Any surface can be used for advertising, it's just a matter of finding the right way to get the message across. Nowadays, there is a wide range of surfaces available to those who want to advertise, such as windows, several forms of outdoor placeholders, and even vehicles. In this article, we summarise what printable films are, what they can be used for and what their advantages are.

What is printable film?

Printable film is made by a unique rolling process, based on monomeric PVC, which gives it its advantageous properties. It can be used in a wide variety of applications and there are different types of film. There are matte and glossy finishes, each of which looks good in a different environment and, of course, in different applications.

In terms of durability, two types can be distinguished: those that are permanent and serve a long-term purpose, i.e. they are not applied, for example, to be removed at short notice after a particular event. In this case, it is therefore particularly important that the material is durable. However, there are also printable films that can be removed with a single movement. A removable film is a good choice if you want to refresh the surface from time to time and give it a new look.

In terms of application, there are also two types of films, those that are applied to the surface and self-adhesive films. The latter are much easier to handle, simpler and quicker to install, but the former are typically more durable.

Printable films can be used both indoors and outdoors. This also means they can withstand the elements, withstanding temperatures between -30 degrees Celsius and 90 degrees Celsius. Crucially, they are also resistant to solvents, which contributes significantly to their long service life. Indoors, they will shine in their original glory indefinitely, while outdoors they will need replacing after about 3 years.

Where can a printable film be used?

Printable film has many uses as it is a versatile material that allows the graphic and advertising industry to offer creative and effective solutions.

Window decorations

Printable films are used to decorate windows in shops, offices and homes. These films allow light transmission, but can also protect against unwanted stares. Wonderful window decorations can be created with the help of printable films that attract curious eyes.

Indoor and outdoor signs

Printable films are used on both indoor and outdoor signs. These signs can be used for information, guidance or even advertising purposes. Thanks to the properties of the film, it can be used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces.

Posters

Printable films can be used to decorate shop windows and highlight promotions. These films are flexible and easy to customise, so they can be adapted to the style of your business to the maximum. What's your dream shop window? With these films, you can now make it happen!

Vehicle advertising

Printable films are used for vehicles, providing a mobile advertising option. Just think how many of these car advertisements we see every day while standing in traffic jams, walking down the street!

What are the advantages of printable films?

Printable films provide excellent print quality, making it easy for graphic and advertising designers to produce the right colours and details, which is particularly important for the look. Printable films retain their original size and shape for a long time.

These films are extremely durable and resistant to weathering and mechanical stress, giving them a long life. They have the advantage of being compatible with a wide range of digital printing machines, allowing a wide range of uses and applications.

The films are easy to apply to the desired surface and are also easy to remove without causing permanent damage. In addition, thanks to their flexibility, the films can be used on both flat and curved surfaces.

Flanker offers a wide range of printable films. Click and browse our web catalogue!

Superglue is part of our everyday life. When something breaks or cracks, we automatically reach for it, which is understandable, because it's a very practical solution that quickly fixes the problem. In this article, we'll show you what superglue is, how it works, and how to use it.

What is superglue?

Superglue is a type of glue that utilises chemical principles. It polymerises and forms a stable bond between the surfaces, thanks to the moisture that reaches the material.

This type of adhesive can be used to bond materials such as leather, wood, rubber, and plastic. For example, there are superglues specifically for plastics and rubber, but there are also general-purpose solutions. They can be used well on small surfaces, but also larger ones.

How was superglue invented?

Superglue was discovered as a by-product of the Second World War. In 1942, Dr Harry Coover and his team of researchers were trying to produce a new type of targeting equipment, when they created superglue by accident. It was almost 10 years later when Coover, now a researcher at Kodak Research Labs working with Fred Joyner, discovered the compound again. It finally hit the markets in 1958, changing repair practices with this state-of-the-art solution.

How does superglue work?

If you look at it from a chemical point of view, you can say that superglue is an acrylic resin. Its mechanism is based on a chemical reaction: polymerisation is triggered by hydroxide ions in the ambient moisture. This process is called anionic polymerisation.

Thanks to the fact that the cyanoacrylate monomers are linked by water and then the chains are linked as long as the polymer chain will allow, a durable and strong plastic mesh can be created. This plastic mesh is responsible for the extremely strong bond.

Types of superglue

We can categorise superglues according to various criteria. These are presented below!

The consistency

Not all superglues have the same consistency. Some superglues are very dilute and flow easily, some that are relatively thick, and some that are very thick. The thicker the adhesive, the more suitable it is for bonding vertical or near-vertical surfaces. If such a thick adhesive is used, it is always indicated on the packaging. Also, be prepared for these gel-like adhesives to be much harder to get out of the tube.

