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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 »
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 »
Staining and Varnishing
Staining and varnishing is a great way to finish an interior sign, if the wood used has a beautiful natural grain, such as mahogany. Stains contain pigments that tint and accentuate the grain of the wood. Read more »
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics?
Just before the beginning of WWII, American chemists developed synthetic polyamides. Polyamides are complex molecules called polymers, which are comprised of smaller “amide” monomers. In nature, these polyamide molecules occur as proteins in fibers, such as silk and wool. In the modern world, the best known polyamides are nylons. Because of their strength, elasticity and […] Read more »
Application Tape Tips
Here are some helpful tips for working with application tape: Whether you laminate application tape by hand or with a laminator, avoid trapping air bubbles between the vinyl graphics and the application tape. Bubbles and wrinkles in the application paper often result in bubbles and wrinkles in the applied graphic, regardless of the skill and effort […] Read more »
Illuminated Signs Help McGruff Take a Bite Out of Crime
The National Crime Prevention Council sanctions illuminated signs as a crime prevention tool. Find out how on-premise signs can help your business and your community. Need a new angle to sell on-premise illuminated signs? Several studies that show lighted signs help reduce crime are good weapons in your sales arsenal. Read more »
Comparing Heat Transfer Films with Screen Printed Graphics
A high quality polyurethane heat transfer film will outlast a screen printed garment hands down. In fact, if you properly process and care for a polyurethane heat transfer, the applique should last the life of the garment. We all know what happens to a screen printed shirt after a dozen washes. Plastisol inks crack. By […] 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 »
