Hi, I've new to the t-shirt business and even newer to the window vinyl, but I've been asked to do a vinyl logo to go on a car window. I used the Oracal 651 and cut out the 11" logo. It looks good, but as I've been going through the forums I keep reading about printed window decals. What's the difference between the printed window decals vs. the white Oracal vinyl that I cut on my Roland? Are the decals applied on the windows differently instead of with a squeegee like the vinyl? Or are they basically the same thing except that one is printed and the other is just cut vinyl? Thanks!
In a printed decal you print the design on the vinyl and then cut, in short no layers. Otherwise you have to build up your colours with layers of vinyl.
Hope I explained properly.
Hi, I've new to the t-shirt business and even newer to the window vinyl, but I've been asked to do a vinyl logo to go on a car window. I used the Oracal 651 and cut out the 11" logo. It looks good, but as I've been going through the forums I keep reading about printed window decals. What's the difference between the printed window decals vs. the white Oracal vinyl that I cut on my Roland? Are the decals applied on the windows differently instead of with a squeegee like the vinyl? Or are they basically the same thing except that one is printed and the other is just cut vinyl? Thanks!
JT...If you were near Central Calif I'd say come on down and I'd show you the difference.....regular ole Oracal 651 is cut vinyl...just like you've been using....But theres another type of vinyl that will hold ink....especially eco-solvent based inks like the Roland Versacamm VP-540 uses(I have one)....I'm a drag racer and do alot of vehicle wraps and full color decals...these are easily done on a Versacamm machine....it prints in full color the decal then contour cuts around the completed decal...super fast...super simple...and GREAT RESULTS !....
__________________ The Shirt Shak-TSS Grafx-TSS Sporting Goods...Gettin it done since 2001
Thanks for the replies. One more question though, are the decals also installed on the car windows with a squeegee or does it have an adhesive like a sticker or does it just "cling" to the window?
One other thing you might want to note. If you use the printed decals, you should laminate it with a clear laminate(unless you want an effect like smoke or etched.Not sure if that would be a good thing)prior to cutting as they are still applied like the regular vinyl with a squeegee and might mar the printed surface if applied without any lamination. Good luck.
Terry
window vinyl vs window decals 
