Frequently
Asked
Questions

We are proud to develop, formulate, and manufacture our products in America. All Substance products are manufactured at our North Carolina facility using some of the most advanced production equipment in the World.

Substance has extensive experience in custom product development. Please visit our Custom Products page or call to learn more about our custom product capabilities.

We offer free FedEx Ground Shipping within the continental US. There is no order minimum to qualify. We also offer air shipping options at discounted rates with guaranteed delivery dates.

FedEx Ground delivery times vary throughout the US, but you can generally expect your material to arrive between 1-3 days, depending on your proximity to a Substance warehouse.

From our North Carolina facility: Same-day shipping is available for FedEx Express orders placed before 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and FedEx Ground orders placed before 5:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

From our California facility: Same-day shipping is available for FedEx Express orders placed before 2:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time and FedEx Ground orders placed before 4:15 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. 

Yes, all of our products are manufactured at our North Carolina manufacturing facility and shipped directly to you from the closest Substance warehouse.

Substance ships directly to Canada via FedEx Express.

Substance ships directly to South America via FedEx Express.

If you are located outside the US, please visit our Global Distributors page to find the distributor nearest you.

We aim to provide our customers with the highest quality products and materials. If your order arrives damaged, please contact us immediately for replacement or credit.

All ICON products have a two year shelf life from the date of manufacture. Failure to print, laminate, and install ICON products before the shelf life expiration can lead to issues such as lowered adhesion and decreased printability.

Ultracurve print media products have a one year shelf life from the date of manufacture. Ultracurve overlaminates have a six month shelf life from the date of manufacture. Failure to print, laminate, and install Ultracurve products before shelf life expiration can lead to issues such as lowered adhesion, decreased printability, and delamination.

ICON products are primarily designed for signage use, while Ultracurve products are primarily designed for rugged applications such as motocross, motorsports, and helmets. ICON and Ultracurve products are compatible with each other and can be combined for specific niche end-uses.

The final appearance of the graphic will be determined by the finish of the overlaminate. Applying a gloss overlaminate to matte or gloss print media will yield a gloss finish, and applying a matte overlaminate to a gloss or matte print media will yield a matte finish.

Substance offers an extensive library of ICC profiles. We’re constantly developing new profiles, so if you can’t find a suitable ICC profile for your printer and RIP combination, please contact us.

We recommend waiting 24-48 hours prior to laminating solvent and eco-solvent inks. Latex, UV, and Thermal-Transfer inks can be laminated immediately after printing.

Yes, all Substance overlaminates are designed to be compatible with cold laminators. Any visible silvering will dissipate within 24-48 hours at room temperature.

A low heat setting will help reduce initial silvering during lamination, but it is not necessary. Be careful not to overheat or stretch the material, which can cause curling in the direction of the machine.

A small amount of back-tension is required for quality lamination, but tension settings should be kept to a minimum. If you notice curling in the direction of the machine, reduce the tension setting.

We recommend cutting with a high-quality 60° blade. When cutting on a print/cut machine, turning on the heat helps soften the material for easier one-pass cutting. Please call us for machine-specific tips, we’re here to help.

First, test your wall surface for compatibility. ICON PM-2755 exhibits excellent adhesion to the majority of unpainted and painted drywall surfaces, including low-VOC paints. For roughly textured surfaces, self-cleaning, or stain-free paint systems, a high-tack product like ICON 444LSE is ideal. After selecting the best print media option for your surface, clean the surface with a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Once the wall has completely dried, position the first panel of the graphic with painter's tape and inspect for proper alignment. Create a hinge with painter's tape approximately one third of the way down from the top of the graphic. Next, remove the release liner from the upper portion of the graphic, trim away the liner, and use firm upward squeegee strokes to adhere the graphic. After the top portion is adhered, remove the lower portion of the release liner and use firm downward squeegee strokes to adhere the lower portion of the graphic. Install subsequent panels using a ¼” to ½” overlap and the same installation method as the first panel. Check the graphic within 24 hours, addressing any post-install issues.

Before printing, test the wall surface for compatibility. ICON 440LSE exhibits excellent adhesion to the majority of brick and porous concrete surfaces, including pillars and sidewalks. After you’ve selected the proper print media and laminate, thoroughly wash the surface, making sure surfaces are clean and free from dust, debris, and loose fragments. Once the surface has completely dried (24-48 hours), remove the release liner from top to bottom, position the first panel of the graphic, and inspect for proper alignment. Using a heat gun, apply even heat to the surface of the graphic and use a foam roller, applying firm pressure to the film. If installing subsequent panels, use high-tack application tape to align with the first panel. Use a ½” overlap and the same installation method as the first panel. Re-check the graphic within 24 hours, addressing any post install issues with heat and pressure.

