What is transfer tape

In doing so, you'll also need to consider the bond between:. You'll need a balance between those various bonds, or you'll risk the application going wrong. The bond between the transfer tape and vinyl can't be too strong, or you won't be able to pull the tape away from the decal after application.

You'll also want the strength of the bond between the tape and vinyl to be stronger than the bond between the vinyl and the release liner. You will be able to pull the liner away from the vinyl easily if the tape has a better hold on it. It may take some adjustments to discover what works best for the products you use and your various applications.

If you have access to several types of application tapes and aren't sure how to choose the right transfer tape, start with the lowest tack. To choose the right tack level, you need to understand the characteristics of each:. A low tack level will have the minimum amount of stick to hold onto vinyl or other materials for transfer, but it won't be overly sticky.

You may find that low-tack application tape works well for projects with larger graphics. If your vinyl has a low tack level, be sure to use low tack transfer tape to ensure it sticks to the substrate.

Decals with a higher tack level may work with certain low-tack options, but you might have a challenging time removing the vinyl from the release liner with a low-tack transfer tape. Medium tack transfer tapes have a wide range of uses because of their average tackiness. You can use this type of application tape for:. Use medium tack tape if your vinyl also has a medium tack level.

Since medium tack level tape works with so many projects, you will likely use this or medium-high varieties most often in your creations. Transfer tapes with a high tack level have the stickiest adhesives of the three options.

Choose high-level tack tape for projects like:. Avoid using low tack vinyl with application tape that has a high tack level. If that happens, your decal will have a stronger bond with the transfer tape than the surface you apply it to.

As you use vinyl transfer tapes, you should be aware of the two main types of transfer tapes: paper and transparent tapes.

Paper tapes, as their name suggests, are tapes that are constructed out of paper. As such, the paper face film will come with an adhesive coated on it. The film will usually be somewhat translucent but will not be entirely see-through. Often, this tape is the go-to choice for those who need a versatile tape that doesn't require a great deal of precision. In contrast, transparent tapes are made out of plastic face films. Unlike paper transfer tape, clear transfer tape is totally transparent, allowing for greater accuracy in the placement of graphics.

For example, if you need to place layers of multi-colored vinyl graphics on top of one another, then clear transfer tape is the kind of tape you need. Paper transfer tape is a versatile option that doesn't require much precision. As the name implies, it's made out of paper, which gives it various advantages as a transfer tape, like:. If you leave the transfer paper on a project for a client to remove, paper may not be the right choice because it compromises the presentation quality.

However, if you're handling the removal process, paper may be right for your projects because of how versatile it is. Many companies use paper tape for the benefits they provide to users. Some of these benefits include:. Though there are many pros associated with paper transfer tape, there are also a few cons that you should be aware of before you select it:.

As the name implies, this transfer tape is made of clear plastic. Clear transfer tape has several advantages, like:. Because clear transfer tape is see-through, you can get a more precise application.

Consider using it for:. Clear transfer tape is a higher-grade transfer tape, often used when a great deal of accuracy is required. As you consider it, see its main benefits below:. To help you gain a broader understanding of best practices associated with transfer tape, consider the following answers to common questions about transfer tape:.

All you need to have to work with transfer tape is vinyl, the transfer tape and something to cut with. Depending on the job, you may only need paper punches, die-cuts or scissors, while others may require a cutting machine. Often, squeegees are used when applying the transfer tape and vinyl to a surface to prevent air bubbles and wrinkling. Adhesive vinyl comes with an adhesive on the back of it and a backing sheet covering the adhesive.

When the adhesive vinyl is cut into the shape you need, you'll make sure that it's not cut through the paper backing. The short answer to this is yes, but I will also say that I use the same transfer tape for nearly all of my vinyl projects. These products are designed to move glitter vinyls or other textured vinyls that regular transfer tape may have a hard time adhering to. I do not recommend using a strong grip or strong tack transfer tape with regular vinyl as you will have a difficult time getting the decal to release from the transfer material.

I personally find clear, plastic transfer tapes to be the easiest to work with. In general, I find plastic tapes to be more flexible and less likely to wrinkle when applying a decal.

Clear tapes also make it easier for you to see your decal as you position it on your project. These are my favorite transfer tapes, and the ones that I repeatedly reach for:. For the most part, you can buy transfer tape any where that you can buy vinyl. All of the big box craft stores that sell vinyl will also sell transfer tape, although they may only carry one or two brands usually Cricut and Silhouette.

In general, I think you can get a better value by buying a large roll from an online vinyl shop, such as Expressions Vinyl , Swing Design , or even Amazon. Check out my favorite vinyl shops right here. I have put together a little video explaining the basic idea behind transfer tape and sharing a few of my best tips. You can check out the video below, but I will also write out a few of these tips for those who prefer to read.

You can also watch it here on my youtube channel. This video is part of the Silhouette vs. Cricut series I have put together with my friend, Colleen from Lemon Thistle. This is a simple little trick, but one that I think really helps with getting good placement and application.

There are many different types of transfer tape, varying from paper, plastic, rolls and sheets. Here at Carstickers we make buying transfer stickers easy by using high quality clear plastic application tape. This works well with cut out stickers that have many different parts because it maintains the positions all of the letters and artwork of your sticker. The clear plastic construction provides the transparency that is needed for our customers easy placement stickers.

With the car windshield, water bottle, laptop or any other substrate surface clearly visible, the installer can clearly see how the sticker will look when placed. Due to the non porous plastic material of the transfer tape, we recommend applying the stickers on a clean and dry surface. Clear Clear tape obviously offers the transparency that paper tape lacks. Liner, no liner, gridded or not gridded. Dawn on December 30, at am. Thanks Reply. Submit a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

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