Red Blue Ecotac Plus – 600mm x 1m

• Film: Monomeric calendered PVC
• Film thickness: 80 microns, excluding liner and adhesive
• Adhesive: Clear, solvent-based permanent acrylic adhesive
• Adhesive strength: Approximately 13 N/25 mm after 20 minutes; 18 N/25 mm after 24 hours on glass
• Liner: Silicone-coated Kraft paper (137 g/m²) with blue HEXIS print
• White vinyl: E3829B gloss white is manufactured on a blue contrast liner for easier weeding
• Minimum application temperature: +10°C
• Standard black and white colours: Up to 6 years outdoors
• Standard colours: Up to 5 years outdoors
• Metallic and neon colours: Up to 3 years outdoors
• Indoor use: Suitable for long-term applications (up to 5 years or more) [1, 2, 3, 4]

Durability estimates apply to unprinted vinyl under normal vertical outdoor exposure. Actual performance depends on surface preparation, application quality, climate, and exposure conditions

1. Prepare and Cut the Design

• Software Setup: Create your design in your preferred cutting software.
• Orientation: Do not mirror the artwork. Mirroring is required for heat-transfer (iron-on) vinyl, not self-adhesive sign vinyl.
• Loading: Place the vinyl on the cutting mat with the coloured vinyl side facing upward and the paper liner facing downward.
• Machine Settings: Select the appropriate adhesive-vinyl setting for your cutting machine.
• Cutter Force: As a general starting point, use a blade depth of approximately 2 and a force of 10–12. Because HEXIS Ecotac is an 80-micron film (slightly thicker than standard 70-micron films), you may need to increase your usual cutting force slightly. Always perform a small test cut first.
• Depth Check: The blade should cut cleanly through the vinyl layer without cutting through the paper backing liner.
• Unload: Cut the design and unload the vinyl from the machine.

2. Weed the Design

• Trimming: Trim away any unused vinyl around the outer edges of the design to save scraps.
• Weeding: Use a weeding tool to carefully peel away the unwanted background vinyl.
• Detailing: Remove the centres of letters (such as ‘O’ and ‘A’) and other small internal design details. Tip: The HEXIS blue contrast liner on the white vinyl makes these small parts much easier to see.
• Final Check: Confirm that every required part of your design remains securely attached to the paper liner.

3. Apply the Transfer Tape

• Sizing: Cut a piece of medium-tack transfer tape slightly larger than your weeded design.
• Placement: Remove the transfer tape from its backing and place the adhesive side smoothly over the front of the vinyl design.
• Initial Burnish: Use a squeegee or scraper tool to burnish (rub) the transfer tape firmly onto the vinyl.
• Air Removal: Work from the centre outward to minimise wrinkles and air bubbles.
• Reverse Burnish: Turn the design completely over and burnish the back of the paper liner to improve the vinyl’s grip on the transfer tape.

4. Prepare the Application Surface

• Surface Compatibility: Apply the vinyl only to smooth, clean, hard, and non-porous surfaces.
• Contaminant Removal: Remove all dust, grease, wax, polish, and silicone coatings from the target area.
• Cleaning Prep: Clean glass, metal, ceramic, or suitable rigid plastics using isopropyl alcohol and a clean, lint-free cloth.
• Soap Residue: If using mild soapy water to clean, rinse the surface thoroughly with fresh water so that no soap residue remains.
• Drying: Allow the surface to dry completely before using the dry-application method.
• Curing Paint: Avoid applying vinyl to dusty, oily, damp, heavily textured, or recently painted surfaces. Fresh paint must be allowed to cure fully according to the paint manufacturer’s instructions before graphic application.

Dry-Application Method

Recommended for small-to-medium decals, text, and straightforward flat placements.

