Key Questions to Ask When Ordering self adhesive plastic film

The name surface protection film kind of says it all — it’s designed to protect critical surfaces from scratching, marring, abrasions, UV exposure, or dirt and contamination.  Popular and successful due to its strength and durability, protective film is actually an adhesive tape.  It’s produced from thin film layers bonded together to create a barrier,  guarding  everything from a building’s glass to anything else requiring under-construction protection.  For example, It’s the shrink-wrap plastic that comes affixed to your new refrigerator, and it’s the roll of material used to cover and protect the surface of fabricated parts, especially in the automotive industry. And it’s used extensively by manufacturers of metal and plastic sheets. They are also scratch proof and help reduce the penetration of sunlight and UV rays.

Are you interested in learning more about self adhesive plastic film? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

10 Questions To Ask Before Choosing the Right Surface Protection Film

To ensure you get the right protective film for you applications make sure and ask these questions.

1. Will the film be applied to a rough or a smooth surface? Rougher surfaces have more surface area and require a thicker adhesive.
2. Is the surface area clean and dry? Dirty application conditions will likely yield unacceptable results. Embedded materials and unnecessary debris adversely affect a protective film’s performance.
3. Will the surface be painted or have a coating? Chemical reactions can exist between adhesives and coatings, especially the longer they are in contact with each other.
4. What type of surface needs to be protected? Be it wood, stone, metal, glass, plastic, or ceramic; these surfaces require completely different adhesives to perform successfully.
5. Will the film be exposed to elevated temperatures? Most rubber-based adhesives cannot handle temperatures above 150°F. Acrylic adhesives are effective at temperatures up to 350°F, and silicone adhesives up to 500°F.
6. Will the film be used outdoors? If so, for how long? The sun’s UV rays destroy adhesives over time. Protective film will not only yellow, but will become stiff and brittle, and therefore rendered ineffective. The length of time the film will be exposed to the elements will determine how much UV protection it needs.
7. What is the scope of the project? Do you need to protect windows with a PVC film or do you need to provide a moisture and vapor barrier on a slab where a LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) film is the answer? 
8. Will the film be used in a safety or security application? On any  project, it’s safety first. Is the purpose of the film to protect workers from shattering glass or to deter intruders?
9. How long will the film need to adhere to the surface? If this is a long-term job, some additional component(s) may need to be added to ensure the bond of the surface to the film for the length of time you need it to hold fast.
10. Will storage and transportation affect the film? Your crew may withstand extreme climates better than your materials! Consider their transport to the job site as well as the material’s subsequent storage so it doesn’t compromise effectiveness. Keep films and tapes in a cool, dry place.

Once affixed to a clean, dry surface, protective film effectively prevent “damage” to that surface. Although incredibly versatile, use the wrong protective film for the job and you’ll jeopardize both your timeline and the always dreaded budget overages.

5 Common Problems with Surface Protection Film

Here are the most common challenges we have found during close to 45 years of working with tape and surface protection film.

Poor Surface Adhesion. If the film peels off too easily there are multiple things that could have caused it:

• The surface was not clean enough or was contaminated by dust or moisture.
• If the incorrect film for the project was used, it could easily result in an insufficient amount of adhesive or too low a tack for the climate and conditions.
• The film was not stretched uniformly during installation creating a distortion and therefore an ineffectual seal.

 Debonding.  If the film actually separates from the adhesive it leaves a residue on the surface.  Adhesive removal is remedied with a clean cloth dipped in an appropriate amount of organic solvent such as ethanol or acetate. Care should be taken during this step so as not to create an additional cosmetic problem to the protected surface upon removal.

Edge Lift.  This occurs when ends of the protective film begin to lift off the surface. Common in metal protection where composite protective film is used, it happens especially with aluminum as compared to steel. Again, the right film for the job makes the difference.

The Film Cannot Be Removed.  The most common reason for this problem is the quality of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Beware of manufacturers who have not mastered the production of this very specialized adhesive technology. Some have only tweaked ordinary adhesives by making some improvements to existing formulations — with disastrous consequences.

Another reason why you’d have difficulty removing the film could be an overexposure to sunlight. This is why the UV rating of the film and the determination of how long you need it to adhere is an essential pre-installation determination.

Ghosting. One of the primary objectives of any construction project is to make it a seamless transition, where literally no evidence is left behind. When visual blemishes are apparent on what were supposed to be protected surfaces, the main cause of this “ghosting” is due to residue build up left behind from the markers, cleaners, solvents previously used to clean surfaces. These can be removed with care and diluted solvents.

