The difference between cut vinyl decals and vehicle graphics
If you have business vehicles, adding promotional graphics to them can be a solid investment. This will provide tremendous advertising reach in exchange for a one-time payment.
Before you can go ahead though, you will need to choose between cut vinyl decals and printed vehicle graphics. This blog will explain the main differences between them.
Cut Vinyl Decals
Production
A solid pre-coloured vinyl sheet is cut into the required shapes and any excess vinyl is weeded out.
Appearance
The result is clean, sharp-looking shapes and letters in block colours and with no background.
Best For
Cut vinyl decals are best suited to advertising involving simple logos and/or basic lettering – such as company names, websites and contact details.
Pros
They are hard-wearing and will last for up to 10 years. They are also cost-effective for companies with tight budgets and offer fine colour vibrancy while giving a ‘painted on’ look.
Cons
It is impossible to add photographic images and they cannot reproduce colour gradients. This makes them ineffective for sophisticated designs featuring multiple colours.
Vehicle Graphics (Printed & Full Colour)
Production
The chosen design is printed onto pieces of white vinyl and then undergoes lamination. This protects it against scratches and UV sun rays.
Appearance
They can capture multiple colours and gradients in complex promotional designs. They can also incorporate both text and photographic imagery.
Best For
Printed graphics are best for wraps that cover most or all of a vehicle and for detailed business branding.
Pros
They are very high in visual impact and can achieve greater colour subtlety and variety.
Cons
They cost more money and will usually not last as long as cut decals.
The Key Differences
The first key difference is in the complexity. Cut decals are suited to straightforward logo/text designs while printed graphics are better for designs with photographs and more colours.
A second big difference is that the vinyl used for cut decals is pre-coloured, while for printed graphics it is added using ink.
Finally, cut decals are less expensive, particularly for basic branding.
If you need high quality vehicle graphics in Manchester, why not try Ainsley Signs?