A release liner is a temporary backing carrier that supports the adhesive, it protects the adhesive during storage and transportation, preventing contamination, damage or premature bonding, until the vinyl is ready to be applied. It is a thin material, typically paper or film that has a release coating on at least one side, this coating allows the liner to separate easily from the adhesive. Release liner plays an important role in achieving the desired result with self-adhesive products, because it acts as a reliable carrier for the efficient manufacturing process of adhesive-backed products, also ensures smooth release and separation from the adhesive during application.
Below are factors to consider for choosing a release liner:
Material Type
Paper release liner is the popular choice and known for its outstanding printability, ideal for applications that need vibrant graphics. Also, it is more eco-friendly because it’s easily recycled.
On the other hand, film release liner offers superior strength, dimensional stability and durability, protecting the adhesive from chemicals, moisture and other harsh environmental factors, making it suitable for high-performance applications. Film liners are available in various materials, including polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene.
For signs and graphics, release liners provide stability and support during the cutting and weeding, ensuring easy transferred of design onto different surfaces, for digital printing graphics, the layflat property of release liner is crucial to ensure no vinyl curling during printing.
Compatibility with adhesive
Adhesives have different degrees of aggression and may need a specific release coating to ensure proper release and avoid any adhesive transfer or bonding issues. Silicone coating is the most popular due to its excellent release property and high compatibility with various adhesive system, but certain adhesive may need specialized release coatings (i.e. polyethylene) to ensure the best result.
Application Requirement
Specific application requirements such as resistance to extreme temperature, chemical resistance, and die-cutting capabilities are factors to be considered when choosing release liner. Release liners with high-temperature resistance can withstand the heat without compromising the adhesive performance, ensuring long-lasting bond strength.
Chemical resistant release liner will prevent degradation of adhesive when come into contact with solvents, oils, or other chemicals.
Applications that require precise die-cut shapes or sizes, release liners with easy die-cutting property offers efficient production and waste reduction.