Clear application tape way too tacky, whats your thoughts please?

[David Hammond]

We don’t really use clear app tape.

From memory when we did, I think it was RTape, I had issues with static, and the vinyl would lift of the bench and stick to the tape as pulling it over the top.

Didn’t have any problems with Oracle’s clear app tape, and would be my choice if I needed any.

[Martyn Heath]

quote David Hammond:

We don’t really use clear app tape.

From memory when we did, I think it was RTape, I had issues with static, and the vinyl would lift of the bench and stick to the tape as pulling it over the top.

Didn’t have any problems with Oracle’s clear app tape, and would be my choice if I needed any.

yes your right about the static, it crazy. I tend to hold it in the air for a while for it to calm down. I will check to see if i can get oracal

[Robert Lambie]

I am not much help here but I can’t stand clear app tape.
yes, it’s good for multi-layer alignment but other than that I am just not a fan of the stuff.

I think you may be right if it’s bonding to itself on the roll its probably past its shelf life. in fairness, that happens with the paper tapes also.

create registration points or a registration line and align your graphics using that method along with regular application tape. or, if you have a lightbox bench or similar then that’s great for alignment too.
Our lads will also use our rollsroller for this type of thing as the bed illuminates. so they turn the room lights off and align accurately in the dark.

[Martyn Heath]

quote Robert Lambie:

I am not much help here but I can’t stand clear app tape.
yes, it’s good for multi-layer alignment but other than that I am just not a fan of the stuff.

I think you may be right if it’s bonding to itself on the roll its probably past its shelf life. in fairness, that happens with the paper tapes also.

create registration points or a registration line and align your graphics using that method along with regular application tape. or, if you have a lightbox bench or similar then that’s great for alignment too.
Our lads will also use our rollsroller for this type of thing as the bed illuminates. so they turn the room lights off and align accurately in the dark.

Ye i used to do reg marks. Box within a box but it gets tricky on long pieces. Always found cutting half a dozen letters off and doing it in sections easier and piece of mind that you can see whats going on. Never thought about laying it up in the workshop before hand. sounds tricky to me keeping the base layer flat and risk of the app tape pulling off the base layer.

[Robert Lambie]

Not that this will help much "in text" but if you find that a graphic is aligned accurately, and sure that it is. but over a period it begins to wonder off alignment. then it can be a few things, but 9/10 times its squeegee action or direction.
as i say, hard to explain, but if for easy talking…
you squeegee one direction, let’s say to the left… the entire length of a graphic. you WILL without knowing it, walk the graphic to the left, forcing it to walk out of alignment.
however…
if you swipe left and right consistently, you will find the graphic will remain aligned.
the trouble with squeegee action is 9/10 people will squeegee the way it feels most natural when that’s not what will give you the best results.

as I say, there is a combination of multiple things that can cause it but the squeegee technique is a common cause of alignment issues, puckering of vinyl or application tape, creases, wrinkles the list goes on… My point is, don’t get hung up on the need for a transparent tape to fix the issue. the tape just helps you visually see when things are going wrong.

[Martyn Heath]

quote Robert Lambie:

Not that this will help much “in text” but if you find that a graphic is aligned accurately, and sure that it is. but over a period it begins to wonder off alignment. then it can be a few things, but 9/10 times its squeegee action or direction.
as i say, hard to explain, but if for easy talking…
you squeegee one direction, let’s say to the left… the entire length of a graphic. you WILL without knowing it, walk the graphic to the left, forcing it to walk out of alignment.
however…
if you swipe left and right consistently, you will find the graphic will remain aligned.
the trouble with squeegee action is 9/10 people will squeegee the way it feels most natural when that’s not what will give you the best results.

as I say, there is a combination of multiple things that can cause it but the squeegee technique is a common cause of alignment issues, puckering of vinyl or application tape, creases, wrinkles the list goes on… My point is, don’t get hung up on the need for a transparent tape to fix the issue. the tape just helps you visually see when things are going wrong.

Thanks rob, i get what your saying. Ive always been a left and right guy from the middle. Middle up, middle down and yes what your explaining does happen and does work to your advantage if needed e.g if your wrapping and worried your coming up short on the top edge, squeegee more towards that edge and the vinyl will go in that direction.

But like you say there are other options than clear app. Sometimes after 18 yrs your brain only wants to work one way :smiles:

[Pane Talev]

quote Martyn Heath:

Ive been having trouble with my clear app tape, when layering vinyl. Usually layering text with an outline, i use a dusting of soapy water just to take the edge off the vinyl tack so it can be repositioned. However the clear tape is way too tacky, pulls it straight off.

Tape is rtape clear choice medium tack. Now not sure if it was like this from the beginning or as the roll has got older its got worse. Its probably a year and half old now. I buy a 1220 100m log and have it cut down the middle so this is the second log.

What do you guys use? is there a better low tack option?

One good thing about having no work in these times, trying to sort out all the little issues.

24 years of application tape.
Paper application tape = water application
Clear application tape = dry application

Clear application tape doesn’t soak liquid, hence I always apply dry.

[Simon Worrall]

Im with Rob here.
I bought a log of clear app tape more than a decade ago. Used it a few times, never again.
I would like to clearly state for the record:
There is NO situation where it is better than paper tape. Not ever. (My opinion only!!!)
Its very reason for existence is flawed, there are always better ways to register colours and line up graphics accurately, search the forum for examples.
It is designed to be used with vinyl on a clear liner so you can see through both, and there are only a very few of these available. ($$$!!!)
And I truly HATE the sound of a squeegee squealing on it! Worse than fingernails on a blackboard!

[Bernard Gallagher]

My team refuse to use paper app tape. We always use clear & never had any trouble.

Why would you wet a surface your putting cut vinyl on?? Sounds like trouble.

Rtape Medium tack is out bread & butter. We use 2 1220mm rolls a week sliced into 600mm & 300mm & 150mm logs