Heat Transfer (Heat Lamination) Guidelines

Handling Precautions

• V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Heat Transfer Reflective Film/Tape contains an aluminum layer as part of their construction. Blemishing of this aluminum layer can occur if the PET film carrier is removed and the front surface of the product has direct contact from hands during application and is then exposed to hot and humid conditions, greater than 26.7 °C (80 °F) and greater than 70% relative humidity, for a period of weeks. These blemishes do not affect performance of the product.
• V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Heat Transfer Reflective Film/Tape may not be compatible with some polyvinyl chloride (PVC, vinyl) film, especially those containing phosphate plasticizers. It is possible that some plasticizers may be able to migrate into the reflective material, making the reflective surface soft and sticky. We recommend that substrates always tested prior to production to ensure that they meet your specific needs.
• Fabric finished with dyes containing sulfur compounds should not be used with V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Silver (Gray) Reflective Heat Transfer Film/Tape. Exposure to sulfur compounds in dyes or in the environment will darken the retro-reflective material and may effect retro-reflectivity.

Prepare For Heat Transfer (Heat Lamination)

V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material -  Heat Transfer Reflective Film/Tapes are recommended to follow below info to set up the settings on laminating equipments

• Lamination Temperature: 130-150 °C / 130-150 °C
• Dwell Time (seconds): 10-20
• Line Pressure Firm: 30-40 psi

Above settings should be adjusted according to the pre-production testing results.

We also recommend below operations for mass production.

1. Work on a flat surface where uniform heat and pressure can be applied. Avoid applying film over seams and stitches.
2. Remove adhesive side line (if that product has one), exposing dry adhesive. Do not remove reflective side liner.
3. Place V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Heat Transfer Reflective Film on substrate with the adhesive side down and apply heat and pressure as described in the table below. Place a non-stick slip sheet between the platen and laminating surface to prevent any excess adhesive transfer contamination.
4. Allow application to cool to room temperature before removing the liner covering the reflective side (if that product has one). Place application on a flat surface and remove the liner by lifting one corner and pulling (about 45° angle) in a continuous, smooth manner.

Additional Precautions for Heat Lamination

• 1- Do not exceed lamination temperature listed above as the PET liner may be melt and become difficult to remove. If high temperatures are required for bond durability, follow lamination steps 1-3 using recommended temperature, remove PET liner, and then laminate again at the higher temperature (using a non-stick slip sheet to protect reflective surface).
• 2- The lamination temperature, time and pressure listed above should be used as a guide. Each substrate and reflective film combination should be tested to determine the best set of conditions that will meet customer requirements.
• 3- Other lamination method, such as roll to roll, heat fusing and HF welding may also be used. The proper temperature, time and pressure conditions must be tested for each fabric to assure adequate adhesion and physical performance.
• 4- Many fabric can be used as lamination substrate; however, some substrate such as nylons and fabrics treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish are difficult to adhere to.
• V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Reflective Fabric is recommended for sewing on these fabric. If V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Transfer Film is desired, then continuous testing should be done to ensure acceptable adhesion is maintained as input materials may vary.
• 5- The reflective surface of V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material can be difficult to adhere to and caution is required when applying other material to it. If you are laminating a V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material - Transfer Film to the surface of other V-REFLEX^TM Reflective Material, then testing is recommended to ensure the adhesion meets the customer's specifications. It's also recommended that continuous testing should be done to ensure acceptable is maintained throughout the manufacturing process.