The Squeegee Brayer has a blade edge on one side and a roller edge on the other for “no friction” application.
a low-cost, disposable tool and are often times given to buyers with the graphics for those wishing to install themselves or as part of a graphics kit that’s sold to various buyers. They’re ideal for vinyl, film, graphics, tape, silk screen, and pressure-sensitive applications. Difficulty to Use Rating (0-5): 0 (super simple) Select for this Application Type: Giveaway to clients, any application
edge on one side and a roller edge on the other side. This squeegee is designed to give you both options—typical squeegee use on one side and a completely “no friction” roller applicator on the other side. The brayer side (roller side) eliminates any drag or friction across your graphics. This is one way of eliminating scratches all together. Difficulty to Use Rating (0-5): 2 (simple to learn) Application Type: No scratches; multiple layers; banner hem tapes
Nylon and Nylon Blend Squeegee Similar in shape and sizes to the cheap polyethylene squeegee, the nylon type squeegees are designed to be much more durable, giving longer life/use. They are also higher in cost (averaging three to four times the cost of a cheap plastic squeegee). This squeegee is ideal for most medium and heavyweight films, graphics, vinyl, tapes, silk screen, and PSA needs. Difficulty to Use Rating (0-5): 0 (super simple) Application Type: Shop use; heavy use; maximum pressure
Squeegee Brayer This is a unique squeegee with a blade
Magnet Squeegee This squeegee is unique as well, as it’s a rigid plastic squeegee that has very strong magnets embedded in it for use on metal or vehicle applications. Some installers like to have their application tools in front of them at all times during an install. The magnet squeegee will stick to the metal body of a vehicle and not fall off, keeping your squeegee right in front of you at all times during your work. It can also be used to hold up your graphics in the initial stages of graphics application. Difficulty to Use Rating (0-5): 1 (simple to use) Application Type: Vehicles; metals
Accessory: Felt edge vs. cotton sleeves
Felt slides across the vinyl easier. However the felt can give off a few fibers where the sticky edge of the vinyl comes in contact with the felt. This may leave fibers along the edge of an install. In most cases, this is not a problem, because the edge will get trimmed off anyway. White felt is often chosen for 18
Sign Builder Illustrated // February 2014
laminators because the edges are usually white and any fibers will not be obvious if they are not trimmed away. The cotton edge has been used for several years and is cleaner to work with. However it can collect ink from fresh prints and, if not cleaned off, will dry and possibly scratch the prints. signshop.com