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layering vinyl
i need some advice on layering up of vinyl before applying on the job, i have tried it for the first time today and there were a lot bubbles. It was a simple text only job on the front glass of a greengrocers. Red lettering with a green underbase. I layered the text together on my bench, applying app tape to the red text and then placing that over the already cut and weeded underbase. Therefore meaning i only have to apply one layer on the job instead of the usual two. So why can i get bubble free when its in seperate layers, but the already layered stuff was bubbled all over the underbase only. help!!! lol, it does save time on the job doing it like this, but no good if full of bubbles.
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7 Replies
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Hi Matt
I’m sure someone will give you the technical reason for this but whatever that is you will never get rid of those bubbles if you layer up on the bench – trust me its not possible and it’ll do it every time. Only sure way is to do individual layers on the glass.
Macky
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Something I had been pondering over for a long while Matt, until the same ? was brought up on here a while ago-it seems the simple answer is, if you don’t want bubbles, layer-up onto the substrate seperately, be it van, glass or whatever!
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rob will hate me for saying this, but dothe first layer dry, then do the top layer wet, you can align it easy then,
i mistakenly pre-layered up the ‘wrong bits’ for a job, wasnt thinking straight, wasted £60 worth of materials !
when you lay one layer, you can squeeze all the bubles out, when you have another layer pre applied, it’s like having a chink on your squeegee, it cant press down fully where the edge of the top layer is.
hope that all makes sense !
the best way is to place a box at one end of the graphic, copy and paste the whole design incl box before you split part into colours, then the box will ensure you line everything up correctly, a big registration mark if you like,
though it is still not east when you have large narrow text with shadow etc, as a mm out at the beginning, can be 10mm out after 2m !
btw, this is for on the outside, building up, if on the inside of glass, you need to make outlines for each colour layer, or you’ll get the same bubble effect but in reverse ! the inside of a window acts like a giant lightbox anyways, so mucho easier !
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I like to do everything dry, so i guess the best answer is layer it on the glass then. Well another lesson learnt, ill know for next time. Thanks for you help and advice as always.cheers matt
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The vinyl on the top layer dropping down onto the glass by the thickness of the bottom layer creates an edge that traps the air, you have to layer it on the glass for the best job.
Steve
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You should not have a problem building up the graphic on the bench, I often do up to 6′ x 4′ without any trouble. I usually hinge in the middle, dry, and use a newish felt squeegey. You do need a good flat work surface though, I dont like layering on the van or window, if I can avoid it, I would rather prepare as much as possible beforehand.
It also save a bit of app tape.Peter
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Ooh Peter
Theirs always someone 🙂
I tend to end up with air trapped along the edge, it takes ages to get it out and your right you have to use a new felt.
I only pre-layer complicated logo’s etc the rest I build up on the job now.
Steve
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