What is an Application Tape?
Application tape is a bridge that connects your vinyl graphics to their ultimate destination: the substrate. A substrate is an object on which you tend to stick the vinyl, such as a plastic sign, car, window, door etc. Application tape is called so because it transfers the vinyl graphics when cut down from releasing liner to the substrate. The application tool is very efficient, time-saving, and useful for applying various small stickers simultaneously.
How does it Work?
The tape is laid down on a flat, smooth and even surface. The tape should cover all the letters and graphics. Pressure is put on the substrate to activate the adhesive of the tape. When the tape is pulled away, vinyl comes out with it. This ensures the transfer of your graphics and letters.
Types of Application Tape
Application tape is mostly available in two variants- clear or transparent and paper. Both kinds of tapes can be used for most of the usage of application tape. It’s just a matter of personal preferences most of the time if it’s not an exceptional case of using some specific type of application tape.
Paper Tape
Paper tape is made of a paper-based face film covered with adhesive. It is mostly used as an industrial strength masking tape. Just like masking tape, paper tape is a bit translucent, but it’s not transparent. Paper tape tends to be more flexible and softer than clear tape. It has a big range of tack levels as an advantage. Paper tape is available in low, medium and high tack variants. It is more economical than the clear tap, and its face film has a porous nature making it ideal to use with application fluids. A good quality medium and high tack paper tape can cover most needs. Paper tape offers a lot more versatility than clear tape. One of the disadvantages of paper tape is that it’s not so useful for making multi-coloured vinyl graphics that require a close registration of one layer over another. With the need for complete transparency and a better outlook, many people choose clear tape.
Clear Application Tape
Clear tape is made up of plastic face film and not paper. Some sign makers need the tape to be transparent and clear. Clear tape often looks appealing to the customers as the underlying vinyl design is available there. Clear tapes have a lower tack adhesive and are not nearly as effective while transferring a particular vinyl. Some vinyl need aggressive adhesive to take them off the release liner. Clear tape cannot be used to heat press T-shirt transfers.
You will need a few different kinds of tapes for indoor and outdoor symbols and graphics and for using them with various kinds of vinyl. Choosing the best application tape makes the whole process smooth and simple and avoids all the wrinkles in the entire procedure.
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