This story is an excerpt from an article which appeared in Sign Builder Illustrated magazine in 2006. Although digitally-printed textiles currently represent a very small segment of the signage market, manufacturers see the potential of this fast growing market and have invested in developing top coated fabrics for solvent, ecosolvent and UV inkjet printers. While many of […] Read more »
Picking The Right Application Tape Tack Level
The tack level of an application tape describes the stickiness of the adhesive. Most sign makers use a standard grade application tape with a high tack adhesive, such as RTape ApliTape™ 4075 or Conform® 4075RLA. Read more »
Gelatin Size Recipe for Glass Gilding
Just follow the step-by-step directions in this story to learn how to make gelatin size for glass gilding… 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 »
Imprimatura: Toning the Substrate
It doesn’t matter whether you are painting on canvas, a metal panel, Masonite, wood or MDO. If your substrate is white, the stark brilliance of the surface can be overpowering and distracting. For this reason artists have toned their painting surfaces for centuries. 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 »
Avoiding Edge Curling When Printing Full Bleeds
Why the Simplest Solutions are Generally the Best Printing heavy concentrations of ink to the edges of some films can result in edge curl. But there is a simple solution. Read more »
Screen Printing Acrylic Sheet
Painting is not the only solution for decorating plastic signfaces. For high-volume jobs, screen printing with either solvent or UV curable inks is an economical solution. In selecting an ink system, ask your screen print supply distributor for a recommendation. The ink manufacturers’ technical bulletins will give you printing specifications. The type of mesh, squeegee, […] Read more »
Graphics Troubleshooting
Yesterday I received an email with a couple of pictures of applied vinyl graphics with what looked like bubbles underneath the film. See the photo below. The message that accompanied the pictures read: “Could you please take a look at the enclosed pictures and help us with your assessment.” Read more »
Getting Past the Gatekeeper
Gatekeepers can block you from speaking to prospects. Learn how to improve your sales prospects in Jim Hingst’s article… Read more »
