vinyl masking

[spankey666]

i have just bought a vinyl cutter , but could do with some guidance.
after cutting and weeding, i've been using some transfering film to lift the vinyl from its backing to transfer it to the ali. but i have found that after sticking the transfer on, and removing the carrier film, once dyed there is ghosting where the transfer film has touched the surface, so its obviously leaving some sort of residue behind. is there a specific type of transfering media that anyone can recommend that doesnt leave anything behind ?? or is there a better way of doing it ??

[acidrain]

You can't use the normal transfer tape. Here is one of my biggest secrets. It was actually given to me here in these forums, so I'll share...
Don't weed your mask... leave the excess material in place.
Get some thin mylar... the kind that comes on packaging like toys and pastry boxes with a clear window.
Get some 3-M spray adhiesive... slow works better (the kind that is open for extended periods for re-positioning).
LIGHTLY spray the face of the unweeded sticker.
Quickly and carefully weed all of the unwanted vinyl from the sticker.
Place the mylar onto the face coated stickers. You have just made your own transfer film.

Now ano and dye the part the color of the graphic.
After rinsing, dry the part with a hairdryer (be carefull not to heat the part).
Using gloved hands and laying the part on a clean cloth, position the mask. You get one shot at this... no re-positioning.
Press the mask onto the ano. make sure it's stretched into any grooves, etc.
If you have other masks to do, leave the mylar on until all of the masks are in position.
Once all the masks are on and you are confident that they are well pressed into place, pull off the mylar.
The face of the vinyl will still have glue on it, so be carefull not to touch it or glue may be spread onto other areas of the part.
Dip the part in full strength bleach, then rinse.
Dip the part into 1:3 acid/water (same as your ano tank), then rinse.
Repeat until all of the color is removed... always end with acid and don't mix the bleach and acid rinse water.
Dye the next color. This process can be repeated many times for multiple color graphics.

Now seal the part normally. After sealing, remove the stickers with you thumbnail (scraping with tools may scratch the surface). Clean any residue with lacquer thinner. After the parts are completely clean of residue, seal some more.

[spankey666]

once again Mr Acidrain you have come up trumps with an answer, thankyou