Newbie needing advice on what vinyl to use please?

[Martyn Heath]

Hi mark, without pics of the failed areas we cant really see what type of jobs your talking about. However if budget is how your are buying your vinyl then there is the main problem im guessing. Like everything you get what you pay for (within reason) Applying in and out of panels really needs a cast but “can” be done well with a high quality polymeric thats fed in and out and heated correctly. However to be 100% safe you need a cast and Image perfect do a 2d cast which is perfect for the job without the price tag of a 3d wrap film.

[Graham Scanlan]

Hi Mark and welcome to the boards, like Martyn says without seeing what’s failed it’s hard to advise,

As a rule of thumb, cheap Monomeric vinyls are ideal for sticker work and short term flat panel promotional work, due to the make up they shrink quicker than polymeric and cast.

Polymeric has a longer life upto 5 years printed, for some brands however polymeric also shrinks over time. There are also highly plasticised versions on the market that are aimed at the wrap market however they have shorter life spans than cast and take longer to fit, and also need to be fitted in a different way to true cast

Then you have true cast films that tend to be easier and quicker to fit and in some cases easier to take off without leaving adhesive behind. And due to the nature of manufacture when installed correctly won’t pop out and shrink back, this obviously comes at a price.When wrapping, the most expensive part is time to fit, so a cheaper material isn’t always the best road to take

• This reply was modified 3 years ago by  Graham Scanlan.
• This reply was modified 3 years ago by  Graham Scanlan.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Hi Mark, welcome to the boards.

I only have 2 things to add to what the guys have already said.

1. If you’re going to fit into a recess, you must use a quality cast material.

2. 1. If you’re going to fit into a recess, you must use a quality cast material.

Nothing sinks the heart quicker than a failure & as Graham has said, we essentially sell time, a fifteen quid saving is nothing compared to having to buy the correct material, reprint it, laminate it, strip & clean the failed job & refit. Not to mention the damage to your reputation. I treat the vinyl as no different to cleaning fluid or application tape, just something we use to get the job done (right).

If your client has an issue with an extra £2-300 wave them goodbye. Much cheaper in the long run

[Mark Johnston]

Thanks very much for your advice so far martyn, graham and kevin. i really appreciate it.

i am just going to show my boss these messages at lunchtime and let you know how i get on.

😬

[Mark Johnston]

sorry for the delayed reply.
He did read your comments and we have started using image perfect polymeric which i think is a 2d wrap. it appears we may have used monomeric on some jobs that had the issues but we are not 100%.

spandex have a few cast ranges we can use for the difficult wraps. but rather than just using spandex, do you recommend any other brands of cast vinyl we should try without giving the boss a heart attack? 🤣

[Iain George]

I am sorry to say but if the price of the material is to high then your pricing of jobs need looking at. Any costs you incur is passed onto the client. If they client wants it cheaper they will go elsewhere but when it fails due to poorer materials they will come back to you.

[Karen White]

I have to agree. if the price of the material is the biggest concern, he should be looking at his pricing as his primary route of the problem. not something he will want to hear, but true! 😬