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Application tape quality variations
Hi guys
Brief background about me, I have recently got started with a plotter and have been browsing this wealth of information and have a couple of questions about application tape. Currently I am using Oracal 651 vinyl which to me seems fine to me, but then I haven’t used anything else so i’m looking to you guys with experience to maybe show what I should be looking for. I have found from searching that 551 seems to be a better ‘all rounder’ so may stock that instead.
I was given a roll of application tape (no brand on the roll so no idea which brand) and so far it has been ‘OK’ for what I have needed – Large sections of vinyl used straight away.
I so far only use Oracal 651 vinyl. I thought being an intermidiate vinyl it would more than suffice for temporary use. I find it doesn’t adhere to the backing paper very well at all. For temporary application it is good enough, but I fear for smaller ‘stock’ work it won’t be good enough.
I have a selection of small company advertising logos to cut for someone who wants to keep them and apply to vehicles as and when.
In the past I have obtained and used small vinyl stickers and the backing paper was always stuck to the backing paper well, often needing a sharp nail to get at a corner.
I will be printing them in one colour, and would want to attach the application tape and trim after.
What application tape would people recommend for this purpose? And would you say it would be a different type than general application tape?
It could just be that I have a poor quality tape – which is fine, but being new to this only experience and guidance can tell me this.
Thanks
Dan -
9 Replies
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regardless of what you’re doing with it, I find cheap tapes a disaster to use!
for the most part I now use the oracle application paper, nice and thick and does what I expect it to.
I do have a roll of hexis clear tape which I also use but thats normally for small jobs which require layering up by the customer or need to be seen easier, it’s not good for jobs where it’s gonna sit taped up for any amount of time.
regarding vinyls, I still have a lot of 651 in stock but gradually it’s all being replaced with 551. I also use 751, 851 and occasionally 951 cast films, I’ve used other makes but usually come back to oracle as I trust it.
Hugh
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I have to agree with Hugh on the cheap tape..
we only use conform application paper, high tack, it does curl up as much as other makes.
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Application tape is a bit like vinyl in that different people have a preference to different brands but it may not be the brand of tape that is causing the problems for you.
Application tape comes in low, medium & high tac. You may find that the roll you have is a low tac paper.I would see if you can get some samples from different suppliers and try them out yourself to find what suits you best.
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Thanks for the replies 🙂
I will try some high tac paper so I can ‘see’ the difference for myself.
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Something else I’ve been reminded of today – app paper is also affected by temperature and humidity. It’s been much more curly and stretchy today!
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It’s interesting you mention that actually. As a few months ago I used the same tape (on some cheaper vinyl) and it didn’t curl up. I put it down to the cheaper vinyl having a less shiny backing paper.
But that was applied in the summer, and the same application tape was used in a colder room. I did wonder if that would play as much of a part. I will dig some of the cheaper vinyl I used with ‘sucess’ and see if I have the same issue.
Thanks for bringing that up Hugh.
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How long have you had the roll of tape Daniel?? As Hugh has said temp and humidity will affect it but so will time, over time the application tape seems to become less sticky to the point where you won’t get it to stick to anything.
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I’ve had it over a year 😳
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That might well be your problem then Daniel, they lose thier tac after a period of time. Try getting a couple of samples from a supplier.
Problem is still going to be the tape losing it’s tac if you end up having the roll for a long time.
Be warry of suppliers offering unbelievable deals on application tape. I am sure they sell the stuff they have had sitting on there shelves a long time cheaply just to get rid of it quickly.
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