How often to you change your pallet tape?

[SkylinePrints]

I was thinking about this topic this past weekend as I was struggling to get the old pallet tape off my manual.  It has aluminum pallets and my god.... it takes an act of congress.... well... that might be slightly exaggerated LOL.... anyway... it takes a lot of elbow grease and time to get the old tape off.

So, assuming you tape your pallets, how often do you perform this routine?  Any tips to share on how to make this task easier?   

[244]

What brand of pallet tape are you using and are the aluminum pallets with rubber?

[Homer]

we put 2 or 3 layers down. the layer that touches the pallet  never comes off. we can change on the fly if needed. We use R tape or a cheaper version of it, nothing special. We can go 2 months or more before changing it, but we keep our platens clean.

[Sbrem]

You need another category. "When they're too fuzzy and the tack sticks to the shirts and pulls off the platen"

Steve

[dburgessjr]

You need another category. "When they're too fuzzy and the tack sticks to the shirts and pulls off the platen"

Steve

Agreed!

One tip I was given was to sprinkle some baby powder on the platen before the tape goes down.  It's suppose to help but I personally have not noticed a difference.  Out of habit though, this is what I do.

[tpitman]

I don't change it often enough. It's not so much that the tape gets too eff'd up to use. But the longer you leave it on there, the harder it is to remove it. I've had to hit some of the tougher bits with some naptha to get them off at times. I've got the rubber-topped Vastex platens.

[Sbrem]

we find heating them, like warming the plates before a flash run, softens the adhesive, it usually comes off in one piece...

Steve

[Frog]

I couldn't vote in the given categories, I change mine out as I need to.
It can be anywhere from a couple of months,down  to after only a few hours of fleece.

[inkman996]

We try to do it at least every two weeks this way it is not overly baked on.

[JBLUE]

I couldn't vote in the given categories, I change mine out as I need to.
It can be anywhere from a couple of months,down  to after only a few hours of fleece.

Same here. After fleece it gets replaced. I never have a problem with it sticking to the pallets. I have older rubber on it and still comes right off. Same with my sleeve pallets which are still pretty new from Action. Although I use the large rolls of transfer tape that are made for vinyl so that may have something to do with the release  as well.

[Frog]

I use the large rolls of transfer tape that are made for vinyl so that may have something to do with the release  as well.

Which tape specifically?

[SkylinePrints]

What brand of pallet tape are you using and are the aluminum pallets with rubber?

the tape is something i picked up at a sign supply shop.  dont remember the name.  The pallets are aluminum.  no rubber top... wish they did have rubber tops....

[244]

Try using American Biltrite brand or Newmans which is made for him by American Biltrite. Our New York office carries it and it works great. I am sure you can find a local supplier.

[JBLUE]

I use the large rolls of transfer tape that are made for vinyl so that may have something to do with the release  as well.

Which tape specifically?

I got it from Hexis. I have broiled a couple of pallets on the manual before with it on and it still comes right off. It last pretty good as well. I have not burned a pallet yet on the auto. Real close but not a burn....lol

[Frog]

Transfer tape comes in varying degrees of stickiness, and perhaps someone with experience in both vinyl graphics and screenprinting can chime in on what is interchangeable.