All vinyl manufacturers provide manuals recommending how their films should be converted and
applied. These instructions obviously help in ensuring that the job is done well and the graphic
performs as expected. However, here is some learning that AMIT RAO, technical support manager,
3M India shares beyond these manuals, in which he discoveres useful tips through his own
experience and some shared by others.
Amit Rao
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In general, people usually
ignore some points
while converting and
applying films. Most of the times
they could get away with these
(points) if they really wanted
to improve their abilities as
professional applicators. Then
read on…
Role of planning
Applicators leave ‘planning’
to printer operators who tile
the prints. They (operators) in
turn are keen on minimising
waste. What gets ignored is the
substrate and complexity it adds
to the process. Substrates play a
significant role in planning. What
is recommended here is that
applicators must have a thorough
look at the substrate and plan
the application. Planning plays a
big role not only in durability, but
also the ease of application. For
instance, the joint of the graphic
(shown in the picture above)
is coincided with the joint of
the aluminum composite panel.
Since there is silicone at that
joint the graphic does not stick
to the surface and resulting in
failure. Another important thing
that tends to avoid is the joints
in both directions. As a thumb
rule it is preferred joints only in
the vertical direction and should
avoid the horizontal ones as
much as possible.
Application on substrate
joints
If the substrate has joints that
are not treated well, there is
always a chance of failure (at
the joints). This is particularly
true for application exposed
to outdoor elements. If the
substrate has joints and there’s a
rubber gasket or silicone then it
is never advisable to bridge the
film over these areas. Expansion
and contraction of joints
coupled with vibration in case of
automobiles can cause failure.
Here’s an example of such a
failure in cargo van application
(shown in the picture below). The
best way is to avoid this failure
to give relief cuts at joints and
avoid application of film in areas
where film will not adhere to
the substrate. Refer the picture
showing occurrence of failure
because of the film being bridged
over a rubber gasket in a cargo
van door application.
Checking correctness of
graphics
Prior to application, it is
strongly recommended to check
correctness of graphics and this
step should be strictly followed.
The best time to do this is after
printing and prior to packaging.
It should be carefully checked
and ensured that the dimension
of the graphic is perfectly
matched with the surface where
it is applying to. Check for
colour consistency, colour match
(in case of brand colours) and
correctness of overlaps. Look at
this case (in the picture above), it
is apparent that this graphic was
not checked prior to application.
The applicator realised the error
only when he could not find a
matching tile. The job was left
half done and since the reprint
did not match in colour to the
previous one. This resulted in the
entire job being repeated. Not to
mention that the customer was
unhappy.
Planning for overlaps
It is essential to plan for overlaps
during the printing process. Plan
the joints and avoid matching
intricate details, if possible.
This helps improve quality and
productivity. In the picture
above, shifting the overlap by
a few inches could have helped
to produce a better looking
application.
Recheck job
Applicators can take some time
to review their applications.
Rechecking the job after
completion always helps resolve
whatever missed or forgotten.
Even if applicators normally
don’t do this, it is always a good
practice to recheck. This will
give applicators the chance to
find something that they never
noticed during the process. It
is also a good practice to resqueegee
all the edges of the
graphic and check all areas
where film is trimmed. In a case
(shown in the picture above),
applicators forgot to weed the
graphic correctly which in turn
resulted in ‘beheading’ the man.
Apply at right time
If applicators feel that the
environment is inappropriate
for film application, hold off the
application till the right time.
Graphics applied on improperly
dried surfaces or when
conditions are not favourable
are seldom lasted as compared
to the ones applied in suitable
environment. An example of
unfavourable environment is
shown in the picture. See the
installers at this site filled with
full of dust. Application in such
circumstances should be avoided
at all cost.
Avoid uncomfortable
positions
Do not work in uncomfortable
positions. Many of us do not
even think that the posture of
an applicator has anything to
do with film application. What
is noticed here is the contrary.
All graphic films have pressure
sensitive adhesive. If pressure
is not applied evenly, films do
not adhere to substrate properly.
Besides that, uncomfortable
positions are unhealthy too! If
applicators want to continue to
grow in the field of applications,
uncomfortable positions should
be avoided and they should
make sure to be in comfortable
posture first.
Now, the bottom line is that a
customer may not notice all the
defects that exist in a graphic or
sometimes may even choose to
ignore the defect because of the
lack of time. But, as an expert
installer, one must know what is
right or wrong. And it is every
applicator’s responsibility to do
it right. Excuses about lack of
time, pressure and lack of control
on the process must always be
kept at bay. A graphic film is only
a fraction of total cost but is a
critical element in establishing
visual identity. This makes it
essential to make sure that
everyone gives it their best.
Hope this article will be useful
and help applicators improve the
way they handle applications.
For any specific question or
suggestion, feel free to write in
at: rvamit@mmm.com