Grey Adhesive vs Clear Adhesive.. why use one over the other?

[rickmdc]

I'm looking at ordering some basic Orafol 3640 Vinyl. I see the 3641 and the only difference is the Grey adhesive. Is there a difference? I'm assuming the brightness of the white might be slightly affected. But is there a reason why one would prefer the grey over the clear? Is the grey better when you're laying the printed vinyl over an older sign? Would love your thoughts and ideas.

 

[Gino]

Basically just to hide something underneath where your new vinyl is gonna go.

 

[rickmdc]

Basically just to hide something underneath where your new vinyl is gonna go.

I figured! Thanks for confirming this

 

[Johnny Best]

Sometimes you need optically clear white when dealing with backlit signs.

 

[Rmurray321]

I'm looking at ordering some basic Orafol 3640 Vinyl. I see the 3641 and the only difference is the Grey adhesive. Is there a difference? I'm assuming the brightness of the white might be slightly affected. But is there a reason why one would prefer the grey over the clear? Is the grey better when you're laying the printed vinyl over an older sign? Would love your thoughts and ideas.

Check out the Avery Dennnison MPI 3300/3320. It’s $150 a roll.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the Orafol, it’s super super wrinkly and the backer is annoying.

Personally I always use the grey air egress. It’s overall a better product. If you need a translucent material, get one that’s actually for a translucent application.

 

[Steenland]

Check out the Avery Dennnison MPI 3300/3320. It’s $150 a roll.

Where are you getting it for $150 a roll?

 

[Rmurray321]

Where are you getting it for $150 a roll?

I get it from jdsindustries.com their pricing on Avery rolls is excellent

 

[Boudica]

To answer the thread title.... Sooo many reasons why they are both necessary.
Clear is generally going to be translucent, gray will be opaque. I would suggest having each on hand, because it depends on the project, and what your customer(s) need.

 

[MarkSnelling]

Most of the adhesive vinyl we sell has gray adhesive on it nowadays...think of it as a primer before you paint a new color. We still sell a fair amount of clear adhesive for people who don't want to spend the money and time to flood white when printing 2nd surface on acrylic. It is a much less expensive and much faster process to use the white/white adhesive vinyl as a white base then printing a ton of white ink.

 

[ProColorGraphics]

Here is an AWESOME explanation about the use of "grey" adhesive.

 

[rickmdc]

Thanks EVERYONE for the amazing info. I went ahead and ordered both. I do have some customers (mainly real estate agents) that do their signs with me, then request just stickers to cover their old brokerage logos when they move brokerages. I've legit learned more in this forum that I have online in other sources in years.

 

[ProColorGraphics]

Thanks EVERYONE for the amazing info. I went ahead and ordered both. I do have some customers (mainly real estate agents) that do their signs with me, then request just stickers to cover their old brokerage logos when they move brokerages. I've legit learned more in this forum that I have online in other sources in years.

If you ever want to use a better vinyl, get in touch with the guys at Substance Media! (they sell direct) They have the best calendared vinyl I have ever used.

 

[rickmdc]

If you ever want to use a better vinyl, get in touch with the guys at Substance Media! (they sell direct) They have the best calendared vinyl I have ever used.

Yeah dude, thanks! I've heard of them through a guy I follow on YT. I'll check them out!

 

[Notarealsignguy]

If you ever want to use a better vinyl, get in touch with the guys at Substance Media! (they sell direct) They have the best calendared vinyl I have ever used.

I didn't believe it would be opaque until I tried it. That's all I use for calendared now

 

[gnubler]

Here is an AWESOME explanation about the use of "grey" adhesive.

Thanks for posting, that was interesting. Always learning something here!

There are so many brands/types of vinyls to choose from sometimes it makes my head spin. I don't know that I'll ever be an expert at knowing which vinyls are best for certain applications. Takes lots of trial & error.

 

[JBurton]

Here is an AWESOME explanation about the use of "grey" adhesive.

Holy crap, that was the least cringe video I've seen from a sign material company. Good info too.