Sourcing decals and labels seems like the easiest part of a project. It’s the last thing ordered. Last thing applied. It’s the icing on a cake that took months and months to make! To ensure the icing is the best looking part, your graphics supplier should ask these important questions during the quoting process.
1. What environmental conditions will the graphic see in the field?
Performance requirements dictate the engineering of your graphic. Graphics on the same finished product might experience totally different conditions. For example, graphics above water on a boat engine will need high protection from UV rays, while a submerged graphic will need extreme water resistance. Constructing a graphic that meets unique standards starts with understanding all it will encounter.
2. What surface do you want to decorate?
Adhesives aren’t created equal. Decals go on glass, painted metal, textures, and all sorts of plastics. The material’s surface energy determines how well they accept adhesion. Powder-coated paint surfaces usually display a lower surface energy than traditional solvent-based paint, and therefore require a more aggressive adhesive. A good supplier will want to test peel strength of the decal to the surface before production.
3. Have you developed engineering specifications?
Most branding and warning decals have a detailed shape, size and Pantone and/or ANSI color specifications. Ultimately, these specifications take the form of a blueprint. Like any manufactured part, the print will guide the production of the graphic. A good supplier will assist you in developing blueprints for graphics if you haven’t already.
4. Do you have test specifications?
The result of going through the process above results in a well-designed graphic. That doesn’t mean, however, that it’s ready for the field. Romo thoroughly tests the prototype by replicating field conditions. Unfortunately, in the rush to get a finished product decorated, this step often gets skipped. It shouldn’t. Making sure the graphic holds up to abrasion, sunlight, gas, chemicals and other conditions means not having to replace them in the field – a pain you definitely want to avoid!
By working with a reputable supplier, your icing will continue to look great for the duration. The art on the outside says everything about the art on the inside.