By signcraft
Posted on Monday, May 6th, 2024
It’s always interesting to hear what products other sign makers are using with success. In the case of vinyl films, most sign makers are always looking for the products that are the easiest to print, cut and apply—and competitively priced.
Durability is another factor. Doing a sign over because the material failed prematurely is no fun, yet using a product with an 8-year lifespan on a temporary sign will cut into profits. You want to use something that you’re confident will last for the intended life of the sign.
We recently asked readers what vinyl films they preferred for a variety of tasks—cut vinyl, digital prints, wraps, plus translucent and frosted applications. Over 150 very experienced shop owners responded, and 92% had been in the sign industry for 10 years or more.
Using a film that you have confidence in is a valuable sales tool. It lets you explain to clients that vinyl films are made with a specific lifespan and gives you a way to emphasize the value of the sign you are making for them. It also minimizes headaches. A sign with vinyl failure can leave a customer—and anyone who knows you made the sign—with a bad taste in their mouth. You don’t need that sort of negative advertising.
We asked for comments, too, so be sure to read what folks had to say about film choices following the charts. The “years of use” are for the expected outdoor life of the film:
The remaining 32% were using Alpha, Arlon, Briteline and Gerber 220 films.
The remaining 28% were using Alpha, Arlon, Briteline, Gerber 220 and Mactac films.
The remaining 24% were using Alpha, Arlon, Briteline, FDC, Gerber 220 and Mactac films.
Most of the 3M users were using IJ180 film. Most of those using Orafol products were using 3551. 12% were using Avery products, and the remaining 19% were using Alpha, Arlon, Briteline, General Formulations, HP and Substance products.
Most of those using 3M products were using IJ35 and 40C films. Those using Orafol products were using 3551/3751 films. Of the Avery users, 2903 film was named most often. The remaining 25% were using Alpha, Arlon, Briteline, General Formulations, HP and Substance products.
The remaining 48% were using a variety of products by Alpha, Briteline, General Formulations, HP, Mactac, Orafol and Substance.
Most of the 3M users were using 8518 overlaminate, while the Orafol users were using a mix of 210, 215 and 290 films. The remaining 40% were using Alpha, Arlon, Briteline, HP and Substance overlaminates.
Most of the 3M users were printing on 3MIJ180, and Avery users were printing on 1105. Orafol users were using Oracal 3551 and 3951, and the remaining 7% were using Alpha, Arlon, Briteline and Substance.
For wrap laminate, 3M 8518 was the choice of most of the 3M users and Avery DOL1360Z was listed by most of the Avery users. The remaining 26% were using Arlon, Briteline, Orafol and Substance overlaminates.
Perforated window film
Such a wide variety of perforated films were named that it was impractical to chart them. The respondents were using 3M 8518/8519, Arlon, Briteline, Clear Focus, Contravision, General Formulations, Innova, Oracal 3675 and SignMax films.
The remaining 19% were using Arlon, Briteline and Fellers Black Label translucent films.
The remaining 18% were using Arlon, Aslan, Hexis, Mactac and Metamark films.
What they had to say
We asked for their comments on other films they use and on choosing film products in general. Several said they only stock cast film “to keep things simple.” They also told us of other film products they depend on. Here’s a sampling of their comments:
“We used to keep both intermediate and high performance cut vinyl films in stock but now only stock the high performance types. We have found that the less time on the table weeding the high performance products balances out for the most part, and our customers end up with a superior product.”
“I’ve probably used most brands at some point in time, but I always prefer to use my go-to vinyls if possible. A lot of the time it depends upon the color required or whether the client has specified a certain brand to be used.”
“For reflective film, I use Oralite 5650 RA and 3M IJ 5100R.”
“If money were no object it would be 3M all the way. 3M definitely has the best products on the market.”
“I use Real Gold gold leaf vinyls. For indoor short term use, I use Arlon temporary vinyl.”
“For reflective, I use Oralite 5650RA with RapidAir. It’s 5mil 7-year film that’s repositionable.”
“I also use Avery Dennison SW900 Color Change and Avery Dennison 1105 wrap films.”
“For transfer tape, I was a long-time user of 3M SPCM-3 but during the pandemic had to find another source without compromising on quality. I’m using Nekoosa 4761RLA (formerly RTape) or TransfeRite 792U.”
“My customers don’t need vinyl that lasts only a short period. When I have used calendared vinyl for “short” term jobs they come back in 3 years and complain. I do use Arlon 5000, though, in black for traffic signs (like Road Closed, Right Lane Closed Ahead, etc.) where lettering gets removed and replaced frequently.”
“For perfed films, I use 30/70 on display windows and 50/50 on vehicles.”
“We have been using 3M products for as long as they have been available with great results. The ease of use in weeding and applying, along with most importantly, removal. We found that the Gerber/3M vinyl removes much more easily and cleanly than any of the others. The 3M may cost a bit more initially; however, at the time it comes off a vehicle, the time required for removal is much less and more than makes up for initial added cost. Currently we have a project we made with 15-in. Gerber 220 in 2000. It’s 8-ft. tall by 63-ft. long and is still looking good, even with direct sun for much of the day.”
“We try to stay with one type of vinyl and overlaminate for every application regardless of the number of years the manufacturer claims the product will last. It helps reduce inventory.”
“I’ve had great success with 3M 7725 and Oracal 751. I have had signs and vehicle graphics last up to 11 years.”
“I also use RealGold 22kt Gold and Silver films.”
“We use all high performance films. One failure can’t make up for the difference in cost of materials, and the labor to go back will eat up any profits.”
“I’m not confident of most pressure sensitive adhesives anymore. The quality control has gone all to hell, resulting in failures…”
“Some days, it seems overwhelming to choose the correct print film. I wish that the manufacturers would simplify the process.”
“I have a customer whose boat was lettered with Oracal 951 15 years ago who says it looks beautiful to this day.”
“I have a lot of repeat customers that I’ve used Avery vinyl for. I want to match colors that I have used before, so I continue with Avery. There are probably vinyl films out there that are just as good (or better) but I don’t want to stock several different brands.”
“Living at 10,000 feet amidst the breathtaking vistas of our majestic surroundings presents us with a unique challenge: Our extreme climate and seasonal changes demand nothing short of the most exceptional materials. While many vinyl options falter under such rigorous conditions, we’ve discovered that only premium products possess the durability and resilience necessary to withstand our environment’s relentless demands. Investing in quality ensures that our product remains strong against the test of time and nature’s relentless forces.”
“My answers are skewed by whatever my regular suppliers stock. Sign suppliers are buying each other out, and I only have one local supplier anymore and the others deliver/ship vinyl to me. Until about ten years ago we had 3 to 4 local sign suppliers.”
“I have used 3M since the issues with Avery years ago, which meant replacing vinyl on all projects done with the bad formula. I see 3M has now backed down from their 9-year guarantee on their 7125 cast film, though, and support is less helpful.”
“We continue to see many jobs out there that were produced with digital printing where cut vinyl would be superior from an appearance, durability, and most importantly profitability standpoint. Just because you have a printer, does not make printing the best choice!”
“Most of the time, trying to save money on material will cost you more in labor or media failure. Use the good stuff.”
“Keep up the good work—surveys like this make the sign world go round.”