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  • app tapes and layering vinyl.

    Posted by David Hammond on 6 January 2012 at 20:17

    I’ve only used High tack app tape, and only ever layered up a max of 2 colours, so the I’ve struggled along.

    Reading Phils tutorial on creating shadows was a help (thanks Phil), but I struggle with positioning layers. I know I can add registration marks, and align those, but have only done this wet. Not ideal, and often sees the backing paper come away in parts with the vinyl.

    What’s techniques are there for aligning layers dry? Surely it can’t be repositioned like doing it wet?
    Do I need a low tack app tape to enable me to remove it from the vinyl, without it pulling off the backing tape so that another layer can be applied on top?

    Simple jobs are taking me too long and I kind of put them off.

    David Hammond replied 13 years, 9 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
  • 2 Replies
  • Stuart Miller

    Member
    7 January 2012 at 02:06

    Best method I have found David is from Robert’s video on here.
    http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=95222&sid=e4f6b2fe27b552cbedca61bbfce3f9c5

    I find the complete registration line, rather than a couple of marks, easier to line up and now use it all the time.
    If you remove just the backing from the registration line, either by taking it all off first like in the video and repositioning it with the line clear or just folding the backing back from the line and cutting it off. It is then easy to slide the top layer into position. I sometimes find it useful to dampen the line with slip solution (water & baby shampoo) so it will slide for an exact line up. Lock it in place and then use that line as the hinge. The actual layering is then done dry.
    I usually use high tack paper and dont find it too much of a problem lifting it off. Just take care with fiddly graphics.

  • David Hammond

    Member
    7 January 2012 at 11:24

    Excellent video. Will be trying that next week,

    How does the technique change when layering up on the backing paper, so that a complete graphic can be sent to the customer or take to site?

    Its usually when doing on the backing paper that I have trouble with the app tape pulling off both layers.

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