Hemming Vinyl Banner Material

Sewing is the traditional way to hem the edges of a vinyl banner. Today, you have many other alternative finish methods. Many of these methods are just as reliable as sewing and require less skill. These include banner tape, adhesives, chemical welding, heat welding and RF welding. Each finishing method has its own advantages and [ ]
http://bit.ly/2iFpqox

The Fast Growing Fabric Banner Market

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 [ ]
http://bit.ly/2eTXGpG

Netflix converts hundreds of coffee shops into ‘Gilmore Girls’ diners with QuickMOUNT

Netflix uses QuickMOUNT from Supply55 to covert hundreds of coffee shops into Gilmore Girls diners giving fans an extra perk with their morning coffee on Wednesday, October 5th, 2016. More than 200 coffee shops across the country transformed into replicas of Luke s Diner, the show s familiar eatery, to promote the series revival on Netflix this [ ]
http://bit.ly/2efsKWV

What Is Post Cure of UV Curable Inks?

Exposure to UV light initiates the chemical reaction that causes the ingredients of a UV curable ink to bond together.  Exposure in the curing unit doesn’t a completely cure the ink though. In fact, only about 90% of the chemical reaction is complete.  This chemical reaction that the UV light initiates can continue and the [ ]
http://bit.ly/2dwYq4T

Supply55 SGIA Las Vegas Booth 2124

Supply55 will be exhibiting at SGIA Las Vegas September 14 16, 2016, booth number 2124. Stop by our booth to see the full product line; Guardian Calender, BannerPRO, ReelPRO, Guardian Laminators and Prime Sublimation Transfer Paper. In addition to our current product offering we will be featuring an exciting new fabric printing application targeted at [ ]
http://bit.ly/2cfnlux

Guardian Laminator Price Reduction

Effective September 1, 2016, Supply55, Inc. is pleased to announce a price decrease on Guardian 65” Cold and Heat Assist laminators. Part Number Description OLD MSRP NEW MSRP 55-LM1650CL01 Guardian 65” Cold Laminator $5,495.00 $4,995.00 55-LM1650HA01 Guardian 65” Heat Assist Laminator $6,495.00 $5,995.00 Guardian Laminators are an affordable, easy to use solution for finishing, mounting [ ]
http://bit.ly/2bFIKjz

Color Concepts

When you are learning about color, three concepts that you will need to grasp and add to your vocabulary are: hue, value and saturation. Hue is synonymous with the color itself, such as blue, green, yellow, orange, red.  On a color wheel, the yellow, blue and red are described as the primary colors. Value describes the [ ]
http://bit.ly/2bliSbC

Prepping Steel Surfaces Prior to Painting

Learn How You Should Prep Galvanized Steel and Rusted Surfaces Prior to Painting.  The key to any good paint job is good surface preparation. Preparing to paint steel surfaces requires special care. Before sanding of the substrate, you must clean any oil or grease from the surface using a wax and grease remover and a [ ]
http://bit.ly/2blvuMq

Supply55, Inc. announces the release of UV-PRO an Ocè IJC256 compatible ink for Arizona printers

Supply55, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of UV-PRO an Ocè IJC256 compatible ink for use with Ocè Arizona printers. UV-PRO ink from Supply55 is specially formulated to meet or exceed the performance specifications of Ocè IJC256; provides superior adhesion, is fully color matched and is plug-n-play compatible making conversion a snap.  PRINTER COMPATIBILITY: [ ]
http://bit.ly/2altZ3p

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 [ ]
http://bit.ly/2b3hNBF

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 [ ]
http://bit.ly/29VcVBf

Selecting the Right Screen Print Fabric

Selecting the Right Screen Print Fabric This article provides recommendations in selecting mesh for screen printing signage and large format graphics. By Jim Hingst @hingst_jim One of the most important aspects of screen printing is selecting the right screen print fabric for the job. The screen print fabric serves two key functions. First, it supports [ ]
http://bit.ly/29s8Ow8

