Sign Tips & Solutions Blog

10 Cool Vinyl Applications and the Vinyl that makes it all possible

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Self Adhesive Vinyl (SAV) is an excellent medium that can be used to get your message on virtually any surface. It can be used on anything from dry erase boards, to sidewalk wraps, to backlit signs.  Here are 10 cool vinyl applications, the vinyl type we recommend, and why:

1. Vinyl Wall Wrap - We use 8624 Textured Vinyl with laminate to apply to brick or cinder blocks.  This vinyl is perfect for rough textures and pourous surfaces. The finished product looks like it's painted on the surface. Textured vinyl has a releasable adhesive, making removal is easy with no adhesive residue left behind. This is a truly amazing graphics film.
2. Backlit Sign Graphics - Use Translucent Vinyl for backlit signs.  It adheres to clear lexan, acrylic or a similar surface and lets light through, illuminating the printed graphics. Translucent vinyl is also avialable in spot colors.
3. Reflective Signs - Use Reflective Vinyl for safety signs, emergency vehicles, or anywhere else signage needs to be illuminated in low light.  Most projects require Engineer Grade Reflective Vinyl, but we also have different levels of Diamond Grade available.
4. Reusable Fabric Stickers - Use PT Changeable Vinyl which is a washable vinyl fabric.  To wash, use isopropyl alcohol and rub clean.  Peel and stick this vinyl on any flat surface again and again.  It's useful in retail store situations where products and layout change frequently.
5. Decals for Auto Glass - Use Perforated Window Film with laminate on car windows to cover large spaces and not affect visibility.  Perforated Window Films have tiny holes cut out so the image is really only half there, but the image appears bright on the outside of the vehicle.  From the inside, driver and passengers can see right through it.  There are three degrees of transparency varying from 40% - 60% transparent.  
6. Temporary Decals - Use GTX vinyl, which is a calendared vinyl.  Because it is rolled and flattened into shape, it tends to go back to its natural shape after 1-3 years.  The result is shrinking, curling up at the edges, and even cracks through the middle as the material shrinks.  The advantage to using GTX vinyl is, if you have a short-term project, this vinyl is more cost-effective than higher-performance vinyls.
7. Vehicle Wrap - Use 3M Control Tac Vinyl.  This cast vinyl takes the shape of the substrate and does not shrink over time.  It is long-term, outdoor-durable, and conformable to compound curves or irregularities.  Best of all, the releasable adhesive won't leave any goo when you need to remove the vinyl.
8. Custom Dry Erase Board - Use Dry Erase Vinyl, a clear vinyl that is applied over a printed image, giving it dry erasability.
9. Window Decals - Use Clear Vinyl with a layer of white ink beneath the color to give the image translucence and not transparency.
10. Blacktop wrap - Use 6121 Street Vinyl for special use on blacktop or concrete.  This vinyl is not releasable or conformable.

Signs for Success - Custom Wraps and Graphics is located in Spokane, WA and services Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Cheney and Deer Park, pointing coast to coast wherever successful signs are needed.