• Positioning: Place the decal over the surface and confirm its exact alignment before removing the backing.
• Hinge Method: Use masking tape to create a hinge along one edge or through the centre of the design if you need additional alignment support.
• Peeling: Turn the decal over and slowly peel the paper liner away from the vinyl at a sharp, flat angle.
• Tape Grip: Ensure that the entire vinyl design remains attached to the transfer tape. If part of the design stays on the paper liner, lower the tape and re-burnish that specific area before continuing.
• Application: Hold the exposed adhesive away from the surface until you are perfectly positioned.
• Squeegee Work: Lower the decal gradually onto the surface. Use a squeegee to apply firm, overlapping strokes from the centre outward to lock down the adhesive.
• Edges: Burnish the complete design again, paying particular attention to small details, sharp corners, and outer edges.
• Removal: Slowly peel the transfer tape back over itself at a sharp, flat angle. Do not pull it directly outward or away from the surface.
• Lifting Fix: If any vinyl lifts with the tape, lower the transfer tape, burnish the area firmly again, and continue peeling slowly.
• Finishing: Press the completed design firmly onto the surface and use a soft cloth or covered squeegee to smooth out any remaining minor air bubbles.

Wet-Application Method

Recommended for larger decals, long graphics, and ultra-smooth surfaces like glass, metal, or vehicle panels. Do not use this method for very small lettering, intricate layered graphics, or surfaces that can trap moisture.

• Clean: Prepare the surface thoroughly as detailed in Step 4.
• Solution: Prepare a mild application solution using clean water and a tiny amount of dishwashing liquid (approximately one drop per standard spray bottle).
• Liner Removal: After applying your transfer tape, remove the paper backing liner completely to expose the adhesive side of the HEXIS vinyl.
• Misting: Lightly mist both the application surface and the exposed adhesive side of the vinyl. Do not soak or flood them.
• Positioning: Position the decal on the wet surface. The mist allows you to slide it gently into the exact correct position.
• Squeegee Fluid: Hold the design in place and use a squeegee to push the liquid and air bubbles outward from the exact centre of the graphic.
• Pressure: Make firm, overlapping passes across the entire graphic until as much moisture as possible has been forced out from underneath.
• Bond Time: Allow the vinyl sufficient time to bond before attempting to remove the transfer tape. Drying time depends heavily on ambient temperature, humidity, and the size of the decal.
• Tape Peeling: Once the transfer tape releases cleanly without pulling the vinyl with it, peel it back slowly at a sharp angle.
• Lifting Fix: If the vinyl lifts, stop peeling immediately and allow more drying time before trying again.
• Final Seal: After removing the transfer tape, gently squeegee the design again while protecting the face of the vinyl with a sheet of backing paper or the discarded liner.
• Curing: Allow the permanent solvent adhesive to cure completely before washing the surface or exposing the decal to harsh weather.

Important HEXIS Ecotac Application Tips

• Temperature Rule: Ensure the ambient environment and the application surface are at a minimum temperature of +10°C. Applying below this temperature will prevent the solvent acrylic adhesive from bonding correctly.
• Testing: Always perform a test cut and a quick test application before starting a full production run.
• Environment: Apply graphics in a clean, dry, and dust-free environment out of direct, harsh wind.
• Hot/Cold Surfaces: Avoid applying vinyl to surfaces that are extremely hot to the touch (e.g., metal vehicle panels sitting in direct midday sun) or freezing cold.
• Stretching: Do not stretch the vinyl during installation, as calendered vinyl retains a memory and may shrink back, pull away, or lift along the edges later.
• Squeegee Technique: Overlapping squeegee strokes are essential to prevent trapped air pockets and uneven adhesion.
• Aftercare: Avoid washing, scraping, or pressure-cleaning the newly applied decal while the adhesive is curing over the first 24 to 48 hours.
• Low-Energy Surfaces: Adhesion may be unreliable or fail on low-energy plastics (like polypropylene or polyethylene), silicone-treated surfaces, rubber, heavily textured walls, or peeling paint.
• Vehicles: For vehicle panels, do not place vinyl over damaged paint, rust, fresh wax, or recent ceramic coatings.