These directions cover graphic installations on polished or sealed concrete, epoxy, ceramic tile, VCT, linoleum, laminate, and smooth, sealed hardwood. Before installation, thoroughly wash and dry the surface. Wipe the surface with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Position the graphic, and inspect for proper alignment. When ready for installation, remove the release liner from the graphic, and use firm squeegee strokes from the center out to adhere the graphic. When using products with FLO Technology, any trapped air bubbles will easily escape during the installation process.  Re-check the graphic within 24 hours, addressing any post install issues prior to allowing traffic. 

Note: Substance manufactures multiple overlaminates for floor graphic use. ICON TL-6100 is the most popular film for indoor floor graphics, and offers UL410 slip-resistance. For applications requiring the highest level of traction and wet slip-resistance, ATLAS G25 can be substituted. Please call to determine the best overlaminate for your unique application.

Before printing, select the best Substance print media for your application. Ultracurve X1 print media and Ultracurve 1500 overlaminate were co-developed with Star Racing Yamaha and Monster Energy Kawasaki, designed specifically for the rigors of motocross. Featuring FLO Technology, Ultracurve X1 revolutionized the motocross industry, offering fast, bubble-free installation to LSE plastics. If bubble-free application is not required, Ultracurve 660LSE offers the same adhesive performance as X1, but is slightly more difficult to install. If using a solvent or eco-solvent printer, allow 24 hours for the print to outgas before laminating. Failure to follow proper outgassing procedures can lead to decreased adhesion and longevity of your decals.

Before installation, thoroughly wash and dry the bike. Make sure there is no dirt or mud remaining on the surface. On new bikes, new plastics, or oil-contaminated surfaces, Maxima Suspension Clean does an excellent job removing surface residue. Afterwards, wipe the surface with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Prior to removing the release liner, align the graphic to the plastic, using bolt holes and edges as your guide. Slowly remove the release liner and work from point to point, starting with the flattest portion of the plastic. Work outward towards the curved areas with slow strokes, evenly applying pressure. If you make a mistake, the graphic can be slowly lifted and repositioned. A heat gun can be used to improve conformability, but make sure not to overheat or stretch the decal. Note: Excessive heat and/or pressure can collapse the air-release channels in Ultracurve X1, trapping air bubbles. We recommend waiting until getting to to the edges of the graphic where heat is necessary, prior to heating. If "tents" form at the edge of the graphic, lift and apply heat, working from the center of the tent out. After installation is complete, post heat and apply firm pressure around the edges. Re-check the graphic within 24 hours, addressing any post install issues prior to riding.

Before printing, select the best Substance print media for your application. Ultracurve H1 (White) and Ultracurve 550LSE (Clear) print media, combined with Ultracurve 1500S overlaminate will create durable and conformable decals that withstand the demands of the NFL and professional sports. This combination offers high-tack and adhesion, but removes without residue for easy season-end helmet refurbishment. If using a solvent or eco-solvent printer, allow 24 hours for the print to outgas before laminating. Failure to follow proper outgassing procedures can lead to decreased adhesion and longevity of your decals.

Before installation, thoroughly wash and dry the helmet. Wipe the surface with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, and dry with a lint-free cloth. For decals being applied to the side of a helmet, align the decal, remove the release liner, and tack down the center of the decal. Working from the center, use firm outward strokes, taking care to not trap any air bubbles. A heat gun can be used to improve conformability, but make sure not to overheat or stretch the decal. For stripes being applied to the to top of a helmet, align the decal, remove approximately 1" of the release liner, and tack down the front of the decal. Working from the front to the back, use firm pressure, taking care to not trap any air bubbles. A heat gun can be used to improve conformability, but make sure not to overheat or stretch the decal. After installation is complete, post heat and apply firm pressure around the edges. Re-check the graphic within 24 hours, addressing any post install issues prior to use.

Before printing, select the best Substance print media for your application. Ultracurve X1 print media and Ultracurve 1000 overlaminate are the most widely used graphic material in the sled industry. For difficult sleds, Ultracurve X2 offers a significantly higher adhesion level on textured plastics and surfaces that require higher aggression. Ultracurve X1 and X2 feature FLO Technology, offering bubble-free installation to LSE plastics. If bubble-free application is not required, Ultracurve 660LSE offers the same adhesive performance as X1, but is slightly more difficult to install.

Before installation, thoroughly wash and dry the sled. Make sure there is no dirt or mud remaining on the surface. On new sleds, new plastics, or oil-contaminated surfaces, Maxima Suspension Clean does an excellent job removing surface residue. Afterwards, wipe the surface with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Prior to removing the release liner, align the graphic to the plastic, using bolt holes and edges as your guide. Slowly remove the release liner and work from point to point, starting with the flattest portion of the plastic. Work outward towards the curved areas with slow strokes, evenly applying pressure. If you make a mistake, the graphic can be slowly lifted and repositioned. A heat gun can be used to improve conformability, but make sure not to overheat or stretch the decal. Note: Excessive heat and/or pressure can collapse the air-release channels in Ultracurve X1 and X2, trapping air bubbles. We recommend waiting until getting to to the edges of the graphic where heat is necessary, prior to heating. If "tents" form at the edge of the graphic, lift and apply heat, working from the center of the tent out. After installation is complete, post heat and apply firm pressure around the edges. Re-check the graphic within 24 hours, addressing any post install issues prior to riding.

