Wall wraps are quickly gaining popularity as a way to showcase a business. Very similar to wall...
Wall wraps are all the rage in the signage industry these days. You can transform your business’s lobby by displaying a dramatic floor to ceiling mural showcasing your top products or services. Or, you can bring attention to your company’s core values and mission. This is especially popular among non-profits. As more organizations come to us for wall graphics, we are increasingly asked, “What are vinyl wall wraps made of?” This entry will answer that question.
Top Quality Vinyl Is Essential
You need the right vinyl to have successful digitally printed wallpaper. Most interior wall wraps require two specific features: vinyl and a removable adhesive. We get our vinyl from the top manufacturers in the world, including 3M, Avery Dennison, and Oracal.
Vinyl comes in several different varieties, including reflective, metallic, neon, standard, and matte varieties. Wall graphics typically utilize traditional glossy vinyl. However, this is not always the best solution, since interior lighting can produce glare hot spots that obscure graphics or text.
Instead, we recommend going with matte vinyl. It often costs a little bit more, but matte makes a huge impact. Some of the top matte films are EunduraMATTE, MACtac 8900, and Oracal 631. When our clients want to install wall wraps that promote their corporate culture, matte vinyl tends to be a common alternative.
Adhesives Are also Important
The adhesive is the other critical element in your wall mural. A lot of vinyls have permanent adhesives that are designed to be used outdoors on a semi-permanent basis. However, if your wall mural is going to be indoors, a permanent adhesive is unnecessary. In fact, a permanent adhesive could damage your painted walls when it comes time to remove the wrap. Fortunately, the best matte vinyls have low tack removable adhesives making them ideal for use on interior walls.
What Surface Will You Be Applying Your Wall Graphics to?
Vinyl wall films were designed to replace paint in signage. So, they are designed to stick to aluminum, plastics, and glass. All of these are smooth surfaces that provide a good bond between the vinyl’s adhesive and the wall. Some films may not work with certain interior painted walls.
The ability of a vinyl to adhere is seriously degraded if the surface is porous or rough. Some of the toughest challenges in the vinyl industry today are painted, textured walls. The bond with the adhesive will be weaker when the surface is rough. Textures like brick require a special cast vinyl, such as 3M’s 1J8624. A different challenge is presented by unsealed concrete walls. They are very porous. A vinyl with a unique high tack adhesive is needed for these walls.
Whether you are interested in displaying motivational quotes, company history timelines, the specific values your business holds dear, or anything else, using the appropriate materials is essential to getting your message across with wall graphics. In addition, installation is key. A professional installation will keep your vinyl wall wrap looking great for many years to come.
As you can see, we are the experts when it comes to choosing the right materials for the job. Avoid the headache of trying to figure out what vinyl works best with your walls, and contact our friendly professionals today for a free consultation and quote on wall wraps!
Image credits: Associated Fabrication
