Applications
Window graphics sit between two worlds: sunlight and weather on one side, hands, cleaning cloths and condensation on the other. Whether you are applying printed vinyl, printing directly on to glass or using a removable fabric, the coating and the installation method both affect how long the result stays crisp.
The first question is where the graphic will live. A graphic applied to the outside face takes rain, airborne pollution and window cleaning. One mounted inside but facing strong sun mainly needs UV resistance. One viewed through the glass needs to stay clear and colour-accurate from the other side. As our guide to retail graphics notes, these are different conditions, and a short seasonal promotion may justify a different system from a flagship installation expected to stay up for months.
Think about cleaning too. Shop windows are cleaned regularly, and the printed face of an externally applied graphic gets the same treatment as the glass around it. Ask the client or their window cleaner what is used, then test a coated sample against it. Landor’s general advice for coated graphics is a soft cloth with warm water and mild detergent, avoiding abrasive scrubbing that can wear the coating.
For printed self-adhesive vinyl, a water-based liquid laminate such as ClearShield adds UV inhibitors, water resistance and abrasion resistance over the ink. ClearShield is designed for solvent, eco-solvent, latex and UV inks on water-resistant media, and Landor describes it as highly flexible and non-yellowing.
A few practical points for window work:
For a handful of small window decals, an aerosol such as ClearJet, which is compatible with vinyl, is a quick option. Use it in a well-ventilated area.
Landor’s vinyl application fluids are designed to make wet application of pressure-sensitive vinyl faster and cleaner:
Wet application lets the film float into position before it bonds. Clean the glass thoroughly first, as dirt and dust are the main cause of a poor wet-apply result.
UV inkjet inks often adhere poorly to glass. Landor supplies UV-curable primers that are roller-coated before printing to improve adhesion:
These are designed for flat glass in a production setting, applied on roller coating equipment such as the Bürkle LFC range, which Landor notes can apply primers to hard-to-coat substrates like glass.
Self-adhesive vinyl softens in heat and stiffens in cold, and large temperature swings can cause bubbling or lifting. Wherever possible, schedule application and removal for the cooler early morning or evening. For short-term window displays, Landor’s Phototex self-adhesive fabric can also be used on windows and removed without residue, then coated in the same way as other wallcoverings.
Coating flat before application is usually the most controlled route. Allow the coating to cure fully before rolling or applying the vinyl, and test it with your chosen application fluid first.
Landor’s Window Juice is adapted for glass and designed to give extra repositioning time. Action Tac is a general-purpose option for most surfaces.
UV inks often adhere poorly to untreated glass. A primer such as Marashield UV-PGL, roller-coated edge to edge before printing, is designed to provide the adhesion needed.
Yes. Vinyl adhesives soften in heat and harden in cold. Landor recommends fitting and removing graphics in the cooler parts of the day where possible.
Call +44 1252 624411 or email info@liquid-lamination.co.uk for advice, samples and pricing.
