SIGN News
Lots to see at Mactac’s Open House week
Mactac recently held an Open House Week at its head office in Northampton and Martin Hinchliffe went along to find out more for Sign Update.
Mactac’s Open House Week included live demonstrations and hands on workshops where attendees could learn about Mactac products and discover useful information and tips on wrapping cars, vans and motorcycles, along with a session devoted to wall and floor graphic applications.
Vehicle wrapping demonstrations Jean Hans from
www.application-team.com in Belgium led the live demonstrations. He chose Mactac’s JT5629 PM, a self-adhesive digital imaging
film for wide-format solvent-based and UV inkjet printing which doesn’t have channels, to demonstrate successful vehicle wrapping. He told the audience that the team at
www.application-team.com had been using JT5529, a soft, highly conformable calendered polymeric film which was proving ideal. But it was decided to launch a cast film because, said Jean, that no matter what, some people will not use anything other than a cast film for vehicle wrapping, despite the JT5529 being an especially fine film. “The new JT5629 PM also has a less aggressive adhesive.
When Jean handed it round we could easily feel that it was a lower tack and dryer than most wrapping films, which means that a lot or even all the backing can be removed and it still work with,” says Martin Hinchliffe of Sign Update. Throughout the day Jean used the knowledge he’s gained from
years of vehicle wrapping to impart useful tips. For example, he said there are still many signmakers using methylated spirits as a cleaner and / or degreaser, which leaves a film but he recommends isopropanol and fast drying panel wipes with silicone killer built in. Jean also spoke about the need for killing the memory of vinyl,
remarking that he and his colleagues at
www.application-team.com still see vehicles where vinyl has popped out of the recesses. This can be avoided he said by, after applying the vinyl with heat, going back to recessed areas and heating the vinyl to above 90 degrees Celsius to stabilise it. He also advised keeping the vehicle inside overnight if it is going to be a cold night. Another useful tip he gave was to include in quotes for customers
a phrase concerning liability when a vehicle has been resprayed so that if the paint fails, the customer understands it is their responsibility.
Jean Hans sharing his knowledge with Antalis McNaughton customers.
Applying wall graphics Jean demonstrated application of WW100 overlaminated with LAG100 architectural graphic film on the wall of Mactac’s warehouse, which had graffiti scrawled on it especially for the demonstration. WW100 is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and is designed to be applied directly on brickwork or concrete After removing the graffiti using a biodegradable gel, Jean
highlighted the different application method used compared to vehicle wrapping vinyl and the importance of using heat at the edges to prevent the edges from lifting off. Another useful tip was to warn the customer that there will be a clean spot when the graphic is removed. The WW100 was laminated with LAG100, a non PVC anti-graffiti laminate.
Special effect films for vehicles and windows Of particular interest to several attendees were Tuning Films, special effect films for personalising vehicles. White matt and black matt are easy to apply and give a good mechanical protection to the car body while Carbon Fibre is used to create special trendy designs to different surfaces. Also on show was the Permafun range of solid
effect lamination films, which includes crystal glass, fine grain and coarse grain wood, brushed metal, and leather look films, enabling creation of fashionable interior designs. Several visitors were entranced by GlassMovie,
a rear projection film used to animate shop windows and create high visual impact and can be cut on a vinyl plotter. Moving images are projected from behind the glass surface, which are then visible from at both close range and distance. Martin says: “When I first saw it I thought it was
a see through LCD screen, as I didn't see the projector behind. GlassMovie changes a shop window into a television screen.” Invitees to the open house week included
customers of Amari, Andersons, Pyramid, Antalis McNaughton’s Sign and Display division. Further information on Mactac’s range is
An example of how Carbon Fibre Tuning Film can create a special look. 86 Sign Update ISSUE 125 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
available by visiting the website
www.mactac.eu or telephone 01604 644697.
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