best way to stop application tape creasing?

[Robert Lambie]

is the tape maybe too loose or tight when applying?
i wouldnt say use a larger squeegee, i know folk that use huge squeegees but i just dont think they do the job correct.

[steve geary]

I used to use a 12 inch squeegee for this, and although it was fast, you’ll get wrinkles every now and then. I use a felt now…
The trick is to release a little more off the roll when you’re about halfway up, or when it is getting too tight. I twist the roll down and a little more comes off, then it isn’t as taught.
After using a felt squeegee more as of late and doing more dry application, i use a felt for tape as well, and never get any creases. do it just like robs demo of applying dry… back and forth perpendicular to the way the tape is rolling out.
may not be everyones method but works well for me. My helper always got creases and bubbles.. I make him use the felt now and it’s perfect.
goes fast as well….

[Lynn Normington]

4″ roller works for us,
used as Steve describes.

[Peter Cox]

Del,

Before we got our laminator I used to pull out tape to end of graphic, stick down to bench, then from the pulled out end with my hands flat to the bench smooth out from the middle in a swimming motion towards the roll then squeegee in the normal fashion with your favorite squeegee. I am able to apply tape to 1m x 4m plus this way no probs. Give it a go 🙂

Hope this is understandable

Peter

[Shane Drew]

I use my easy taper for the big jobs, easy peasy.

Sounds like you are using hi tac? one it grabs it is trouble. Try changing to transferite medium tac

Some app tapes have a static problem, and draws the vinyl up to the tape, creases every time. Especially clear app tapes

But it sounds like you are not keeping the app tape tight enough and it is sagging in the middle. Does the dispensor have tensioning system?

Other than that I have no idea 🙄 sorry

[del]

well, i guess it could be ‘hi tack’. im using some free tape that came from metamark when i bought my cutter.

i guess i will try a diferand brand.

I think it could be tension thou as you said shane, it does seem to dip , i guess i need to get it more tought.

cheers
peeps

[John Childs]

A thicker, better quality application tape helps.

It also has less of a tendency to curl, which helps present a professional looking decal when we send them out for other people to fit.

[Kevin Flowers]

Hi
it could be you are not actually pulling and sticking it to the bench squarely, have you got one of the dispensers that is quite low. If you have find a way to increase the hieght it should allow you to then hold the tape off the work untill you are ready to push it down. I built my own dispenser sits off the bench 3″ and as a brake so you can adjust the tension to keep the tape hovering above the vinyl until i,m ready no matter if you are using hi tack or low

Kev