Our full range of films have been used to protect all kinds of finished surfaces such as polished or painted metals, textured surfaces, glass and plastics.  If you are not sure which type of protective film or adhesive tape is right for your needs, take a look at our Complete Technical Guide to Adhesive Tape, or simply  contact us. We will work with you  to test various options or customize a solution to fit your needs.

Basic questions that you need to ask yourself during the label ordering process:

• What surface will the label be attached to?

• What conditions will the label be used in?

• What should the label look like?

• How will the label be placed on the packaging?

Your answers will allow you to determine what type of adhesive or material is to be used. They will lead you to produce a label that will meet all your customers’ needs within a specific budget and time. 

Let’s dive in a little deeper. 

1. Quantity

A very important thing to consider when placing an order is the quantity of labels you need. As with other products, the more labels you order, the lower the individual price per label will be. Keep in mind that the printing cost of 100 or 500 labels may end up being close to the cost of 1000 or 2000 labels. It is very important to think carefully about your label printing needs. A significant part of the cost of labels depends on the method of production and the chosen finish. 

2. Area of Application 

The type of adhesive that needs to be used really depends on the surface to which the label is to be attached. 

The chemical composition of the adhesive will react differently to the chemical composition of different surfaces. For example, glue that strongly adheres to a porous surface (such as paper or cardboard) can slip off a smooth plastic bottle. 

Another factor to consider is whether you’d like for your label to be removable. If so, how removable and in which situations? If you’ve ever peeled the label off your drinking glass and there was sticky residue left over, you know how frustrating it can be when the glue you apply is too strong. 

Environmental factors such as heat and humidity also play an important role in the decision-making process when choosing your labels. 

3. External factors

It is important to be aware of the conditions under which the labels are to be placed. What conditions are the labels expected to withstand? 

 Warm and cold 

The temperatures that the label is exposed to, whether during application, storage, transport or in the end use, can have a large influence on its durability. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of how to remove protective plastic film from glass. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Let’s consider an example of a label being applied to a water bottle. The bottle can be filled with warm water, stored in a cool warehouse, then a cold refrigerator or freezer, and then exposed to sunlight, a hot car interior or a backpack. Not only does the label material have to be resistant to temperature changes, but the adhesive does as well. If temperature exposure is not taken into account, the label may not be stay on permanently. 

Here are some examples of some good questions to ask: 

• Will the labels be attached to the packages before or after filling?

   

• What will the temperature be during the application of the label?

   

• What temperatures will the label be exposed to during transport and storage?

   

• Will the product be chilled, frozen, or heated?

   

Moisture 

Moisture can be disastrous for product labels. It doesn’t take much water to damage the label. Moisture affects not only the material of the label, but also the adhesive applied, eg. Water-based glue will not keep the label in place when in contact with moisture. 

For labels that should be moisture resistant, we use: 

• Synthetic materials such as: polypropylene, polyethylene, pet, which are much more durable than paper;

   

• Acrylic based glue;

   

• UV varnish or protective laminate.

   

Light 

Regardless of the label’s purpose, it will be exposed to light. If the appropriate ink and materials are not selected, prolonged exposure can ruin the label. The labels can peel or fade from the sunlight. Light can also have a positive effect, in that it can make elements of the printed image stand out by shining and shimmering, e.g. For products with cold stamping, the foil stands out when exposed to light. 

4. Appearance

The label showcases the product; it attracts the consumer’s attention and very often determines whether he decides to buy it. Therefore, it should be refined, aesthetically pleasing, and it should have positive associations 

Here are some aspects to consider when considering the label’s appearance: 

Color and pattern 

It is a good idea to analyze your graphic design to make sure it satisfies your expectations, even if that means changing the label specifications. Sometimes, great aesthetics can be achieved by combining printing techniques, inks, materials or finishes in an unexpected way, to create a unique look. For example, using cold stamping as a method of printing refinement will give the label a more exclusive look. 

The type of printing, whether it be digital printing from the CMYK palette or printing from the Pantone palette, will also affect the budget and the final effect of the product. 

Label size and shape 

The size and shape of the label is a fundamental detail that needs to be decided on. Printing houses usually have many ready-to-use cutting dies available. However, if the customer wants a new label size that the printing house does not have in stock, a new cutting die can be purchased. The order cost of the new cutting die depends on the size and shape of the label. 

5. Application method

When ordering labels on a roll, it is very important to specify the type of packaging required. When placing an order, please provide information about the method of label application – whether it will be manual or automatic application. It is important to know the size of the core (cardboard sleeve on which the labels are wound), the size of the entire label roll, and the winding direction. 

The company is the world’s best Anti scratch PU adhesive film supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.