Removability Matters in Flexible Adhesive Backed Graphics
Don’t let removability be an afterthought.
It’s easy to focus on what’s happening during installation in wide format graphics. Color, adhesion, durability, and visual impact are critical components of a successful application. But don’t forget about what happens after the campaign. It’s just as important and that’s where removability comes in.
Choosing the right film solution isn’t just about how well it sticks for windows, walls, and floors. It’s also about how cleanly it comes off and a core component to why choosing the right material matters.
Not All Adhesives are Created Equal
Looking at flexible adhesive backed films, adhesive generally falls into two categories, permanent and removable.
Permanent adhesive is designed for long-term or lifetime installations. It delivers aggressive bond strength with excellent durability. But permanent adhesives have drawbacks like leaving adhesive residue or causing damage to the surface. They are not intended for clean removal. Permanent adhesives have a place in long-term, lifetime applications, but can cause costly problems when graphics are updated or removed.
Removable adhesives are engineered for temporary or semi-permanent applications. They deliver a secure hold and minimize risk of residue or surface damage for the intended lifespan. Removable adhesives are found in printed flexible adhesive backed graphics on windows, walls, and floors for promotions, seasonal campaigns, and other cyclical applications.
When Clean Removal is a Requirement
No residue removal is an overlooked performance characteristic of window, wall, and floor film solutions. When considered up front, you won’t run into hours of labor removing adhesive residue, the use of harsh chemicals, damaged surfaces, or unexpected costs at the end of the campaign.
Clean removal is a brand experience for your client. When removing the graphic creates more work to remove residue, damaged surfaces, or unexpected costs, it reflects poorly on everyone involved, from the printer and installer to the client.
Removability Across Surfaces
Window Graphics
Glass seems forgiving, but the wrong material choice can leave residue behind. When you choose a film with the right durability, you factor in exposure to UV rays, weather, and the length of time the graphic will be up. Choose window films that are engineered to maintain performance while removing with little or no residue when it’s time to change messaging.
Our perforated window films all deliver up to 6 months removal without residue. When this interval meets your client’s cyclical requirements for their window graphics, the installation team can efficiently change out graphics for the next campaign.
For window graphics without perforation, our line of optically clear, translucent, and white unperforated window solutions can deliver clean removal up to 3 years interior mount or 2 year exterior mount. These film solutions give your clients another option to display their message day-to-night on windows.
Wall Graphics
Choosing a film material with the wrong adhesive can wreak havoc on wall murals and graphics. There are many factors that affect removability like the type of paint on the wall, wall texture, what the wall is made of, and more. Materials designed exclusively for walls will maintain adhesion performance and release at the end of the application.
Wall film solutions from Continental Grafix can deliver up to 6 months removal without residue on most surfaces. With so many wall surfaces, it’s important to talk with your knowledgeable manufacturer or printer to find and test the right wall solution that delivers the removability you need for your application.
Floor Graphics
Floor graphics demand durability but removability still matters. Floor film solutions must withstand foot traffic, cleaning agents, and environmental stresses while being removable at the end of the campaign. Purpose-built floor film solutions strike the right balance between safety, performance, and removal to meet the demands of your application.
Floor graphic solutions have a demanding job. An important part of removability on the floor is matching your graphic film solution with the surface. Not all surfaces are created equal. Marble or finished wood floors have different requirements than tile, cement or carpet. While the primary goal of floor graphics may be durability, matching the film and surface will ensure removal without damage at the end of the campaign.
Materials Matter for Removal
Don’t create problems later in your campaign. Selecting the right flexible, adhesive backed film solutions can save you time, money, and frustration down the line. Ask the right questions up front. What surface is it going on? How long will the graphics be up? How does the removal need to go at the end?
Your campaign isn’t complete until your graphics come down. Make sure you consider removability as you plan your next campaign to avoid extra work removing adhesive residue, damaged surfaces, and unexpected costs.
See all the reasons Materials Matter in your large format projects.
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