Old ways are the safest and surest ways.

—Edward Coke 

 

Cut vinyl can be used as masking film for graphics that need to be painted onto substrates (Photo by Alexander Renowitzky)

The Gerber Scientific Signmaker changed the world of signs from a hand-lettering environment to the computer age. But the format was essentially the same—individual letters superimposed onto graphic surfaces. Large-format inkjet printers forever changed the whole paradigm. The possibilities for expression were now endless. Did cut vinyl just shrivel up and die? No Chance! It is alive and well and living in a sign shop near you. 

 

Granted, the emperor’s universe has shrunken considerably. The role of cut vinyl is now directed toward carefully chosen applications that complement vinyl’s unique characteristics:

 

INDIVIDUALITY

Cut vinyl’s biggest selling point is that can be applied to select areas defined by the graphic or letter shape. This opens up huge areas of practical applications. Special background materials and colors can remain visible behind the vinyl foreground. Applied images don’t take over visually from the object to be marked. 

 

DURABILITY

Cut vinyl is also very durable. It has been proven under extreme circumstances for decades. When used properly, it doesn’t fade, peel, chip or delaminate for very long periods of time. 

 

Working with vector graphics is relatively simple, but you still need to be careful.

SIMPLICITY

Vinyl cutting and application is a relatively simple process to learn when compared with inkjet printing, lamination and application (not to mention the art of hand-lettering, which took many years of apprenticeship to master). 

 

BEAUTY

The simple, pure forms and bright colors of cut vinyl have a Zen-like appeal and can be instant eye-catchers. 

 

PRICING

Cut vinyl is very cost-effective and can cover large areas of graphic surface at a fraction of the cost of inkjet under controlled circumstances (lots of small text or complicated graphics can be an exception—they are not a cut vinyl strong point). 

 

Balancing these characteristics with real-world applications can open up a large world of cut vinyl opportunities:

 

VEHICLE GRAPHICS

Full-coverage vehicle graphics is a popular sign shop product, but not every application is ideal for this. Sometimes less is more, and cut vinyl can provide a more unique alternative to this ubiquitous offering. Beautifully designed, clean artwork can make a logo pop out of the crowd. 

 

Specialty vinyl, such as the holographic film shown with these in-store displays, can add extra punch to a project.

ADDITIONS

Cut vinyl can be used effectively together with inkjet prints. The inkjet can be used in selected areas and the remaining graphics done with cut-vinyl. This provides a very different effect than inkjet or vinyl alone for a very unique product. 

 

SPECIALTY FILMS

There are some things that inkjet just cannot do. Many specialty films lend themselves well to vinyl cutting. Etched window film is an excellent example of a field that cut vinyl has all to itself. Other products like holographic films, metallic vinyls and fluorescents work especially well when individually cut and used as accents and focal points. 

 

SPRAY MASKS

Vinyl does have its dark side—some creatively misguided souls like to peel the letters and make new words. In places where vandalism is a problem, it is often better to paint the words directly onto the substrate. Vinyl can help here as well. Cut vinyl provides an excellent masking film for applying paint to a second surface. It is easier and cheaper than screen-printing, often the only other viable choice. Vinyl masks can also work on irregularly shaped surfaces, increasing their versatility. 

 

Wayfinding graphics often employ vinyl for a variety of reasons.

CHANGEABLE GRAPHICS

Some graphics need to be changed regularly. Wayfinding signage, menu boards, tenant directories, site maps, name plates and aisle markers all benefit from easy changeability. Nothing could be easier to change than cut vinyl, with anything from a major revamp to a single letter change being viable. 

 

So vinyl is beautiful, versatile and inexpensive. It will sell itself given the opportunity. The only thing left to do is educate the clients about how to set up their files. Standard inkjet rules do not apply. We’ve included a handy guide to help explain the details. Have fun!