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A Signmaker’s Guide to the Production of Vinyl Window Stickers

The modern sign-maker has at his disposal more tools and equipment than ever before from routers and plotters to thermal transfer printers. However, perhaps his most versatile equipment has got to be the wide-format inkjet printer. On this he is able to produce a wide variety of products including banners, pop-up displays, posters and vehicle wraps. Trucks, trailers, Boats, machines & Planes, your vehicle is a mobile billboard, it will be seen more frequently than any stationary sign, so why not inquire to vehicle signage Sydney then you can ‘signwrite’ it!

This printer also opens the door to other, new products, not previously offered including vinyl stickers. Although, not the most profitable of products (if you really want to make money then you should go down the vehicle wrap route) window stickers and window decals are another arrow the sign-maker can add to his quiver.

What are window stickers?

Window stickers are reversed printed vinyl stickers, that are stuck on the inside of a window facing outwards. Contrary to popular believe, the image is not printed on the sticky side of the vinyl, but is mirrored and printed to non-sticky side. As such, clear transparent vinyl is always used in the manufacture of window stickers. This allows the image to be seen through the window and through the inside of the vinyl itself.

Window stickers are generally printed onto one of three material types: permanent self-adhesive vinyl, removable self-adhesive vinyl and static-cling. (For information on what is vinyl, please refer to my earlier article on Vinyl).

Permanent self-adhesive vinyl is vinyl that has adhesive that is engineered to bond for several years. The actual number of years will depend on the grade of the vinyl and the environmental factors, but a minimum of 3 years is to be expected. Permanent self-adhesive vinyl is recommended when you do not intend to remove the sticker. This is not to say it is anti-vandal proof (specially anti-destruct vinyl should be used in this case) but the permanent window sticker option is recommended when you desire a long-lasting sticker.

Removable self-adhesive vinyl generally has a lower tack adhesive that allows the decal to be easily removed in the short to medium term (often 12 months). After this time the removable window sticker becomes more permanent and finally ends up as permanent as the permanent window sticker, the adhesive bonding over a longer time period. The removable option is a very good compromise between the permanent and static cling sticker, and often an obvious choice for retailers and restaurants. When removed within 12 months they tend to leave no adhesive residue.

Static cling window stickers are those that have no adhesive at all. They ‘cling’ to the window as the name suggests, by static. The advantage of static cling stickers is that they are easily removed and repositioned without difficulty and leave no adhesive marks on the window. However, the downside is that their lifespan tends to be limited to 6 months. They also tend to be more expensive to manufacture than the self-adhesive alternative.

White Back or Not to White Back? That is the question

What makes window stickers different to manufacture than normal facing stickers is that they are always printed onto transparent vinyl with the image mirrored. However, when an inkjet prints onto transparent vinyl the entire image becomes translucent, irrespective of how much ink is laid down. This is very like writing on a window with a felt-tip pen. The light will travel thought the window and the image resulting in the image being virtually lost. The same happens to a window sticker, digitally printed by solvent inkjet onto a transparent that is not white-backed.

Therefore, to bring the colours to life again the sticker needs to have a white backing (that’s why we all use white paper to write on, right?).

There are a number of options open to the sign-maker to white-back window stickers, depending on the equipment available in his workshop.

The first method available is by using his thermal transfer printer. This type of white backing does not give the most sold white but is very effective in short-runs. The only thing to note is that the width of vinyl is limited to the size of the thermal printer which is often set at 380mm.

The second option is silk-screen printing, layering over a coat of white ink. This can either be done in-house if the team has the means, or outsourced to a local screen printer. For long-runs this can be the most cost-effective way of white-backing stickers. Inquire here at Absolutesignsolutions.com.au on how to signwrite your vehicle.

Finally, if thermal transfer printing or screen printing is just not feasible then the sign-maker can resort to his trusty old laminator to laminate a white-vinyl backing. This is not as cost-effective as screen printing and is quite a skill to master, but where options and equipment is limited it as good as any way to white-back window stickers.

Edge Signs – home of custom made window stickers [http://www.edgesigns.co.uk/shop/windowstickers]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Matthew_Perillat/1252554

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3 Steps to Protect Your Leather Car Seats

Top tips to care for your leather car seats

Wheel Woolies are also very effective on car grills, motorcycle pipes and wheels, boat fixtures, and anywhere else you need a compact cleaning tool. Leather car seats add a classy, sophisticated look to any car. However, if you don’t take proper care of your leather, you’re going to end up with ugly, cracked seats that are going to make your car feel embarrassed when you to take her out in public or give your friends a ride. If you love your car, please treat her (and her seats) right. Leather cleaner is strong enough to take on the toughest job while being gentle enough to prevent any damage.

3 Steps to Protect Your Leather Car Seats

Unless you put an unusually high amount of stress on your car seats (exposure to extreme temps, sun, wear & tear, etc) then you should only have to take these 3 Steps once every three months or so to keep your leather car seats in pristine condition:

Step 1: Vacuum Your Leather Car Seats

Vacuum all the lose dirt, dust and debris from you car seats. Use a vacuum attachment with soft bristles that helps get down in the cracks to loosen the dirt without scratching your seats.

