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What Sign Making Material Is Right For You?

What Sign Making Material Is Right For You?

Posted by Heat Transfer Warehouse on Oct 23rd 2019

Welcome to the Sign Making Materials (Sign Vinyl - Wall Vinyl) mini-guide. Our experts have weighed in on how to choose the right sign-making product for you. Let the creating begin!

We couldn't include everything in here (it would be way too long). Plus, we disregard all printable and custom products here. But, hopefully this can help you on where to start!

Each product is linked to our website. For more information and application instructions, simply just click the product link!

Some products are also linked to the manufacturer website for more technical information.

Standard Sign Vinyl-Mask

FDC Sign Vinyl

This is offered in both a 12 inch and 15 inch width. The color selection is almost identical between both widths. It is perfect for creating designs on windows, glass, car graphics and much more!

  • Face Film: 3.0 mil thick (76.2 microns), high gloss, intermediate calendered vinyl film
  • Adhesive: Aggressive, acrylic, permanent, pressure-sensitive. Not to be used with solvent based application fluids.
  • Outdoor Durability/Life Expectancy (based on accepted application procedures on vertical surfaces): 6 years
  • Minimum Application Temperature: 35° F.
  • Application Surface: Interior and exterior markings and decals
  • Temperature Resistance Range: 50-150°F - which is a reasonable range of temperatures to be expected under normal environmental time and temperature conditions.
  • Opacity: Normal
  • Chemical Resistance: Good for most petroleum solvents and lower aliphatic alcohols. For ultimate solvent resistance, edge sealing is recommended.
  • Water Resistance: Excellent: A test piece was adhered to stainless steel. It was not affected when immersed in 70°F water for 7 days.
  • Shelf Life: 2 years when stored under conditions of 70°F and 50% relative humidity.

Oracal 651 Sign Vinyl

This is offered in 12 inch width. It's available in 60 vivid colors plus transparent, matte white and matte black. It features a custom silicone-coated paper with special release characteristics that provide excellent weeding and release values.

  • Face Film: 2.5 mil thick (63.5 microns), intermediate calendered PVC film
  • Adhesive: Clear, solvent-based, permanent adhesive
  • Dimensional Stability: Excellent dimensional stability and very good cutting and application characteristics. A test piece was adhered to steel with no shrinkage in cross direction
  • Minimum Durability/Life Expectancy (based on accepted application procedures on vertical surfaces): 6 years - colors/transparent/black and white; 4 years - metallic; 3 years – brilliant blue
  • Minimum Application Temperature: 46°F
  • Application Surface: Medium-term indoor and outdoor lettering, marking and decoration
  • Temperature Resistance Range: Adhered to aluminum in -40°F to +176°F with no variation. Exceeds a reasonable range of temperatures to be expected under normal environmental time and temperature conditions.
  • Water Resistance: Adhered to aluminum - after 100h/73°F no variation
  • Shelf Life: 2 years when stored under conditions of 68°F and 50% relative humidity.
  • Print Compatibility: Thermal Transfer (gloss finish only)

Check out this product video:

FDC Neon Sign Viny

This is offered in 15 inch width. It's available in 4 bright, attention-grabbing colors: Magenta, Orange, Yellow, and Green. This product has a very short outdoor durability of 3 to 6 months. The fluorescent pigments will fade with UV exposure.

Wall/Temporary Vinyl

This is offered in 12 inch width. Available in 11 colors, including a silver metallic. Perfect for creating decorative wall decor or applying temporary vehicle graphics, as it will adhere to windows, windshields, etc.

  • Features a grid-marked liner for easy alignment
  • 3 mils thick (76.2 microns)
  • Matte finish
  • Outdoor durability of 3 years

Oracal 631 Wall Vinyl

This is offered in 12 inch width. It's available in 63 colors! Perfect for any short-term application such as wall art or home decor.

Metallic / Glitter

FDC Metallic Sign Vinyl

  • It features solid and metallic opaque gloss vinyl film designed for use in architectural signage, striping, transportation graphics and general sign markings.
  • This is offered in 15 inch width. Available in 37 colors.
  • The product specifications are very similar to standard FDC Sign Vinyl as shown above. To see a full list of all these specifications, please click on the product title link and you will be directed to this product on our website.

FDC Ultra Metallic Sign Vinyl 12"

  • It features a strong glitter accent to each color with a glossy finish.
  • It provides dynamic graphic accents and can be used for RV and marine applications, automotive aftermarket graphics and striping.
  • This is offered in 12 inch width. Available in 15 colors.
  • Once again, the specifications are very similar to standard FDC Sign Vinyl as shown above. To see a full list of all these specifications, please click on the product title link and you will be directed to this product on our website.

FDC Frosted Crystal Vinyl

  • It features a high degree of transparency and is great for window and glass graphics, along with lettering and interior signage/displays.
  • This is offered in 15 inch width. Available in 4 colors: Frosted Blue, Frosted Gold, Frosted Green, and Frosted Rose.
  • To see a full list of product specifications, please visit FDC's website at http://www.fdcfilms.com/series/intermediate-frosted-crystal-vinyl-film

Frosted Etched Vinyl

  • It features a light, frosted effect that is great for creating effects on cars, glass and windows.
  • This is offered in 15 inch width. Available in just one color.
  • It can also be can be printed with solvent/eco solvent inks.

FDC Imitation Leaf

  • It features a three dimensional illusionary pattern that ideal for pinstriping, lettering and advertising.
  • This is offered in 15 inch width. Available in 2 colors: Gold and Silver.
  • To see a full list of product specifications, please visit FDC's website at http://www.fdcfilms.com/series/imitation-leaf-vinyl-film

Check out this product video:

PSG Textured Glitter

  • Many people think this is a HTV.... but this is not a heat transfer vinyl!
  • For hard surface application only!
  • Consists of real glitter flakes encased in polyurethane
  • Pressure sensitive
  • Used to create decals, labels and name tags for hard surfaces
  • Ideal for gifts and specialty items
  • Recommend cutting in solid graphics
  • No Transfer Tape is needed as it is a hand peel recommended material
  • Not recommended for outdoor use

Check out this product video:

Chrome

We offer Chrome Sign Vinyl by FDC in 15 inch width in 2 colors:

  • Gold
    • 6 month outdoor durability
  • Silver
    • 2 year outdoor durability

To see a full list of both product specifications, please visit FDC's website at http://www.fdcfilms.com/series/promotional-metallized-mirror-finish-polyesternbspfilm

Carbon Fiber

Reflective

Dry Erase

We offer Dry Erase Vinyl in two colors:

These make any surface a dry erase board! Great for crafting and at-home/office use. You can apply the clear color to any other color. Offered in 15 inch width.

Chalk

We offer Liquid Chalk Vinyl in two colors:

These make any surface a chalk board! They can be cut with any vinyl cutter and feature an adhesive back. Overall, they are great for crafts, gifts, activity walls and more! Offered in 18 inch width.

Magnetic Receiving Vinyl

  • Make any surface a magnetic surface
  • Surface becomes just like a magnetic refrigerator
  • Use as a base layer for colored vinyls, dry erase, chalkboard and more!
  • Offered in 19 inch width