[VinylDesign]

Hello,
I make wall decals with Avery 500 Matte and I currently use Transferite medium tack application tape (paper). I'd like to switch to a clear tape, it looks like the clear tape creases less and it looks better in general. Can you suggest a good brand?
I'm also in Australia where we have limited supplies and high costs...
Thanks!

 

[Fenrir]

From what I've read over the past year of study, paper tape is preferred over clear. However, if you are selling wall decals and not installing them yourself, clear is often necessary as the customer won't have a clue what to do with a paper covered one, or be able to install it level. The biggest problem you're going to have is finding a clear tape with the right tack to pick up matte vinyl. You may have to squeegee it to death to get it to hold. I'm planning on testing this in the near future but don't have any information yet. I know overall, people have had trouble with Oracal 631 with anything but their own HT55 tape.

 

[scuba_steve2699]

See if Rtape clear is available in your area. I have used it for exactly what you are describing and it works very well

 

[Davo J]

I only use clear on a limited number of jobs. Like many people I found it awkward to use compared to paper tape. I ended up buying a sabel roller. This roller does let me get good force, but I can also roll the bubbles to the edge of material to remove them. A normal roller would do the the same, but I do like the way the sabel is held.

 

[Svencat]

Hi Davo J, did you ever find a clear tape that works with Avery 500 matte?

 

[vaporstone]

I have used Rtape AT60 clear tape for over two years and have finally switched to Oracal HT55 tape which is paper. I would not recommend the clear plastic tape as it sometimes is very difficult to apply properly. In addition to that, tons of customers email me needing help with installation. Most customers apply the decal and don't remove the top clear layer as they think this is part of the decal. Paper tape makes it very obvious that once applied the transfer layer must be removed.

 

[GordonM]

I'll weigh in with Vaporstone that paper tape is best for wall transfers provided to an end-user. Experienced installers can often get away with using the clear tape, but we always have to keep in mind that the average customer isn't aware of the tricks of the trade, such as re-heating the tape, or remembering to turn it over, and peeling off from the liner side.

 

[Davo J]

Svencat,
In all honesty I never looked further as I have a full of clear.
I hardly ever use it, so it will probably never all go.

 

[fedoraoriginali]

I'll weigh in with Vaporstone that paper tape is best for wall transfers provided to an end-user. Experienced installers can often get away with using the clear tape, but we always have to keep in mind that the average customer isn't aware of the tricks of the trade, such as re-heating the tape, or remembering to turn it over, and peeling off from the liner side.

Can you please supply a link for more information on Vaporstone please? I cannot find it in Google? Thanks.

 

[vaporstone]

Can you please supply a link for more information on Vaporstone please? I cannot find it in Google? Thanks.

More information for what ?

 

[fedoraoriginali]

More information for what ?

My apologies I didn't read above to notice that Vaporstone was your ID! LOL! I thought he was suggesting Vaporstone masking tapes! It's early morning here and have had only one cup of coffee

 

[sben763]

Clear tape has its place, I only use for multi color jobs that I have to line up before the customer receives. A trick I use to let the customer know it needs removed is cut a triangle out of scrape and stick to the clear tape. I started using low tack paper tape for all wall decals as I've had 1 or 2 have some paint come off the wall with the medium tack although I never have.