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Self Adhesive Vinyl Types

Economy Vinyl | Premium Vinyl | Super Grip Vinyl | Cast Vinyl

About Vinyl

We make stickers and signs using commercial grade self-adhesive vinyl, most of the vinyl we use is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

There are many different types of self-adhesive vinyl available from short-term easily removable vinyl to high performance long-term vinyl that looks great after many years.

  • Economy vinyl is cheaper than the premium and high-performance vinyl.
  • All have their place however sometimes they are used for the wrong application and fail.
  • We aim to give you an informed choice to allow you to get the best quality and value for the job you require.
  • We use self-adhesive vinyl that are manufactured by reputable companies based in Europe and the USA.
  • Self-adhesive vinyl is affected greatly by heat and UV light, when these two conditions are combined it will greatly reduce the expected life of the vinyl.
  • Australian weather conditions can be harsh on self-adhesive vinyl, especially the northern and western parts of Australia where sometimes it is extremely dry and hot with a high UV value, these conditions affect all types of vinyl which result in them showing signs of fading and failure quicker than vinyl used in the more southern and eastern parts of Australia.
  • Vinyl will perform better outdoors when applied to vertical angles than horizontal angles. When applied to horizontal angles, such as bonnets, roofs and boots, the increased exposure to sun, moisture + dust and dirt settlement will cause the vinyl to deteriorate quicker that a vertical application.
  • We only use genuine inks on all the types of self-adhesive vinyl we have listed here.

We produce stickers, decals and signs using two methods:

  1. Vinyl Cut Stickers, Graphics, Lettering & Decals (also called Computer Cut Lettering/Decals)
    • This method uses vinyl that is supplied in the desired colour. The the decal/lettering is cut, weeded and application tape is applied over it to assist the application of the decal.
    • Vinyl cut decals have no background and are used for many types of applications where a 'painted on' look is desired. Please read our FAQ.
    • Vinyl cut decals are used to make a variety of signage and can be combined with printed vinyl to create unique signs.

  2. Printed Stickers, Signs, Labels and Large Format Printing
    • Our printed stickers are made using digital printers that print the colours onto self-adhesive vinyl that is either white or clear. A huge range of colour and effects can be printed to create stunning stickers, signs and labels.
    • Printed stickers are used across many different applications and industries.
    • We use modern printing and cutting technology to recreate pictures and artwork from today's powerful graphic programs.
    • Our digital cutting system allows stickers to be cut to almost any shape.

The table below shows the different attributes that self adhesive vinyl have.

Feature Type Cast Vinyl Calendered Polymeric Vinyl Calendered Monomeric Vinyl
Expected Outdoor Life* 7+ years unprinted 3 - 7 years unprinted 1 - 5 years unprinted
Conformability (how the vinyl stretches and complies on curved surfaces) Excellent OK Limited
Stability (how the vinyl performs over time) Excellent Good Limited
Gloss (finishing of vinyl) Excellent Good OK
Colour Range Large Large Large
Product Choices (range available for different applications) Large Large Limited
Shrinkage (different vinyl shrink at different rates) Very Slow Slow Fast
Metallic Colours Good Range Small Range Very Limited

Economy Vinyl

1 to 3 year Monomeric self-adhesive outdoor vinyl

Great for indoor and outdoor short-term stickers, large format prints, labels, point of sales, window stickers, bumper stickers

Our economy vinyl is a calendered monomeric self-adhesive vinyl suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. With an expected outdoor life of 1 to 3 years, our economy vinyl is great for short term applications for stickers, labels, large format prints, point of sale, bumper stickers and promotional installations.

Economy vinyl has a thickness on 100 microns (0.1mm) unlaminated and 200 microns (0.2mm) laminated.

We use ImagePerfect brand monomeric self-adhesive vinyl which is manufactured in the United Kingdom and offers a good system of choice with clear and white printable self-adhesive vinyl.
Monomeric vinyl is recommended for flat applications as it doesn't conform well to curves and corners. It will shrink, break down, crack and peel as well as have a shorter life the more it is exposed to heat and UV light.

We offer the following monomeric white, clear and laminate films:

White Gloss with Clear Permanent Adhesive
  • Thickness - 100 micron (0.1mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
White Gloss with Grey Permanent Adhesive
  • Thickness - 100 micron (0.1mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
White Gloss with Grey Removable Adhesive
  • Easily removed for up to 6 months
  • Thickness - 100 micron (0.1mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
Clear Gloss with Clear Permanent Adhesive
  • Thickness - 100 micron (0.1mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet

Monomeric Laminate - available in gloss and matte laminate to cover prints, the laminate extends the life of the print by protecting from the elements of weather, scratching and chemicals.

