![]() Most quality vinyls are self-healing, so after popping air bubbles you have little need to worry about the pin holes, or any sign that the air pockets were there. Don't use a knife or a razor blade, which can damage the vinyl further. Use an air release tool to pop air pockets. If you still have bubbles and wrinkles despite your best efforts for a smooth application, don't worry. Of course, premium materials cost more, but they do save a lot of trouble when it comes to smooth, picture-perfect vinyl application. Today air egress liners are available on a wide variety of products including our PrismJET 230 Ultra premium calendared film. The first of these to come to market was Avery Graphics' EZ Apply technology, with an innovative embossed liner that creates channels in the adhesive, and pushes air bubbles down and out without causing wrinkles. Other manufacturers have responded with similar approaches. ![]() The Comply Performance technology from 3M started this trend with a unique face film that allows air to escape through micro-replicated channels under the surface as the vinyl is applied. All of our premium cast vinyls for vehicle wraps have some form of air egress technology that makes challenging installations faster and easier. Air egress films started in the vehicle wrap segment, but are quickly gaining acceptance for standard signage. ![]() These products make it easier to achieve bubble-free applications without application fluid. The other way to avoid bubbles in your graphics is to opt for a vinyl with air egress technology. Have some paper towels handy to dab it as you push it to the sides. Use firm pressure with your squeegee to force the fluid out from under the vinyl. ![]() Fluid left under the vinyl can also cause bubbles, so make sure you get it all out from between the surface and the film adhesive. Speaking of fluids, if you do use a wet application, remember to get all the fluid off the substrate. Here’s a link to a simple tip that shows how to eliminate this problem by softening the tape’s adhesive with application fluid. Whether you apply the vinyl wet or dry, removing the application tape can cause just enough stress to cause bubbles. If the adhesive hasn't had time to grab hold of the substrate when you pull the pre-mask up you can actually pull the graphic back up as well. If you are using a pre-mask, wait a little bit before you pull it off. Don't worry about pressing too hard just keep the squeegee gliding smoothly across the vinyl. Squeegee at a 45 degree angle with overlapping, firm strokes. Make sure the edges of your squeegee are smooth, and knick-free.Īpplication Tips Squeegee with skill. ![]() Dust on the substrate is one of the most common causes of “bubbles” in applied vinyl. Also, make sure your substrate is perfectly clean. Don't apply the pre-mask on the same table where you cut the graphics the material could pick up contaminants. Please click here for more specific information about recommended temperature and humidity conditions Also, do not store the film for more than two years. Rolls should be suspended or stood on-end on the roll blocks provided. Make sure you keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you don't store your vinyl in the proper environment, you can't expect it to perform to its full potential. If you want to apply vinyl nearly perfectly you have to take every step of the process into consideration, starting with the initial handling of the vinyl to the final laying of it on the substrate. You may have started off by doing wet applications, as most beginners do, using translucent or clear vinyl, but the professionals agree: wet applications of vinyl can actually create more bubbles and wrinkles when not done properly. Nothing is more disappointing than applying a perfect graphic to a clean substrate with top of the line tools only to wind up with bubbles and wrinkles in the vinyl, detracting from the finished product. ![]()
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