabric. This practice is believed to prevent cracking of the ink. Read more »
Fooling the Optical Sensor
Plotter Cutting Prints on High Gloss and Reflective Media Some printer manufacturers, such as Mutoh, Summa and Mimaki, have systems that utilize a separate plotter to contour cut the printed graphics. To ensure accurate cutting of the printed graphic, the plotters utilize an Optical Positioning System called OPOS. The electric eye or photo sensor of […] Read more »
Laminating Application Tape and HotMask™ Films
Stick It In Reverse How you apply an application tape to a vinyl graphic or a HotMask™ transfer tape to a printed heat transfer applique can affect the appearance of the finished product. If you get wrinkles or bubbles in the paper application tape, I can just about guarantee that you will get wrinkles and […] Read more »
Reflective Heat Transfer Films
Attention-getting films provide motorists with advance warning to prevent accidents. Most people avoid the limelight. Others need to be seen. This is especially true of people, who work and play in poor visibility environments. By wearing garments decorated RTape/SEF ReflexCut retro-reflective heat transfer films, these people get all the attention they desire. Read more »
Picture Perfect Wall Graphics
Applications to Smooth Walls Applying graphics to a flat, smooth, painted wall is easy. Still problems can and do occur. Rarely are these graphics failures the result of application technique. Instead improper surface preparation and poor material choices account for most problems. If you follow the few simple rules in this article, your applications should […] Read more »
