Douglass Screen Printers at your Service!

• Decal Removal
• Decal Application
• Electronic Art Requirements
• Car Wraps
• Client Access Upload area

Decal Removal
Need help removing decals? Like our decal application page, bookmark this page as well for quick and easy reference!

• Heat Method
• Chemical Method
• Solvent Method
• Manufacturer's Suggested Removal Method

These suggestions are made to assist you in the removal of decals. If you encounter any difficulty removing a product, please call us at 1-800-888-8545, and we will contact the material manufacturer for specific help.

[Back to Top]

Heat Method

1. Begin by heating one corner of the marking with a blow dryer, heat lamp, hot water or heat gun until hot to the touch. Lift the same corner by inserting a razor under the edge of the marking. This will loosen the marking so that you may begin pulling back the marking, slowly, at less than a 90 degree angle. Continue applying heat to the area just before the area that is being removed.
2. Once you have removed the marking, check to make sure that all of the adhesive residue has been removed. Remaining residue may be removed by using Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol).

[Back to Top]

Chemical Method
Caution: The chemical method (using methylene chloride based paint removers such as Oakite 157, Cee BEE A 292, and Strypeeze) for removing markings may damage or remove paint under or near the marking. Only use this method if damage to paint can be tolerated.

1. Use masking tape, mask around the marking leaving about 1/64" gap between the tape and the edge of the marking.
2. Using a soft brush or cloth, apply paint remover beginning at the top of the marking. Wait 30 seconds allowing the marking to loosen. Scrape downward with a scraper or squeegee.
3. If the adhesive coat remains, repeat step 2 until all trace of adhesive have been removed.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water

[Back to Top]

Solvent Method
For stainless steel and non painted surfaces you may use Strypeeze and follow the chemical method of removal.

1. Using a mixture of 75% MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) and 25% toluene, determine if the mixture will damage paint by testing in an inconspicuous area.
2. Saturate an absorbent material such as a paper towel with the mixture described above. Place the towel over the entire marking. Wait 3-4 minutes.
3. Once you have waited 3-4 minutes, remove the paper slowly. Most of the marking will be removed with the paper.
4. Remaining residue may be wiped away with rags soaked with the mixture.
5. Rinse with clean water.

Please follow all manufacturer's instructions for safe handling of all removal substances. At the least, you should wear impermeable gloves, splash-proof goggles and work in a well ventilated area.

[Back to Top]

Manufacturer’s Suggested Removal Method

[Back to Top]

Decal Application
Need help applying decals? Once you bookmark this handy reference page, you’ll find answers to your questions are never more than a mouse click away.
This page is dedicated to Decal (Sticker) Application Instructions. For Removal Instructions, click here.

• Dry Method
• Wet Method
• Legend Application

[Back to Top]

Dry Method
The dry method should be used for applications no larger than 12" x 18" in size.

1. Be sure your surface is clean and free of dust, dirt or wax. Wipe with alcohol to remove any debris on the surface.
2. If your backing sheet is not scored, hold the decal face to you and separate the corner from the backing sheet.
3. Place in the desired position and rub down with a soft cloth or plastic squeegee.

[Back to Top]

Wet Method
The wet method is recommended on decals larger than 12" x 18" in size.

1. Be sure that the surface is clean and free from residue. Find center of decal and the surface on which you want to apply it. Hold the decal in place desired and mark two top corners with pencil.
2. Put 2 to 3 drops of Ivory Liquid per gallon of water and sponge onto adhesive surface only. DO NOT wet backing sheet. (Glass Plus or other non-ammonia window cleaner may also be used).
3. Start separating the decal at one corner and pull it back slowly, keeping the adhesive wet as you go.
4. Wet the surface with the same solution mixed previously and position the decal to the marks established in No. 1. Wet hands with solution and rub over decal lightly, smoothing out any wrinkles.
5. Work out water with plastic squeegee and dry excess liquid with a soft cloth or paper towel. Squeegee the decal from top to bottom beginning at the center. Proceed right from center, and left from center overlapping strokes 50%. Prick any air bubbles with a pin and rub down. Be sure that outer edges of decal are rubbed down smoothly and all liquid is forced out. This is essential for proper adhesion.
6. Decal must dry out for 24 hours before adhesion is complete.

[Back to Top]

Legend Application

1. We do not recommend applying legends wet unless you are experienced doing so.
2. Be sure mounting surface is clean and dry. Align legend on surface. Use masking tape to hold legend at centerline (either vertical or horizontal)
3. Lift premask away from liner at 180 degrees back to the tape. Cut off this portion of liner. The tape will hold the legend stationary while you remove the liner.
4. Squeegee the legend from top to bottom beginning at center. Proceed right from center.
5. Remove hinge tape and balance of liner. Again squeegee from center, using overlapping strokes as you work left from center.
6. Remove premask by pulling it at 180 degrees to legend surface.

