Avoiding Application Tape Problems

For many indoor applications, you can generally leave most paper application tapes on vinyl graphics for a year or longer, provided that the graphics are stored away from sunlight in moderate temperatures.  If, however, you use an application tape that is a blend of latex and acrylic adhesives, the adhesion to vinyl films could grow [ ] The post Avoiding Application Tape Problems appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Why Install Graphics in a Relaxed State

Years ago professional decal installers were taught to install vinyl graphics in a relaxed state without stretching the film. While vinyl films today are much more robust and can withstand the stresses encountered when wrapping a vehicle, you are much less likely to experience film failure, if you adhere to some of the old rules. [ ] The post Why Install Graphics in a Relaxed State appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Applying Vinyl Graphics to Painted Wood

In this story Jim Hingst explains the rules for successfully applying vinyl graphics to painted wood. Edge Preparation for MDO or Plywood Panels. If you are painting MDO or plywood, make sure that any of the voids on the edge of the board are filled and sealed properly. If you don’t, water will seep into [ ] The post Applying Vinyl Graphics to Painted Wood appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Why Paint and Pigments Degrade

Paint and pigment selection is extremely important for the serious artists because the colors used in the works of art are subject to degradation. Some of the great works of artists, such as Vincent van Gogh, are either fading, flaking, cracking, chalking or darkening. Many of the paints, which have suffered the most degradation, are comprised [ ] The post Why Paint and Pigments Degrade appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Puff, the Magic Inflatable Heat Transfer Film

Textile screen printers have used plastisol puff inks for years. These inks contain a special additive that causes the ink to expand after it is exposed to heat.  RTape/SEF FlexCut Sweet Puff films work in much the same way. Before the film is processed, FlexCut Sweet Puff looks like and cuts just like any other thin [ ] The post Puff, the Magic Inflatable Heat Transfer Film appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers

Garments decorated with heat transfers will withstand washing and drying twenty times and more, if they are cared for properly.  Jim Hingst reviews the right way to wash, dry and iron garments decorated  with heat  transfers. I am frequently asked how many times you can wash a garment with a  heat transfer applique before it deteriorates.  Durability of this [ ] The post Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts

What can you do to prevent wrinkled heat transfer appliques? Possible solutions include buying pre-shrunk tee-shirts or pre-pressing garments prior to heat pressing an applique. Should it be a surprise that cotton tee-shirts shrink?  Even us guys know that! Cotton garments shrink. 100% cotton can shrink as much as 10% to 12%. Especially if you simmer [ ] The post The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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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.  While [ ] The post Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting Heat Transfer Films

Troubleshooting Checklist If you are having problems cutting polyurethane heat transfer films, check the following possible causes: Make sure that the blade is sharp. The number one reason cause of cutting problems is a dull blade. Change the blade as needed. Check to make sure that the blade isn t broken .Even a new blade can [ ] The post Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting Heat Transfer Films appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Application Tape Guide

To help you in working with application tape, I have compiled some tips and tricks. This guide covers laminating the tape onto graphics, transferring graphics from the release liner and the basics of application.  As important as this is, it s also important to select the right tape for the job. RTape offers several adhesive-tack levels for [ ] The post Application Tape Guide appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Preventing Wall Graphics Failures

Getting good adhesion to painted wall surfaces has been a problem for sign makers and the manufacturers of vinyl films. Flat finish paints are especially a problem. To help your customer avoid the pitfalls that result in vinyl graphics falling off the wall, here are some guidelines to follow before beginning a wall graphics installation. [ ] The post Preventing Wall Graphics Failures appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Outgassing Paint and Vinyl Graphics

Have you ever seen the effects of outgassing paint on applied vinyl graphics?  It’s not pretty.  When the problem starts, it looks as if the surface of the film has had a breakout of severe acne. Tiny bubbles underneath the film grow until they merge together forming larger, more ominous bubbles. This is a horror that no [ ] The post Outgassing Paint and Vinyl Graphics appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Painting Powder Coated Metal Surfaces

Painting over a powder coated metal surface can be frustrating because it is difficult for new paint to stick to the old coating. Most paint will not stick to slick surfaces. Special preparation and compatible primers are required for success. Surface Preparation I recommend cleaning powder coated metal in the same manner that you would [ ] The post Painting Powder Coated Metal Surfaces appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Characteristics of Pigments Compared to Dyes

How Pigments and Dyes Differ What is the difference between pigments and dyes? The easy answer is that dyes are soluble, while pigments are insoluble. So much for easy answers! When we scratch beneath the surface, differences between these two classes of colorants are much more complex. Pigments and dyes also differ in chemical composition [ ] The post Characteristics of Pigments Compared to Dyes appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Physical Properties of Paints and Pigments.

