Shipping window etch / frost to customers with app tape

[Simon Worrall]

Jon
Unless the customer is a signwriter or applicator they probably wouldnt have access to app tape or even know what it was, so you would need to tape it up for them.
Simon

[Hugh Potter]

I agree with Simon, tape (use app paper) it up and roll it loosely with the vinyl outward to prevent the app paper rucking up.

[Robert Lambie]

I agree with Hugh and Simon…

Also… Application tape is not easy to apply properly in any sort of real size, so a customer would have no chance.
It is best you apply it and as Hugh says. Roll it up with the vinyl/tape on the outside. Do not roll it tight.
Best practice would be to roll it around a spent card tube from your old rolls of vinyl. just cut it down with a stanley knife of saw. if you are posting out lots, its also worth buying in some card postal tubes from a paper or packaging company. they are normally thinner and lighter than the vinyl tubes which will help with postal costs.

[Martin Pearson]

I would have to agree with Simon & Hugh, plus I would have thought the customer would expect to receive graphics ready to apply. I would also imagine you would get lots of emails from customers who haven’t got a clue what they are doing as well :lol1: :lol1:

Oh & Robert to who must have posted while i was typing :lol1: :lol1:

[Jon Miller]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I just did some for a customer and they have said they had trouble with creasing.

"We installed the two shorter vinyls (1 cut & 1 not cut) easily with no issues.
The problem came when we where working with the taller two.
What seems to have happened is the transfer tape had pulled the vinyl away from the backing while it was rolled.
So when we rolled it flat before applying it appeared to have creased and long bubbles across the width of the transfer tape."

I applied the app tape without any wrinkles or creases, rolled up the etch with vinyl facing outwards using an old 3" core as a base to roll it.
Unsure how to respond. If there were a gap in between the backing and the etch then I don’t imagine there would have been an issue as backing would be removed when installing the graphics anyway?…
They are a new customer so don’t want to lose future custom but also don’t want to have to redo any graphics out of my pocket if they think it is my fault when it could well be installer error.

Any thoughts on this please? I haven’t responded to them just yet as have been out all day and also wanted to hear from you guys first.

Kind Regards,

Jon

[Martin Pearson]

If it were me I would have replied to the customer straight away, even if it was to say that you were sorry to hear they had a problem & you would look into it & get back to them. That way they don’t start thinking you are ignoring them which will automatically make them more defensive & less likely to tell you what really happened.

It’s always difficult with this sort of thing, all you have is their word for what happened & lots of people won’t admit they made a mistake. Do they have any experience applying vinyl & what instructions/guide did you give them so they could do it themselves?
I only ever had something like this a couple of times & in both cases the customer was good enough to admit that they had unrolled the graphics to look at them when they received them & had then rolled them back up ( tightly, vinyl facing inwards) until they had time to fit them. They didn’t realise it would make a difference, I supplied & fitted new graphics for one customer at a reduced rate & the other customer just left it as it was only short term to start with.

What application tape are you using as this can make a difference, using a 3" core with the graphics facing the right way there shouldn’t have been a problem with an etch film.

[Simon Worrall]

This is how we do it.

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[Jon Miller]

Thanks Simon, thanks Martin.

Yes, I am usually most prompt in responding but a combination of Bank Holiday, just going out the door, customer contacting me via text and then leaving my phone led to a delay. Not making excuses, just what happened 🙂
Responded same day albeit several hours laters. Contacting again just now to resolve the issue so will see what’s what..

They are a newish company and were fitting them for a client of their own.

Tape used was Metamark M2000 (at least I believe that is the product code)

[David McCarroll]

One thing I’ve noticed is that when tape is applied to cut etch that is of air release type then if it’s not fitted straight away then it can be a bit of a bugger as the air release doesn’t holding the the backing liner very well.

Not sure if this is what was used but just a pointer for future.

[Jon Miller]

Thanks David.
Yes, it was air release.

Awaiting response from customer to try and gain more insight as to what happened so I can then resolve the issue one way or the other.

Some responses to bare in mind for future though so thanks guys.