Below you can find a glossary of often used terms. Hope it will be helpful.
This is the language we speak and we will be happy to help you learn it.
A
ADHESIVE
In this case thin layer of glue, able to hold sticker on the surface.
ADHESIVE, PERMANENT
An adhesive with relatively high ultimate adhesion. Sometimes it can be removed when heat or when excessive force is applied, but usually it is not easily removable.
ADHESIVE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE
A type of adhesive which is aggressive at room temperature and does not require heat. Pressure is needed for its activation.
ADHESIVE, REMOVABLE
An adhesive with relatively high initial adhesion and relatively low ultimate adhesion. It can be removed easily from most surfaces and usually used for short-term applications. After some amount of time removable adhesive becomes permanent and difficult to remove.
ADHESIVE, RAPID AIR by ORACAL
An adhesive with special air-release grooves, which make application process much easier and faster, decreasing quantity and size of air bubbles between vinyl and substrate. Films, using such technology are more expensive because of more complex production process.
ADHESIVE, SOLVENT-BASED
An adhesive based on solvent rather then on water lets to use product outside for a longer time as glue is not effected by humidity.
ADHESIVE, WATER BASED
An adhesive based on water rather then on solvent usually used for shorter term vinyls which still can be exposed outside but for less time as glue is effected by humidity.
APPLICATION TEMPERATURE
Temperature of a substrate or label material at the time when sticker is applied. All adhesives have a minimum application temperature rating.
B
BACKING (PAPER)
Thin layer of material (usually paper with special coating) protecting adhesive layer. It is removed right before sticker application. Also can be called release liner, backing paper, carrier, etc.
BACKLIT APPLICATION
An application in which a vinyl or film is lit from behind. Also can be called light-boxes.
BLEED
When the printed image extends beyond the trim edge of the sticker, it is called bleed.
C
CALENDERED VINYL
Like cast, calendered film also gets its name from the manufacturing process. These films may also be referred to as intermediate, 4 mil, short-term or economy. Calendered vinyl is formulated with similar raw materials as cast, except that no solvents are used. The batch is mixed and heated to a molten state that resembles pizza dough. Once the film reaches this molten state it is extruded through a die and is then fed through a series of calendering rolls. These polished steel rolls progressively squeeze and stretch the vinyl into a flat sheet (similar to flattening out dough with a rolling pin). Because the film is stretched into shape, it has some degree of memory and therefore is less dimensionally stable than cast vinyl films. This means that when a calendered film is exposed to heat the film will have a tendency to shrink or pull back towards its original form. Calendered films also tend to be thicker (usually from 2.5 to 4 mils) than cast films. Unlike casting where a textured or smooth casting sheet is used to produce the film finish, calendering implements a special finish cylinder at the end of the process while the film is still warm. Usually calendered films are cheaper than cast vinyls.
The quality of calendered films can range from economy to intermediate with durability of one to five years.
CAST VINYL
Cast films, also known in the industry as premium, high-performance or 2 mil are considered to be a premium product with excellent durability and conformability characteristics. The term "cast" refers to the manufacturing process of this type of vinyl. Making a cast vinyl film is a lot like baking a cake. The vinyl begins with a "recipe" calling for a list of ingredients known as the formulation. These materials are added to a "bowl" or mixing churn in a predetermined order while mixing at specific speed and for a set amount of time to ensure a complete and consistent mixture. This liquid mixture, known as organosol, is then "poured" or cast onto a moving web known as the casting sheet and is then processed through a series of ovens which allows for the evaporation of solvents. When the solvents are evaporated, a solid "film" is left behind. The film is then wound up in large-diameter rolls for subsequent adhesive coating. The casting sheet determines the texture of the film.
Because the vinyl is cast on the casting sheet in a relaxed state, this material offers very good dimensional stability. This process also allows the film to be very thin (most cast films are 2 mil), which helps with the conformability of the product. Material manufacturers recommend the use of cast films on substrates such as fleets, vehicles, recreational vehicles or boats where the customer wants a "paint-like" finish that will last a long time, usually five to eight years depending on how the film is processed.
COATED PAPER
In this case paper with specially treated surface able to handle inks while printing without bleeding.
CONTOUR CUT (KISS CUT)
here is the process of cutting only vinyl, leaving paper liner untouched so you can easily peel your sticker from the sheet and apply it to the surface.
