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Types of Vinyl

Vinyl decals are an exciting way to decorate something or advertise your business. However, the range of different types can sometimes be overwhelming. 

Throughout this article you will learn about the different types, along with some suggestions of how you can use them. There’s a whole world of vinyl decals to explore, and we’re excited to be a part of your journey. 

Understanding the difference between permanent and removable vinyl decals is a great place to start.  From there, the article will explain the various material options and different types of vinyl decals.

Permanent vs Removable Vinyl Decals

When choosing a vinyl decal, it’s important to know the difference between permanent, removable, and semi-permanent vinyl.  Being versed in the various types of vinyl helps to make informed choices. 

Thinking about the desired length that the vinyl will be displayed will help to choose the right vinyl.  If the design is intended to be used seasonally it would be beneficial to choose a vinyl that is easy to remove.  On the contrary, if it intended for a long period of time or will withstand a lot of weather conditions then choosing a more permanent vinyl would be helpful.  A general rule is that indoor vinyl decals are removable, whereas outdoor vinyl decals are more permanent. 

Different Vinyl Materials

There are many different varieties of vinyl, but all vinyl are made with a synthetic material of either resin or plastic.  

Vinyl comes in a variety of different finishes allowing for creative freedom when choosing the material.  The type of vinyl recommended depends on specific needs and design vision.  The most commonly used vinyl is calendared vinyl, which is easy to produce, works well on flat surfaces, and is long-lasting.  Other great options are cast vinyl and ControlTac vinyl.  Cast vinyl starts out as a liquid and is useful when placing a vinyl decal on a curved surface.  If you’re looking for serious longevity, then you might want to consider ControlTac which can last for 10 years, even outside. 

Once a vinyl type is selected the next choice is to choose a type of finish.  There is a wide variety of finishes to choose from like metallic, iridescent, wood grain, reflective, and fluorescent.  Based on the vinyl type chosen it is easy to stand out or blend in, thus allowing for creative intent to be present in each design. 

When it comes to choosing a vinyl decal, you can trust us to know what material best suits your unique request. So you can focus on the design aspect, and let us worry about the technical stuff. 

Window Decals

Another common type of vinyl decals is window decals. Windows make a great surface for decals, and they allow you to use otherwise empty space.

Window decals are especially great if you are a physical store with large storefront windows. These windows can become a place to advertise your business and information about it.  Displaying simple information, such as operating hours, is one way to provide useful information for potential customers.

Custom designed decals create visually interesting graphics that captivate the attention of customers.  Clear window vinyl allows for your design to be printed in full color, transforming your appearance and boosting your brand recognition.

Frosted Window Vinyl Decals

In addition to creating a subtle image out of vinyl that resembles frosted glass, it also increases privacy in an office environment with a lot of windows.  

One neat thing about utilizing frosted glass vinyl is that graphics can be displayed two different ways.  When using this type of vinyl it can be used to create the actual image or to fill the empty space creating the desired image in the negative space.   

Due to its versatility, these types of stickers are often used as seasonal decorations, like snowflakes for Christmas or pumpkins for Halloween. 

Perforated Vinyl Decal

This option provides the most amount of privacy.  When choosing this vinyl it is important to know that these decals are designed to keep people from being able to see in from outside but still allows for full visibility from the inside.

This is a one-way effect is a great option when you want something fun and colorful, but also some privacy.  One downside to these perforated vinyl decals is that they can be more expensive than traditional vinyl decals. 

Car Decals

Cars are a great place to put vinyl decals for high visibility. If using for advertising purposes, it’s a great tool to get your brand noticed by people.  

Displaying the name of your business, contact information, and logo are important.  However, car decals also lend themselves to allow for creative, eye-catching graphics as well.  One can get very creative with the vinyl decals that they put on their vehicle.

Car decals are a great way of promoting brand recognition.  When others see your vehicle around town they will begin to recognize your brand more easily and be more likely to choose your goods or services. 

Car vinyl decals don’t just have to be all business. Because vinyl is a cost-effective material to use, you could use it to personalize your car.  This could look like getting the logo of your favorite sports team, or a phrase that is meaningful to you.  The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing a car vinyl decal.

Vinyl Wall Mural

Vinyl wall decals are a great way to bring a pop of color into your home or office.  Because of how customizable they are, you can do anything you want with your custom vinyl wall murals.  You can use wall murals as a form of advertising for your business as well as contribute to the ambiance of your office or store.

Because of their great versatility, you can also use wall decals to decorate your home. You can have big or small pieces of art or specific designs put up on your walls.  Looking to design a nursery or a child’s bedroom to a specific theme.  This cost effective decorative option is great for temporary childhood themes.  Additionally, they are also a great option for renters, as you can have exciting wall art that isn’t permanent. There are many designs, and you can choose between classic wall decals or modern decals for walls.

Floor Decals

While we tend to think of vinyl decals on walls or windows, the floor also an option.  Adding a splash of color and interest, floor decals can be used as a fun way to help people navigate their way around your store.  Like the others, floor vinyl offers yet another way that you can extend your brand or cement your slogan in the minds of your customers.  

