Vehicle Graphics Material
Robin Brain
November 22, 2008
These days, a lot of people are opting for applying various types of graphics of their vehicles and some of them even think of applying graphics on their boats. Some people think of doing this by themselves while the others who have less knowledge about vehicle graphics goes to a shop where a professional person applies graphics to their vehicle. Boats use high quality graphics which is the same material used for most of the signage purposes. This kind of vinyl graphics comes in various designs and shapes in which metallic look is also included. It gives a completely new look to a person´s vehicle and makes it unique and different from others. Just like the designs, these vinyl graphics are produced by a number of brands like Arlon, Avery and Oracal. Some of them are very expensive while the others can be afforded by anyone.
When it comes to applying graphics on one´s vehicle, then pricing factor is kept aside and the best of the graphics is chosen by most of the people as it is a matter of the look of their vehicle and they cannot compromise it by saving a few dollars. If we categorize the vinyl graphics then there are three sub categories of this material. These sub categories can be headlined as calendared, cast and intermediate. The life of the vinyl does depend on the person who has applied it on the vehicle. Generally, the life of a vinyl can last from a year and up to 9 years. This fact is true for both car and boat graphics as there is not much difference between the two. The three types of the vinyl graphics are discussed here.
Calendared graphics are the cheapest of all kinds of the vinyl´s and also have the shortest life among all the three types. This type of vinyl is poured into a mould when in molten state and then stretched according to the desired shape. In most cases, the vinyl cracks with time and the color fades out which makes it less durable. Intermediate vinyl is the mid range type of vinyl and can be regarded as a cross between the calendared and the cast. This type usually lasts for around five years and is more durable than the calendared but less than the cast vinyl. The cast vinyl is the best type of vinyl present till date and is the most durable among all of them. It has a thickness of 2 millimeters and is the most expensive among the three.
When it comes to applying graphics on one´s vehicle, then pricing factor is kept aside and the best of the graphics is chosen by most of the people as it is a matter of the look of their vehicle and they cannot compromise it by saving a few dollars. If we categorize the vinyl graphics then there are three sub categories of this material. These sub categories can be headlined as calendared, cast and intermediate. The life of the vinyl does depend on the person who has applied it on the vehicle. Generally, the life of a vinyl can last from a year and up to 9 years. This fact is true for both car and boat graphics as there is not much difference between the two. The three types of the vinyl graphics are discussed here.
Calendared graphics are the cheapest of all kinds of the vinyl´s and also have the shortest life among all the three types. This type of vinyl is poured into a mould when in molten state and then stretched according to the desired shape. In most cases, the vinyl cracks with time and the color fades out which makes it less durable. Intermediate vinyl is the mid range type of vinyl and can be regarded as a cross between the calendared and the cast. This type usually lasts for around five years and is more durable than the calendared but less than the cast vinyl. The cast vinyl is the best type of vinyl present till date and is the most durable among all of them. It has a thickness of 2 millimeters and is the most expensive among the three.