FAQs
Browse through our list of FAQs below. If you can't the information you are seeking, please send us your question and our Product Support staff will do its best to supply you with an answer.
I am having trouble with my ORACAL® 631 releasing from the liner onto the application tape. What can I do to improve this?
There could be a couple of things happening with this situation. First check your vinyl plotter settings to make sure you aren’t cutting too deep into the release liner. If the silicone layer portion of the release liner is penetrated by the plotter blade it can cause the adhesive to migrate into the cut line. This creates an undesired bond between the release liner and the vinyl graphic. If this is consistent from one color to another, you may consider reducing the cut depth/pressure setting on the plotter. The idea should be to have the plotter blade cut through the face film and adhesive layers and barely score the surface of the silicone layer portion of the release liner. Next, place the graphic face down on a rigid table top so you are viewing the back of the release liner. Apply pressure with the squeegee back and forth several time over the back of the release liner. This will help push the adhesive out of the cut line and also create a stronger bond between the vinyl graphic and the application tape. It can be difficult to pull the graphic from the release liner, so it may be easier to remove the release liner from the graphic while the graphic is face down on a rigid table top. It is also important to use a high tack application tape such as ORACAL® HT-55 which was designed specifically for the ORACAL® 631. If you need further assistance with troubleshooting please contact Oracal Product Technical Support directly.
I have applied a decal using Orajet® vinyl to my car window. How do I remove this when I am finished with it?
When the decal is no longer desired on your vehicle window, just simply apply heat to the decal using a heat gun. Hold the heat gun 6-9" away from the decal dispersing the heat evening over the surface of the decal for about 10-15 seconds. Peel up an edge of the decal and slowly pull back until the graphic is removed. Wipe away any residue left behind with Isopropyl Alcohol and a clean rag.
At what temperature do I store my rolls of Oracal® 651 and other Oracal® materials. Do temperature variations affect the vinyl film while still on the roll?
The self-adhesive products ORACAL®, ORAJET®, ORAGUARD®, ORABOND®, ORALITE®, and ORAMOUNT® are supplied in rolls and should at all times be stored either suspended or standing on end on the roll blocks provided, and never lying on the material side. For storage and processing they should be kept in a cool dry place protected from sunlight. Relative air humidity between 50% and 60% and temperature between + 64°F and 72°F should be ensured. Direct sunlight, storage beside radiators, etc. should by all means be avoided. Please observe the shelf life instructions contained in the technical data sheet available for each film at www.oracal.com.
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Are there specific color profiles I should be using with Orajet® materials?
Yes, make sure to load the correct media profile for your job, based on your specific combination of media, ink, printer and RIP software. Each series of Orajet® digital media requires different print and RIP software parameter settings due to its individual qualities, such as thickness of the adhesive layer and face film. Check the SUPPORT section of the ORACAL website for a wide selection of FREE color profiles.
How long should I wait before applying Oracal® materials over One Shot® enamel paints on MDO board?
Oracal® materials may be applied directly to One Shot® enamel paints when proper outgassing guidelines are followed. One Shot® recommends a (minimum) of four days at 60° F with proper air circulation to allow for proper paint outgassing. Please allow several more days if the Oracal® film is printed and laminated. Both Oracal® and One Shotۤ® recommend performing a test application prior to completing the intended job. Please contact Oracal Technical Support at techsupport@oracal.com for further testing and outgassing procedures. (Please note that the paint curing process may take up to 30 days)
I hear it may take anywhere from 3-4 weeks for paint to cure on painted MDO board. Do you have any suggestions on bypassing this?
Unfortunately the paint curing process is very important for a successful vinyl application. If this is a substrate that is used on a regular basis, it may be beneficial to keep a few extra painted boards in stock that have had plenty of cure time. The idea is to have these in stock and ready to go for a successful and worry free vinyl application.
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Will my printed Orajet® materials be warranted when using a liquid laminate to protect my prints instead of Oraguard® laminating materials?
No warranty will apply when combining ORACAL®, ORAJET®, ORAGUARD® or ORALITE® graphic marking films with other manufacturers of pressure sensitive adhesive graphic marking films or liquid laminate coatings.
Is it ok to apply my Oracal® vinyl directly to pre-primed MDO boards?
This would not be a good idea. The surfaces to which your Oracal® vinyl films will be applied must be smooth, non-porous and thoroughly clean from dust, grease, or any contamination. Primer and flat paints are too porous of a coating and would collect dirt and moisture resulting in poor adhesion between the adhesive vinyl and the substrate. A smooth, properly cured, glossy exterior rated enamel coating would be ideal for vinyl application.
I live in Southern California and have experienced occassions where vehicles I've wrapped form a rust-like appearance on the face of the graphic. What causes this condition?
