You guys and gals over there have been doing vinyl for longer than we have, and to you this might seem a dozy sort of question, but why haven't vinyl manufacturers come up with a vinyl with a clear release liner. Perhaps they have but I haven't seen any in the catalogues of any vinyl suppliers over here. I just thought it would make registration that much easier. I'm a traditional signwriter really but you have to try to keep up with things or you get left behind
[ October 13, 2001: Message edited by: Dave Hodge ]
Posted by bronzeo (Member # 1408) on :
Dave, The first piece of transfer tape that I ever used was clear, only a little over a year ago. It was a sampling sent out by Ordway sign to use with my new Roland. They also sent some off brand of vinyl. The transfer tape I still have a little of. It was waffled slightly for great air release and works great. It was only a 4 inch roll though. Ordway Sign has a web page. They might be able to ID this one for you, or perhaps someone here will know what it is. Bronzeo
Posted by Rob Larkham (Member # 2105) on :
Just when you thought you invented something new. BAM, someone already beat you to it. Yes, it is out there. Most good outfits will carry transparent tranfers tape. I have gotten mine at Ameriban in the past. TranferRite Clear 1510 $89.99 per log or buy the one inch incriments. 1-800-654-8405
Posted by dpsign (Member # 1769) on :
Gerbers 3M 225 series has a clear release liner.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Also, 3M's 7725 has a clear release liner. I love the stuff!
Posted by Bob Darnell (Member # 27) on :
3M's tranlsucent vinyl is on clear release as well. (3631 series) The nice thing about the clear release on is that it can get wet without soaking through and causing problems like with the paper liner. The only thing I don't like about it is it is much more difficult to remove if you're pulling it off on a long length, especially if it is just a solid blank sheet of vinyl. The paper liner was much easier to handle when doing this.
Posted by Bill Cosharek (Member # 1274) on :
Like GT said above about 7725 series. You may also hear it referred to as Electrocut.
Posted by Bill Cosharek (Member # 1274) on :
Where's the edit button? Signgold also has clear liner.
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
We (Graphtec), have found that Electrocut is a really good all-purpose film. It has no natural curl and so is perfect for flatbed applications; it doesn't absorb moisture and so is a real boone to those in high humidity environments; and the spent backing layer can be used for all sorts of things...doing a "paint on paper" job, for instance. It is not dimesionally stable, but is far more so than paper backed films. Good stuff.
Posted by Dave Hodge (Member # 1415) on :
The first couple of replies seem to think I meant the application or transfer tape, We have that here. What I meant is the waxed backing paper the vinyl lies on. Thanks for pointing out the companies that manufacture it. I'll just have to search harder over here.
Posted by RonniesTintSigns (Member # 1669) on :
Dave, By your picture I would never have thought you were from England? If you ever come to the south you would blend right in as a good ole country boy, what we like to call ourselves A Redneck. This is meant as flattery. Yall come to see us yahere!
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I have some of the 3M Electrocut 7725 vinyl here.
The clear liner is great for registration, it does lay absolutely flat too.. not a curl to be found in it..
The problems I have with it though are with the vinyl itsself. It seems like the vinyl does bond too well to the liner making it tougher to weed larger stuff, and you can forget about "speed-weeding" or "rip-weeding" the material because this vinyl is very soft and it'll just tear into pieces if you try it.
On the plus side, since the liner is clear, you can easily tell if your blade depth or downforce is too great.. just hold the liner up after removing the vinyl from it and see how pronounced the cut line is.
I'm down to my last two rolls of this stuff. I used alot of it and used to even rave about it, but now I'm trying to phase it out completely.
If Avery offered their films with a clear liner I would jump at it in a heartbeat. I prefer Avery over 3M anyday.
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
Not to pic a nit with Mike... I cut a Starbucks logo the size of a silver dollar, and the only way to weed it IS to rip it off. That way, you get the vinyl separated before the adhesive has a chance to pull adjacent characters off. The 7725 is also consistant...I like the way it weeds. hk
This is meant as flattery. Yall come to see us yahere!