Clear Gloss Laminate (we use this film for printing clear stickers as well as laminating white the above white vinyl)
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 200 micron (0.2mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
Clear Matte Laminate
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 200 micron (0.2mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet

Premium Vinyl

3 to 5 year True Polymeric self-adhesive outdoor vinyl

Great for indoor and outdoor stickers, large format prints, vehicle signs, general building and commercial signs

The premium vinyl we supply is a calendered true polymeric self-adhesive vinyl suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Its thickness is 70 microns (.07mm) unlaminated and 140 microns (.14mm) laminated.

With an expected outdoor life of 3 - 5 years, our premium vinyl is great for medium term applications for stickers, labels, large format prints and vehicle signage.

We use a true polymeric self-adhesive vinyl which means less shrinkage and breakdown of the film over time (many other self-adhesive vinyl sold as polymeric have a blend of monomeric and polymeric plasticisers which results in a cheaper but more unstable self-adhesive vinyl). It is great for stickers and large format printing where good looks and longevity is important.

We use ImagePerfect brand polymeric self-adhesive vinyl which is manufactured in the United Kingdom and offers a good system of choice with clear and white printable self-adhesive vinyl.
Polymeric vinyl is recommended for flat and slightly curved applications, some shrinkage occurs. The more it is exposed to heat and UV light, the shorter it's life will be.

We offer the following polymeric and laminate films:

White Gloss with Clear Permanent Adhesive
  • Thickness - 70 micron (0.07mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
Clear Gloss with Clear Permanent Adhesive
  • Thickness - 70 micron (0.07mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet

Polymeric Laminate - we offer a gloss and matte laminate to cover prints, the laminate extends the life of the print by protecting from the elements of weather, scratching and chemicals.

Clear Gloss Laminate
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 140 micron (0.14mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
Clear Matte Laminate - Matte finish is great for indoors as indoor lighting can be a problem with reflecting light of the gloss finish. .
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 140 micron (0.14mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
Clear Gloss Heavy Duty Laminate - Great for machinery, motorbikes and any place stickers will get knocked around.
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 375 micron (0.375mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet

Super Grip Vinyl

3 - 5 year Polymeric self-adhesive outdoor vinyl

Our Super Grip vinyl is a gloss white calendered polymeric self-adhesive vinyl suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. It has been specifically engineered to LSE (low surface energy) surfaces and /or surfaces with low temperature.

We use ImagePerfect brand polymeric self-adhesive vinyl which is manufactured in the United Kingdom and offers a good system of choice with clear and white printable self-adhesive vinyl.
Super Grip self-adhesive vinyl is great for applications to plastics, powder-coated metal, surf boards, motocross bikes, quad bikes, polyamide structures/walls and many other hard-to-stick to surfaces.

May also be used on uncoated woods and painted acrylic surfaces. With an expected outdoor life of up to 5 years, our premium vinyl is great for medium term applications for stickers, labels, large format prints and vehicle signage.

Polymeric vinyl is recommended for flat and slightly curved applications, some shrinkage occurs. The more it is exposed to heat and UV light, the shorter it's life will be.

We offer the following polymeric film :

White Gloss with Clear Permanent Adhesive
  • Thickness - 70 micron
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Rubber based acrylic permanent
  • Download Data Sheet

Polymeric Laminate - we offer a gloss and matte laminate to cover prints, the laminate extends the life of the print by protecting from the elements of weather, scratching and chemicals.

Clear Gloss Laminate
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 140 micron (0.14mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
Clear Matte Laminate - Matte finish is great for indoors as indoor lighting can be a problem with reflecting light of the gloss finish. .
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 140 micron (0.14mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet
Clear Gloss Heavy Duty Laminate - Great for machinery, motorbikes and any place stickers will get knocked around.
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 375 micron (0.375mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet

Cast Vinyl

Performance enhanced self-adhesive vinyl with an expected outdoor life when printed of 5 - 7 years.

Cast vinyl is used for applications where quality and comfortability are important.

We use Arlon Cast self-adhesive vinyl which is manufactured in the U.S.A.
Cast vinyl is used for applications where quality and comfortability are important. Cast vinyl will conform to many different curves and recesses and is used for vehicles as well as signage and stickers because of the excellent print finish it produces.

Suitable for signage on motor vehicles, machinery, watercraft and lower speed aircraft.

White Gloss with Clear Permanent Adhesive
  • Thickness - 50 microns (0.05mm)
  • Adhesive - bubble releasing, tinted, clean removing, repositionable, permanent pressure-sensitive 
  • Download Data Sheet

Cast Laminate - All cast prints are laminated, the laminate extends the life of the print by protecting from the elements of weather, scratching and chemicals.

Clear Gloss Laminate
  • Overall Thickness (vinyl + laminate) - 100 micron (0.1mm)
  • Indoor and Outdoor use
  • Adhesive - Solvent based acrylic, permanent
  • Download Data Sheet