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.   Typically, a canvas or another substrate was toned with a wash of [ ]
http://bit.ly/1QXuwRK

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 [ ]
http://bit.ly/1QXuzgk

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 [ ]
http://bit.ly/1Wb5dUr

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. Several sign shop owners [ ]
http://bit.ly/1T3Nfmt

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.  As a solvent or ecosolvent ink dries, the coating contracts. That makes sense! The same thing happens with paint.  Usually the contraction of the ink is [ ]
http://bit.ly/1SDzQfg

Roland Service Technician for Contract Work

Supply55 is seeking a trained Roland service technician to service a population of printers in the Sacramento, California, Carson City, Nevada and Reno, Nevada area. If you’re a trained independent Roland service technician, please contact Supply55 at 734-668-0755 or sales@supply55.com.
http://bit.ly/1WTtEF3

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.” In troubleshooting problems long distance, pictures are [ ]
http://bit.ly/1Sqfjye

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, [ ]
http://bit.ly/1SqfmtI

Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Gatekeepers can block you from speaking to prospects. Learn how to improve your sales prospects in Jim Hingst s article Some time ago, a sign maker wrote me that she was having problems getting past the receptionists and secretaries, who prevented her from speaking with her prospects.  Regardless of who you are, your level of industry [ ]
http://bit.ly/1NoivtU

Painting Blake’s Red Dragon

In reverse painting on glass learn which types of paint were used to paint William Blake s Red Dragon . About William Blake. Artistic genius is generally not recognized until long after the artist has passed away. Such was the fate of one of Britain’s greatest printmakers, painters and poets, William Blake. During his lifetime (1757 – [ ]
http://bit.ly/1U8X1CA

Sign Media & Safety Issues Encountered on the Job

In Sign Media Canada, Bill Dundas writes: Sign installation work requires the proper training, equipment and procedures. When followed and used correctly, these factors combine to create a safe and efficient work environment. Some of the key safety precautions for sign installers may seem obvious at first glance, yet these are exactly the requirements that are needed to [ ]
http://bit.ly/1SoMnTI

Miscellaneous Painting Tips

Jim Hingst provides tips to improve sign painting success and avoid paint failures.  Tips include sign painting techniques and painting safety recommendations. 1. Safety first. Before painting, always read and follow the safety guidelines in the SDS (Safety Data Sheets) bulletins, paint manufacturer’s data sheets and product labeling. At the beginning of every work day, [ ]
http://bit.ly/1UiDVuS

Avoiding Edge Curling When Printing Full Bleeds

Why the Simplest Solutions are Generally the Best
http://bit.ly/1LYSY4c

Recreating a Weathered Appearance

Painted advertisements on the sides of old barns are an important part of the history of signage in America. At one time, thousands of barns were painted with ads for tobacco or animal feed. Today, very few of these barn advertisements exist. Most of these old barns have been demolished or fallen into disrepair.
http://bit.ly/1X08yTd

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 [ ]
http://bit.ly/21uFKW6

Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Some time ago, a sign maker wrote me that she was having problems getting past the receptionists and secretaries, who prevented her from speaking with her prospects.  Regardless of who you are, your level of industry experience or what you sell, getting past the gatekeeper is one of the most difficult hurdles that any sales [ ]
http://bit.ly/1KL6Zra

Using Relief Cuts in Woodcarving

For most chip carving projects, you are typically cutting very small chips in a soft wood, such as basswood, butternut or pine. By combining just few basic incised shapes, you can create an array of intricate and beautiful decorative patterns. Because you are usually cutting out pieces of wood no wider than a ¼” and [ ]
http://bit.ly/20QsyxV

Sealing Basswood Carvings

Some woods are very absorbent. Basswood is one of those woods. Because of its absorbency, it should be sealed before staining. If you don’t seal it, don’t be surprised if some parts of the carving absorb more stain than other parts, resulting in a blotchy appearance. In Why Seal Wood Before Staining I recommend shellac [ ]
http://bit.ly/1o74cy3