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 »
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 »
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 »
Estimating Startup Costs
Why would anyone want to start up their own business? Within the first eighteen months over half of small businesses fail. Still, the people who have the guts or are crazy enough to start their own businesses wouldn’t have it any other way. Some just need the freedom. Others believe that they can do it […] 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 »
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 »
Accelerating the Curing Process
Printing and Cutting Heat Transfer Appliques Using Roland’s BN-20 Many T-shirt shops have purchased Roland’s VersaStudio 20″ BN-20 Desktop Inkjet Printer/Cutter so they can offer digitally printed heat transfer appliques to their customers. In addition to printing appliques, the BN-20 is also a nice entry-level machine for those shops expanding into the sign market. 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 »
Avoiding Airbrushed Vinyl Mistakes
Perfecting the art of airbrushing on vinyl takes time but you can avoid beginner’s mistakes with a few insiders’ tips. Before you make big bucks airbrushing on vinyl, you’ll probably make plenty of mistakes. Find out the common pitfalls so you can steer clear of trigger-happiness, poor lettering and the like. Read more »
