FAQs
Q: What is the difference between cast and calendered film?
A: Cast film has the ability to maintain its original properties in a wide range of conditions. Cast film is universally more stable in terms of shrinkage, adhesion, conforming around rivets and complex curves, and has a longer outdoor life than calendered film. Cast film is manufactured by applying liquid plastic resins to a casting paper, then heating the liquid to form a solid sheet. Calendered film, on the other hand, has a shorter outdoor life and less conformability than cast vinyl. It is manufactured by pressing a dough-like mass between heated pressure rollers.
Q. Where can I see this process?
A: Go to www.Arlon.com and first click "Calon Vinyls", then click "Plant Tour".
Q: What vinyl should I use for vehicle graphics?
A: We always recommend cast (high performance).
Q: What is application tape?
A: A carrier tape used to aid the application of pressure sensitive markings - also referred to as transfer tape.
Q: What are the differences (besides price) of the three types of transfer tape that you sell?
A: First we have our standard transfer tape, series 4075. This is the most widely used. We also provide clear tape, series AT-42. This is used for multi-color and other applications requiring precise registration. Then we have the Conform series that lays flat and sticks to the liner. It resists tunneling, wrinkling and edge curl. Conform is ideal if you are shipping or delivering your products to your customer for them to install.
Q: What is a squeegee?
A: A hard plastic or nylon blade used to apply pressure to increase surface adhesion between the vinyl and sign face.
Q: How much does it cost to get started in the sign business?
A: That would depend on what level you wish to begin. You can get a basic package for under $1000.00 that would include a cutter and software.
Q: How do I know what supplies to purchase to get started?
A: We have put together several "starter packs". They differ in vinyl sizes only, but each has the basic tools you will need.
Q: What is the shelf life of stored vinyl?
A: Cast film lasts longer than calendered film. A simple rule of thumb: calendered has a shelf life of about one year, and cast film will last between two and three years on the shelf. Product literature usually states the shelf life of the product.
Q: What are bubbles?
A: During application, the adhesive doesn't make perfect contact everywhere on the background surface. When this happens, the application paper tends to pull the vinyl away from the surface when it is stripped. The edges of the vinyl lift and bubbles develop even though the installation looked good before removal of the application tape.
Q: How do you get the bubbles out?
A: Use plenty of squeegee pressure during the application. It is always better to push firmly on the squeegee during the first pass thnt to try to make up for it later. Don't reduce the pressure just because you are using a wet application. And don't pull up the application tape too soon, especially when using a wet application technique.
Q: What is "wet application"?
A: Wet application simply means to use application fluid while applying your vinyl graphics.
Q: Should I use a commercial application fluid, or can I make one myself?
A: Commercial fluids are always a good choice because most have been previously tested with the vinyls you intend to use. (Advice: stick with known brands of both fluid and vinyls). If you want to prepare your own, use the least amount of liquid detergent possible and avoid those which advertise "soft on your hands" - they have oils which make it difficult for vinyl to stick.
Q: Why shouldn't I use calendered film on rivets?
A: Most calendered films are thicker and less flexible than cast films and will eventually attempt to recover their original, undistorted shape. In doing so, they will pull off the background around the rivet, creating a small "tent" around each one. These tented areas eventually spread, crack and ruin the graphic.
Q: What is CMYK?
A: CMYK simply means the four process colors used in printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Q: Why would I want to purchase a sign program such as SignLab when I already have CorelDraw!/Adobe Illustrator?
A: While CorelDraw! and Adobe Illustrator are excellent design programs, they are meant for desktop publishing, not for sign making. These programs are not made to be blown up and cut. When blown up, imperfections will appear. The fonts in a sign program such as SignLab, are specially made to be blown up and cut. There are absolutely no imperfections. Many features that a sign maker uses such as shadows, outlines and distortions are built into SignLab along with contour cutting and weed borders. In addition, a good sign program will have all of your cutting drivers included. In short, a good sign program will save you a lot of steps that in turn will free up more time for you to make money!
Q: What is an EPS file? (Encapsulated Post Script)
A: A graphics file format especially designed for use in digital color printing.
Q: What is a TIFF file? (Tagged Image File Format)
A: A graphics file format commonly used in color printing.
Q: What is a RIP? (Raster-Image Processor)
A: Software and/or hardware used to take an ordinary data file, translate it to a specific bitmap pattern, set it for the appropriate output size, and then tell the printer exactly where to place the droplets of ink on the media.
Q: What is the outdoor life of resin prints done on a Roland ColorCAMM PRO?
A: 3 years without lamination.
Q: What are the differences between printing with resin cartridges or wax cartridges?
A: Resin offers water-resistant, scratch-resistant and UV resistant outdoor durability without lamination. Wax ribbon cartridges are available in process colors for heat transfer applications. Wax cartridges do not have outdoor durability.
Q: Are there classes I can take to learn how to use and maintain the ColorCAMM PRO?
A: Yes there are. Roland offers "Roland University" four times per year. This class focuses on maintenance of the ColorCAMM as well as tips and tricks. To register, go to Roland's website: www.rolanddga.com and click on "training".