Better Life Technology

Greetings!

Looking back on the questions we get asked regularly, I see a lot of them are on the support items that go with our media.

What type of adhesives to use?

Do I need a backer material?

What do we recommend?

Our materials can be used in so many different ways, I often forget how confusing it can be. We have tried and seen most all the ideas out there, or it seems anyway. We do know the answers, you just have to ask. There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel. “We got you covered”!

Back Tract: is a peel and stick PVC material designed to reduce slip on free lay mat products. Best suited for tile applications, it can also be used on carpets. Applied to the bottom side of graphic it both protects the ink layer from scratching and water and increases slip resistance.

Carpet: is always a tough one. Even though Back Tract does a good job it can still allow the mat to move. On shorter nap carpets we recommend the hook side of Velcro. Small strips mounted on the bottom will dig in and grab the carpet holding the mat in place. Another option would be good old carpet tape on the bottom.

Peel and Stick: For short term applications, use an intermediate tack mounting adhesive. It’s good practice to choose an aqueous based adhesive, not rubber or solvent. Acrylic adhesive is also necessary when working with PVC. Although most are, be sure your adhesive is plasticizer resistant as well. As your term of application increases or if challenging environments are involved, increase the strength of your adhesive. Please keep in mind, sensitive finishes (like hardwood floors) need a light tack adhesive. BILD™ Print Media is heavy enough and strong enough to stay in place and last like no other.

Permanent Install: This topic on permanent install is important. If you have an install job we do recommend using a qualified sheet vinyl installer. We have a few recommendations around the country so let us know and we’ll help you source the right person for the job. For permanent installs, you must use a top-quality adhesive. If the subfloor is wood, be certain it is solid and dry. Fully cured, and dated concrete is best. Fresh poured cement must be no less than 12 weeks old. A moisture and alkaline test will be necessary as well. Here’s a good article to help describe how to test if your concrete is ready to receive resilient flooring. https://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/83592-concrete-when-do-you-know-its-dry

We need to be sure to protect ink layer from excessive hydrostatic vapor pressure (water) and alkalinity from cement. A vapor barrier may be recommended in sensitive areas. BILD™ Print Media is by far the best option for long lasting permanent graphics that will handle the millions of people for years to come. If you would like to learn how to install BILD ™Print Media, we can train you as well.

Edge trims/transition strips: Many people like to add edge trim to their mats and/or floor transitions. We do offer a few selections from BLT, however we don’t recommend them very often because you can print the border in the graphic floor. Edge transitions are not used to identify trip hazards but an identifier of the edge of the mat or floor. Save the dollars, bevel cut on your Zund and you’re good to go!

Seam Tapes: For free lay multi-panel jobs we recommend our white nylon seam tape to join multiple mats. This unique tape is designed not to tear or give up on you. Waterproof, with aggressive hold, we can assure the bond will be strong and tight. With free lay multi-mat installs, we recommend carpet tape around border of the flooring.

Seam Welding: Seams can also be joined for permanent applications in two different ways. One is a chemical weld. Basically, a super glue for vinyl flooring. Simple and quick for medium term installs. The other option is a heat welded seam. The seam is grooved, and a clear filler material is melted to join the seams. This is a long-term solution but is noticeable in finished graphic.

When looking at your projects just be sure to ask yourself some basic questions. How long, where is it installed, and will it be moved? We are here to answer any of your questions and guide your way to profitable endeavors with BILD.

Cheers,

Bill

Hi there!

Well, it’s been a busy month. We had a great showing at RetailX (GlobalShop) in Chicago at the end of June. The retail folks were out in full force. RetailX is a great show for Better Life Technology, as we have the opportunity to meet and talk to the end users for our BILD Print Media product line. We don’t sell at these events, but instead, we have the chance to provide a hands-on explanation of the numerous applications for our material.

While all of our products can be utilized in unique applications, long-term floor graphics were by far the top interest. Retailers are looking for long-term, economical ways to use BILD Print Media in wayfinding, pop up display’s and high traffic areas. What many found most appealing was the pick and place install, as well as repositionable/removable applications.

We were pleased to learn of several retailers already in trials in their locations and loving the products thus far. I believe with a little focus and a complete understanding of the manufacturing process and applications, BILD 35 mil for floor markings can be the most popular product to grow your sales. There is a very high interest in LONG- TERM (6 months plus) floor graphics. The focus was not on cost, but long-term applications. Simple items like “Online Pick Up” or “Customer Service” are the buzz. Directional graphics were second on their minds. Counter mats are always good.

Another great part of seeing our customers is hearing of the success we’ve had in the field. We had several previous customers who are now in the redesigning stage for remodel and are including BILD Print Media in their concept! This is great news to us, as we heard sales in branded area’s rose up to 20% in-store. Yes, this is the only flooring you can achieve an ROI on your investment. You have to put something in place, so you might as well use it to drive revenue.

These are tried and true avenues for new sales growth for your business as well as a far less competitive arena to sell in. Those who have focused on using our materials in their stores are happy, they’re enjoying robust sales, and they become return customers desiring additional applications. What more could you want in a media? Again, we would love to get out and train your staff on the path to purchase!

Cheers

Bill

                   

Hello,

Bill with BILD Print Media here. As I mentioned in my introductory letter last month, my focus will be to provide the information and resources needed to find total success when using BILD Print Media Products.

Before jumping into all of the products and application process, I find myself stepping back and wanting to review the very basics that must be followed for successful printing. When trouble shooting with customers, most of the time the issues can be addressed through the following run conditions:

These 8 tips will help ensure you have a successful run conditions with BILD products.