Step 2: Clean Your Leather Car Seats Using a Gentle Cleaner

Leather needs to be cleaned before it can be conditioned. Clean your leather seats with a damp towel or a professional-grade leather cleaner. Just make sure NOT to use a harsh soap or a cheap leather cleaner that is made from petroleum solvents, glossing agents, or silicone oils since these products will actually damage your leather in the long run.

Step 3: Condition Your Leather Car Seats

Using a high quality leather conditioner and applicator, condition your leather seats. If you go with the cheapest product on the shelf, be prepared to lose a lot more money than you think you’re saving when you have to replace your leather seats. Instead, choose a high quality water-based, pH-balanced conditioner.

*Mothers and Meguiars offer some of the best leather cleaning and conditioning products on the market.That’s it! With a little bit of love, your leather car seats will look as good as new for as long as you own your car.

Can I Get Leather Car Seat Covers?

If you want to upgrade the interior look of your car from old fabric seats or even leather seats that have a lot of wear and tear, one easy and affordable way to do that is by getting high quality leather seat covers.

Where should you get quality seat covers from a company you can trust? Well, it just so happens that you’re in the right place! We’d love to protect your car seats with a new set of leathers that will fit your car seats like a glove. We also offer a wide range of other non-leather seat cover colors and styles, ranging from Polycotton to camo! Check ’em out, and if you mention this blog post when you call in your order at 1-866-818-9901, we’ll give you 10% off your order! Quality seat covers cleaner are all in place at our website Waxit.com.au

Some Tips To Keep Your Car Running Well

The next time you need auto repairs, consider doing them yourself. The article can serve as a guide when fixing your automobile. You will save a lot and feel more confident. Upon delivery on your new car paint protection vehicle, most of the detailing company ensure that there are no issues.

This certification means that the technician has passed a test and has over 2 years of experience under his or her belt. This means you know that the best possible person is working on your automobile.

Ask all the questions you may have regarding your car when bringing it in to their shop. Preventing issues is a great way of money.

Make sure that you do not neglect the radiator. Run your engine for several minutes, turn it off then pop the hood.Never open the radiator if the engine is running. Check the radiator fluid by using a dipstick and remember to dilute coolant with water prior to adding it.

Ask a potential mechanic is he is familiar with working on the exact kind of car you have. If so, then they are likely going to be able to also fix your car easily enough.

Go through your owner’s manual and make sure to mark important pages. You might even find the information you have been encountering.

Don’t leave anything of value in your car while you’re having it repaired. Mechanics may need to take these items out to do the inside of your vehicle and they aren’t responsible if you discover something missing. You should also remove items from your trunk also.

Make sure the mechanic can work on your particular vehicle. If you aren’t sure, spend the extra money and go to an authorized dealer.

The weight of a big key chain. If your key begins to stick, you need to change the tumblers and eliminate the troll buddy that’s weighing down your keychain!

Just because the days are colder doesn’t mean you should avoid washing your car. Winter can ruin the quality of your vehicle.Salt and sand lead to rust and other flaws.

Don’t allow auto mechanics to persuade you that getting an engine flush is part of a normal maintenance visit. This service and not something that is typically done during the course of normal maintenance.

OEM is the Original Equipment Manufacturer. Remember this if you need to have car parts replaced. You will sound like you know what you are talking about if you tell a mechanic to install OEM parts. This means you’re less likely to receive used parts on your vehicle.

You can easily do some preventative maintenance such as adding more oil or refilling the windishield wiper fluid on your own. It is a myth that only professional auto mechanics can do routine jobs should be left to the professionals. You must know how to do certain things, then roll up your sleeves and get dirty.

Although dealer mechanics can be pricy, there are times when using them is absolutely necessary. The dealer mechanics are specialists concerning your brand. They can diagnose problems quickly and are well trained for issues common to your car. They are also trained in various programs regularly.

After paying a mechanic to replace an old part on your vehicle with a new one, have them return the older parts to you. If he won’t, it’s possible that there was no replacement done. This is not a definite red flag and you should confront him out on it.

The more you know about your car, is learning about the car’s components to get a basic understanding. You might want to sign up for a class on auto repair.This will enable you to better service your vehicle lasts longer.

Pay attention to any sounds your car or driving. Noise can indicate a problem if you know what to listen for.

Put your car on jack when you are placing it in storage.

Ask to have your mechanic to give you the old parts when they’re replaced. This will prove that the parts have actually been done. This is not important if you get your exhaust system replacement. You can easily see whether you have a brand new exhaust system is installed.

Do not add water to the compartment for windshield wiper reservoir. Water can clean your windshield, sure, but that compartment is designed only to hold a special kind of fluid. You should check this on a regular basis for refill it regularly. Do not put in water when the reservoir appears to be empty.

Modern cars are equipped to all types of warning lights and sensors that will tell you when there are detected. Sometimes these sensors break too, so be sure to check your car manually every now and then to catch any problems.

Determine whether you wish to service cars by the dealership or at a stand-alone shop. Independent garages are cheaper, but you may or may not get service of high quality.

Don’t fear asking questions that you have when you’re getting the car repaired. Any company will be happy to answer these questions for you.

Take your mechanic for a spin to show him the exact nature of your car. This allows him to see exactly the problems that are occurring. This is the best way to show them your problem.

Trying to fix your own car may seem overwhelming in the beginning. However, with some effort and knowledge, you can easily fix a lot of vehicle problems that occur. Be sure and implement the advice mentioned earlier, and your car is sure to be back on the road in not time.