Let’s say you’ve spent a lot of time designing and perfecting a vinyl sign, and now it’s time to install it. But what if you choose the wrong adhesive ?Learning what to look for when buying vinyl sign adhesive is an easy way to avoid mistakes like this without paying for professional advice.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to choose the best vinyl sign adhesive for your business.
Let’s get started.
Which Surfaces Will the Signs Be Applied To?
Before deciding which vinyl adhesive is right for your sign, you need to ask yourself a few questions. First, what surface will the sign be applied to? A vinyl sign is available in many different materials, with varying degrees of durability and resilience.
A vinyl sign may last for years inside an office building with little maintenance required; however, if it’s affixed to a vehicle that will be traveling down the highway at 60 mph, it needs to be able to withstand wind resistance and other elements that could compromise its placement.
When choosing an adhesive for your adhesive vinyl sign placement, consider whether or not the adhesive is: waterproof, biodegradable (this can impact how water resistant the vinyl is), weather resistant, or UV resistant. You also need to ensure it’s capable of bonding well with whatever material is used on your signs’ face (e.g., printed paper). Finally, ensure it’s compatible with the surface where you intend it to be placed (e.g., metal vs. plastic).
Where and How Will the Signs Be Displayed?
It’s important to consider how the sign will be displayed and cleaned. You also need to know how it will be protected, transported, and exposed to sunlight. For example, if you have a shop window open during the day and closed at night, you may want to consider an adhesive designed for indoor use only.
Similarly, suppose your business primarily sells items requiring protection from water damage and/or sunlight exposure (like outdoor furniture or plants). In that case, you might want to choose an adhesive that has been tested for durability in these conditions.
That way, visitors to your shop can have confidence that you know how to look after and store your stock correctly; waterproof and sun-damaged.
Consider if the sign will be exposed to sunlight. It’s also important to consider how they might be exposed to sunlight and water. Suppose you’re planning on putting up signage in stores with windows facing south during summer months when temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27°C). In that case, you will need a more durable vinyl sign adhesive that won’t crack or peel away from the window.
How Long Will the Signs Be Displayed?
If the signs will be displayed for a long time, then we recommend choosing a more permanent adhesive. These adhesives can be used outdoors and will not lose their adhesion over time. This is even if they are exposed to direct sunlight.
If you are using the vinyl signs indoors and they won’t be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, then a removable adhesive would work best for your situation.
Signs with removable adhesives can easily be removed from smooth surfaces such as glass or metal. And they won’t leave behind any residue once they have been cleaned with soap and warm water (or window cleaner).
Remember, the adhesive is vital for creating a high-quality vinyl sign that lasts a long time.
Will the Signs Be Updated Often?
Once you’ve determined the type of vinyl sign adhesive you need, consider how often the signs will be updated. If they are changed frequently, choose a removable adhesive so that each new design can be removed without damaging the sign.
If they’re not going to change much, go with a permanent adhesive. This is because adhesive won’t peel off over time.
Are Other Items Needed?
If you are using a sign stand, it’s important to choose the right adhesive for that. If you are using a sign frame, it’s important to choose the right adhesive for that too.
It’s also possible that other items may be needed to get your vinyl sign mounted correctly. In some cases, screws will be required in addition to the adhesive.
In other instances, an extra piece of material might be required for mounting purposes: for example, if you want something more durable than just glue (which can wear out over time) but less expensive than buying a new frame completely made out of metal or wood.
It’s best to design your sign first and consider all these eventualities. Your design will be the most important factor to consider. But you can then adapt it using a combination of adhesive, vinyl, and other materials. This is better than being constricted to just using adhesive in the design process.
Choosing a Great Vinyl Sign Adhesive
There are many factors to consider when choosing a vinyl sign adhesive. For example, you need to decide what type of material your sign will be laid on (wood, metal, glass), as well as determine how much weight the adhesive needs to hold and what environmental conditions it should be able to withstand.
You’ll also want to consider how easily removable the vinyl is from its surface once applied. This information can help you narrow down which adhesives are best for different projects based on their strength and whether or not they’re designed for indoor or outdoor use.
For more vinyl sign adhesive or if you need a quote, be sure to contact us today.
Simple Solutions International offers a full selection of plotter blades and plotter pens as well as a variety of useful tools for use in plotting and sign making, such as plotter adapters, masking film, spray mask, and other sign-making tools and accessories.