While we can't say for sure without proper samples and photographs of the actual vehicle, you're probably seeing the result of "acid rain" or "fallout", which we believe is caused by industrial pollutants that condense on the films surface in the form of dew when vehicles are left in the elements. You can find more information about this condition in the Support Section (product bulletins) of our website, including graphic care and maintenance instructions that can help minimize the effects of the fallout.
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Does Oracal offer custom colors? Can you match a Pantone color 137C?
Oracal can produce custom colors for most products, however there are minimum order requirements and possibly additional costs based on order volume. For specific inquiries, please contact your respective Oracal Territory Sales Manager. Their contact information is listed on our website under the "Contact Us" tab.
Do you any authorized distributors in India?
Oracal USA's market area includes the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. India and other international markets outside of our market area are served by our parent company, Orafol Europe. You can contact them via their website at www.orafol.de
Will ORACAL Series 351 polyster chrome vinyl hold up on a vehicle body graphic?
ORACAL Series 351 and 352 will last up to two years when properly applied and maintained on a vehicle. Since these are metallized films, these films are more typically used for short-term decorative applications.
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What applications are ORACAL® 3000 Series recommended for?
Films in the ORAJET® Series 3000 Digitial Inkjet Media series are engineered specifically for use with today's popular wide-format inkjet printers using solvent, eco-sol and UV-curable inks. They are available in both cast and calendered versions, for applications including general signage, vehicle graphics, POP applications, ranging from backlit signage vehicle graphics. For specific application recommendations, use the "Browse by Application" link in the PRODUCTS section of our website.
Does ORACAL® make floor graphic films?
Yes. ORAJET® Series 1663 is specifically engineered for floor graphics printed with solvent inkjet printers. For durability and anti-skid properties we recommend combining this product with ORAGUARD® Series 250AS Laminating Film or ORAGUARD Series 255AS(High Traffic Load)Laminating Film. Series 1663 can only adhere to smooth, sealed concrete surfaces. We do not recommend applying this product to porous concrete, asphalt or masonry surfaces.
What type of laminate should I use for my prints on ORAJET® media?
ORAGUARD® laminating films are designed to match specific ORAJET® digital media. For specific recommendations, refer to the Recommended Laminates chart contained in the Laminating Films Quick Reference Guide in the SUPPORT section of our website. When using solvent inks, we recommended allowing a minimum of 24 to 48 hours for the ink to cure before laminating. Failure to follow this practice can cause bubbles, delamination, discoloration, shrinkage and difficult application due to increased adhesive properties.
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Can environmental conditions affect vinyl releasing from a liner?
All cut, weed, mask and release operations are subject to environmental conditions. High humidity and heat conditions can make application more difficult. In these cases a higher tack application tape(such as ORATAPE HT55)may help. If plotted graphics are not weeded quickly after production, adhesive may flow into the cut line, making weeding more difficult.
I want to know if Oracal films contain acid because I want to use the vinyl for my scrapbooking projects.
No, Oracal films do not contain acid. They will work great for your scrapbook projects.
Does Oracal offer stencil mask films? If so, are any of them translucent?
Yes, Oracal offers 4 different stencil mask films...ORAMASK 810, 810S, 811, and 813. ORAMASK 810 is a conformable stencil film that is useful for spraying and painting on uneven surfaces. It comes in a transparent grey color. ORAMASK 810S has a solvent-based adhesive that is ideal for multi-color or solvent-based paints. It is highly conformable and comes in transparent grey. ORAMASK 811 is a rigid paint mask film for painting or spraying on even surfaces that is available in opaque white. Lastly, ORAMASK 813 is a translucent rigid stencil film for painting or spraying on even surface areas that is available in translucent blue.
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Can I apply pressure-sensitive films over latex painted surfaces?
Be very cautious when applying vinyl films to latex painted surfaces. Heavily tinted latex paints contain surfactants (soap-like chemicals) that leach onto the surface throughout its life, causing adhesive failure. Latex paints also contain plasticizers which can migrate to the adhesives in many pressure sensitive films, also causing failure. To be safe, we recommend the use of oil-based gloss enamel for best results. If applied over latex painted surfaces which have been recently painted, always allow at least 3 weeks curing time.
Can I clear-coat ORACAL® vinyl graphics?
Clear-coating materials such as liquid laminate may provide additional protection for vinyl graphics, but caution should be used because solvents in some varnishes can attack the vinyl and/or adhesive, causing failure. When in doubt, use the matched ORAGUARD® cold laminating films.
Can I print on ORACAL® with a thermal-transfer printer?
Many ORACAL® plotter films including Series 651 and Series 751 are engineered to perform well with thermal-transfer printers.
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Can ORAJET® 1663 adhere to clean concrete?
Series 1663 can only adhere to smooth, sealed concrete surfaces. We do not recommend applying this product to porous concrete, asphalt or masonry surfaces.
