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Optically Clear Application Film

J

jOrGe.mRNh

New Member
Hi Everyone,

We are looking for an optically clear, glossy application film. In some cases we apply lettering over very dark painted graphics, so optical clarity is critical in order to clearly see the surface during application.

We have tested several Hexis and Oracal application films, but none were as optically clear as some products we have seen coming from Asia.

Can anyone recommend a product or manufacturer that meets these requirements?

We typically work with calendered polymeric or cast vinyls. The application film should also be stable for rolled shipping, with no creasing, air gaps.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
 
Boudica

Boudica

I'm here for Educational Purposes
jOrGe.mRNh said:
Hi Boudica,

Thank you :) Is that an application film (transfer film)? It looks like a overlaminate.
Click to expand...
It's an adhesive film. I didn't look at all the specs, but when we used it we printed it with our UV flatbed printer. Pretty sure you could print eco-solvent as well, but not positive.
 
P Wagner

P Wagner

--
Lintec has a range of optically clear polyester films intended for UV, Latex, and eco-solvent ink chemistries.
 
J

jOrGe.mRNh

New Member
Hi, i may not have explained myself clearly earlier. English is not my first language, so thank you for the patience. hehe

I'm fully set up regarding vinyls and overlamination. What i'm actually looking for is an optically clear application / transfer film (transport film) for decals, not an overlaminate. At this moment we are using Oratape MT95. The issue is that it has a frosted/textured finish, which makes it difficult to clearly see the substrate underneath. When applying lettering over very dark or complex graphics, this prevents us from accurately positioning the decal. So what i'm specifically looking for is a fully clear, glossy transfer film, with very high optical clarity, suitable for calendered polymeric or cast vinyls, and stable enough for rolled shipping without creasing or air gaps.

I appreciate everyone trying to help, and apologies for any confusion caused by terminology on my side.
 
JBurton

JBurton

Signtologist
Jorge is referring to premask, prespace tape, application tape, masking in general, etc.
In my experience, most clear masks are nowhere near optically clear. It's likely a cost issue, since it's meant to be thrown away, perfect clarity isn't top priority. I do wonder if something like glass apeel would function as a premask.

jOrGe.mRNh said:
this prevents us from accurately positioning the decal.
Click to expand...
We usually register multi layer cut vinyls with an element outside of the graphics, like including matching diamonds on both colors of vinyl that can be snipped in half and aligned. Can you give more details on your application? I assume you're shipping these, so changing up process isn't an option?
 
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Reactions: 1 user
pixelandquill

pixelandquill

New Member
In addition to the above suggestion, which I would second as the best way to align multiple layers and elements of vinyl, I've done a lot of wet application in what sounds like a similar scenario. The cheap Rtape I use most becomes much more transparent when wet allowing me to shift my graphics in the wet stage briefly to align them, before squeegeeing them down. Perhaps if wet applied, using the Oratape MT95 you use, that may increase the transparency enough for your alignment needs? Worth a short anyhow?
 
Emilykate1

Emilykate1

New Member
For optically clear, glossy application film, look for high-clarity PET or clear transfer mask films instead of standard paper/opaque tapes. PET-based films are much clearer and stay stable for shipping with fewer bubbles or creases. Ask suppliers for sample rolls to test clarity before buying in bulk.
 
J

jOrGe.mRNh

New Member
Hi guys,
Thank you very much for your help. Unfortunately regular plastic transfer films are not clear enough. This is because the problem is that around the sticker, when you are applying it and before the adhesive touches any surface, the film is too opaque, and so doesn't allow the applicator to perfectly aim the sticker, in order to perfectly match the painted logo that has to be covered with a different color. For example imagine that you have a black car with a Ford really dark grey color and you have to create a sticker to cover that. When you are applying it, the color difference between the black and dark grey is so low, that with a regular transfer application film you arent able to position the sticker properly. I've saw some other companies using those types of application tapes, mainly some quantity made products from taiwan/china and every manufacturer/distributor says that it should be any specific asian market material that hasn't arrived in Europe. :(
I've tested new brands as polytape and ritrama, but neither have that clear of application tape unfortunately.
 
10sacer

10sacer

New Member
jOrGe.mRNh said:
Hi, i may not have explained myself clearly earlier. English is not my first language, so thank you for the patience. hehe

I'm fully set up regarding vinyls and overlamination. What i'm actually looking for is an optically clear application / transfer film (transport film) for decals, not an overlaminate. At this moment we are using Oratape MT95. The issue is that it has a frosted/textured finish, which makes it difficult to clearly see the substrate underneath. When applying lettering over very dark or complex graphics, this prevents us from accurately positioning the decal. So what i'm specifically looking for is a fully clear, glossy transfer film, with very high optical clarity, suitable for calendered polymeric or cast vinyls, and stable enough for rolled shipping without creasing or air gaps.

I appreciate everyone trying to help, and apologies for any confusion caused by terminology on my side.
Click to expand...
You explained it just fine. Some folks can't read correctly...
 
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Reactions: 1 user
JBurton

JBurton

Signtologist
Would a window cling type material work? I guess it depends on the type of vinyl, whether it will lift it away from the backer or not.
 
U

unclebun

Active Member
While I understand what you are looking for, I would say that you need to work on technique. I've been in this business for over 30 years, and we've done installations like what you are talking about all along--using paper application tape. It can be done, and there are tricks to do it. Often they do NOT involve taking the decal completely off its backing paper and just hovering over the application site trying to guess where to put the decal.

Perhaps RTape is not available in Europe, but even though it has some texture, the product I linked can be used the way you want. You can see the underlying surface just fine when you get 2-3mm away.

There is another product I have only seen marketed for doing heat press garment graphics transfer. It's reusable application tape. It is optically clear. Stouse sells it under their own name here, but it's probably made by someone else since they are a reseller. https://www.stahls.com/printable-heat-transfer-vinyl?tag=Masks
 
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Reactions: 1 user
Draco-Scorpius

Draco-Scorpius

New Member
I regularly use a clear premask /spacing tape from American Traffic Safety Materials. I'm not certain about availability overseas. It's similar in price to 3m SCPM-3. The included image has a film with a clear backing and the premask applied. I placed the green piece of paper behind it.

1000002234.png
 
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