Due to the nature of their purpose and the fact that customers are constantly walking on them they will have to replaced over time. That being said, they do hold up their appearance if a premium vinyl is selected.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this article helped inform you to the vinyl decal options that are available.  Whether you choose a permanent or removable design, you can trust us to use high-quality vinyl and top-notch printing services.  To shop our vinyl products follow the link below!

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What is a Vinyl Decal?

Vinyl decals have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to show off personality and style. They are used on all manner of surfaces, including walls, glass, curved surfaces, canvas, wood, and more.

Wall decals are mostly made from vinyl, though other types are available.

Vinyl decals are made from durable, versatile film that can be applied to just about any smooth surface. They’re thin yet tough and usually have an adhesive backing that makes them easy to apply.  Vinyl decals can be die-cut into all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be printed with any design, image, or text and can be used to create custom-made wall decals regardless of how big or complex they are.

This article will take a closer look at vinyl decals. Read on to learn everything there is about vinyl decals.

What Are Vinyl Decals?

 Vinyl decals are essentially just adhesive-backed stickers that are made of a thin, flexible material that can conform to many different surfaces. Many people choose this option for their graphic needs because they’re durable and versatile.  Each decal is made up of three layers: the graphic layer (the design), the middle layer (the transfer tape), and the bottom layer (the backing paper). They are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film that has been coated with an adhesive and then fed through a die-cutting machine to cut out the desired shape or design.

What is a Vinyl Decal Sticker?

Vinyl decal stickers are made with pressure-sensitive adhesive. Unlike other stickers, vinyl decals are removable and reusable. They can be used indoors or outdoors and are ideal for cars, laptops, walls, windows, and more.  To apply a vinyl decal sticker properly it is important to clean the surface before applying the sticker.  When the surface is ready, peel off the backing paper and place the decal on the surface. Next, use a credit card or something similar to smooth out any bubbles. Finally, remove the transfer tape and enjoy your new vinyl decal sticker.

If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to personalize your belongings, then vinyl decal stickers are a great option.  With many designs to choose from, there’s sure to be a decal perfect for your needs.

Brief History

Vinyl decals were invented around the early 1900s. They were originally used for branding and advertising purposes. In the 1950s, vinyl decals became popular among car enthusiasts as a way to customize their vehicles.

Today, vinyl decals are used for a wide variety of purposes, from advertising to home decor. This is because they are an affordable and easy way to add a personal touch to any surface.

Decals vs Vinyl Stickers

Most people use decals and stickers interchangeably, but there is a big difference. Decals are made of vinyl and are cut out so that no background remains. On the other hand, stickers have a white or transparent background and are not cut out.

Besides their appearance decals and stickers also have two completely different purposes and uses.  Decals, which are made to be placed on cars, windows, or other smooth surfaces.  The adhesive on a decal is also stronger than that of a sticker, so it can withstand weather and car washes.  They are easily transferred onto the desired surface by first removing the paper backing and then applying the decal. They use a water-activated adhesive, so if you make a mistake, you can simply wet the decal and start over.

Stickers, on the other hand, adhere to surfaces using a pressure-sensitive adhesive. This means they aren’t easily transferable.  Although they are less forgiving they can be stuck to just about anything.

It is important to carefully select the appropriate product when deciding.  Understanding the pros and cons to each product will help you make an informed decision.  If you want something easily removable and customizable, then go with a decal. If you’re looking for something that’s more durable and can be stuck to just about anything, then go with a sticker.

Benefits of Vinyl Decals

Vinyl decals come with a plethora of benefits.  They include:

Durability

One of the biggest benefits of vinyl decals is their durability.  Regardless of what weather conditions the decal withstands, vinyl decals will remain in place and look great.  Made with heavy-duty vinyl and a thick laminate, they can withstand all sorts of weather conditions and still look new.

fade resistant

They are also fade-resistant, making them a great option for placement in direct sunlight or exposure to harsh elements.  No matter the condition, they won’t lose their color or fade away.  This is due to the UV protection that is built into the vinyl.

Customizable

There are many types of vinyl to choose from.  Vinyl decals are highly customizable and come in a variety of colors.  Additionally they can be printed on, thus making it possible to select a specific fonts or designs for your image.  Whether you want something simple or something more elaborate, vinyl decals can be customized to fit your unique style.

Easy to apply

Another great benefit of vinyl decals is that they are easy to apply.  There is no need for special tools or skills.  All that is needed is a little patience and a steady hand.

Easy to remove

Vinyl decals are also easy to remove when you are ready for a change.  Unlike other types of decals, they don’t leave behind a sticky residue or damage your surface.  To remove a vinyl decal just apply heat and watch the decal easily peel off.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand a little bit more about vinyl decals. With their many benefits, they are a great option for anyone looking to add some personality to their space.  If you are interested in discussing vinyl stickers for your space please check out Vinyl Decals on our website!