FAQ
A: By creating awareness of products, services and location. By attracting new customers and serving as a reminder for repeat business. By driving impulse traffic and sales. By being the most effective, yet least expensive form of advertising. By being the most effective= 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By developing a business's brand image, products and services. By driving sales, promotions, specials and other offers. By enhancing your location regardless of the setting. By helping your business function on its full economic potential.
Q: How do I care and maintain my vinyl vehicle graphics?
A: The Do’s
• Wash applied vinyl graphics with a blend of mild car wash detergent and clean water.
• Test any cleaning solution on a small section of the vinyl graphic before using.
• Always read the warning labels on car care products for proper safety instructions.
• Once you’ve washed the vehicle with a soapy water blend, rinse with clean water.• Either let the vehicle air dry or dry off with a microfiber cloth.The Don’ts
• Do not allow fuels to stay in contact with the vinyl for extended periods of time. Clean all spills as soon as possible.
• Do not apply carnauba-based wax over vinyl graphics.
• Do not use mechanical brush washing. Brushes can cause vinyl graphics to chip or peel around the edges or scratch the surface. They can also cause the graphic to fade, and dull the appearance of the over laminate.
Concerns about pressure washing vinyl vehicle graphics
Pressure washing should only be used when all other cleaning methods have been exhausted. Keep the following in mind while performing this type of cleaning…
• Pressure washing can cause the vinyl graphics to lift around the edges and peel away from the vehicle. (For Example See Diagram 1b.)
• Over time, pressure washing can degrade the face film causing the graphic to lose its luster, fade, crack and even chip away from the substrate.
Q: Can I pressure wash the vehicle when vinyl graphics have been installed?
A: Yes, if the following are considered to help prolong the life of the applied vehicle graphics. (Based on vertical application)
• Water Temperature…72°F+/- 5°F
• Spray nozzle opening…40° wide pattern.
• Spray angle…45°
• Angle of graphic…90° (vertical)
• Distance from graphic…15”
• Water pressure…<= 800 PSI
• Length of time…30 sec.
Use extreme care when aiming the water spray toward the edge of the vinyl graphic. Sharp spray angles can cause vinyl graphic to lift from vehicle.
Absolutely under no circumstances should a turbo pressure nozzle be used when pressure washing applied vehicle graphics.Q: How do I remove difficult pollutants or debris from vehicle graphics?
A: When normal cleaning procedures don’t work to remove difficult debris from your applied vehicle graphics, try the following.
• Spot clean the area with Isopropyl Alcohol and a microfiber rag.
• Moisten a rag with a citrus based cleaner and naphtha and wipe down the problem areas. Immediately after using the citrus cleaner and naphtha rinse the area with water and soap.
If these cleaning methods do not work on problem areas please contact Oracal Product Technical Support for more helpful tips and information.
How to properly hand wash vinyl vehicle graphics.
Supplies Needed:
• Garden hose with standard spray nozzle attachment
• Clean bucket
• Mild car wash detergent
• Soft cotton or microfiber sponge
• Dry microfiber clothes
1. Rinse the graphic with water to wash away any loose sediments, dust, or dirt using your garden hose with spray nozzle attachment.
Practical Information
2. Mix together water and mild car wash detergent into your bucket. (Make sure the bucket is free of dirt and small rocks as these will scratch your car and or vinyl graphics.)
3. Soak your sponge with the water and soap mixture.
4. Clean the graphic starting from the top working down to the bottom. This will allow the dirty contaminated water to run downward.
5. Rinse the graphic with clean water using the hose with spray nozzle attachment.
6. Once the graphic is rinsed off with water allow it to air dry. You may also use a microfiber cloth to dry down the graphic.
7. Once dry, for added protection, you may apply a silicone or Teflon based polish designed for vinyl vehicle graphics. (Read and follow product manufactures directions and suggestions for frequency.)
General Information
This information is based on our knowledge and experience. We have not explained all aspects of application. Specialized or occupational knowledge and competence of a professional sign maker are presupposed. Due to the diversity of potential influencing factors during application and use, we recommend customers make their own tests of our when the films will be used for special applications. No legally binding warranty of certain qualities can be derived from our information.(Information on vehicle graphics care provided by: Oracal USA, INC.)
Q: What file types does Insignia prefer?
A: Please consider the following when sending files to Insignia. Some file types are good for giving us an idea of what you need, others can be actually used for fabrication of your sign. Please feel free to call or email questions anytime
.pdf - Adobe Illustrator only. Please be sure that all text is converted to outlines.
.eps - A common vectorized file type that works well with several different programs. Please be sure that all text is converted to outlines.
.ai - An Adobe Illustrator file. Please be sure that all text is converted to outlines.
.cdr - A CorelDraw file. Please be sure that all text is converted to outlines. We can handle versions up to CorelDraw 11.
.tiff - This file is a rasterd image (scanned) and contains no points or lines. Please save at 300 dpi or better when using for full color graphics.
.psd - Adobe Photoshop file. This file is a rasterd image (scanned) and contains no points or lines. Please save at 300dpi or better when using for full color graphics.
.jpg - This file is a rasterd image (scanned) and contains no points or lines. Please save at 300dpi or better when using for full color graphics. Lesser quality is acceptable when using merely as an example.
FORMATS FOR VIEWING ONLY:
.bmp -This file is a rasterd image used for on-screen viewing and is not recommended.
.gif - This file is a rasterd image used for on-screen viewing and is not recommended.
.doc - Microsoft Word file. Acceptable for example or text only. Do not expect your MS Word file to be converted directly to a sign, unless you are expecting us to use the text only (and not keep with the styles or font sizes provided).
FORMATS NOT ACCEPTED:
.pub – This is a Microsoft Publisher format is not acceptable. If you have publisher, you can 'save as' a preferable format such as a .jpg.
QUARK - Quark files are not acceptable at this time.
If you have any other questions about file formats please feel free to contact us.