[Back to Top]

Electronic Art Requirements
In the interest of saving you time, headaches and money, we have provided this checklist of artwork and production requirements. Following the instructions here will help to ensure that every job you submit to DSP goes as smoothly as possible.

Simply click on any of the links below, under the headings of Electronic Artwork, Camera-Ready Artwork, and Production Requirements, and the page will jump to the information requested.

[Back to Top]

ELECTRONIC ARTWORK

• Adobe Illustrator PostScript Format Files
  When saving data files or translating Mac files to DOS format, we recommend saving or exporting in Adobe Illustrator format in order to minimize data loss. If you are using an illustration program such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW or Macromedia FreeHand to design a layout that includes type, always convert the type to outlines. This will ensure that your layout will look exactly as it was designed.

• EPS Format Files
  Make sure files are saved as "EPS" format. For placed image files make sure to include image as EPS or TIFF file. We prefer Mac files.

• Converting Type to Outlines

  Adobe Illustrator:

  1. Activate the type to be converted
  2. From the "TYPE" menu select "CREATE OUTLINES"

  Macromedia FreeHand:

  1. Activate the type to be converted
  2. From the "TYPE" menu select "CONVERT TO PATHS"

  CorelDRAW:

  1. Activate the type to be converted
  2. From the "ARRANGE" menu select "CONVERT TO CURVES"

• How to Supply Data Files
  Please supply data files on a 3.5" double-sided, high-density disk, ZIP disk, JAZ cartridge, SyQuest or CD ROM. Douglass can convert a properly saved data file from Mac format: however, incompatible files will be sent to a translation service adding cost and processing time to the production of your parts.

• What Information Should You Provide?
  • The software and release that was used (CorelDRAW 8.0, Pagemaker 6.5, etc.)
  • The type of machine that was used (IBM Compatible, Macintosh, Silicon Graphics)
  • The file name and extension (.EPS, .DXF, .CDR, etc.)
  • Please use the proper naming conventions (i.e. an EPS file is saved as FILENAME.EPS)
  • Contact & Phone number of the person who saved the file on disk.
  • A color copy of the finished part for color break down and placement.
  • Specify colors (PMS numbers or Tru-Match Colors) and color placement. Mark sizes and indicate final shape (die cut line).

• What About AutoCAD .DXF Files?
  AutoCAD files saved with the .DXF extension are accepted, but please be aware that adjustment may be necessary. For example, fonts do not transfer well and require additional design time and cost. Also, DO NOT inlcude title-blocks, revision tables, notes, arrows, symbols, filled objects, multiple layers, or dimensional call-outs in the files.

[Back to Top]

CAMERA-READY ARTWORK

• Art Supplied on Board
  • Art must be sharp, clean and without fuzzy or broken type and/or lines.
  • Art should be 100% or larger of the finished dimensions, with the scale noted on the art or drawing.
  • Art should be color separated with a .020" bleed, one color per layer, stat or film.
  • Art MUST include registration targets on each layer.
  • Designate all colors and provide PMS number or match color samples.
• Art Supplied on Film
  • Film must be individually supplied for each color.
  • Please supply a negative for halftone art. Call DSP's Creative Deparment for recommendations.
  • Provided film should be correctly oriented:
  • Face-Up Printing = positive film supplied right reading, emulsion up
  • Face-Down Printing = positive film supplied with right reading, emulsion down.

[Back to Top]

OUR PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS

• Borders
  • Borders require close registration, which increases the time in printing and finishing, and adds to the cost of your decal.
  • For die cut parts, our minimum border outline is .0625", which gives us approximately +/- .0312" for adjustment. However, a .125" border is our visual recommendation.
• Bleeds
  • Color must be separated with a .020" bleed.
  • Bleed for outside perimeters should be .1875".
• Line Sizes
  • Use a minimum line width of .012" for positive type lines.
  • Use a minimum line width of .015" for text and lines reversed out of backgrounds.
  • Use .008" wide crop marks (cut lines).
• Four-Color Separations
  • Please contact Nathan Burgess in the Creative Department for information and requirements for creating four-color separations. Screen printing deposits 5 to 10 times more ink than offset lithography and requires the use of different dot sizes, shapes and screen angles.
    Submit all artwork to nburgess@dsp-cando.com

[Back to Top]

CAR WRAPS
We have put together a detailed how-to for measuring and taking pictures for car wraps, how we can help you and if you are using an agency, what to tell them.
Go <here> to read what is required for your vehicle wrap!

[Back to Top]

OUR CLIENT ACCESS AREA
We are happy to provide a Client Access area where you can upload artwork directly to us. Call your Sales Rep for a login and password. For information about File Formats accepted via our Client Access area, click <here>.

[Back to Top]

See for yourself. Call Us Toll Free at 1-800-888-8545.