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The effects of temperature and pressure on vinyl-graphic installations
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By Rob Ivers
Temperature and pressure significantly impact vinyl-graphic performance during and after installation. Most graphic vinyls are described as pressure-sensitive vinyl. Yes, the films have a pressure-sensitive-adhesive component, but I find this term lacking. Temperature plays such an important role in vinyl and adhesive performance. I believe a better name might be temperature (or thermal)-pressure-sensitive vinyl (or adhesive). Like Batman and Robin, temperature and pressure become an inseparable duo that influences every vinyl-graphics installation.
Proficient vinyl-graphics professionals must thoroughly understand the dynamics of temperature and pressure. And we need to progress beyond thinking of vinyl as just vinyl. All vinyl we use comprises three parts: liner, adhesive and vinyl. The liner is important; we couldn’t use vinyl without it. However, the liner must be removed for the adhesive to make contact with the surface. This leaves the vinyl and adhesive. Although they function together as one unit, each includes distinct properties. Both are affected significantly by temperature and pressure, but in distinctly different ways.
The basics
Vinyl manufacturers and industry professionals agree 70° F is the optimum graphic-installation temperature, so let’s use that as our standard. First, consider the vinyl. As the temperature decreases, the vinyl becomes more rigid, even brittle, and prone to tearing and breaking. As temperature increases, the vinyl becomes softer and more pliable, which may lead to undesirable stretching. An adhesive becomes less aggressive as the temperature decreases, to the point it loses all adhesion. As temperatures increase, the opposite occurs.
Generally, an installer should use less squeegee pressure in warmer conditions and more pressure as the temperature decreases. Have you ever seen an installer who makes every stroke look easy? Would you like to be that good?
Mastering squeegee pressure is vital. Pay very close attention to how vinyl reacts to squeegee pressure. Equate your squeegee pressure to a dial that can be adjusted to any pressure – light, hard or any point in between. An excellent installer uses precise pressure (which often changes moment to moment) based on vinyl type, temperature, surface and vinyl shape, among other factors.
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