Getting started with vinyl

Unleash your creativity with a cutting plotter and adhesive vinyl! Transform walls, furniture, gadgets, and more into unique works of art. From personalized mugs to stylish wall art, the possibilities are endless. This guide will teach you step-by-step how to quickly and easily create personalized decorations, personalized gifts, and professional labels. Curious how to get started yourself? Read on and discover the world of vinyl plotting!

The different types of vinyl

Self-adhesive vinyl can be subdivided as follows:
Rolled, also known as calendered, vinyl film.
Rolled film can then be further subdivided into:
Monomeric
Polymer films
Cast vinyl
PET Film
Rolled
Rolled, also known as calendered, film is made from a paste composed of various materials. This paste is literally rolled flat until the desired thickness is achieved.
The production process for rolling vinyl is cheaper and faster than that of cast vinyl film.

Rolled films can have a monomer composition or a polymeric composition

Monomer films are primarily used for temporary campaigns because they have an average outdoor lifespan of about 2 to 5 years, depending on the conditions and the chosen color.
The reason a monomer film has a shorter lifespan is due to the plasticizers used in the production process, which are more exposed to sunlight (UV) than the plasticizer in polymer.
Polymer films last about 5 to 7 years. This makes these films more suitable for advertising signs and vehicle lettering. The plasticizer in polymer is less exposed to sunlight and therefore shrinks and discolors less quickly.
Rolled films are generally thicker and therefore less suitable for deformation. They are particularly suitable for application to flat and slightly curved surfaces.

Cast

Cast vinyl film requires a more complex and expensive production process. However, it is much thinner and more flexible than rolled film. This allows cast film to be applied to cavities and contoured surfaces. Cast films can also be used for wrapping, where a car or piece of furniture is completely covered in vinyl.
It also boasts the longest lifespan of all vinyl types.
PET Film
This refers to films with a special surface, such as a metallic or chrome effect. PET does not have high stretchability and can only be used on flat and slightly curved surfaces.

What do you need?

To cut the vinyl film, you’ll need a cutting plotter.
You’ll also need appliqué tape to apply your design.
How to do it:
Cut the design from the self-adhesive vinyl film of your choice using a cutting plotter. Click here for the cutting settings.
Peel away the excess vinyl around your design with a peel tool.
Apply appliqué tape to your design.
Use the appliqué tape to remove your design from the vinyl backing and apply it to the desired location.

Hexis Ecotac Plus E3000

Rolled, monomeric self-adhesive vinyl film.
This vinyl film is particularly suitable for temporary applications on flat surfaces.
Indicative lifespan*: approximately 2 years for fluorescent colors, 3 to 5 years for other colors.
*= Actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may differ from the above indication.

Hexis Polyester P6000

Metallised PET vinyl film.
This vinyl film is particularly suitable for temporary applications on flat surfaces with a high-gloss, chrome-metallic finish.
Indicative lifespan*: approximately 1 to 5 years.
1 year for outdoor applications, 5 years for indoor applications.
*= The actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may differ from the above indication.

Hexis Suptac S5000 Black Carbon

Rolled (calendared) polymer vinyl film
This vinyl film is particularly suitable for applications on curved, convex, and concave surfaces with a matte finish and carbon fiber weave.
Lifespan indication*: Up to 5 years.
*= Actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may vary from the indication above.

Hexis Blackboard Black

Rolled (calendared) monomeric PVC vinyl film.
This vinyl film is particularly suitable for applications on flat and slightly curved surfaces. It provides a matte blackboard look and can be written on with blackboard chalk. (Not suitable for chalk markers.)
Indicative lifespan for indoor use*: Up to 2 years.
Outdoor use is only suitable for short-term, temporary use.
*= The actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may differ from the above indication.

Hexis Etched Glass Silver

Rolled (calendared) polymer vinyl film
This vinyl film is particularly suitable for applications on flat glass surfaces with a matte finish and an etched-glass effect.
Indicative lifespan*: 4 to 8 years, depending on climate and number of hours of sunshine.
*= Actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may vary from the above indication.

Hexis Suptac S5000

Rolled (calendared) polymer vinyl film
This vinyl film is suitable for flat applications as well as curved, convex, and concave surfaces.
Indicative lifespan*: 5 to 7 years.
*= Actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may vary from the above indication.

Hexis Cast Skintac HX20000

Cast vinyl film with structured HEX’press adhesive.
This vinyl film is suitable for flat applications as well as curved, convex, and concave surfaces. It is highly conformable and suitable for use as a wrap film.
HEX’press adhesive technology means that the adhesive layer of this vinyl film has microchannels, making it repositionable and allowing air to escape easily during handling. This vinyl film only achieves its maximum adhesion after proper handling.
Please note that, especially in concave areas, HEX’press adhesive technology requires the correct pressure to
completely expel any air that may remain in the microchannels.
Because unevacuated air may not be visible, this can cause the vinyl film to separate from the substrate if it is not handled properly.
Indication for lifespan*: Up to 4 years.
*= Actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may differ from the indication above.

Molco Penstick Sign

Cast vinyl film without adhesive for static cling, also known as static cling window film.
This vinyl film is suitable for indoor use and provides temporary adhesion to smooth surfaces such as glass. Because this vinyl film has no adhesive, it is very easy to remove and reposition.
Please note that transferring a design with application tape is not possible, as this static cling vinyl film has no adhesive and does not peel off the application tape easily after application.
This means the design must be in one piece to be transferred in a single application.
Indication for lifespan*: Up to 1 year.
*= Actual lifespan is highly dependent on conditions and may differ from the indication above.