Hi fellow vinyl graphics installers, friends from graphics printing companies and whoever else were browsing our graphics tool articles and overloaded us with questions and suggestions! We are professional vinyl graphics installers who are sharing with you practical knowledge of the professional tool so – thank you for your attentions, let’s finish what we promised as back to work! Do you have an actual installation project at hands? Do you need PRO guy to do it? Contact us and you wouldn’t be disappointed in graphics installation results.
Well, as promised, below are the rest of advices of installation tool types from us:
Digital vinyl cutters are versatile tools used in various industries but for us those are perfect for sign-making. With ability to work by precisely cutting designs out of vinyl sheets using a small blade they are perfect for projects targeted design detailing. When choosing type of the digital cutting machine you have to carefully consider blade quality to determines the precision of the cut, cutting force that’s important for thicker materials; higher force allows for cutting tougher materials. Speed of the machine affects the time project completion which is crucial for commercial applications (most of our project are commercial hence machine speed is crucial for us). Having compatibility with different design software, file types, and operating systems are useful as well.
Very quick observation of digital vinyl cutting machines:
Desktop Vinyl Cutters
Cutters are compact and portable, ideal for home use or small businesses; cutting area ranges from 12 inches wide to 24 inches long; can cut a variety of materials including vinyl, paper, fabric, and thin leather; designed for ease of use with a straightforward setup and operation process. Cutting machines as Cricut Maker 3, Silhouette Cameo 4 and Brother ScanNCut DX ranged in price from $200 to $600.
Professional Vinyl Cutters
These vinyl cutting machines are larger and more robust, suitable for professional use; they are having wider cutting areas, often up to 64 inches and handle heavier materials and larger projects, including thick vinyl, heat transfer vinyl (HTV), and reflective films. Tools come with advanced software for intricate designs and batch processing such as Graphtec Studio, have higher cutting precision and speed hence suitable for detailed and large-scale projects. Pro cutters machine as Roland GS-24, Graphtec CE7000 and Mimaki CG-SRIII usually priced from $1,000 to $3,000+.
Commercial Vinyl Cutters
Commercial cutters designed for continuous, heavy-duty commercial use, can handle very large materials, sometimes up to 72 inches wide and capable of cutting through a wide range of heavy-duty materials including thick vinyl, magnetic sheets, and large sign materials. They are built to withstand rigorous use with high reliability and minimal maintenance and priced from $5,000 to $15,000+. Some models are Summa S2 Class, Roland CAMM-1 GR2 and Graphtec FC9000.
Portable Vinyl Cutters
Those are extremely lightweight and compact, ideal for on-the-go projects, having smaller cutting area, usually up to 8 inches wide. Machines are the best for smaller projects and materials such as vinyl, cardstock, and label paper so not really recommended for installations at large surfaces. Silhouette Portrait 3 and Cricut Joy models with price range from $100 to $200 make them popular hobbyists and beginners.
Well, enough for cutting machines, let’s jump for much cheaper tools.
Edge sealer pen
Edge sealer pens are essential tools for vinyl graph is fics installations, ensuring the edges of the vinyl adhere properly to the surface and are protected from elements like water, wind and dirt. They help extend the lifespan of vinyl applications by preventing edge lift. We can recommend some types of edge sealer pens such as:
- Seal-It® Vinyl Graphic Edge Sealer which is designed to bond the edge of the graphic film to the application surface, making decals and graphics car wash safe.
- Seal It Pen – Vinyl Edge Sealer fills with ONE SHOT brand 4005 UV blocker clear acrylic, provides a fast drying, long-lasting edge seal and is compatible with all pressure-sensitive vinyl.
- 3M™ 8520 Matte Edge Sealer offers a matte finish for edge sealing.
- 3M™ 8914ES Gloss Edge Sealer provides a gloss finish for edge sealing.
- Vinyl Seal-It Pen a solution for edge sealing problems, preventing edges and points of vinyl from lifting, curling, or peeling.
- 1 Shot Seal-It Pen Vinyl Edge Sealer uses on any vinyl applications that require edge protection from washing, polishing, and excessive physical contact.
Wrap gloves
Wrap gloves for vinyl graphics installations are designed to provide precision, protection, and enhanced grip during the application of vinyl wraps on vehicles or other surfaces. These gloves help us to handle the vinyl material without causing damage or leaving fingerprints, ensuring a smooth and professional finish.
Nylon or Polyester Gloves such as Avery Dennison® Xtreme Glove or 3M™ Vinyl Wrap Application Glove are made from smooth nylon or polyester fibers; they are lightweight, breathable, and form-fitting. Gloves provides excellent tactile sensitivity and prevents fingerprints on the vinyl surface and featuring lint-free, reduces static, and enhances the ability to slide and reposition vinyl. We are using them for wrapping large surfaces, ensuring smooth application without air bubbles.
Cotton Gloves such as Gildan Heavyweight Cotton Gloves or Magid Cotton Work Gloves are made from soft cotton fibers, comfortable and breathable, often with a slightly loose fit. They help in handling vinyl without leaving residues or smudges and absorbent, which can be useful for dealing with sweat during long installations; suitable for general handling and positioning of vinyl sheets.
Anti-Static Gloves such as ESD Anti-Static Gloves or Showa 234 S-Temres Anti-Static Gloves made from conductive fibers blended with nylon or polyester and design to snug fit with anti-static properties. Those are prevent static electricity buildup, which can attract dust and debris to the vinyl and excellent for working in environments where static control is crucial. Gloves are useful for applications when working with sensitive electronic devices.
Nitrile-Coated Gloves as MaxiFlex Ultimate Nitrile-Coated Gloves or Ansell HyFlex Nitrile-Coated Gloves are nylon or polyester base with a nitrile coating on the palm and fingers. They designed for tight fit with a textured grip surface and offers superior grip and durability, protecting hands from adhesives and solvents. Gloves are resistant to punctures and abrasions, providing protection during cutting and trimming of vinyl. We are using them when for tasks requiring extra grip and protection, such as squeegeeing and trimming vinyl around edges.
Neoprene Gloves as Ironclad EXO Neoprene Gloves or Mechanix Wear Neoprene Gloves made from neoprene (synthetic rubber). Those gloves are flexible, with a snug fit and padded palms; provide excellent grip and protection from solvents and adhesives; water-resistant and durable, suitable for handling wet or slippery vinyl materials and best for handling and applying wet application techniques or when working with soapy water.
DONE!
Anyhow, if you need more detailed information or assistance with a particular product or project, feel free to ask!