Paints are comprised of two basic components: a binder (or resin) and a colorant (either a dye or pigment). Paint can also include a solvent, which alters its viscosity. The combination of the binder or resin with a solvent is sometimes referred to as the vehicle.  In addition, paints can also include a variety of [ ] The post Physical Properties of Paints and Pigments. appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Digital Printing on Banners

Advancements in digital print technology and the introduction of top coated fabric have allowed printers to expand their product offerings to include fabric banners. These technological advancements include: the ability of the machinery to feed and process heavier weight materials; improved compatibility of the inks with fabrics; and higher print quality. As print head technology [ ] The post Digital Printing on Banners appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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How to Prevent Edge Peeling

Edge peeling usually makes every sign maker’s list of top vinyl problems. Failure to properly clean the substrate and failure to resqueegee the graphic after removing the application tape causes many edge lifting problems. While graphics installers often get blamed if a problem occurs, application mistakes aren’t the only reasons. Problems can even begin before [ ] The post How to Prevent Edge Peeling appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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The Art of the Graphics Deal

Walk-in business is usually easy money. That’s because it is more about the customer buying than about you selling. Real selling, in which you must hunt for new business, isn’t so easy. It fact, it can be a complex process. First you need to track down viable prospects: those who need your products and services [ ] The post The Art of the Graphics Deal appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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How Cross Selling Can Grow Your Sign Business

I cannot think of another business with so many cross selling opportunities as sign makers have. If you are unfamiliar with the term cross selling, all it means is selling a current customer, such as a fleet graphics account, other products and services, such as posters, window graphics and window displays, wall graphics, hanging signage, [ ] The post How Cross Selling Can Grow Your Sign Business appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Troubleshooting and Preventing Paint Problems

What makes painting a challenge for sign makers, compared to vinyl application, are all of the variables. And with each variable the chance that what can go wrong increases. In fact, it seems that that guy Murphy has stacked the odds against us. Our only recourse is to identify the causes of our failures and [ ] The post Troubleshooting and Preventing Paint Problems appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Pigment Ink Versus Dye-based Ink for Digital Printing.

Digital printing inks are similar to other inks and paints. All of these products consist of two basic components:  a colorant (dye or pigment) and a liquid carrier or vehicle.  The varieties of digital printing inks include aqueous inks, solvent inks, ecosolvent inks, latex inks and UV-curable inks.  With so many choices available in wide [ ] The post Pigment Ink Versus Dye-based Ink for Digital Printing. appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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Applying Vinyl Graphics to Textured Wall Surfaces

With the right film, the right application tools and the right techniques, vinyl graphics can be applied to textured wall surfaces such brick and concrete block.    Many of old time decal applicators would heat a  cast vinyl with an industrial heat gun, and burnish  the hot, pliable film into the textured surface using a rivet [ ] The post Applying Vinyl Graphics to Textured Wall Surfaces appeared first on Supply55 Blog.
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How to Apply Vinyl Graphics Over Rivets

Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. Here are some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free. 1. Choose a film with a repositionable adhesive. In the summertime, [ ]
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Cleaning Vinyl Graphics

Sign makers should assume that many of their customers will do some pretty stupid things when cleaning graphics. For this reason they must provide the end user with instruction covering proper cleaning and care of any graphics.  When I sold fleet graphics, many years ago, I would give my customers an instruction sheet which included the do s and don ts listed [ ]
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Vinyl Banner Material Selection

Laminated vinyl material is still the most popular choice among sign makers for banner applications. A wide range of material is available for both outdoor and indoor applications. The product range includes different material weights as well as variables in the fabric mesh. For an explanation of the basic terms used to describe the physical [ ]
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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 [ ]
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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 [ ]
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Conducting A Vehicle Graphics Survey

An onsite vehicle survey is critical, because it affects many aspects of the job — design, material selection, estimating, production planning and installation. Important details can be overlooked when you rely solely on customer-supplied information. Job surveys are especially valuable when planning and scheduling graphic applications for programs where facilities and vehicles are in multiple [ ]
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Floor Graphics

