What is a vinyl decal?
Vinyl decals are images die-cut onto a sheet of vinyl ranging from one to many colors in many shapes and sizes. Die-cutting consists of cutting with a plotter machine (Vinyl Cutter). A plotter has a small, extremely sharp blade that cuts a decal. The design is cut from a thin vinyl material with a wax paper backing known as liner paper. Once the design has been cut, a vinyl cutting company will remove all unwanted pieces of the decal by hand, called “weeding”. The final design is covered with a protective application tape that is used to transfer the design to the surface of your choice (eg windows, vehicles, signs, walls, etc.)
Vinyl is a highly versatile material that comes in primary colors like red, white, and blue to specialty colors like 14k gold and carbon fiber. The vinyl material is very easy to work with and easily cut to shape and is perfect for advertising or just for fun.
In recent years, vinyl decals have become very popular, making signs more affordable for businesses as well as individuals who just want custom vinyl decals. The most popular uses for vinyl decals are window decals, vinyl banners, product signs, wall art, and commercial advertisements. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss what exactly each of these is, how they are used, and what they are for.
window decals
Window clings can be used in numerous ways for both businesses and the average person. Look around you almost everywhere you will see vinyl decals placed on windows. For businesses, cover your front windows with company logos and store information. Not to mention a great way to display customer store hours at the front entrance. Window clings can be placed on the inside or outside of a window, depending on preference. Also take a look at the vehicles around you. 3 out of 5 vehicles have some type of vinyl decal placed on their rear window. These are usually a design, image, or text sticker. Window clings can also be used to decorate home or commercial windows.
vinyl banners
Vinyl banners are a great and cost effective form of advertising. You can get a full size 2′ x 4′ multicolor with unlimited text for as little as $25. Vinyl banners are great for indoor or outdoor use to get your message across. Banners are also a great way to spread a message to someone, such as saying “welcome home” to a returning military member or “happy birthday” to a friend or family member.
Product signs
Product signs are excellent for weather-resistant, semi-permanent display. Most product signs are made from corrugated plastic, which is great against the elements and mother nature’s wrath. There are several types of ways to put up a product sign, the most common being ground stakes. This is a perfect way to promote businesses and for real estate agents to promote houses for sale.
mural
Wall art is a new way of implementing vinyl and it is not known by many people. Wall art is basically the same as window decals or personal use decals that are enlarged to fit the graphics onto a wall. Wall art can be a patterned vinyl that is cut out or a full color vinyl print that is applied as wallpaper.
Commercial advertising
Vinyl can be applied to any smooth surface and is a great form of advertising. Not to mention, vinyl decals can be relatively cheap if purchased in bulk. Promote your business by handing out vinyl decals to potential customers. Have vinyl banners, signs, and decals to hang to advertise your products and services.
Vinyl decals can be applied to almost any surface, as long as the surface application has a smooth texture and is dry when the decal is placed. Application surfaces include, but are not limited to, glass, metals, wood (painted), plastic, vinyl, mirrors, and tile. I have put together the following list of several common application uses that customers often apply vinyl products to. There are tons of possibilities in the uses for vinyl decals.
Automobiles, Motorcycles, Misc.
- windows
- doors
- Body
- Cars, Trucks, Vans
- motorcycles
- boats
- ATVs and Quadricycles
- motocross motorcycles
- Helmets
- Novelty
- Quotes
- funny sayings
- advertisements
- domain names
- business information
- windshield visor
- Skateboards, Bicycles, Snowboards, Surfboards
- Planes and Helicopters
- registration numbers
- letters
- vehicles
- equipment systems
- banners and signs
- window shop
- mailbox
- labels
- machinery
- wall words
Commercial offices and homes
- Walls
- windows
- slabs
- Floors
- Piece of furniture
- mural
- Shop windows
- mailboxes
- Numeration
electronics
- Ipod covers
- Game systems (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.)
- speaker boxes
- computer skins
fundraisers
- school events
- school logos
- clubs
- organizations
- churches
- Clubs and Associations
- Sport teams