Once you have decided upon the most appropriate adhesive/substrate combination for
your application, it is important that you prepare your substrate before coating. This can be the most important step when mounting a print for display, though it is often overlooked.
Below are helpful hints on how to prepare your substrates prior to coating them with your selected Drytac pressure-sensitive adhesive or multi-heat adhesive.
(e.g. GatorFoam™, Fome-Cor™, etc.)
The surface of these types of substrates is porous and often contains particles that can spoil an otherwise perfect mount. To prepare clay- and veneer-coated foam boards, the surface should be scraped with a Drytac Gator Scraper™. After scraping the board, wipe the surface with a TacCloth™ to remove dust particles.
Expanded PVC Boards and Polystyrenes
(e.g. Sintra™, CoroPlast™, etc.)
Prior to applying adhesive to expanded PVC boards, it is recommended that the surface first be wiped down with isopropyl alcohol (99%). This will remove the slip additives applied to these boards at the factory. Be absolutely certain that the alcohol has fully evaporated before applying the adhesive.
Other Important Mounting Tips to Remember:
These tips should assist your finishing department in reducing waste:
- Always run your laminator with the least amount of tension possible on the supply shaft. Excessive tension may cause your adhesive to lift or curl your board.
- Do not wipe your substrates with alcohol as they are entering your laminator as you will risk losing adhesion if alcohol gets trapped between the adhesive and the board. You should always allow time for the alcohol to evaporate prior to applying your adhesive.
- Draw guidelines on the infeed table of your laminator. This can become an important reference when mounting to larger substrates. The adhesive material may run off the board at the end if it is not lined up correctly.
- Maintain your equipment. Dirt or debris on your rollers can result in surface imperfections, ruining your prints. Also, adhesive residue left on your rollers can cause uneven hardness across the roller creating more problems for you in the future.
- With harder substrates like aluminum, Masonite™ or acrylic, start by having the top roller of your laminator lowered onto a leader board. Sharp-edged substrates may "chip" the silicone rollers on your laminator, resulting in costly repairs.
- Some foam boards absorb moisture and have a propensity to warp. If, however, you also coat the backside of the board with a suitable laminating film (e.g. 1.5 mil [38 micron] Standard Temperature MHL™ Gloss) and provide the proper tension, the board should remain flat.
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