Medium-flow or relatively thick superglues are the most common, they are easy to work with but don't flow away quickly. Dilute versions can flow into small gaps, but are best used only on horizontal surfaces and may run on vertical surfaces. If you're dealing with a very runny glue, you may want to use a needle-nose dispenser to make sure you don't have any problems.

Filling the gap

One important property of superglues is their gap-filling ability. Typically this ranges between 0.15 and 0.25 mm. However, there are also special fillers that can be used to extend the gap-filling capacity of the instant adhesive. In this case, the filler must first be pressed into the gap, which is too large, and then the superglue, which then holds the entire filling together and converts it into a very stable bond.

Heat resistance

Superglues can withstand high temperatures up to a certain level. Generally speaking, they can withstand temperatures of 60-80 degrees Celsius. Of course, there are also special versions available. Some superglues can form the same bond between -55 and +90 degrees Celsius.

The bond

In this article, we mostly mention cyanoacrylate-based adhesives that bond when exposed to moisture. This bond is formed in a single minute and takes up to 60 minutes to achieve full effect. There are also instant adhesives that do not set as a result of moisture but as a result of some other effect, such as UV or visible light.

Application of the superglue

Superglue is a popular choice. It is very versatile: it can be used to repair and glue broken objects, but it is also used in forensic medicine for restoring fingerprints, and surgeons use special versions to seal wounds.

It has the characteristic of sticking to the skin very easily because the moisture on the surface of the skin triggers the bonding process in a matter of moments. It should be used with great care and attention, as it can, for example, clump the eyelids and eyelashes if it gets in the eyes. It is also recommended to ventilate during use, as the vapour that escapes from the material can irritate the nasal mucosa, the surface of the throat, the lungs, and the eyes.

Once the superglue has been carefully applied to the surface to be glued over a small area, the material begins to set, reaches the thickness of the layer, and forms a hard, brittle bond. This also means that if you are dealing with textiles or flexible materials, it is not enough to use a conventional superglue, you need a special solution. In some cases, it may also be necessary to use a primer. This step should not be skipped, especially where low surface energy and difficult-to-bond materials are involved. For example, polypropylene, polyethylene, and PTFE. The primer should be applied to these surfaces and will dry quickly, preparing the ground for the adhesive.

It is important to note that the superglue will also set in the tube over time due to humidity, so it is best to store it at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius. However, many people don't follow this, so if you use it infrequently, choose a smaller container. During storage, care should also be taken to ensure that neither the cap nor the tube is damaged.

Flanker offers a professional solution for all situations where raw materials, tools, and industrial supplies are needed. Have a look at our webcatalogue!

Choosing the right materials and tools is essential when transporting products safely or carrying out projects at home. One such key tool that is not only practical but versatile is polyester tape. In this article, we've summarised what you need to know about polyester tape.

Polyester tape is an excellent type of self-adhesive tape that is extremely useful in several applications. Whether it's packaging, fixing or creative projects, polyester tape can help you with a wide range of tasks.

What is a polyester tape?

Polyester tape is a strong and durable material that has excellent tensile strength thanks to its polyester core. It has many advantages, including tensile strength, long life, and corrosion resistance. It is also resistant to moisture and heat, making it ideal for use in outdoor and harsh environments.

Polyester vs polypropylene tape: which is the better choice?

One question that often arises is whether polyester tapes or polypropylene tapes are better. Both materials are extremely useful but have different properties.

Polyester tapes are strong and durable, making them the ideal choice for heavy-duty and long-term fixing jobs. At the same time, polypropylene tapes are easy to use because of their affordable price.

The choice also depends on the specific application and requirements. If long-term durability is required, polyester tape is the better choice. For those who change fastenings frequently or are looking for lightweight packaging solutions, polypropylene tape is recommended.

Types of polyester tapes

There are many different types of polyester tapes. For example, there are single-sided and double-sided, and there are also acrylic, rubber and silicone-coated versions. They are highly resistant to moisture, chemicals and oils.

Thanks to their advantageous properties, they are well suited for bonding, masking, and insulation, they are used for example for electrical insulation, but also for composite joint protection.

Single-sided tapes consist of a thin layer of film and an adhesive. They adhere well to glass, resin and even metal. Oxygen or heat is required to crosslink the adhesives and to achieve proper adhesion.

Double-sided polyester tapes have the same properties, except that both sides of the substrate are coated with adhesive.

