Yes, this is probably the most common tool used in the sign shop - vinyl applicator or perhaps as some may say Squeegee. Here at Signtrade we all agreed that the first product review should be devoted to this original and non-replaceable tool. We have had a look around trying to collect more information and a few tips and tricks.
History
Squeegee - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia.
A squeegee is a tool with a flat, smooth rubber blade, used to remove or control the flow of liquid on a flat surface. It is used for cleaning and in printing.
The original squeegee was the squilgee, a wooden-bladed tool fishermen used to scrape their boat decks.
The best known of these tools is probably the window squeegee, used to remove the cleaning fluid or water from a recently cleaned glass surface. In the 20th century, window washers began using the Chicago squeegee, a bulky tool with two heavy pink rubber blades. Changing the blades required the loosening of twelve separate screws.
The modern single-blade window cleaning squeegee was patented by Ettore Steccone in 1936; it was lightweight brass with a very flexible and sharp rubber blade. The Ettore Products Co. is still the leader in the squeegee market today.
The sometimes pejorative term "squeegee man" is applied to those who use a squeegee or rag to clean the windows of stationary or slow-moving cars stuck in traffic, and then demand payment for their unsolicited services.
During the September 11, 2001 attacks, window washer Jan Demczur used a squeegee to free himself and five others from an elevator shaft in the World Trade Center.
Printing
In screen-printing, a squeegee is used to spread ink evenly across the back of a stencil or silkscreen, making a clean image on the printed surface. A squeegee is also used in photography printing to dry the paper after it is washed, preventing wrinkles.
Signmaking
The industries original, application tool & squeegee. Featuring high-stability twin ribs for easy handling and pressure control. With a strong memory, medium flex and high glide. Ideal for vinyl, film, graphics, tape, silkscreen, and pressure-sensitive applications.
This reusable squeegee-type applicator is constructed of durable vinyl. When hand applying film or premask, it is the perfect solution for smooth substrates.
3M Nylon 3" x 4" gold squeegees do not leave trails and last longer than less-expensive versions. Combining this with a low friction squeegee sleeves helps remove air bubbles while preventing scratches to the finish. This squeegee is ideal for most medium and heavy weight films, graphics, vinyl, tapes, silkscreen and psa needs.
Tips & Tricks
By using your squeegee regularly it looses the sharpness of its edge and freys as shown on the image below. The application is not smooth, creates scratches on the vinyl surface, bubbles, and overall results are not as expected.
These are the common problems when using squeegee. To avoid these problems you should clean and replace your squeegee regularly. The image below shows how to clean your squeege using another squeegee and twin ribs. Rub the edge until clean of all loose bits and pieces and dents.
Login
