Finger Lift Tabs

I like the double coated adhesive system that I am currently using. However, I need to remove long strips of release liner easily, without the liner tearing. What is my best alternative?

It is possible to have a tape converter take your adhesive system and have it coated onto a release liner. When they slit the rolls down from the master, they can score away a portion of the adhesive and create a dry edge or finger lift tab. This will make removing the release liner much easier.

For more information on what a converter can do for you, visit BudnickConverting.com.

MSI

How do you calculate MSI for a roll of flexible material and what does it have to do with the price?

It is quite simple to convert your measurements into MSIs. Just remember one MSI is equal to one thousand square inches and its easiest to work backwards!

Lets say you material is 9.75 inches wide by 5000 feet long.

•The first step is converting all your measurements into inches.
(5000 feet X 12 (inches/foot) = 60,000 inches)
•Then multiply your width by your length to get square inches
(60,000 inches X 9.75 inches = 585,000 square inches)
•Finally, divide square inches by 1,000 to get your MSI per roll value
(585,000 square inches / 1,000 = 585 MSI per roll)

Converters often quote prices in MSI and they do so by multiplying the number of MSI per roll by the resale price per MSI. In this case, if the price per MSI was $0.105, your price per roll would be $61.43. (585 MSI X $0.105 = $61.425 per roll)

Target Price

When I call into my materials converter for a new project, they always want a target price. Why?

The amount you have budgeted for your new project will help to determine which manufacturers' product your converter may consider for your application, in addition to the cost of the supplementary processing needed to convert the material to the form you need. Your target price allows them to get creative in all aspects of the sourcing and manufacturing process to meet your goal.

Giving a target price will also help your converter build a case with the manufacturer they select to get the best possible price for you. It may be possible to get deviated pricing from certain vendors for competitive situations, discounts for higher volume purchases and preferred terms if your converter has a preferential relationship with those certain vendors. Vendors like 3M have "Preferred Converters" and tesa has "tesa net partners." The most reliable converters have such relationships and working with them can ensure you get the right product in the right form for your application.

For more information about a preferred converter, visit BudnickConverting.com