All FAQ

  • How to determine McCAL range of products to be 3 years or 5 years?

    McCAL 2000/6000 range is a 3 years matte and gloss opaque film, this range is using monomeric 80 micron vinyl with weatherable color pigment and has been the most popular range through out the years.  Custom color matching in this range is possible.

    McCAL 3000/5000 range is a 3 years gloss and matte transparent and translucent film, with a few colors showing its opaue.  This range is using monomeric 80 micron vinyl with weatherable color pigment and has been the most popular choice for backlit signs through out South East Asia and some Middle East countries.  Custom color matching in this range is also possible.

    McCAL SM5 matte translucent range is a blended polymeric 80 micron vinyl with higher grammage adhesive to suit the application job on flex banner and be more durable outdoor.

    McSign taking a harsher UVB-313EL lamp to simulate tropical zone UV intensity on all McCAL range of products and actual outdoor exposure to make this durability statement.  McCAL range of products used in temperate zone would extend its life time for another 2 to 3 years due to lower UV intensity.

    Illustrative lab durability simulation test against actual outdoor can be compared using these parameters:

    Q-Lab QUV is most freqently used testing equipment and using two types of UV exposure lamps:
     *  UVA-340 lamps for 120hr considered as 6 months outdoor in temperate zones
     *  UVB-313EL lamps for 500hr considered as 6 months outdoor in tropical zones

    None of McSign products are particularly made to be used in the polar zones.


     

  • Which of the McCAL range of products can be applied on flex banner?

    Application of cut graphics, letters or using colored vinyl as base on the flex banner can be challenging, it requires a good quality flex banner that have smooth surface and not easily release plasticizer to weaken the adhesive on the vinyl film.

    McCAL SM5 matte translucent range is a blended polymeric 80 micron vinyl with higher grammage adhesive to suit the application job on flex banner and be more durable outdoor.

    McSign taking a harsher UVB-313EL lamp to simulate tropical zone UV intensity on all SM5 products and actual outdoor exposure to make this durability statement.  SM5 range of colors used in temperate zone would extend its life time for another 2 to 3 years due to lower UV intensity.

    Illustrative lab durability simulation test against actual outdoor can be compared using these parameters:

    Q-Lab QUV is most freqently used testing equipment and using two types of UV exposure lamps:
     *  UVA-340 lamps for 120hr considered as 6 months outdoor in temperate zones
     *  UVB-313EL lamps for 500hr considered as 6 months outdoor in tropical zones

    None of McSign products are particularly made to be used in the polar zones.


     

  • How to determine a printable optically clear film outdoor durability?

    McSign taking a harsher UVB-313EL lamp to simulate tropical zone UV intensity on all products produced by McSign and actual outdoor exposure to make below durability statement


    Printed optically clear
    Printing on optically clear using certified ink with vertical installation (The face of the graphic is ±10° from vertical) and having sunlight exposure of no longer than 8 hours, it is recommended to apply another layer of optically clear film itself as laminates to maximise its outdoor durability for up to 2 or 3 years, and provide adequate protection against scratch, abbration and mild chemical spill.

    Graphic and material durability is largely determined by the climate and the angle of exposure.  Graphic and materials used in temperate zone would extend its life time for another 2 to 3 years due to lower UV intensity.

    Illustrative lab durability simulation test against actual outdoor can be compared using these parameters:

    Q-Lab QUV is most freqently used testing equipment and using two types of UV exposure lamps:
     *  UVA-340 lamps for 120hr considered as 6 months outdoor in temperate zones
     *  UVB-313EL lamps for 500hr considered as 6 months outdoor in tropical zones

    None of McSign products are particularly made to be used in the polar zones.


  • How to determine a printed graphic and material outdoor durability?

    McSign taking a harsher UVB-313EL lamp to simulate tropical zone UV intensity on all products produced by McSign and actual outdoor exposure to make below durability statement

    Printed graphics with lamination and protection

    Using certified ink with vertical installation (The face of the graphic is ±10° from vertical) and having sunlight exposure of no longer than 8 hours, using monomeric laminates with monomeric print vinyl will further enhance its durability for up to 1 year and provide adequate protection against scratch, abbration and mild chemical spill.  Using polymeric laminates with polymeric print vinyl as a system will further enhance its durability for up to 2 or 3 years and provide adequote protection linke normal laminates.

