Did you know that vinyl signs can be easily customized and drive more traffic to your sales platforms? This is even easier done when you use the right adhesive.
Creating a quality sign can be challenging at times. There are so many factors that affect your design’s final appearance, and vinyl sign adhesive is one of them.
Other factors can be easy to overlook sometimes as well. The work that goes into creating quality signs or printing graphics can be extensive. For those with existing design experience, many will likely have more experience with digital media, not with traditional vinyl sign production.
In short, creating a quality sign is not always intuitive unless you’ve tried your hand at it. However, creating a quality sign can take you pretty far if you have the adhesive you need for it, that is. Additionally, there are several little things you can do to improve the final result of your design right from the start.
These include choosing the right vinyl sign adhesive for your sign and knowing how to use it effectively. Let’s take a look at why adhesive is so important and how you can choose the right one for your design
What is Vinyl Sign Adhesive?
Vinyl signs are made from a sheet of plastic with a texture similar to paper. Once a design’s printed on this sheet, it can be transferred to most surfaces with an adhesive. These days, there are a wide variety of vinyl sign products that you can buy in various colors and shapes for your adhesive sign design.
One type of vinyl is for permanent signs and offers a much longer lifespan than other types. You can use this type of vinyl for posters, billboards, or other outdoor signage. You can also create your own quality vinyl sign with the necessary tools.
The other type is for temporary or removable signs and is available in a variety of colors and strengths. These removable vinyl signs can be used indoors or outdoors and are ideal for short-term use.
Using a service like Simple Solutions International gives you the resource bank for everything you need to make high-quality signage and build out your sign-making business how you want to.
What Is the Purpose of Adhesive for Vinyl Signs?
The clear adhesive in vinyl signs is what allows the printing to adhere to the surface. No matter how good your design is, it won’t stick to the surface without the appropriate adhesive.
The purpose of the adhesive in vinyl signs is to hold the design in place until it’s ready for removal. When choosing a vinyl sign product, two aspects are usually considered: the adhesive’s strength and durability. The stronger and stickier it is, the longer it will last.
This is, of course, if the sign being temporary is what you have in mind. Sometimes designers will choose a vinyl sign with an adhesive that is removable so that it can be torn off with ease when it’s time to remove it.
The Two Main Types of Adhesive Vinyl
There are multiple types of vinyl, but two main types are used most often. Those are heat-transfer and solvent-based. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and can be used for different applications.
Heat-Transfer Vinyl
This type of vinyl is the most common, and it’s used in most removable signs. It’s similar to regular paper in that it transfers images by heat and adheres the image to the sign or surface. Heat-transfer vinyl is ideal for indoor signs because it can be simple to erase with household cleaning products when you’re ready to remove it.
It’s also an ideal choice for temporary signage because it doesn’t always leave any residue behind. However, it has its downsides. This type of vinyl is generally not archival quality, so it doesn’t last as long as other types of vinyl. Of course, this will also depend on your supplier as well as the conditions of the environment where you’re using the signage.
Solvent-Based Vinyl
This type of vinyl is part of the largest group of adhesives. It’s often used for many permanent signs, such as posters or banners. It’s also used for other types of outdoor signs that can withstand outdoor conditions.
This type of vinyl can also be safely used in public venues. You can also use solvent-based adhesives for more permanent applications, and one of the great things about this type of product is that it’s often scuff and scratch-resistant. This type of vinyl is also water-resistant.
Choosing the Right Adhesive for Designing a Vinyl Sign
When you don’t choose the right adhesive, the finished product could have a weak spot that can easily tear or damage. There are a few things that you should consider when choosing the right adhesive for your design.
If you’re designing a permanent sign, choose a quality adhesive that is suitable for outdoor use. If you want something versatile and great for both personal and business applications, self-adhesive vinyl is a great option.At times the occasion may even call for using a custom adhesive.
Also, if you’re designing a temporary or removable sign, choose an adhesive that’s easy to remove without sacrificing durability. You don’t want to leave any residue behind when you tear the sign down.
Keep in mind that the application should make your decision for you. Heat-transfer vinyl is often better for applications with more texture. Harder surfaces respond better to other types of vinyl adhesive.
The Importance of Quality Control
Vinyl signs are susceptible to wear and tear, so you want to make sure that you choose quality materials for them. You also want to make sure that you use quality adhesive that can last for as long as you need it to. This is where quality control comes into play.
It’s essential to make sure that the adhesive you’re using is of the right quality and strength and that it’s applied properly. If you’re working with an adhesive supplier, they should be able to assist you with choosing the right adhesive and strength for your application.
For example, permanent vinyl is often the best option for any type of outdoor use. In terms of quality, look for an adhesive that is long-lasting and can withstand different elements.
Get the Expertise Your Project Needs
Vinyl signs are a good way to promote your business and engage with your customers. Simple Solutions International is a good source for implementing your designs and ensuring you’re pairing your projects with the proper vinyl sign adhesive.
When you’re creating something to attract attention and promote engagement, especially for advertising, making sure your products are long-lasting is important.Contact our team today to get started with your next signage project.
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.