This document has been put together to answer common questions regarding vinyl lettering. If your question is not answered here, please let us know and we'll add it to the list.

What's The Idea Behind Vinyl Lettering?

Traditionally, adding lettering or signage to a surface would have required painting directly onto a window, vehicle side or large board for a static sign. In many cases this was cost prohibitive for a temporary sign and presented considerable problems for removal - specifically, the paint had to be resistant to environmental conditions for typically years and that meant it was hard to remove when no longer required. Vinyl lettering was developed to resolve these issues and in addition is considerably less costly since application is far faster than traditional painting.

So What Is It?

The process involves taking a sheet of vinyl and from that cutting via computer the desired shape or shapes. These items are then attached to a surface - essentially they are large 'all weather' stickers.

What Is Vinyl Lettering Made From?

Vinyl signage is made from a flexible plastic-like material that is fractionally thicker than paper and is delivered on rolls of usually 300 feet. It has a highly adhesive side that is exposed when a backing paper is removed and this allows for application to take place. In a lot of respects it's composition is like very durable coloured electrical insulation tape (only much wider!) that can be cut by computer into intricate shapes, fonts and designs.

What Colours Are Available?

All colours of the rainbow are available although your choice becomes narrower when you require a 7 or 9 year warranty. In addition vinyls with a metallic effect are available as well as semi-translucent, iridescent (colour shifters), fluorescent, reflective as well as those that mimic the appearance of gold, silver, chrome and copper are available. We also have prismatic and holographic foils.

I Want A Picture, Or My Company's Logo - Can You Do That?

Yes! The technique for a logo or graphic is no different than manufacturing letters. Complex shapes in many colours can be faithfully reproduced.

The Surface I Have In Mind Is Not Perfectly Flat. Does That Matter?

Owing to it's flexible self-adhesive nature, vinyl can be applied to almost any clean, dry, relatively smooth surface - for example vehicle doors, body-panels and windows, shop windows, corrugated plastic (Cor-plast) and finished wood. Even if the surface has rivets, screw-heads or tight curves, typically vinyl can be made to contour over such features however this will usually take more time than simply a flat sheet of glass or metal.

Are There Any Surfaces You Can't Apply To?

A firm pressure is required to activate the adhesives on the rear of the vinyl. If we feel that the required pressure will damage the surface on which the vinyl is to be applied we will not continue the installation. Such examples include highly rusted body-panels, fractured windshields, thin glass and surfaces that are heavily pitted - for example stucco. Similarly we will not install onto surfaces that are coated in mud or a contaminant such as dust. Surfaces must be clean and dry.

Can I Apply This Myself?

Yes, and you can save money by doing so. Floating Point Digital Images provides a full-colour document with each 'client' install that details how installation should take place. Client installation projects are not warranted, as we are unable to guarantee the original surface condition, the amount of pressure that was applied during application nor the level of precision exercised for alignment.

What's The Life-Span Of The Vinyl?

Once applied, the vinyl will remain in position for many years. All work carried out by Floating Point Digital Images is warrantied for a minimum of three years and this reflects directly from the quality of the vinyl used in the application.

What Does The Warranty Cover?

Warranty covers all costs associated with the replacement of vinyl that begins to flake, detach from the surface, split, crack or in some way disintegrate within the prescribed warranty period. Each vinyl carries a unique warranty that will be explained as your project progresses.

Will The Vinyl Damage Anything?

Vinyl does not cause damage to the underlying surface on which is installed. If the vinyl has been in situe for many years, underlying painted surfaces may experience 'Moved Couch Syndrome'. This is where the paint or bodywork exposed to the elements deteriorates at a normal rate. The surface underneath the vinyl however is protected and thus deteriorates at a much slower pace. Upon removal, typically the surface under the vinyl is as good as the day the vinyl was applied, however the surrounding surface has deteriorated and thus an outline may be visible.

How Easily Can I Remove The Vinyl?

Vinyl lettering can be easily and safely removed without damaging the underlying surface using a hairdryer and a dull edge - such as a credit-card. This is however a somewhat time consuming process so typically you'd not want to attempt it when pressed for time. Floating Point Digital Images will happily remove your lettering, however it is often cost prohibitive.

Can I Reuse My Lettering?

No. Owing to the nature of vinyl, reuse of the material is not possible. By removing the vinyl, it is stretched, torn, ripped and effectively destroyed, in addition the adhesive backing is compromised.

What About Snow and Ice?

If you have vinyl lettering on your vehicle or store front or outdoor sign you can brush the snow off with a brush and you can carefully use an ice-scraper on the surrounding surface provided you do not 'scrape' either over the vinyl or chip an edge. Warranty replacement does not cover damage to lettering caused in this manner.

What About Washing My Car or Windows?

Vinyl lettering can withstand the abuse of a car wash as well as careful pressure washing. Do not train a pressure washer onto the lettering at close-range. Do not use strong detergents, as these will compromise the adhesive. Never use any products that contain ammonia to clean your windows either immediately before or after installation has taken place. These products will rapidly degrade the vinyl and resulting damage will not be covered under warranty replacement.

What's The Smallest 'Detail' You Can Manufacture?

Whilst it is possibly to manufacture a square the size of half a postage stamp, few people have any practical purpose for this. Most projects involve text of some kind and usually we prefer to not manufacture text smaller than ¾" high as the proportional width will become narrow. This leads to very little adhesive being available to hold the character in place on the surface and this increases the chances of it detaching prematurely.

What Is The Largest 'Detail' You Can Manufacture?

A large graphic can usually be broken into many components and then assembled like a large jigsaw puzzle. However, for text this can become very time consuming so we advise clients to keep the text smaller than 28" inches high. Text this large is readable by most people up to a distance of eight city blocks.

What Is The Longest I Can Have Text On The Side Of My Truck?

There is no limit on the length a logo or section of text can be, however you may exceed the 28" boundary as described above in doing so.

Can I Get Copies Of The Files Once You Have Finished My Project?

Yes, however you will need to pay a release fee. Floating Point Digital Images retains the copyright on all files and artifacts produced for your project. Please consult our 'Confidentiality Agreement' for further discussion of this topic.