1. Material alignment. Squaring up your roll is key. The slightest offset can bring big issues in the run.  Remember, a little offset in the beginning is a lot offset down the roll. BILD is thick and can’t accommodate slight offset like say a banner or a pressure sensitive vinyl.

2. 6” core adaptors. BILD is supplied on 6” inner cores rolled print side OUT. The material is supplied on 6” core  to ensure you get the most yield possible. We provide free adaptors which are reusable. Also remember when printing, it’s important to support the center of the core for best results. Core adapters come with instructions in the box, but you can always call if you have questions.

3. Room conditions. Print as close to the actual install temperature as possible. The material grows two ways – up and out. 75° F is a safe zone.

4. Print settings. We recommend a profile for gloss vinyl banner. It is ideal on roll devices to make a profile to accommodate the thickness on stepping. Vacuum’s start around 60%. We also recommend raising your print carriage an extra 0.20” in height.

5. Rerolling. When rerolling on a print device, be sure to roll the material textured side OUT, displaying the image rather than white. Referencing back to the 6” core, this will make follow thru production and help speed up installs as well. Keep your rolls wound tight and square to prevent distortion of the image. Take your time and plan ahead!

6.  Finishing. Material should be delivered on a core, properly wound. You want the product to go flat as soon as possible, so rolling the image out is ideal. Be sure to cover the entire image if you are using shrink wrap, as this will help with lay down, 6” core rolled image out will provide the best results.

7. Packing. When shipping in cold weather, we recommend a thin layer of padding to ensure rough handling will not shock or crack material. The way our material arrives to you is the same way it should ship out to customers!

8. Project guidance. Better Life Technology offers free services to help guide you on your projects and processes. No one knows printed vinyl flooring better than us, so we hope you trust in our expertise. We want to help you achieve the best results and the most profitable avenue.

These tips are simple but absolutely necessary to begin successfully printing BILD products. We are happy to visit your facility and provide hands on training if you would like.

Stay tuned for next month, when we begin looking into the different market segments and how to position your company for success with BILD Print Media.

Cheers,

Bill Rothe

Hi, 

Terry Terrill here, VP of Retail Sales at Better Life Technology.  GFloor.com asked if I would provide input for their newsletter, so here is the first installment.  Going forward, my goal is to provide insight on our products, tips and tricks, as well as the manufacturing process, tools, and sundries needed to install your flooring. 

G-Floor® roll out flooring first started as the perfect option for the garage and has since expanded to be a universal flooring option.  From trailer flooring to utility room flooring and everything in between, G-Floor sets the gold standard of rollout flooring. In the last year, Better Life Technology expanded their product offering to bring some old favorites back to the mix, and also introduced a few new products. All of these can be found on Gfloor.com. 

This month our focus is on the traditional garage installation. From prepping your garage, to the rollout and trim to fit process, we are pointing you in the right direction to get started. 

Be on the lookout each month for all things G-Floor! Give us a call today for samples and more information. 

Best, 

Terry Terrill

VP of Retail Sales at Better Life Technology

913.890.4603

tterrill@bltllc.com

Hi,

This is Jerry Herbert, VP of AquaTread Sales at Better Life Technology. This is a first in our series of newsletters regarding our new improved AquaTread Marine Flooring.

Having just passed Memorial Day and now at the beginning of boating season, we will provide a series of articles on marine flooring, specifically AquaTread. This will cover cleaning, best installation practices and AquaTread tips and tricks. 

We are happy to introduce our stunning Simplicity collection which will be available for OEM boats this coming production season and for refurbishers as well. The Simplicity collection of coastally-popular patterns and woven looks without the snag is a series with similar features to our Premier line. The Simplicity collection is a competitively priced line featuring many new non-traditional marine designs and our MicroLock Technology™ marine grade top coat.                

AquaTread continues to be the most durable flooring in the industry. Be sure to call us today for samples and more information

Best, 

Jerry Herbert 

VP of Marine Sales

913-890-4621

jherbert@bltllc.com

Hi,

Bill Rothe here, VP of BILD Print Media product line. Now that we have matured into the premium graphics category in the digital, screen and offset industries, I wanted to create a series of articles to review the past, present and future of our expanded product offering. Over the last few years, I have had the good fortune of sharing our expertise on printed flooring with many of the best print houses in the US and around the world. As an expert in this field, I wanted to be able to disseminate honest, accurate and complete information more quickly, and to a wider audience. So now I have a column in our monthly newsletter!

My upcoming column is going to focus on things like manufacturing process, tools and sundries needed to provide a complete turn key offering and all the ins and outs of installation. These are critical pieces of the puzzle that must be considered when looking at various print medias for the floor graphics market. As the creator and manufacturer of this unique print media, we want to be sure everyone has access and knowledge to be successful and enjoy the benefits (including increased margins) of this premium product.

This first newsletter is simply an introduction into many of the typical applications where BILD is frequently used. The printed flooring and durable long-term flooring markets are growing at a rapid pace. Many companies are taking advantage of new ways to engage with their customers and using BILD Print Media in the following applications:

• P.O.P Applications
• Long Term Floor Graphics
• Graphic Flooring
• Temporary Flooring
• Mat Programs
• Unique Applications

I also want you to know we extend our marketing efforts to end user candidates. I believe it’s important to educate clients on all features and benefits of our products over traditional offerings. Many of our most successful partners have asked us to join in product presentations to their clients, which has generated an 80% closure rate for our print partners. We know our products inside and out, so we welcome the opportunity to work with your sales organization. If you get us involved, we will help educate your clients, generate interest and help close projects. That’s a fact!

I look forward to any feedback or direct inquiries on our product offerings. We listen. We learn. We improve. It’s that simple.

Cheers,

Bill Rothe