In this issue... Vinyl Film Glossary Next time someone boasts about their DECALCOMANIA's POSITIONABILITY or LOOP TACK TESTER, be able to smile and tell them about how important PLASTICIZERS are!! ************************* Vinyl Film Glossary ACRYLIC This film exhibits low elongation, low tensile strength, and resistance to UV, solvents and chemicals. Used for interior and exterior signage and labels. ACRYLIC-BASED ADHESIVE Pressure sensitive adhesive based on acrylic polymers. ADHESIVE A substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. ADHESIVE BLEED (OOZE) Adhesive exudation from pressure sensitive material to a finished product resulting from cold flow or pressure. ADHESIVE RESIDUE Adhesive deposit remaining on a substrate as a result of cohesive failure when a pressure sensitive material is removed. AGGRESSIVENESS A comparison of adhesives based on tackiness and speed at which bond occurs. APPLICATION TAPE (Premask, Pre-spacing tape) - Carrier tape used to aid the application of pressure sensitive markings. BACK SLIT A slit cut through the liner paper or backing sheet of pressure sensitive film, which aids removal of the film from the liner. CALENDERED VINYL Pressure sensitive film available in flexible and semi-rigid forms. Manufactured by pressing PVC solids suspended in oils (of dough-like consistency) between heated pressure rollers. Economy-grades are most often comprised of monomeric plasticizers resulting in poor dimensional stability and weathering of the finished product. Performance and durability improved by polymeric plasticizers. Typical thicknesses are from three to ten mils. CAST VINYL Pressure sensitive film suitable for long-term exterior applications. Typical thickness from 1.5-3.0 mils. Dimensionally stable and conformable to irregular surfaces such as rivets and corrugations. Most have high gloss finishes, though mattes and textures are available. Manufactured by applying liquid plastic resins to a casting paper, then heating the liquid to form a solid sheet. COLD FLOW Viscous flow of a pressure sensitive adhesive under pressure or other stress, at room temperature. COLD-WEATHER ADHESIVE An adhesive usable at 32°F (0°C) or other specified low temperature. DECAL Abbreviated form from decalcomania, the French designation of a design printed on special paper for transfer to a substrate. Current usage includes pressure sensitive markings. FACE DOWN Decal designed for application to a transparent substrate through which the graphic can be seen. FACE MATERIAL (BASE MATERIAL, BODY STOCK, FACE STOCK) Any paper, film, fabric or foil which can be converted into a pressure sensitive decal. FACE SLIT Slit in the face of a pressure sensitive product which aids removal from the liner. FACE UP Decal designed for application to an opaque substrate where the design is on the same side as the application surface. FILM GAUGE Number which indicates the thickness of films - usually expressed in thousandths of an inch or mils. FLEET MARKINGS Term refers to decals or pressure sensitive graphics designed for application to commercially operated truck and van fleets. HIGH TEMPERATURE ADHESIVE A pressure sensitive adhesive which allows a decal to adhere to a substrate with an elevated temperature. LAMINATING FILM Clear or transparent sheeting applied to the face of a decal as protective layer. Applied as a cold-seal or thermal lamination. Laminates provide abrasion and chemical resistance. LAY FLAT LINER A release liner which resists curling in response to changes in humidity. LOOP TACK TESTER An instrument which measures the tackiness of pressure sensitive adhesive. LOW TACK ADHESIVE Adhesive exhibits non-aggressive initial character to aid application. Its bond usually becomes more permanent after 24 hours. MOTTLING (BLOTCHINESS, ORANGE PEEL) The non-uniform loss of the vinyl's surface shine occurring on wound rolls. Found most frequently with conformable films, the finish may often be restored by exposing the facestock to a heat source. NIP POINT Contact point between two calendering or laminating rollers. ORGANOSOL A mix of vinyl resins, pigment and solvents, resembling paint, used in the preparation of cast vinyl films. PEEL ADHESION (ADHESION, ADHESION STRENGTH) Force required to remove a pressure sensitive material from a standard test panel at a specified angle and speed after the material is applied under controlled conditions. PERMANENT ADHESIVE Pressure sensitive adhesive which becomes difficult to remove (after application) without leaving a residue on the substrate. PLASTICIZERS Plastic or ink additives which improves compatibility of components and/or improves flexibility, workability of the finished product. POLYCARBONATE Strong, abrasion-resistant, embossable film. Resistant to a variety of solvents and chemicals. Used for nameplates, signage and membrane-switch applications. Generally poor UV resistance. POLYESTER FILM Film, that may be adhesive coated, which features high tensile strength, excellent dimensional stability, resistance to heat, chemical, abrasion and solvents. Difficult to die cut. Must be top-coated or treated for printing, typically short-term out-door life unless protected by clear coat or over-laminate. Non-topcoated polyester is often used as a protective over-laminate for window decals, name plates and POP items. White polyester is used for signage, decorative trim, nameplates, decals and labels. POLYMERS/COPOLYMERS Basic building block compounds used in the manufacture of all films, foams and adhesives. POLYPROPYLENE FILM Mainly used as an over-laminate and for flexible labels. This film is a more flexible over-laminate than polyester. Exhibits high tensile strength and resists chemicals, water and acids. For indoor use only; not durable outdoors. POLYSTYRENE FILM A stiff sheet sometimes used in place of semi-rigid vinyl. Features excellent handling properties, moderate tensile strength and excellent chemical resistance. Offered in thicknesses of 7 mil and above. Not recommended for outdoor use. POLYVINYL FLUORIDE FILM Thin (1-2 mil), clear pressure sensitive film designed for exterior applications. Excellent dimensional stability. Resistant to UV, chemicals and water. Printable-grade polyvinyl fluoride is suitable for flat-surface exterior applications such as fleet marking and building graphics. POSITIONABILITY Characteristic of pressure sensitive products which permits initial positioning to be changed or repositioned during application. PREDISPERSION A mix of pigments and oils used in refining colorants by grinding to their highest color strength and efficiency. PRESSURE SENSITIVE Tacky adhesive applied to sheet material which allows adhesion of the material to the substrate by contact and light pressure. REFLECTIVE SHEETING Pressure sensitive film used for promotional and decorative decals, fleet markings, signage, night time safety graphics for trucks. Thickness ranges from 5-25 mils. Reflective sheeting features excellent dimensional stability and outdoor durability. Conformable grades for irregular surfaces are available. RELEASE COAT Surface treatment of the release liner permitting the pressure sensitive adhesive to be removed from the protective liner. RELEASE LINER (BACKING, BACKING SHEET, LINER, LINER PAPER) Component of the pressure sensitive stock that functions as the carrier for the pressure sensitive material, protecting the adhesive prior to application. REMOVABILTIY Descriptive term applied to the force required to remove pressure sensitive material from a substrate. TACK (GRAB) Surface "stickiness" of a pressure sensitive adhesive; the ability of an adhesive to adhere. TAMPER-PROOF ADHESIVE Extremely aggressive adhesive which will not permit decal removal without self-destruction. ULTIMATE ADHESION Mature bond established between a pressure sensitive material and a substrate, under specific conditions. VINYL (PVC) Pressure sensitive film used for screen printed decals, fleet markings, automotive and OEM markings, POP, signage. Typically dimensionally stable, easily die cut (steel rule and thermal).