What causes vinyl to bubble when applied to polycarbonate? How do I prevent this from happening?
Polycarbonate outgases for a period of time after manufacuring, which can cause bubbles in your vinyl. To prevent this, remove the protecting film as soon as possible and allow the polycarbonate to outgas naturally for at least 24 hours before applying the vinyl (longer if possible). Where practical polycarbonate should be baked 4-24 hours at 250° in an air-circulating oven before applying pressure sensitive vinyls. In some applications, flaming can be used. In all cases, however, see your manufacturer's recommendations and guidelines.
What ORACAL® media can be used with dye and/or pigmented inks?
Oracal USA does not currently market films designed for use with water-based ink sets.
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What pressure should I have my vinyl cutter set on when plotting ORACAL® vinyl films?
There are many different types of plotters in use. You should run a test to ensure that your blade pressure and speed are properly adjusted for Oracal's higher density films. When testing different pressure and speed settings, look for how easy the graphic weeds, making sure not to cut too deep. Also, make sure that the vinyl cleanly releases from the liner using transfer tape. If cut too deep, the vinyl will be difficult to release from the liner, and may cause tearing along the edge of the cut.
How do I download the color palettes for your products to work in SignLab®, Adobe Illustrator®, Gerber Omega®, or Corel Draw®?
Go to www.oracal.com and then click on the "SUPPORT" link on the top of the page. Select the link named "Color Palettes." From there, you can choose the software product that you have and download a set of Oracal's color palettes.
Can ORACAL® 751 Premium vinyl be applied to flexible substrates such as awnings?
Yes. Depending on the material that the awning is made of, ORACAL® Series 751 is often a good choice due to its conformability and durability. Be sure to watch out for awnings that contain waterproofing compounds, as these can retard adhesion. Always perform a 24-hour adhesive test on the actual substrate prior to completing the final installation.
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I have applied your transparent colored vinyl on glass and would like to know how to clean the window after application?
Most alcohol-based window cleaners are acceptable, or simply use mild soap and water. Avoid ammonia-based window cleaners such as Windex® or 409®, as well as industrial degreasers.
I would like to know if there are any suppliers in Canada where I can purchase Oracal products.
We have distributors located throughout Canada. You can find distributor contact information using our distributor locator link, found on the oracal.com home page.
What application tape do you suggest when using Oracal plotter films?
We recommend a high tack application tape, such as ORATAPE® HT55 for most of our plotter films. The relationship between the release liner and the vinyl is different for every vinyl manufacturer. Oracal's vinyl has a tight liner adhesion. The tight liner adhesion improves the weedability of the vinyl. If what you're using works for you, continue to use it. Other tips we suggest include squeegeeing on the reverse side (the back of the liner) and pulling the release liner away with the application tape side down.
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Why do ORACAL® films feel different?
Our films are denser than most films on the market, so it may initially feel less supple. The higher density results in better performance in several areas such as opacity, conformity, and decreased field shrinkage.
Will ORACAL® films work on my plotter?
Check the technical specifications for the ORACAL® Series that you are interested in purchasing to see if it is compatible with your brand of plotter. You may also want to run a test cut to ensure that your blade weight is properly adjusted for ORACAL's higher density.
What is the best cleaning solution to use for prepping substrates prior to application with ORACAL® films?
IPA (isopropyl alcohol) is generally recommended unless the substrate manufacturer states that there is an incompatability. Caution: many cleaning agents can leave a residue that either prevents vinyl adhesion or attacks the vinyl adhesive.
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What should I use if IPA (isopropyl alcohol)has been used to clean glass and there still seems to be a surface residue preventing vinyl adhesion?
We have found that Bon Ami® glass cleaner should remove any chemical residues left behind by other glass cleaners.
I noticed that free samples of the 8300 Transparent Cal were available. When I tried to order a sample, it did not ask what color I wanted. Would it be possible to receive an 8x10 sample of #031 Red 8300 Transparent Cal?
We do not provide samples of Series 8300 in red. We only provide samples in gentian blue. For a specific color please see your distributor.
Are ORACAL® films enamel receptive?
Many enamel coatings, as well as airbrush paints, bond well to ORACAL® films, but we recommend testing your specific brand of paint. KRYLON® enamel paints tend to work very well. One Shot® paints require the use of One Shot® Vinyl Primer.
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Which kind of ORACAL® films are suitable for making decals for automobiles?
Oracal offers a wide range of graphic marking films and digital media that are suitable for automotive decals. While you can obtain more specific application recommendations in the product section of our website, as a general rule we recommend the use of films with a solvent-based adhesive for automotive use. The solvent adhesive will last much longer when exposed to changing surface temperatures, chemicals and mild solvents. Also, our cast films tend to be more conformable and durable for demanding longer-term applications.
