What matters and why?
Attention, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) vinyl do-gooders: It's time to increase your knowledge of all things sticky. I presume that most of you load vinyl rolls into the plotter, output your design and stick it to whatever your customer needs without major problems. But, what happens when something does go wrong? What happens when that graphic becomes kryptonite?
Do a little homework before selecting vinyl to avoid potential headaches during, and after, the application. This column takes aim at all the technical jargon that typically accompanies a PSA film — specifically, what's important and what's not.
Adhesive types
Why are vinyl graphics so popular? Because they stick to just about everything? Not exactly. One of the first things to look for in your vinyl brand and series' technical bulletin is its adhesive. You will typically find this under the product description.
Generally, there are two types, permanent and removable. The biggest difference between them is the final bond the film makes to the substrate. A removable adhesive's bond is engineered to be weaker than that of a permanent adhesive. This allows the adhesive bond to be broken more easily by mechanical means, such as picking at it with a finger, which makes it much easier to remove. In contrast, a permanent adhesive forms a much stronger bond, which requires more mechanical power to break — particularly, a heat gun and patience.
Other specifics also require special attention. Check if your vinyl series has a "solvent" adhesive system or "solvent-acrylic" adhesive system. If the word solvent isn't in the description, your vinyl probably has a waterbased adhesive.
Typically, waterbased adhesives help minimize costs in more economical calendered films. Waterbased adhesives, which are sometimes used on specialized films that may be used indoors for such short-term projects as POP or exhibit graphics, conform to building fire codes. $image1
Carefully match the adhesive type to the application. Never perform wet applications with waterbased adhesives, because liquids can cause the adhesive to turn mushy and slow tacking time.
It's also important to understand the graphic's environment. Will temperatures vary widely? Is it very humid? Will chemicals or solvents be used around the graphic? If the answer to any of these questions is "Yes," then I can't recommend a waterbased adhesive. Rather, consider using a film that features a solvent-based adhesive.
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