Types of vinyl and their applications: decorative, microperforated, reflective

Vinyl is one of the most versatile materials in the world of printing and signage. From shop windows to vehicles, through floors, walls and windows, there is a specific type of vinyl for each surface and need. At Unical we work daily with all types of vinyl and in this guide we explain what they are, what each one is for and how to choose the most suitable one.

Vinyl is a flexible plastic material, generally PVC, that comes in the form of a sheet with adhesive on its back. It allows you to print any design with high quality and adheres to almost any surface: glass, metal, wood, plastic, walls and floors.

Standard adhesive vinyl It is the most common type of vinyl. Available in hundreds of colors and finishes, it is used for lettering, decoration and signaling on all types of surfaces. Main applications: • Window signage • Interior and exterior signage • Wall decoration • Identification of vehicle fleets Micro-perforated vinyl The micro-perforated vinyl has thousands of small holes that allow you to see through it from the inside, while from the outside you can see the printed image with complete clarity. It is perfect for shop windows and vehicle windows. If you want to delve deeper into this type, check out our article on microperforated vinyl for shop windows. Main applications: • Store windows • Vehicle rear windows • Office windows • Buses and public transport Reflective vinyl Made from light-reflecting materials, reflective vinyl is essential for applications where nighttime visibility is essential. It complies with road safety regulations and is widely used in signaling and emergency vehicles. Main applications: • Road signs • Labeling of emergency vehicles • Safety signs • Protective equipment Cut vinyl The cutting vinyl is not printed but cut with a plotter into the desired shape. It is ideal for text, logos and simple shapes with solid colors, offering a clean, professional finish. Main applications: • Letters and logos in shop windows • Vehicle lettering with flat colors • Interior signage • Decoration with geometric shapes Vinyl Print Unlike cutting vinyl, printing vinyl allows you to reproduce photographic images and complex designs with their full range of colors. It is the most used for advertising and decoration with images. Main applications: • Vehicle advertising • Wall and floor decoration • Showcases with images • Exhibitors and displays Removable vinyl Removable vinyl is designed to be removed without leaving glue residue or damaging the surface. It is ideal for temporary applications or on delicate surfaces. To learn the differences with permanent vinyl, see our post on removable vs permanent vinyl. Main applications: • Temporary window decoration • Short-term advertising campaigns • Temporary signage at events • Delicate surfaces such as recent paintings Vinyl for floors Particularly resistant to traffic and abrasion, vinyl flooring has a non-slip finish and is designed to withstand the weight and wear of continuous foot traffic. Main applications: • Floor marking in stores and shopping centers • Advertising in airports and stations • Directional guides in hospitals • Floor decoration at events Vinyl for vehicles (car wrapping) Car wrapping vinyl is specifically formulated to adhere to the curves and complex surfaces of vehicles. It allows you to change the color or appearance of a car temporarily and without damaging the original paint. Main applications: • Vehicle color change • Fleet advertising signage • Protection of the original paint • Special effects: matte, satin, carbon

To choose correctly, keep in mind: • Surface: glass, metal, wall, floor, vehicle • Duration: temporary or permanent • Location: indoor or outdoor • Purpose: decorative, advertising, security • Visibility: If you need to see through, choose micro-perforated

Vinyl is a material with infinite possibilities that adapts to almost any signage, decoration or advertising project. At Unical we work with the best vinyls on the market and we advise you to choose the most suitable one for your project. Do you have a project in mind? Request your quote without obligation and we will help you find the perfect solution.