Vinyl Lettering vs. Wall Decals

Blank walls. At some point we’ve probably all experienced the overwhelming internal discussion of how to tackle them and we’ve all questioned how to decorate them. If you’re currently trying to come up with what to do with your blank walls, you’ve probably already considered options like painting or wallpaper. But have you considered vinyl lettering or decals? Either one could be a great option for you; whether for personal use or for your business. Knowing the differences between the two and how they can be used will help you in choosing which one is best for you.

Vinyl Lettering

Vinyl lettering can be letters, numbers, symbols, or even simple designs that are cut, individually, from a sheet of colored vinyl that has an adhesive backing. While most other decals or signs have the color printed onto the material, the colors available for vinyl lettering are based on the different shades of solid colors that are available from the roll of the material. So, the lettering is limited to a single color, without any gradients or multiple color options available for a design.

Uses For Vinyl Lettering

Vinyl lettering is great for both personal and business usage.

It’s quite possible you’ve seen pictures of a house with script lettering on the walls, most often seen in the “Live, Laugh, Love” mantra. Well, this is just one of the uses of vinyl lettering. You could choose to decorate your home’s walls with a quote you love, put your child’s name on their bedroom wall, and so much more.
If you’re a business owner, there are many different practical uses of vinyl lettering. You could use it to display important information throughout your office. A great placement for them would be in the lobby or reception areas, in which you can direct customers where to go, or use it as a marketing tool. Use them to display restrooms, door numbers, emergency exits, or place them on storefronts to display promotions or sales. You can even apply it to your company vehicles! If you’d like to learn more about vehicle wraps, check out our blog here. Vinyl lettering can also be used to display your custom logo.

What makes vinyl even more impressive? The vinyl adhesive allows you to place the design on various different surfaces such as glass, wood, plastic, and other non-porous materials. It’s even durable enough to use on outdoor surfaces, so come rain or shine your lettering will stay strong.

While vinyl lettering may not be as customizable as you’d like when it comes to colors and their effects, there are actually numerous color options available for you to choose from, depending on which company you use, that are sure to meet your expectations!

Installation and Removal

In order to make installation easier, vinyl lettering can come pre-masked, which means if your design involves individual lettering, they come attached to a single adhesive backing. This will allow you to install your lettering in one single motion, instead of applying each letter individually. It is best to choose a surface that is not textured or porous in order for the lettering to adhere as well as it should.

Vinyl lettering has an average lifespan of 8 or more years so, until you are ready to remove it, it will stay just where it should be! Removal is quite easy – it simply requires a flat edge (preferably a hard rubber so as not to damage the surface) and some gentle cleaning solution to remove any adhesive that may be left behind. Once removed, the vinyl should not take off any paint or leave any permanent defects to the surface in which it was applied.

We should also note that vinyl lettering cannot be repositioned after it has been installed – so make sure you know where you want it applied before you begin!

Wall Decals

Wall decals, unlike vinyl lettering, is available in unlimited designs, colors, and effects. With wall decals, you also have more cut options available. Your design can be cut in a standard, rectangular shape, with a halo effect, or even cut in the actual shape of your design.

Designs are printed on a single sheet, so individual letters cannot be cut out. Any lettering you include in your design will be printed with a background from a single piece of material. The background of wall decals, however, cannot be transparent.

Also unlike vinyl lettering, wall decals can be repositioned. They are also incredibly versatile in regards to design, and can come in various shapes and sizes, including a full-wall size.

If you’re a business owner, wall decals are a great tool to use in order to create a visually appealing ad or in aiding in the creation of the aesthetic for your offices. For instance, a full-size wall decal of a beach in Fiji would be both a great marketing tool and create a great aesthetic for a travel agency office. As with vinyl lettering, decals can also be used in the same manner of using them for directional or indicatory purposes.

Decals are also a great option for use within the home, especially in children’s rooms that follow a theme, such as the popular sports or fairy tale themed rooms. You can also create seasonal designs that you could put up for different holidays and, since they are repositionable, they can easily be put up and taken down whenever you need.

Installation

Installation of wall decals is incredibly simple. Again, you should choose a smooth and non-porous surface, simply remove the backing, and press it to the surface. Decals will last, on average, around 5 years.

Wall decals are best used in dry, indoor settings due to the type of adhesive that is used.

A Quick Overview

Vinyl Lettering

• • No background and individually cut
• • Strong adhesive
• • Not repositionable
• • Indoor/Outdoor use
• • Simple designs are best
• • Perfect for lettering, quotes, slogans, nameplates

Wall Decals

• • Printed on single sheet of material
• • Different cuts available
• • Repositionable
• • Indoor use only
• • Great for logos, images, signs, or larger scale designs
• • Ideal for gradients, multiple colors, images, and backgrounds

Let’s not forget about Printable Aluminum Brick Graphics

Printable aluminum brick graphics are made for harsh environments. Outdoor and indoor graphics apply to sidewalks, interior and exterior walls including on sealed and unsealed concrete, asphalt, brick, tile, terrazzo, marble, and vinyl flooring.

• Ideal for indoor & outdoor floor graphics applications and exterior walls including on sealed amp unsealed concrete, asphalt, brick, tile, terrazzo, marble, and vinyl flooring.
• No over laminate needed, unlike most floor graphic media options.
• Pool area ready! Slip-resistant surface exceeds ASTM slip resistant standards making it safe to walk on both dry and wet.
• Withstands heavy pedestrian traffic and harsh weather environments; 1 – 5 year expected life performance (depending on area of application).

Which One is Best for Your Project?
If you’re looking for something with a simple design, no background, and a solid color, vinyl lettering is the option for you. But, if you’re looking for something more detailed, larger in size, and with endless options of colors and effects, wall decals are what you’ll need.
If you would like more information on options available to you, MightyWraps can answer all of your questions, and even aid you in the design process.

Give us a call today at (316) 264-1321 today or visit us at www.uslogo.net!

Take a close look and see how well the printable aluminum brick graphics seal up to the contours and roughness of the bricks. Want a closer look? Come on down to 520 N. West St. Wichita, KS 67203 and feel free to see for your self. The quality will amaze you.