Specs
Substrate Card specs
Setup notes and briefing numbers for Substrate Card.
Reading the substrate card correctly
The technical notes behind each surface option cover finish, texture, application limits and other details that affect mural or vinyl performance on site.
Each substrate card should record the actual surface being considered, not a guess from the drawing pack. Include whether the wall is gypsum skim, cement plaster, painted brick, glass, ACM panel or another face, because adhesion and print choice change with each one. In Durban and Cape Town, moisture exposure and salt in the air can shift laminate and vinyl decisions, while Johannesburg interiors often need closer attention to dust and heater-driven dryness.
A useful card also notes what happened at the last install on that surface. List paint age, patch repairs, texture depth, edge conditions and any areas where previous vinyl lifted or silvered. When the installer reaches site, those notes help match the media, adhesive and prep method to the actual wall rather than the original concept.
Information captured on the card
The spec should tie one substrate to a clear set of production and site checks. Record finish level, printable width limits, whether overlamination is required, and if the surface can take direct print, mounted print or self-adhesive vinyl only. That creates one reference point for design, print room and installation teams working from the same mural or décor file.
Log the non-visual details that usually get missed during artwork approval. Note cleaning method, recommended application temperature, curing time for fresh paint and whether the panel joins must follow grout lines or architectural breaks.
- Surface type matched to media
- Texture grade and paint condition
- Application limits noted before print
Site conditions that alter substrates
South African sites often need substrate notes that go beyond the wall name on the plan. Older buildings in Johannesburg can have chalky paint or uneven skim coats, while coastal projects may present persistent humidity, salt exposure and slower cure behaviour on certain adhesives. Retail fit-outs also need allowance for after-hours access, lift size and panel handling through service passages.
Lighting and cleaning routines affect the spec as much as the print file does. Harsh downlights can exaggerate orange peel on textured vinyl, and frequent wipe-downs in hospitality spaces may rule out softer finishes or unlaminated prints. Where generators, load-shedding or limited power points affect installation equipment, add that to the card before scheduling production.
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Details to record before approval
Enter measured dimensions, substrate age, finish code and any known restrictions from the landlord or site manager. Add close photos of corners, sockets, bulkheads and damaged sections so the card reflects the actual installation face rather than a cropped mood visual.
Keep the substrate card with the approved artwork set, print specification and installer notes for that wall. When procurement, design and production are all reading the same technical record, material selection and reprint decisions stay tied to the correct surface.
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