Before printing, select the best Substance print media for your application. ICON RS-275 and ICON PL-3150 are the most popular choice for fleet and full trailer graphics. This combination offers low-tack, repositionability, and slideability, but quickly achieves bond strength. For smaller decals, die-cut graphics, or if higher adhesion is desired, PM-2755 offers the same longevity as RS-275 with slightly higher initial tack. Both products offer permanent adhesion with clean long-term removability. If using a solvent or eco-solvent printer, allow 24 hours for the print to outgas before laminating. Failure to follow proper outgassing procedures can lead to increased initial tack and reduced longevity of your graphics and decals.

Before installation, thoroughly wash and dry the surface. If necessary, use a clay bar or mechanical polisher to remove any contaminants and imperfections. Very Important: Any “ceramic” or “nano” coatings and waxes will prevent proper graphic adhesion and must be removed prior to installation. Wipe the surface with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Make sure all surfaces are cool to the touch, hot surfaces will increase the tack level of the graphic, making installation much more difficult. Position the graphic with low-tack tape, and inspect for proper alignment. When ready for installation, remove the release liner from the graphic, and use firm squeegee strokes from the center out to adhere the graphic. When using products with FLO Technology, any trapped air bubbles will easily escape during the installation process. A heat gun can be used to help the graphic conform to the surface and apply post-heat. Re-check the graphic within 24 hours and address any problematic areas prior to driving. Important: 100% polymeric calendered films have excellent shrinkage-resistance and perform at an extremely high level. They are well suited for race car wraps, fleet graphics, vehicle graphics, and trailer graphics, but are not designed for application to highly complex surfaces or rivets. Stretching, bridging, and overstressing the film will lead to issues like premature lifting.

Before printing, select the best Substance print media for your application. ICON PM-2755 print media and ICON PL-3150 overlaminate exhibit excellent adhesion to fiberglass hull surfaces. Graphics should be designed for application above the static water level, and are not suggested for below-water applications. If using a solvent or eco-solvent printer, allow 24 hours for the print to outgas before laminating. Failure to follow proper outgassing procedures can lead to decreased adhesion and longevity of your decals.

Before installation, thoroughly wash and dry the surface. If necessary, use a clay bar or mechanical polisher to remove any contaminants and imperfections. Very Important: Any “ceramic” or “nano” coatings and waxes will prevent proper graphic adhesion and must be removed prior to installation. Wipe the surface with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Make sure all surfaces are cool to the touch, hot surfaces will increase the tack level of the graphic, making installation much more difficult. Position the graphic with low-tack tape, and inspect for proper alignment. When ready for installation, remove the release liner from the graphic, and use firm squeegee strokes from the center out to adhere the graphic. When using products with FLO Technology, any trapped air bubbles will easily escape during the installation process. A heat gun can be used to help the graphic conform to the surface and apply post-heat. Re-check the graphic within 24 hours and address any problematic areas prior to driving. Important: 100% polymeric calendered films have excellent shrinkage-resistance and perform at an extremely high level. They are well suited for boat and marine applications, but are not designed for application to highly complex surfaces or rivets. Stretching, bridging, and overstressing the film will lead to issues like premature lifting. The use of an edge-sealing liquid is recommended in areas on the lower hull, above the static water level.

To remove, slowly apply heat to the decal, lift one edge, and begin peeling at a shallow angle of 60° or less. Remove remaining adhesive residue with isopropyl alcohol.

Substance products use superior-quality solvent-based adhesive technology and are not affected by moisture during installation. Products that do not feature FLO Technology can be installed using a wet method. Prior to installation, clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. After cleaning, we recommend preparing a spray solution of water with a drop of dish soap, or other application solution after sufficient testing. Mist a light spray of solution to the application surface, apply the graphic, and use firm overlapping squeegee strokes to remove the solution and bond the graphic. Special attention should be paid to edges, and heat may be necessary to help accelerate the bond. Inspect the graphic after 24 hours and post-heat any problematic areas. Note: Using a wet application method on products with FLO Technology can lead to moisture becoming trapped in the air-release channels, reducing ultimate adhesion. Dry application is exclusively recommended on these products.

Substance is committed to providing our customers with unmatched value. Our pricing is always at the wholesale level. If you can find an identically spec’d product at a lower price point, we’ll beat it, guaranteed.

Substance is a printer’s secret weapon. This means customer confidentiality is not only expected- it’s guaranteed. Substance understands the sensitivity of your product choices, and we will never share your confidential information with competitors.