Vinyl Taping on Mounting Press Tutorial - VCUarts GOlab

Vinyl Taping on Mounting Press
The GOLab offers vinyl cutting services to all customers seeking vinyl decals for a variety of projects, installations, and exhibitions. In this video, we will show you how to apply transfer tape to your vinyl decal using our mounting press. Transfer tape is required to securely install your decal to any surface of your choosing.
REQUIRED TOOLS:
The vinyl taping process requires you to have a craft knife, a squeegee, a roll of transfer tape, and access to our mounting press.
Step 1. Load the adhesive roll
Load your adhesive roll onto the mounting press supply roll with the adhesive edge on the underside and pointing towards the machine.
When you pull the edge of your tape away from the adhesive roll, the sticky side should be facing up towards you and then folded under to create a leading edge.
Take this leading edge, stretch it over the top take up roll and place it just between the top and bottom take up rolls.
Step 2. Feed Adhesive Roll into the Press
Turn the machine on, set the mode to “Foot”, select your preferred speed (we suggest “2” or “3” for beginners), and press the “Reset” button.
Press the foot pedal to begin feeding your tape through the mounting press.
If you have a friend close by, have them gently hold tension from the other side of the take up rolls to smooth out your adhesive. Keep feeding until all visible wrinkles have evened out.
Step 3. Feed Vinyl into the Press
When the tape is evenly distributed across the take up roll, take your sheet of cut vinyl and gently place it between the top and bottom take up rolls.
Hit the reset button.
Press the foot pedal and slowly feed your vinyl through the machine with the adhesive.
Step 4. Cut Adhesive Roll
Once your design has cleared the take up roll of the machine, cut the supply roll and continue to feed the excess tape through the take up rolls until your vinyl completely releases from the press. Roll the excess adhesive back onto the roll.
Step 5. Trim Excess Tape
Walk your vinyl to a cutting table and trim the excess tape. Cut your vinyl apart into separate manageable pieces for installation, if necessary.
Step 6. Smooth Out Wrinkles
Using a squeegee, smooth out any bubbles or gaps between the tape and vinyl sheet. Start from the middle and push any wrinkles out to the edges of your sheet.