Our Eco Statement

At Vital Signs we are a small manufacturer of a broad range of signage products which means it is necessary for us to use vinyl products for decals and digital printing and paints, amongst other products. We are concerned about our impact on the environment and are committed to the principles of REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE.

The things we currently do are:

• Purchase vinyl products where the backing waste can be recycled
• Re-use sign panels and banners where possible
• Collect scrap vinyl and offer it to artists and students for projects ands also collect it (and other suitable waste products) for EXCHANGE Guardian Early Learning Group 
• Re-use packaging such as vinyl cores, boxes and soft plastics for the distribution and transport of our signs
• Purchase Momentum Smile Power
• Use LED fluorescent tubes - over 78 of them to light our workshop and benches
• Use low energy evaporative cooling when necessary
• Only turn on the hot water heater when needed
• Purchase 2nd hand equipment and machinery where possible and buy "built to last" equipment - our Festool Sander is over 20 years old. 
• Purchase carbon neutral office paper products where possible and recycle used paper into message pads or shred and compost
• Dispose of e-waste at authorised recycling centres
• Compost kitchen waste and keep a small veggie patch out the front for work lunches

We are always on the look out for more ways to improve our efforts so please let us know if you come across any products or clever ideas.

Vinyl Application

We are sometimes asked for tips about installing (and removing) vinyl where we are not engaged to to do the installation. In short, the only way to be sure is to engage a professional but if you want to give it a go here is our standard sheet.

SURFACE PREPARATION

VINYL SIGNS WILL ADHERE TO THE MAJORITY OF SURFACES -(REFER TO OUR FAQ ON OUR WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION)

MAKE SURE THAT THE SURFACE IS CLEAN AND FREE OF ALL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS GREASE, OIL, DUST, ETC. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY VINYL. 
POSITIONING THE SIGN

BEFORE REMOVING THE BACKING TAPE OR ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE VINYL YOU MUST REGISTER WHERE ON THE PANEL THE SIGN IS TO BE PLACED.

THIS IS BEST ACHIEVED BY RULING A TOP & CENTRE LINE ON THE PAPER APPLICATION TAPE WHICH COVERS THE VINYL & RULE A CORRESPONDING TOP & CENTRE LINE ON YOUR PANEL. 

APPLICATION

SIGNS CAN BE APPLIED BOTH WET & DRY BUT DRY APPLICATION SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED BY THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE.

FOR WET APPLICATION YOU SHOULD FIRST MIX UP A SOLUTION CONSISTING OF 500ml OF CLEAN WATER WITH 1 OR 2 DROPS ONLY OF DISHWASHING LIQUID.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOT TO USE ANY MORE THAN THIS AS THE SURFACE WILL BECOME TOO SLIPPERY & WILL NOT ALLOW THE MOISTURE TO EVAPORATE!

IF YOU HAVE AN OLD ATOMISER BOTTLE USE THIS TO SPRAY A FINE MIST OF THE LUBRICANT ONTO THE SURFACE. CAREFULLY REMOVE THE BACKING PAPER FROM THE LETTERING, ALIGN SLIGHTLY AWAY FROM THE SURFACE THEN PLACE THE LETTERING ONTO THE SURFACE USING YOUR REGISTRATION MARKS. FIRMLY SQUEEGEE THE EXCESS WATER & ANY AIR BUBBLES OUT WORKING FROM THE CENTRE TOWARDS THE EXTREMITIES. ALLOW APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE PAPER TAPE. ON GLASS IF USING A LUBRICANT IT’S RECOMMENDED TO ALLOW AT LEAST AN HOUR, SOMETIMES EVEN LONGER DEPENDING ON HUMIDITY & SIZE OF THE DECAL. THE SMALLER OR FINER THE DECAL THE LONGER IT MAY REQUIRE.  SOMETIMES WARMING THE SURFACE WITH A HAIR DRYER OR FAN HEATER CAN HELP. CAREFULLY REMOVE THE PAPER TAPE TO EXPOSE THE FINISHED SIGN.