Streamlining Your Large Format Printing Operation with KalaXY Automatic XY Cutters / Trimmers

One of the most valuable things in a print shop or sign operation is time, and if you’re in the wide format printing business, you know that time is money. The more efficiently your shop can produce high-quality prints, whether wallpaper, banners, or posters, the more profitable your business will be.

That’s where a KalaXY Automatic XY Cutter / Trimmer comes in. Engineered and manufactured in Europe by Kala Finishing Systems, this cutting-edge machine streamlines your finishing process, allowing you to produce high-quality prints with speed and precision.

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Wind Slits in Vinyl Banners

Opinions about wind slits in banners vary. The purpose of these semi-circular cuts in the vinyl banner material is to relieve the wind load that can shred a banner to pieces. Sign makers often use anything from soup cans to coffee cans as templates for cutting slits with an Xacto knife or utility knife. To […] Read more »

Selling Banners

Banner sales represent a significant segment of the sign industry. As well as durable outdoor promotional banners, other opportunities include lightweight vinyl banners, synthetic paper banners and printed fabrics for general purpose interior applications, such as Point-Of-Purchase banners and tradeshow signs. The smooth finishes of vinyl banner materials and top-coated fabrics are perfectly suited for […] Read more »

Wall to Wall Graphics Application

Learn the basics about wall graphics application, including site survey, material selection, wall painting, surface preparation and vinyl application techniques.  By Jim Hingst @hingst_jim For retailers, getting shoppers through the front door is part of the battle. The next challenge is keeping them there. According to industry studies, within 10 seconds of walking through the […] Read more »

Overlaminate Selection for Vehicle Wraps

In selecting an overlaminate for vinyl graphics, the general rule of thumb is: use a cast vinyl overlaminate for cast vinyl graphics; use either a calendered or cast overlaminate for calendered vinyl graphics. Calendered vinyl, is not appropriate for a curved surface, especially one with as many curves as the bumper on a car. The […] Read more »

Rules for Overlaying Heat Transfer Films

Learn the proper way to layer plotter cut heat transfer films.  The array of colors in the SEF flex and flock film product line opens the door to endless design possibilities. While many different films can be heat pressed on top of one another, you should follow the few simple rules listed below for trouble-free […] Read more »

Service Temperature Range and Thermal Degradation

Jim Hingst explains how extreme heat can cause the PVC resin of a vinyl film to break down. In selecting a film for an application, the “Service Temperature Range” is an important consideration. So what exactly is the service temperature range? As you might guess, this term refers to the range of temperature within which […] Read more »

Using Car Wax On Printed Dry Erase Vinyl

My story, How to Minimize Ghosting on Dry Erase Boards,  explains how to condition EZ Erase dry erase vinyl film with Rain-X liquid car wax.  After writing on the film with dry erase markers, you can also use the car wax to wipe the surface clean with no residue or ghosting. Read more »

Puckering & Tunneling Tape

Tunneling of the application tape off of the release liner can cause sign makers headaches – especially when the graphics are rolled and shipped to a customer across the country. Here’s the problem. If the tape tunnels on the release liner, it can travel over the graphic. When this happens, it is virtually impossible for […] Read more »