Self-Adhesive Elements

Self-adhesive Elements are eye-catching and innovative products that come ready-to-apply. Their glue-covered reverse side allows easy and fast application. When applied on paper and solid surfaces, they can create fantastic designs. Coldfix is a perfect alternative for leather and textiles which are not suitable for Hotfix application.

• Product Overview and field of usage
• Machines and Tools
• Suppliers
• Application
• Quick Assistance

Product overview and field of usage

The following products are suitable for listed carrier materials:

* application on solid materials such as e.g. metal, glass, plastic. The material need to be suitable for gluing.

** application on textile materials and leather which are not suitable for Hotfix application.

Self-adhesive Elements have a coating of a pressure-sensitive glue on the back, enabling swift, simple application. This glue is activated by pressure (applied either by hand, rubber roller or heat press), and bonds with the carrier material. Crystal-it Infinity, Crystal Textures-it and Crystal Textures Removable foil motifs are suitable for the application on solid materials, while Coldfix is suitable for application on textile materials and leather which are not suitable for Hotfix application.

Crystal Textures adhesive systems

As Crystal Textures are available as Hotfix, IT, Coldfix and Removable version, please find here for a detailed overview the different material composition and proper fields of application for each product group. In general, all 4 versions are build-up very similar. The main difference will be in the adhesive used at the reverse side of the product.

Machines and tools

The following machines, tools and aids can be used for applying Self-adhesive Elements.

Especially for Coldfix application onto textiles and leather:

Especially for IT- application onto solid materials:

Suppliers

The following machines and tools are commonly used for Self-adhesive Elements applications:

• NC drill / milling cutter
• Test Pen (art. 9030/000)
• Heat press
• Double heat press
• Teflon® foil (art. 9010/003)
• Rubber roller

If you need help choosing a suitable setup for your application, contact eCrystalHouse. We can review the Self-adhesive Element, carrier material, application method, and production volume, then help you select and supply a practical set of compatible tools and accessories for testing, pilot work, or ongoing production.

Application

When applying Swarovski Self-adhesive Elements, optimal results are obtained by coordinating the entire application process. Follow the application steps in the right order is very important. Experience has shown that the most common reasons for Crystal-it Infinity, Crystal Textures-it, Crystal Textures Coldfix and Crystal Textures Removable products becoming detached are inappropriate areas of application, not suitable carrier materials, and wrong application process (e.g. wrong angle when removing film, too less pressure during application). Before beginning the application process, you should always check whether the carrier material is suitable for application of Self-adhesive Elements.

Cavity production

In order to be able to position Crystal-it Infinity, Crystal Textures-it and Crystal Textures Removable products more easily and to better protect them from mechanical and chemical influences, it is advisable to prepare a cavity for this purpose.

Production methods

Milling is when materials are machined using a milling machine and milling cutter. Milling machines can be fitted with appropriate tools depending on the materials, e.g. for working with metal and plastic, wood, or natural stone. Modern CNC machining centers offer the greatest precision and can be used to produce cavities of every shape necessary. Please note that when machining natural stone, ceramic, or glass, for example, special diamond-tipped tools must be used.

When applying an article with a flat back it is also advisable to create a cavity as shown here. This cavity ensures that the crystal is better protected against mechanical and chemical stress. The depth of the cavity depends on the height of the girdle and the thickness of the base material.

Production tolerances for cavities

Note: When producing cavities, the dimensions should consider the tolerance of the product and the production tolerance. The tolerances of the product can be requested from your Swarovski representative.

Checking surface tension and pre-treatment

Before beginning the application process, you should always check whether the carrier material is suitable for application of Self-adhesive Elements. There are different material checks necessary, depending if you want to apply a Crystal-it Infinity, Crystal Textures-it or Crystal Textures Removable on a solid material or a Coldfix product onto a textile or leather carrier material. Nevertheless, please note that there are certain types of plastics used for solid materials, textile and leather treatments that are difficult for any gluing connection. The following table contains a selection of materials that can cause problems for any glue application:

To increase the bonding strength of a Coldfix product onto leather surfaces, experience shows that in some cases it could be helpful to clean the carrier material with isopropyl alcohol before applying the Coldfix product. We strongly recommend carrying out test to check if the carrier material does not get effected/damaged due to the alcohol.

Material check and pretreatment for solid materials when using Crystal-it Infinity, Crystal Textures-it or Crystal Textures Removable Foil products

Checking the surface tension

The surface tension is an indicator for the wetting properties of the surface to be glued. A surface tension of at least 38 mN/m is recommended for gluing Swarovski crystals. It should also be randomly tested during production. It is best to use the Test Pen (art. 9030/000) to measure the surface tension.

1

Before gluing, mark the surface.

2

If the ink remains visible for 2 seconds, the surface is suitable for gluing.

3

If the ink disappears or forms bubbles, the surface is not suitable for gluing. In this case, the pre-treatment cleaning methods should be checked.

Application Instruction Movie

Checking Surface Tension

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Pre-treatment

If the surface tension is below 38 mN/m, the following pre-treatment cleaning methods, applied in the correct order, can be effective in reaching the right level. After each cleaning process, the surface tension has to be checked again.

Material check for textiles and leather when using coldfix

When applying Coldfix using a heat press with a temperature of 90 °C (195 °F) increases the bonding strength of the product and reduces the time of achieving the final strength, please check the following criteria:

• Heat resistance (min. 90 °C / 195 °F)
• Resistance against pressure
• Application area of the product (no bended/shaped area of the design)

Coldfix was developed for application on leather and textiles, which are not suitable for the Hotfix application process. To increase a Coldfix product’s bonding strength on leather surfaces, experience shows that in some cases it could be helpful to clean the carrier material with isopropyl alcohol before applying the Coldfix product. We strongly recommend carrying out tests to check that the carrier material is not affected or damaged by the alcohol.

