Frequently Asked Questions About Application Films

QUESTION:
Why does AT42RLA® turn yellow?

ANSWER:
Any application tape with a rubber-based adhesive will yellow if it is exposed to light. Even shop lighting can yellow a tape. This yellowing occurs because the light begins to degrade the natural rubber adhesive. Don’t be alarmed though. This slight degradation isn’t generally enough to adversely affect product performance.

QUESTION:
How can I prevent the application tape from yellowing?

ANSWER:
All application tapes with a rubber based adhesive will yellow. For this reason, your customer should store the tape in its box until it’s time to use it.

QUESTION:
Can you use AT-60 on a speed press?

ANSWER:
No. The adhesive on AT-60 is too aggressive for use on a Speed Press. The problem is that the tacky adhesive will not release from the graphic following application.

QUESTION:
How do I get rid of the static in AT60?

ANSWER:
Many application films have static. AT60 has more static than many of our other tapes, such as AT42RLA®, which is virtually static free.

Here’s a simple trick to kill the static in any plastic film. Lightly mist the first surface of the tape (that’s the side without adhesive) with application fluid, such as RapidTac. Then laminate the plastic application film as you normally would.

QUESTION:
What is the difference between AT60 and AT42?

ANSWER:
AT60 and AT42RLA® are completely different products. The facestocks are different and so are the adhesive systems.

Let’s start with the facestocks. AT-60 uses an “orange peel” polypropylene film. The film is very clear, which is why we call it “Clear Choice”. It’s clarity makes it very easy to use, when aligning one film over another.

So why did we use an “orange peel” film instead of a perfectly smooth film? The slight texture of the film prevents the tape from “blocking” on the roll. Blocking is when the adhesive on a selfwound tape adheres to the first surface of the facestock. Everything sticks together, making it impossible to unwind the roll.