We offer a variety of tape application tools from simple to complex, manual to mechanical. Let's take a look at the options for speeding up production, and reducing costly redos. Using application tape for vinyl is an essential part of vinyl sign making. For some, transfer tape is a breeze, for others a challenge. But because it's a necessary step in transferring your design to a substrate or sign blank, and because it can cause disaster if you botch it --there are lots of tools designed to make it easier. Any or all of them can boost your business. Which one is best for you?
Big Squeegee Tape Application Tool
 If you're looking for a device to make pre-masking easier, you might not think something called the "Big Squeegee" would be ideal, but don't let the name fool you. The Big Squeegee is actually a full line of simple but cleverly designed vinyl application tools. Most are based on a curved roll holder mounted on a wide flat board that's used to apply film. There are Big Squeegee tools for yard signs, pre-masking and laminating digital prints. The one recommended for tape application is the Laminator Tool, which comes in 24", 38", 50", and 56" widths. It's a breeze to use, and is very popular with our customers. Here's a typical review from a Big Squeegee user. "... used my Big Squeegee for the first time tonight, WOW. Baby butt smooth and speeds things up. Well worth the small investment!" Big Squeegee Laminator tools start at just $92.50. If you're looking for something simple and economical, a Laminator tool is just what you need.
Pro Roll Tape Application Tool
EnduraLAM Cold Laminator
Finally, there's the enduraLAM laminator. That's right. The king of tape application tools is a cold laminator. The motorized feed and consistent pressure are ideal for masking vinyl graphics in high production environments. This is the method preferred by our largest customer, a company that operates well over fifty vinyl cutters simultaneously. The use of a motorized cold laminator allows you to pre-mask very large graphics as easily as vehicle wrap installers laminate printed panels. It takes a few minutes to load the rolls of media, but once that's done, the process of actually applying the tape to the vinyl is done mechanically instead of manually. And the ability to set the roller pressure means your graphics will be just as wrinkle and bubble free as if you'd done them by hand. You get the same quality with much more quantity. Although most laminators are designed as companions to large format printers, you don't have to buy a behemoth to get the benefits of mechanized speed. The EnduraLam comes in 24", 55" and 65" widths. You'll find more EnduraLAM info here.
Summary of Tape Application Tools
Whether you're doing small graphics or long banners, investing in a tape application tool can speed production, reduce costly "re-dos" caused by wrinkled letters. The more vinyl you sell, the more your business can benefit from investing in a tape tool. Whether you choose a Big Squeegee, EZ Roller, or a high volume laminator, the quality and potential quantity of your output is sure to improve. What's your favorite tape tool or method? Let us know in the comments.
