Printer Friendly - TechniPrint Common Questions

TechniPrint Common Questions - Printer Friendly Format

What is the best material to use for our label nameplate or overlay?

A decision about "best material" depends on the application. We recommend that you contact our design and engineering staff in order to determine the best material for your situation. Our staff can guide you toward a decision or we can make a recommendation for you to consider. For example, if you are applying a label to an aluminum part, we would typically suggest a 10mil velvet polycarbonate printed sub-surface with a 3M #467 adhesive.

Q	What is the best printing method for our parts?
A	TechniPrint offers a wide range of screen printing, pad printing, and laser etching capabilities. Our design and engineering team can help you determine the best method for your application. While most printers are comfortable only with printing on flat surfaces, at TechniPrint we often print on curved plastic and metal panels as well as parts that have raised or recessed areas near the graphics.

Q	What are "permanent" labels and nameplates?
A	Any label or nameplate that is intended to last as long as the equipment it is attached to is considered "permanent". Examples include manufacturer identification, panels that contain serial numbers or product data, safety and warning labels as well as usage instructions.

Q	How long can I expect TechniPrint's labels, nameplates, and overlays to last?
A	The labels we produce are of the highest quality, however, the life expectancy of a label is impacted by environmental conditions such as indoor or outdoor use, the type of adhesive and base material used, as well as the ink and laminate. We can build your product to exceed manufacturers specifications and provide you and your customers with years of durable use in the harshest conditions.

Q	Will TechniPrint's label or overlay adhere to a textured surface?
A	In most cases, yes. Depending on the application, the surface material, texture, and surface tension need to be considered. For example, on an extremely textured surface we recommend 3M's #468 adhesive that acts to fill the "hills and valleys". Again, we recommend that you contact our design and engineering staff to work with you toward the best solution.

Q	Can these labels and overlays be bent or wrapped around irregular surfaces?
A	Yes, if the proper materials are used. Vinyl materials lend themselves well to being bent or wrapped around irregular surfaces. Polyesters and polycarbonate materials have an original shape "memory" and will often release from angled surfaces over a period of time. TechniPrint's design and engineering team can help you determine the best materials to use for your application.

Q	Are TechniPrint's products and inks built to withstand solvents and oils?
A	In addition to the protection provided by a top laminate, a textured polyester base material or hard coated polycarbonate will also withstand solvents, oils, and a variety of industrial chemicals. Metal nameplates can incorporate the use of two-part epoxy inks that are highly resistant to abrasion, oils, and solvents. Laser etching also provides highly durable graphics.

Q	When do I need a top laminate on my label?
A	If you would like to extend the life of your label, a top laminate is a good choice. Typical laminates provide UV, solvent, and abrasion resistance. There are several types of polyester based top laminate materials that can be used. Our design and engineering staff will be happy to make a recommendation.

Q	Does TechniPrint have materials that will adhere to high and low energy surfaces?
A	At TechniPrint we have extensive experience in this area. In addition to "off the shelf" products, we provide proprietary materials that are made to adhere to such products as HDPE (high density polyethene) surfaces. A wide range of adhesive products can be customized for labels and nameplates and the surfaces they need to adhere to.

Q	What temperature extremes will TechniPrint's products withstand?
A	We can provide labels and nameplates that will withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit as well as materials that can retain their adhesive properties in sub-zero conditions.

Q	How do I know TechniPrint's materials and / or printing methods meet or exceed the blueprint specifications?
A	We are frequently asked if we can meet the specifications on a customer's blueprint. Although we can, we often discover that a customer's blueprint is "dated" or does not reflect an awareness of current materials or technology advances. TechniPrint's design and engineering team will evaluate your blueprint specifications and make recommendations on the best possible materials and processes.

Q	Can TechniPrint accurately reproduce our artwork?
A	Yes. Our design staff can reproduce your artwork to your exact specifications. In order to do this we prefer that our customers to provide us with a vectorized file (Adobe Illustrator, EPS, or Acrobat PDF) so that we may have the best possible rendering for image and color accuracy.

What is the best type of electronic file (digital image) to send TechniPrint?

Ideally, we prefer that our customers to provide us with a vectorized file such as Adobe Illustrator, EPS, or Acrobat PDF. File formats such as TIFF, BMP, or JPG are acceptable for on-screen viewing but do not yield optimal results for printing. If you do not have an image in one of the digital formats we recommend, we also have the capability to import other file types (such as those from CAD programs) or to scan your image and recreate it for your approval.

How can I get the most cost effective pricing on my project?

Although price is not the only factor in producing a quality and cost effective product, we strive to find the most economical solutions for our customers. In addition to recommending the most efficient combination of materials and processes, we will work with you to consolidate your orders and estimated annual usage (EAU). A good EAU plan can allow us to lock in the lowest possible materials pricing.

Q	Can TechniPrint handle our drop shipments or special packing requirements?
A	TechniPrint's shipping department is very experienced in shipping orders to single and multiple addresses, blind shipping to clients, and providing protective packaging that is customized to your needs. We also have extensive experience in handling international shipments including customs declarations and tariffs.

Q	Can I set up my project on a release schedule and is there a cost difference to do this?
A	TechniPrint often works with our customers on a release schedule basis. A typical release schedule is 90 days between first order and second release. Additional or multi-release schedules may result in a small "upcharge" for packaging, shipping, and handling. Contact us to discuss your specific release schedule needs.