CROP MARKS
In this case round marks placed on the corners of the printed art-work and used for alignment before cutting.
CURLING
Bending of media usually because of environmental conditions such as high humidity and/or temperature.
D
DIE-CUT (PERF CUT)
here is the process of cutting both vinyl and backing paper. Often used for bigger stickers with simple shape, especially when they are required to be each separate.
DURABILITY
In this case an ability of sticker to hold on the surface (especially outdoor) without any visible signs of change in color and appearance. Depends on material type, ink type, laminate and application conditions.
F
FINISH
The surface property of a paper or film determined by its texture and gloss. A gloss finish, for example, can be shiny and highly reflective, while a matte finish is relatively dull and reflects little light.
FOUR-COLOR PROCESS
In this case printing with yellow, magenta and cyan inks plus black creating full color images.
INK JET
A method of printing using liquid ink placed on the surface in small drops form.
L
LAMINATION
here is a process of coating a print with laminating film, giving the print additional scratch, water and chemicals resistance and also extending exposure life of the product because of UV light protection. Highly recommended for middle and long term outdoor applications, for vehicle graphics is a must.
LAMINATING FILM
here is transparent PVC film with different texture and thickness usually with permanent ( non-removable) pressure-sensitive adhesive which is used for lamination. Widely used in advertising, photography and signmaking. Textured and colored laminating films are often used for additional decorative effect. Order samples of our products to see the real materials.
LENTICULAR TECHNOLOGY
technology using special features of human vision and special lens material for producing printed products with different effects when you look at it from different angles or move it.
Possible effects include so called flip ( change of 2 images, depending on the watching angle) with many variations and 3D depth effect, when printed image seems to have actual volume. In our case we mainly use morphing ( variant of flip effect), when one image is slowly changes into other or even several images.
M
MATTE FINISH
A low-gloss or no-gloss finish.
MEDIA
here is the material on which we print, usually papers, banners, fabrics, vinyls etc. For our projects we prefer to use only reliable and thoroughly tested products from the famous world brands, still providing affordable solutions for any type of requests. Order free samples to find out how these medias look and feel like.
MIL
Unit of thickness measurement used for thin materials. 1 mil=0.001 inch=100 gauge.
O
OPACITY
The measure of the amount of light that can pass through a material. Usually is used to describe ability of film or vinyl to be used in backlit applications.
OPAQUE INK
An ink that is not transparent and reflects only its color regardless of what colors it overprints.
In our case we use semi-transparent inks, which allow seeing the structure and color of the reflective or metallic vinyl through print. Also can be used in backlit applications. To create opaque colour we use white as a base.
OPAQUE MATERIAL
A vinyl or film which is not transparent enough and therefore can not be used in backlight applications. Usually has adhesive or back coating of grey or black color to block light.
P
PERMANENT ADHESIVE
An adhesive with relatively high ultimate adhesion. Sometimes it can be removed when heat or when excessive force is applied, but usually it is not easily removable.
R
RAPID AIR ADHESIVE by Oracal
An adhesive with special air-release grooves, which make application process much easier and faster, decreasing quantity and size of air bubbles between vinyl and substrate. Films , using such technology are more expensive because of more complex production process.
REMOVABLE ADHESIVE
An adhesive with relatively high initial adhesion and relatively low ultimate adhesion. It can be removed easily from most surfaces and usually used for short-term applications. After some amount of time removable adhesive becomes permanent and difficult to remove.
S
STATIC CLING VINYL
Here a printable vinyl able to stick to a smooth clean surface such as glass or plastic without using a pressure sensitive adhesive. Static charge power is used. Can be removed and reapplied many times very easily.
SUBSTRATE
In this case is the surface to which a label is applied. Sometimes this term is used to describe the media used for printing, especially if printed on rigid materials using flat-bed printers.
U
UV RESISTANCE (ULTRA-VIOLET)
The ability of a print or material to withstand extended exposure to sunlight (ultra-violet rays) without discoloration or degradation.
V
VINYL
Synthetic plastic products which can be present in form of film, sheet, board or others. Also known as PVC or polyvinyl chloride. A tough durable plastic film having excellent resistance to oils, chemicals and many solvents. It has excellent abrasion-resistance, and can also be colored.
Email: info@eyecatchingprints.com
GLOSSARY