    Graphic and material durability is largely determined by the climate and the angle of exposure.  Graphic and materials used in temperate zone would extend its life time for another 2 to 3 years due to lower UV intensity.

    Illustrative lab durability simulation test against actual outdoor can be compared using these parameters:

    Q-Lab QUV is most freqently used testing equipment and using two types of UV exposure lamps:
     *  UVA-340 lamps for 120hr considered as 6 months outdoor in temperate zones
     *  UVB-313EL lamps for 500hr considered as 6 months outdoor in tropical zones

    None of McSign products are particularly made to be used in the polar zones.


  • What types of release liners can be offered?

    PE liner
    · A standard 130gsm Japanese imported white kraft paper coated with single side PE (1PE) liner for general purpose cut graphics, lamination and digital printing
    · A standard 130gsm Japanese imported white kraft paper coated with double side PE (2PE) liner for a good lay-flat property cut graphics, lamination and digital printing
    · A heavy 170gsm Japanese imported white kraft paper coated with double side PE (2WPE) liner for premium lay-flat property, best recommended for digital and screen printing

    Air-release liner
    · 130gsm / 170gsm PE (2EB/2WEB) kraft air-release / bubble free liner for cut graphics and digital printing

    CCK
    · 140gsm white clay coated kraft (CCK) paper liner for premium lay-flat property cut graphics and digital printing

    PET liner
    A good PET liner offers smooth adhesive surface quality and clarity, slip resistance treatement on the back
    · 36u polyester (PET) clear filmic liner
    · 50u polyester (PET) clear filmic liner
    · 75u polyester (PET) clear filmic liner
    · 100u polyester (PET) clear filmic liner

  • What are the advantages of using different release liners?

    · Cost effectiveness and print heating consistency – 1PE kraft
    · Lay-flat property and print heating consistency – 2PE kraft
    · Superior lay-flat property, heat resistance and cut sheet consistency – 2WPE kraft
    · Smooth and clear adhesive finish – PET liner at different thickness

  • What is PSA – Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

    ·PSA has no activator which forms bond when pressure is applied, the degree of bond is directly influenced by amount of pressure applied. Some degree of heat can promote higher bonding forace.

    ·‘Shear holding’ and ‘tack’ are temperature dependent, PSAs typically reduce or lose their tack at colder temperature and reduce their shear holding ability at higher temperature

    ·PSA requires a minimum application surface temperature of 5°C and a service temperature in between 15°C~35°C, a working temperature range after application can be between -40°C~80°C

  • What types of adhesive systems can be offered?

    · Solvent acrylic PSA – permanent (clear & gray block-out)
    · Solvent acrylic PSA – permanent (white block-out)
    · Solvent acrylic PSA – removable (clear & gray block-out)
    · Solvent acrylic PSA – ultra removable (clear & gray glock-out)
    · Solvent acrylic PSA – super tack special purpose
    · Solvent acrylic PSA for specific bonding surface – painted wall / low energy surface (LSE) PP & PE / concrete and brick walls
    · Silicon adhesive

  • How should I chose to use different release liners?

    · Cut graphics: standard 1PE or 2PE liners is enough for the job, chose 2PE for better stability
    · Digital printing: take standard 1PE for cost effectiveness, 2PE for lay-flat property, 2WPE for screen, UV and Latex, 2EB/2WEB for larger area when dry application is required
    · Window decoration, transparent displays: PET filmic liner is always the best choice giving best clarity
     

  • What types of face material can be offered and its purpose?

    · PVC – Most common thermal plastic, that is flexible and stretchable, requires adhesive backing, best recommended for digital sticker posters and screen printing, lamination, cut graphics, window deco, vehicle wrap, wall mural, masking, sandblasting etc.
    · PP –  Normally referred to as a synthetic paper, it should be top coated for digital and screen printing, it can be used alone as a poster paper, or with adhesive backing.
    · PET – Most rigid and lay-flat material, it can be clear or opaque as a pop up, it should be top coated for digital, screen and UV printing.  Special purpose like anti-graffiti requires surface treatment.  It can be metallized and coated with adhesive backing for cut graphic purpose.
    · Photo paper – digital printing
    · Fabric – wall mural