Drytac explains why high-quality release liners are crucial to easy printing and installation.
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Authored by D'Arcy Lewis, Technical Sales Manager, at Drytac.
When installing self-adhesive graphics, the last thing you probably think about is the remnants you throw away. However, the quality of these remnants ' better known as release liners ' can make a significant difference to the printing and installation process of a graphic, and the end result.
Release liners are a critical feature of self-adhesive print media. They are a key component for the delivery of the product and the application performance, but as they are ultimately disposed of they are often perceived as being of low value. That couldn't be further from the truth. By spending just a few more pence or cents on a graphics solution with a high-quality release liner you can save yourself a lot of hassle, time and ' ultimately ' money.
Typically paper-based (although they can be made of Polyester/Polypropylene), release liners are usually applied during the manufacturing process of print media, including films made from PVC, polyester, polypropylene and synthetic paper. Coated on one or both sides with a release agent, they are used to prevent the sticky surface of a substrate from adhering prematurely or to the wrong surface.
There are a number of key aspects of release liners that can affect their compatibility for a job. For example, some printers use extreme heat which can shock cheaper liners, potentially causing cockling or head strikes. Using a higher-quality PE-coated liner will help the material lie flat during the printing cycle.
A thicker release liner is also required to stabilise thin materials during printing. For instance, a 50-micron/2 mil polyester would normally be too delicate, but the correct release liner enables their use.
In addition, optically clear materials require an opaque or white liner so machines can see the materials and print on them.
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A good liner will also add stability during cutting, especially on integrated printer/cutters where the material is gripped by pinch rollers. These machines truly whizz the material around, so the liner has to grip to give accurate cut lines.
The weight will also influence installation; a heavier release liner will help the graphics lay flat to ensure a much easier installation process. Air release liners have added technology to make materials easy to use: tiny channels which enable air to flow and not get trapped between the material and surface, which would otherwise create bubbles. Standard PVC is not porous so this release paper technology makes graphics materials, particularly those used in vehicle wrapping, more forgiving.
Paper absorbs and disperses moisture from the air, always trying to achieve a balance. This constant change, due to the environment, can cause lay-flat challenges. Moisture stable release papers overcome this challenge. They are coated on both sides with polyethylene which inhibits the absorption of moisture and eliminates changes in the paper's profile. The paper is then siliconized on the adhesive receptive side.
All Drytac's products with release liners are designed to tick every box for higher quality. Only dimensionally stable base papers are used, with two-sided PE coating for moisture stability. Silicone, adhesive and paper chemistries are specially formulated to eliminate tunnelling of the media and to work with Drytac's adhesive solutions.
For something that is usually considered waste and is thrown away, a lot of technology goes into good-quality release liners. Spending a little more on a better product will prevent printer damage, reduce downtime and speed up the installation process, making the job easier and cheaper in the long run.
Release liners (Silicone or Non-Silicone) are typically used as a film intermediate in the manufacture of complex composite constructions where there is a need to protect an adhesive layer. The various release coating options offered are compatible with numerous adhesive systems and can be directly coated or used as a cover layer. Release liners manufactured with our unique technology are manufactured in an ISO :- QMS certified facility with clean room offerings.
Using best-in-class coating technology, CoreTech products are custom-designed to precisely meet your end-use requirements. These release liners are supported by a dedicated design and engineering team with many years of experience in our roll-to-roll process and can also provide quality specifications (COA, COC) as needed for our manufactured products. For most products, whether simple or complex constructions, Saint-Gobain has the experience to design and process multiple products. The majority of release products utilize polyester-based films. These substrates can range from hazy to optically clear bases and are completely customizable to fit a customer's particular end use. These release liners are designed for the complete wetting and release of your applied technology. Saint-Gobain is noted for customizable solutions if a current product does not fit a particular need.
Whether it is proprietary coatings or lamination our experts and engineers can bring your product to life. CoreTech works with your company providing our fully integrated manufacturing process ensuring our partner's success. Typical applications for release liners: Tag and label, Medical Adhesives (Transdermal), Ink, ceramic, rubber, PVC, PU, and other specific casting applications.
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