Transfer Tape securely holds cut & weeded vinyl in place during transfer from the backing paper to the project blank. Used for patterned vinyl & solid colored vinyl, it's keeps letters & objects perfectly in place.
There is a transfer tape for every project but no matter which type you use, proper installation helps create beautiful finished products.
By taking the time to learn the technique it becomes easier to install because as the old saying goes, "First you get good & then you get fast."
Available in paper or clear plastic, with or without grid patterns and with reusable backing paper or none at all. Here are a few basic points to consider:
Paper or Plastic Transfer Tape?
Clear Transfer Tape: Perfect for the wet application method & for layering alignment.
Paper Transfer Tape: Great for dry application & indoor projects and can work outdoors. In humid areas, if the project will sit for days before application, use the plastic type instead or it will wrinkle & lift off the backing paper, making it harder to install properly.
High or Low Tack Transfer Tape?
The adhesive strength is High Tack for medium to large sized vinyl graphics & Medium Tack for finer details & smaller designs. Try a few types to decide which works best for you or you may need to keep both on hand for both types of projects.
Try to squeegee the complete design, avoid flattening wrinkles into the vinyl & keep the area as clean & lint free as possible.
5 Steps to Install Transfer Tape:
1. Precut the Transfer Tape to a bit larger than the weeded vinyl design.
2. Remove the backing paper or skip to the next step if it doesn't have backing paper. Next, lay the transfer tape face down, adhesive up on a table.
3. Place the weeded vinyl pattern onto the transfer tape with the design facing down. In a slow smooth motion, curl it to touch one side first & then the other.
4. Lightly press the vinyl onto the transfer tape, flip it over & trim it. Cut through both the transfer tape & backing paper at once. Flip it over, design side facing up.
5. Use a squeegee to push out air pockets toward the nearest edge. Apply firm pressure, working slowly from the center out, trying not to push wrinkles into the tape. Make only short, firm strokes that end off the vinyl on the backing paper.
EZ-TIP: Do not apply the Transfer Tape more than a day or 2 in advance or it tends to pull the vinyl from the backing paper, making it harder to install properly.