SUBSTRATE FINISHING 

Before a graphic can be mounted, the mounting substrate has to be finished. Proper finishing will guarantee a better looking, longer lasting product.

 

• Surface prep 

With plastics, surface preparation usually just involves making sure that it is clean and grease-free. Natural products, like wood and particle boards, will need to be lightly sanded- then cleaned in preparation for painting. Cleaning may be as simple as wiping down with a damp cloth or tack rag, or it might mean a thorough degreasing with isopropyl alcohol in some circumstances, followed by the aqueous clean-up.

 

• Painting 

Some substrates need to be painted in order for the graphic to adhere properly. Plastic products only need painting if a custom color is needed, but natural products often require paint. There are as many different types of painting requirements as there are types of substrates. Most surfaces need a primer coat in order for the paint to adhere. There are specialty primers for different types of products. Rather than stocking many different brands of paint and primer, many shops opt for a paint system. Matthews Paints, for example, offers a wide range of surface adhesives and paints in traditional, low and no VOC variants that will stick to almost anything.

 

• Edge finishing 

Factory edges on substrates are not always perfect. Manufacturers of some products do not offer finished edges and other products that do have good edges often sustain minor damage during shipping. Most of the time the products require cutting down to specific sizes anyway. Sometimes cutting to custom shapes is also a requirement. A router table can be a big bonus for either of those tasks as it can also finish the edges. For shops that can’t afford a router table, the old hand router with a follow bit works just as well, but takes a little longer. When using any type of saw to cut shapes, the edges must be finished with a thorough sanding.

 

MOUNTING 

Mounting the graphic to the substrate is most efficiently done using a laminating machine. This provides clean, even, smooth application. When this is not possible, wet mounting techniques can be used to mount the graphic manually.

 

HANDLING 

And while all of these tasks are being performed, don’t forget about “care in handling” procedures. Substrates with wet paint must be stacked in dust-free, well-ventilated rooms. Gloves worn while handling cleaned materials ensures that the surfaces stay clean and grease-free. Storage racks protect vulnerable edges and keep materials organized.

 

Rigid sheets of cardboard are a minimum packaging requirement. Wooden crates are good for shipments traveling long distances or heavy goods.

PACKAGING 

The job’s not finished until it’s packaged. Paper wrap is cheap, but shipping can be brutal and that precious work of art could become worthless quickly. Rigid sheets of cardboard are a minimum packaging requirement. Wooden crates are good for shipments traveling long distances or heavy goods.  

 

Nine steps for proper wet-technique mounting application.   1. Clean and de-grease the substrate thoroughly. 2. Trim decal to correct size and shape, leaving an overlap section where the panels join. (Decal is left oversize to accommodate fluctuations in site conditions.) 3. Spray the substrate with a light mist of water or mounting fluid. 4. Carefully remove the backing sheet from the decal face. 5. Mist the decal face with water. 6. Apply the decal to the substrate, starting at the top. 7. When it is properly positioned it can be pressed down with gentle hand pressure. 8. Squeeze the fluid out from under the decal using a standard squeegee. Start from the center and work toward the edges. 9. Lay the next strip down, overlapping the first strip.