Polyester strapping tapes

There are also so-called polyester strapping tapes, which are very durable and easy to handle. These strapping tapes can rival steel strapping in certain properties. They are much stronger than polypropylene straps and can be used to strap a parcel or load easily. These strapping tapes are cost-effective, do not damage the strapped surface, are resistant to external influences and can even be printed on.

There are several types of strapping tape available, let's have a look at them:

• Composite tape: based on polyester yarn with a polypropylene coating. It is made of polypropylene polypropylene with a polypropylene core.
• Hot-melt tape: polyester tape with a hot-melt adhesive.
• Woven webbing: consists of polyester yarn woven in a longitudinal and transverse structure.

Strapping tapes are available in different sizes or different rolls. For example, for standard hot-melt tape, you can choose between 9 and 35 mm in size and 76 mm inner diameter paper rolls.

Areas of use

Polyester tapes can be used in a wide range of applications, from industrial to domestic. In a domestic environment, polyester tapes are advantageous because they are easy to handle and versatile. They are ideal for repair work, packaging and small projects where fixing is required. In industry, polyester tapes are widely used in packaging, warehousing and transport, for example.

As an official 3M partner, Flanker is a trusted supplier to the printing, labour protection, abrasive and industrial adhesive industries. Click here to browse our webcatalogue.

The sander is a very versatile tool, which is widely used in various industries, but can also be utilised at home, whether for renovation, maintenance, construction, or DIY. So it's a good idea to be aware of the types and uses of a grinder. In this blog post, we have summarised the most important things to know.

Types of sanders

A sander can be used for a variety of tasks, as it can be useful for cleaning, smoothing, and removing the top layer of any surface. There are different types of sanders, depending on the size of the surface, the material, and the purpose of the operation.

There are two main types of hand-held sanders, based on the way they work: surface and belt sanders. Disc sanders, also known as circular/square sanders, grind in a defined shape. The sanding wheel is fixed using a screw or Velcro, which is used to carry out the grinding. The other major category is the belt sander, which is a belt sander, where the abrasive belt is placed in a belt-like manner and moved around.

Let's take a look at what types exist within the two main categories.

Belt sander

A belt sander is an excellent tool to clean larger surfaces, for example, to get rid of thicker layers of paint or to remove large uneven areas. However, it is not suitable for more delicate work, such as sanding corners or edges.

Vibrating sander

The so-called vibrating sander makes a vibrating movement. The base is square and, like the angle sander, it can be used to remove layers of larger surfaces. The difference between the two is that the vibrating sander removes the top layer more slowly, so it is mostly used when only the surface layers need to be removed.

Random orbital sander

A random orbital sander performs a rotary motion. Some types vibrate sideways and those that rotate around the axis. The grinding surface can be either disc or square, which allows the removal of coatings from larger surfaces. What is different is that it can handle curved and round shapes.

Multisander

The multisander is a hybrid type of sander for middle-sized surfaces. They have a wider base but end in a point, which makes them suitable for sanding hard-to-reach places corners, and edges

Delta sander

The head of a delta sander, as the name suggests, is triangular, which can be used for smaller jobs, such as sanding edges and corners. As it is designed for fine work, it has a small grinding surface, so avoid using this type in large areas.

What other considerations should you think about when choosing a sander?

One of the most important considerations when choosing the right sander is what material you want to sand and what grit size disc is recommended for that material. Depending on the grit size, it is fortunate that you can vary the vibration rate and speed.

It is advisable to choose a machine that you can hold comfortably, has a good ergonomic design, and has a function that sucks away dust. Depending on your needs, you can choose between corded and cordless sanders, in the former case make sure that the cable management is good.

Using the sander

The two most important factors when sanding are speed and fineness. The speed of the tool's motor can be controlled on most machines: on an oscillating grinder, you can change the vibration rate, on a belt grinder the speed of the belt.

Grinding is a process, which means that you start with the coarser grinder first and slowly work your way up to the finer one. Use a lower speed for the coarser sandpaper and a higher speed for the finer. Take particular care not to burn the wood surface due to the high speed!

It is important to know that the value on the sandpaper, usually marked P, indicates the fineness of the grain. It means the number of grains per unit area. In other words, the higher the number on the paper, the finer the sanding. For metal and wood sanding, the coarser jobs are done with 40 and 60 grit paper, the medium with 80-100, and the higher numbers will finish the surface.

If you are using a random orbital sander, buy paper that is Velcroed and perforated, which makes it much easier. If you're doing carpentry work, practicality dictates that you line the tape underneath, so lined tape avoids the streaks left by the sander showing through on the surface. Alternatively, if you are sanding the outer curves, try using clamps to secure the machine to the edge of the workbench by turning it sideways.

Click here to browse Flanker's range of sanders and accessories!