Preparation

Prior to application, some Swarovski products need some special preparation go achieve a high-quality gluing connection.

Preparation when applying Crystal Textures-it

Cutting Crystaltex Chaton Bandings

When working with Crystaltex Chaton Bandings, the lack of space between crystals means great care must be taken during cutting, so as to avoid damaging the crystal.

1

Cut into the support film between the rows with a Stanley knife.

2

Snap and cut off the Crystaltex Chaton Banding along the scored edge.

Preparation when applying coldfix motifs

Coldfix motifs are delivered on a sheet. Depending on the sizes and the shape of the motif, the quantity of motifs on a sheet can vary. Before separating the single motifs, its recommended to press the motifs using your hand or a rubber roller onto the transparent foil. Use a scissor to cut between the motifs. Now the motifs are ready for further processing and application.

Application

Applying Crystal-It Infinity

This self-adhesive product consists of Flat Backs in different shapes, sizes, heights, and colors. If applying it on materials such as metal, make sure the surface is free of pollution such as grease or oil.

1

Before starting, put the motif onto a solid underlay such as a desk and press the crystals onto the transparent film. This can easily be achieved when the transparent film points upwards.

2

Make sure the motif still lays on the desk, this time with the white protective film pointing upwards. Fix the motif with one hand, while peeling off the white film at an acute angle with the other hand.

3

Position the motif in the location desired and press down firmly.

4

Carefully remove the transparent film at an acute angle and press down the motif again.

Application Instruction Movie

Crystal-it Infinity

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Applying Crystal Textures-it and Removable foil products

Crystal Textures-it products can be applied either wet or dry, whereas for the application of Crystal Textures Removable foil only dry application should be carried out.

Dry application

1

The surfaces to be glued must be properly pre-treated, so as to achieve sufficient surface tension.

2

Press the motif onto the transparent film.

3

Peel off the white protective film at an acute angle.

4

Position the motif in the location desired and press down firmly for around 10 seconds.

5

Carefully remove the transparent film at an acute angle and press down on the motif again.

Wet application of Crystal Textures-it

For larger motifs and those that must be positioned accurately on surfaces, a wet application is recommended. It is essential, however, that the base does not absorb the soap water that is used here.

1

Moisten the cleaned surface with soap water.

2

Carefully peel off the white protective film at an acute angle, and carefully position the product on the wet surface. After positioning it, press down on the soap water beneath the motif, e.g. using a rubber roller.

3

Carefully remove the transparent film at an acute angle and leave the surface to dry.

4

After drying, press down firmly on the motif again, e.g. using a rubber roller.

Applying Coldfix

There are two ways of applying Coldfix products depending on material and application field. Cold application (room temperature) – Coldfix product is placed on a suitable carrier material and pressed down using a rubber roller. Final adhesive strength is reached after 72 hours. Application using a heat press (90 °C/195 °F) – Coldfix is applied from the reverse side using a heat press. Final adhesive strength is reached after 12 hours.

Please be aware that when applying Coldfix products using a heat press at some materials adhesion strength can be increased. At subsequent table some examples of adhesive strength differences are shown:

* Tested following DIN 1939

Please note that achievable peel adhesion and bonding performance depend entirely on the characteristics of the carrier material used; it should be remembered that a gluing connection is only as good as the carrier material surface allows. Any oral, written, or test-based advice that Swarovski provides regarding techniques for the application of its products are recommendations based on Swarovski’s current knowledge and the information provided by its suppliers. Such advice does not discharge customers from carrying out their own tests on techniques they propose to use, and the suitability of these techniques for the intended application. The application, use and processing of these techniques and products are solely the user’s responsibility.

Cold application (room temperature 23 °C/73.4 °F)

1

Before application, press the motif onto the transparent film.

2

Peel off the yellow protective film at an acute angle.

3

Place the motif on the carrier material and press down firmly for around 10 seconds with a rubber roller.

4

Carefully remove the transparent film at an acute angle.

5

After removing the transparent film press down a last time firmly on the motif using a rubber roller. The application is now finished.

Application Instruction Movie

Cold Application

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Application using a heat press (90 °C/195 °F)

1

Before application, press the motif onto the transparent film.

2

Peel off the yellow protective film at an acute angle.

3

Position the motif in the location desired.

4

Place the carrier material with the motif facing down in a heat press.

5

Use a Teflon® foil to protect the heat press.*

6

Close the heat press and apply the motif for 5 seconds at 90 °C (195 °F), using medium pressure!*

7

After the application is finished use a pressing cloth or a rubber roller to apply additional pressure to the product.

8

Once the product is at least hand warm the transparent film can be removed at an acute angle. The application is now finished.

* The application time depends primarily on the thickness of the carrier material used and should be tested by the customer.

Application Instruction Movie

Coldfix: Application Using a Heat Press

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Additional application advice

It is possible to move or use the final product carefully right after the application, as long as it is not exposed to any mechanical or chemical stress until the final adhesive strength is achieved. The time until the final adhesive strength is achieved varies depending on the application method (72 or 12 hours). Please note that any washing or quality assurance should take place after this period.

Quick Assistance

The following table outlines typical application problems with Self-adhesive Elements, along with possible causes and recommendations on avoiding them.