Wrap Vinyl and normal vinyl?

[Bumblebee58627]

What is the difference between normal print vinyl like hexis white vinyl and wrapping vinyl?

I want to print on vinyl and wrap a car fender, but do i need special wrapping vinyl or can i use normal hexis vynil?

also i use a cheap vinyl as well called econoline, would this also work for wrapping?

 

[BigfishDM]

Wrap vinyl is almost always 2 Mil CAST vinyl, there is a new trend I have been seeing where people buy CALENDARED vinyl and laminate with a CAST laminate for short term wraps for cheap. I think that method definitely has a spot in the marketplace but does seem a little risky in my opinion. To do a full wrap the right way you should always use a real CAST vinyl with CAST laminate. CAST vinyl does not shrink and CALENDARED vinyl does so if you choose to use a CALENDARED vinyl you have the risk of the vinyl peeling up and failing. If you put a CAST laminate over the top of the CALENDARED vinyl then the laminate will help prevent the base vinyl from contracting in theory.

 

[myront]

vinyl 3m IJ180-Cv3 -10
Laminate 3m 8518

Best for wrapping around crazy body panels and such. Also has a bit of stretching capability without affecting the color. Easily lifted off to readjust as needed and lay back down.

 

[eahicks]

And most wrap vinyl has air release built in to it for ease of install, no wrinkle, no bubble...harder to install a normal calendered vinyl without air release. It can be done, but for a fender, compare a 10 minute installation to a 30 minute one.

 

[Bumblebee58627]

Thanks for all replies,
i see CALENDARED and Cast vinyl, i researched it and i kind of understand it, my question now is, how do i know if the vinyl i have is calendared or cast vinyl?

is there like a code or something i can look for on the box?

do you get calendared and cast printable eco solvent vinyl also?

my hexis vinyl has a code: VM100µm <- i dont know what this code means

 

[player]

Thickness is a big hint. Cast is almost always 2ml, calendared 2.5ml and up.

Price is another giveaway. Cast is usually much more than calendared.

Longevity is a third clue. Cast will be 7 to 10 years, calendared 6 months to 5 years. (Calendared at 5 years is usually cracking.)

 

[ams]

Don't use cheap vinyl, not only will you mess up jobs and have to redo them, but your cheating your customers as well.
Cast = Long lasting, easy to conform, better print quality.
Calendared = Short term, hard to conform, decent print quality.

You must use Cast vinyls for vehicle wraps because it not only conforms but also won't shrink and peel. Starting out I tried wrapping my van and a customers van with a 5 year calendared vinyl and it was a huge mistake. It's peeling and ripping off, total failure. Don't set yourself up to fail, use the proper wrapping cast vinyls.

Also always use a Rapid Air vinyl, that way you will never get a crease or bubble again. Saves many headaches and it's only like 3 cents more per sq. ft.

 

[ams]

You are buying on Ebay aren't you? If it doesn't say cast or calendared, stay away from it.

Only buy these brands for wrapping: Oracal, Avery, "Shutter" 3M
Sometimes you can use Arlon, Roland Media, Mactec

 

[Bumblebee58627]

Thanks alot everyone, ive been in the printing business for 2 years going into 3 years now.
and I've learned alot now in this forum.

I'm from south africa, cape town.. and we have places here we buy from, I will ask the 2 companies for more info on these vinyls.