advice on vinyl and printing wall stickers

[Jason Xuereb]

Avery MP2601 I think is the code. We don’t laminate.

[David Crocker]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for that information. From that Ive seen that there are 2 products to try. Your Avery suggestion and Photo Tex.
Ive contacted both companies to get some samples and from the initial calls, it seems this is the stuff im after….

so thank you very much for your help.

Dave.

[Jason Xuereb]

Hey Dave,

I wouldnt use phototex for a permanent signage job. Anyone can peel it off wit h ease so if is in an area where people will be un supervised dont use it.

If its like an office environment go for it.

Both work well.

I’ll snap some pics of our reception area done with the Avery on Monday.

[David Crocker]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for that tip. Ive got several vinyls to choose from now. Avery dont make the MP2601 anymore but they do have similar products. The only problem is that the roll is £374.00 but i can get a sample off them as they have to order the roll in.

I’d be more than happy to see how you utilised the vinyl in your shop though.

cheers
Dave

[Mo Gillis-Coates]

Try Metamark MDP, it’s a decal vinyl, slightly thicker and anti curl, also you might want to try a longer drying or gas out time before cutting so that the ink doesn’t pull the vinyl in after you have cut!

[David Crocker]

quote Mo Gillis-Coates:

Try Metamark MDP, it’s a decal vinyl, slightly thicker and anti curl, also you might want to try a longer drying or gas out time before cutting so that the ink doesn’t pull the vinyl in after you have cut!

Actually, i did apply the application tape straight after the print. I shall do some more prints and leave for 24 hours before application again.

Thanks for the tips 😉
Dave

[Mark Candlin]

We use metamark matt md5 with no laminate.
We then apply some gentle heat using an heat gun and a felt squeege.

I think the problem is the laminate.

Hope this helps

Mark

[Chris Windebank]

as Mo said, leave the print for 24-48 hours then put back in machine and cut and app tape, solves many a problem

[Jason Xuereb]

Here’s our reception/waiting room area. Hasn’t curled unlaminated. Works a treat. Easy to put up as well as its very thick.

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[David Crocker]

wow thats looking good Jason 🙂

thanks for all your help guys, its seems the print and cut later works far better. Im currently doing lotsof sample with friends for different wall textures. ill report back.

thanks again for all your help
Dave

[David Crocker]

OMG!

I just tried a decal that i’d left overnight and then cut this morning as instructed in the thread, applied it to the wall to see how much easier it applied and then decided to remove it…and half the wall paint came with it! In fact it took the paint off in exactly the same shape as the design itself.

This vinyl i have at the moment is supposed to be low tack removable but I think it means removable as in ‘off cars’ not walls 🙂

Ive called Metamark and im just waiting for the techie to get back to me.

I shouldve added that the the type of wall covering/decals im doing are decorative i.e. vector swirls, flowers etc. Im not actually using the covering in a wall paper style as Jason above has shown. I hope I havent given some of you a groan by admitting that fact right now so late in the thread.

Ive seen some sellers on ebay doing this but ive also noticed the amount of customers complain that removing the decals also removed the paint and fromwhat ive seen, some sellers are using normal coloured car vinyl!!! I think this stuff is so sticky that when removed itll take bricks with it let alone the paint. A few interior decorators are waiting for me to get back to them with samples, sothis really is a big deal that i get a vinyl that doesnt remove wall paint and is good on almost all walls e.g. emulsion, matt, silk and even some overpainted wallpaperings.

At the moment the best sample ive had through is the Photo Tex which really was removable and re-positionable but its also £279 for 30metres.

Stay tuned 🙂

Cheers
Dave

[Jason Xuereb]

David,

Are you looking for a solid coloured vinyl? If so there isn’t an option.

Phototex is it for reusable. I’ve done testing over 2 years and its the only product that is reusable and won’t damage walls.

It’s expensive for a reason and its hard to cut due it to being tear resistant. If your looking at doing intricate designs you might have a hard time of it.

Most stuff on eBay is in Avery 500 which is a matt grade vinyl which they claim to be reusable removable.

[David Crocker]

Hi Jason,

Some designs are solid colour and some are using gradients for stuff like flowers.

Ive talked to Phil from Metamark (very very helpful chap) and he’s explained why Im having the problems im having with wall decals.

He’s sending me a sample of the MD5 for tomorrow.

As for the Photo Tex, Ive cut some swirls out and applied to walls and i can only say it was a dream! It came off the application tape so easily and yes its re-useable because ive tried it on about 5 different walls and each time it sticks like glue but come off so easy – although not that easy as for example just brushing by it with an edge would take it off. You still have to get a nail or something sharp under it so that it removes. Great product but a bit pricey! Im hoping to market the decals as a professional product and hence the slightly higher price than normal vinyl as some sellers are using.

I shall keep you informed as to how the Metamark performed on the same walls that ive managed to ruin and subsequently now have to re-paint 🙁

lol…the joys or testing 🙂

Thanks again
Dave.

[David Crocker]

quote Jason Xuereb:

David,

Are you looking for a solid coloured vinyl? If so there isn’t an option.

….

Most stuff on eBay is in Avery 500 which is a matt grade vinyl which they claim to be reusable removable.

From what ive seen with other sellers is that indeed theyre using solid colours but are either limited by the colours of the vinyl supplier or the range of that particular line of vinyl. Im sure many are using cheap vinyl because the complaints all seem to point to paint coming off the walls and peeling. From what Phil said at Metamark, he made perfect sense of the fact that there isnt a dedicated vinyl for this style of product purely because of the coating and thickness of the vinyl and adhesion properties. The Textile product is the only one to use for what I have in mind that can give 100% re-useable, re-moveable and re-positionable (and yes i got that tag line off the Photo Tex sample sheet :))

All good fun, and thanks for your reply
Dave.

[Warren Beard]

MD5 will take the paint off, kit is a high [performance vehicle grade vinyl 😕

Photo Tex is best but as mentioned is not great at intricate stuff due to the thread. All Print Supplies do one as well which has a smoother finish which I would say is only suitable for very smooth walls and surfaces but I haven’t tried it yet only had a small A5 sample.

I was going to get more in to this market but researching it was a nightmare as it was difficult finding suitable products and then there’s the issue of not printing white (well for me anyway) I bought 2 graphics off an online company to see what they use and how they supply etc but it was all branded stuff from a large manufacturer and these guys were just selling on, the product was clear and had white print on it, I had it on a wall for about 6 months and it did take a few small specs of paint off when I removed it, not bad but still not 100% removable.

Now I just stick to Photo Tex and tell customers it’s limited to what I can supply otherwise cover the entire wall.

cheers

Warren