Floor Graphics Represent a $2 Billion Market for the Sign and Point-Of-Purchase Industries. Jim Hingst Explains the Opportunities, Material Requirements and Application Techniques The Growing Market For Floor Graphic Applications Walk into a grocery store and try not to notice floor graphics conveying an advertising message. This ground-level POP signage has gained popularity because [ ]
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The Effect of Wind Loads on Vinyl Banners

Chicago is known as the Windy City . It received its nickname as a reference to one of its long-winded political figures not to its notoriously bad windy weather. Maximum wind gusts in Chicagoland can reach 80 to 90 miles per hour. (Winds in many other cities, especially along the Eastern Seaboard, exceed Chicago s levels.) Working [ ]
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Supply55 ISA International Sign Expo Booth 1100

See Supply55 and the Guardian Calender at ISA Las Vegas, Booth 1100. Hands on sublimation demonstrations throughout the show. Thursday, April 20th Friday, April 21st Saturday, April 22nd Guardian Calender Product Information: www.guardiancalender.com. Guardian Calender Product Overview Video: Click Here for Video
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Premasks for Graphics Printed with UV Ink

Developing a pressure sensitive application tape or premask for large format vinyl graphics printed withUV inks is one of the most challenging applications for tape manufacturers. What makes it challenging is that UV inks are 100% solids. That means is that 100% of what you print on the substrate stays on the substrate. This heavy [ ]
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Overlaminating Film Suggestions

Overlaminating films can beautify and protect graphics. Here are some suggestions regarding the types of films to use for different applications. Wall Graphics For wall graphics applications, a 3 mil matte finish calendered vinyl overlaminate provides protection from dirty hands and eliminates the glare from overhead lighting. Tradeshow and Point-Of-Purchase Graphics To provide abrasion and [ ]
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Overlaminating Film Troubleshooting Checklist

PROBLEM: Poor adhesion of the overlaminate to the print. CAUSES: Print not dry. Incompatibility of component parts. SOLUTIONS: In RIP phase use ink limiting setting to reduce ink deposit. Let ink dry for 24 hours, or longer…. Always follow the instructions of the ink & media manufacturers. Laminated prints should lay flat 24 hours before [ ]
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See NEPATA Converting Equipment at ICE Expo Orlando

Supply55 will be exhibiting at the ICE Expo in Orlando April 25th, 26th and 27th, 2017 and will be featuring the NEPATA UA1650 ADWS converting center. Click the following link for a free pass to the show ICE EXPO FREE PASS. Click here to learn more about NEPATA Converting Equipment. Supply55, Inc. / NEPATA Converting [ ]
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Banner Care

Recommendations on Cleaning, Storage and Shipping of Banners If your customers want their banners, awnings or flexible sign faces to last longer, they should be instructed to keep them clean, by simply washing them periodically with a mild detergent and warm water. Flexible materials that are not properly cleaned on a regular basis are guaranteed [ ]
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Supply55, Inc. and NEPATA GmbH announce strategic partnership for NEPATA converting centers

Supply55, Inc. a leading provider of value added products to the sign, screen and graphic arts market is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with NEPATA GmbH for the distribution of NEPATA covering equipment in North America. NEPATA converting centers are the most successful and widely used converting centers world-wide. Engineered and manufactured in Germany [ ]
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Design Basics for Banners

By adding a little creative flair to your banners, you can differentiate the banners that you produce from the more commonplace banners that your competitors produce.  One of the objectives of any good sign design is attracting attention.  Any sign competes daily with the myriad of visual images that bombard the consumer. For any design [ ]
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The Advantages of LED UV Curing Lamps

Jim Hingst explains how UV inkjet systems utilizing LED curing lamps differ from inkjet printers utilizing traditional UV curing lamps.  UV ink cures when it is exposed to UV light. In this curing process, the photo initiators in the ink absorb the UV energy and break down into reactive components that initiate the polymerization process. [ ]
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How to Apply Vinyl Graphics to Banners

Application of graphics to vinyl banner material requires slightly different surface preparation and application techniques than other applications. What follows is a compilation of some suggestions to make your job easier. Secure the Banner. Before applying pressure-sensitivevinyl graphics, tape or secure the banner to your work table surface using good quality, two-inch masking tape or by [ ]
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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 [ ]
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