All about the Vinyl
Oracal 631 Vinyl InfoOracal 631 is used on most designs. It is light weight, matte finish, and for indoor use. It can be used for walls. With my own experience I would recommend that the walls be painted with some kind of sheen (semi-gloss, satin, etc), if you ever plan on removing vinyl. The vinyl tends to stick really well to flat wall paint and will more than likely peel the drywall during removal. If you have trouble removing the vinyl from a gloss painted wall, heating it with a blow dryer will help. This vinyl is not good for removal and reuse. It does tend to stretch as it is being removed, therefore losing its shape.
When used on other surfaces such as cups, please hand wash. I haven't tried it, but I don't think the vinyl would stick very well after a trip through the dishwasher. I have had people tell me they stick their cups with the vinyl decal in the dishwasher on the top rack and haven't had it come off. Try it at your own risk. As long as you don't have a bad habit of trying to peel stickers off a surface, the vinyl should last normal wear and tear. |
651 Oracal Vinyl Info |
Oracal 651 is used on designs needing more durability. It is glossy, has a sticker adhesive, thicker and won't stretch or tear as easily. It can be used outdoors with a "life" of 6 years. It is not recommend it for use on walls, since the gloss makes it harder to see and may cause damage to the wall due to its adhesiveness. I have used it for cups, signs, and other surfaces that I don't plan on removing the vinyl from.
Again wash by hand if you apply this vinyl to cups and such. I would think it would hold up better than the 631 vinyl in the dishwasher, but multiple washings it might still come off. |
Want a different color? Let me know I may have a new color that is not added here, or I can get it pretty quickly. I will be adding chalkboard vinyl, dry erase vinyl, and patterned vinyl; so check with me if you are looking for something. If you are not sure what type of vinyl would be best for your project let me know. There are other types out there that might fit your needs better and I can get it for you easily.
Let me know how I can help. If you have the time I can even send you a sample of vinyl by mail. |
How to Apply Your Vinyl
All vinyl decals are shipped with three basic layers. The top layer is the application tape. You will see the vinyl decal below that. Then the decal is sticking to the backing. The application tape allows you to peal the backing off the decal and apply it to whatever you want. Please take some precautions when applying the decal.
1. Make sure the surface is clean and dry. Use window cleaner or a damp rag depending on the surface.
2. Without pealing anything. Line up our decal on the surface. Use painters tape, scotch tape, or any other easily removable tape to help hold the decal in place. You will need to place the tape where you can lift up the decal peel off the backing and then apply it to the surface. Putting a piece in the center is usually easiest.
3. Once you have the decal lined up and taped, gently peel off the backing at an angle. Make sure as you peal not to mess up the tape that has your decal lined up. Also, try not to let the decal touch the surface until you are ready. If you notice any of the decal sticking to the backing- lay the decal back on the backing and rub a credit card over the top of the decal, this should help the decal stick better to the application tape. Slowly peel until you have removed the backing.
4. With the backing removed. Carefully lay the decal down on your surface starting closest to the tape that is holding the place. Gently smooth out the decal as you go.
5. Take a credit card to rub over the application tape and decal. This helps smooth out the decal and get it to adhere to the surface.
6. Then starting at a corner peel up the application tape. The decal should remain behind, but if it tries to peel off the surface just put the decal and application down and rub over the area again.
7. Stand back and admire your work. You did it!
*If you are more a visual person, here is a video I found helpful from My Vinyl Supplier.