Digital vinyl printing offers large format, full colour printing which can be laminated or shape cut. Vinyl printing offers a flexible high quality solution for decorating cars, buildings and windows, both internally and externally.
Digital vinyl printing is a large format and full colour printing service, which allows images, text, or designs to be printed in high-resolution in many sizes and as well as cut into different shapes, depending on your specific needs. This versatility makes it a popular option for anything from PVC banners, to car wraps, wall coverings and exhibition displays.
Vinyl printing can be used in many formats to advertise your business, showcase a sale or promote other notable events. Here are some of the most common uses of vinyl printing.
Vehicles are the perfect advertising space and with the help of vinyl wraps they can become portable billboards. It’s no wonder so many businesses choose to customise their fleet of vans, cars, motorbikes or boats with colourful branded signage which advertises the company and its services. Producing car wraps is easy thanks to large format printers such as the HP Latex 630 W Printer, and they smoothly and seamlessly adhere to the vehicle’s surface when fitted.
Vinyl graphics are also used in retail stores to decorate the shop interior. They are creative, eye-catching, and offer great branding opportunities, especially when decorating window displays. Vinyl window wraps can really help bring customers in to the store, as the finish looks incredibly impressive. Size is not an issue either, as smaller panels can be seamlessly fitted together.
On the smaller end of the vinyl printing scale, other popular uses include banners such as roller banners, exhibition stands and large vinyl signs. These are weatherproof and durable, providing internal or external signage at a low cost.
Glow-in-the-dark safety signs, also known as photoluminescent signs, use self-charging materials to emit light in the dark without the need for heat or connection to electricity. These are often vinyl printed, and can be used for a variety of applications like fire exit signs, and general guiding and marking signs.
Vinyl printing allows you to choose between a number of finishes, but the most common types are matt and gloss. The one you choose will depend on your needs. Here are some of the common reasons why you might choose each:
Vinyl printing uses durable, waterproof, scratch-resistant inks, which means it’s perfect for creating a wide variety of internal and external signage. Vinyl materials are capable of enduring everything from heat and sunshine to cold and wet weather, making them a sound investment.
Vinyl prints can also last for a number of years without losing their vibrancy if they’re properly cared for. For example, prints which are kept inside will last longer, as they’re less exposed to the elements. In addition, washing them regularly with a gentle soap and water solution can also help to preserve them for longer.
If you’re going to use vinyl-printed banners, signs or wraps to either market to your customers or provide printing solutions for clients, you need to know you’re going to make a reasonable profit. Factor in how much promotional materials are likely to bring in, and make the whole process as cost-effective as possible by investing in your own vinyl printer. Plus, the robust and long-lasting nature of your finished product will also save you money in the long term, as you won’t need to re-print these banners in the future.
Vinyl printing is so cost-effective that businesses of all sizes can afford to purchase vinyl marketing materials. Just make sure you invest in the most efficient printer possible. If you’re not sure what that looks like for your business, reach out to our team of specialists, who’ll be happy to guide you through our various options.
Arguably, the biggest draw of a vinyl printer is the high level of quality finish that these printers provide. Digital printing technology means that every vinyl product looks professional, colourful and high quality. This adds legitimacy to your business or product, encouraging sales and boosting brand recognition. Photo-quality images are printed with ease, which is sure to be a big draw for your clients.
A higher quality print also tends to be more durable. This extends the longevity of your product and ensures there isn’t a constant need to repeatedly turn to printing new material. What’s more, the nature of vinyl printing means it’s less susceptible to scratches or other damage than other types of printing options.
Different situations call for different approaches, and there’s more than one way to produce a high-quality vinyl print finish. The one you pick will depend on your specific needs. Here are some of the most popular types of print, with examples of when you might turn to them.
This thin and flexible material is most commonly used when creating signs and graphics. The adhesive nature of the vinyl means it’s able to be stuck to a number of surfaces, and can be cut and shaped into a wide range of shapes to cater to your requirements.
Advertisements and large-scale stickers are another common use for this type of material, as it can be easily applied to plastic, metal or aluminium surfaces. As adhesive vinyl is also waterproof, it’s a good option for both indoor and outdoor usage.
As the name suggests, this type of vinyl can be transferred to substances by heating them up and pressing the vinyl down onto your chosen surface. This is usually done with an iron or a specialised heating press. The increase in temperature makes the vinyl stick to different surfaces, including fabric, making it a common method for designing clothing or any kind of upholstered item.
Heat transfer vinyl is a higher quality version of iron-on vinyl. The former becomes firm and rigid when applied, resulting in a firmer and more durable finish. HTV also needs more pressure when being applied, which is why using a special heating press is often the best approach.
This tried-and-tested method uses a large format printer to produce a full-colour vinyl print that can be laminated and cut to create banners, posters, and wraps for things like cars, windows, and even buildings. The versatile nature of DVP means you’re able to print almost any image you want and then reshape or cut it to fit your needs.
By designing an image first, then using tools to make sure it’s tweaked to fit the right dimensions for the printer you’re using, you can create tailored banners, advertisements, and other types of signage which help promote your business or event.
The printing industry has undergone huge changes in the past 20 years, with advancements in technology providing more printing options and capabilities than ever before. In most cases, digital vinyl printing has now superseded screen printing and wide format printing has also gone mainstream, as it is no longer the expensive and tricky process it once was.
James Deacon from Bigger Stickers explained that in the early days, large format printers could cost as much as £250,000.
“Now, an entry level machine can be as low as £10,000, making print much more accessible”
Improvements in speed and resolution has levelled the playing field and opened printing up to even small shops and businesses; the world of digital printing equipment is now available to everyone.
James continued: "Now most sign shops have a large format printer and customers have much more choice in which they go to. This has led to wrap companies offering better customer experience and diversifying into other car cosmetic areas."
With these advancements, vinyl printing has moved beyond the realm of blocky letters and basic clip art images, offering incredible, creative and high resolution solutions for signage of all kinds. When it comes to car wrapping, textured vinyl carbons, stainless steel, chrome and other embossed effects have expanded the possibilities and the services offered by companies.
"Digital print, due to its affordability, is now being used not just to decorate vehicles for advertising purposes but for decoration alone,” he said. "Many more colours are now available than 20 years ago, along with wider widths; now media 1600mm wide and more is available for wraps." All of this means that printing professional banners, signs and wraps is now not only effortless, but inexpensive when produced with the right equipment.
At Perfect Colours, we’ve provided large format printing and finishing solutions to customers since 1999. We’re on hand to provide not only the printers themselves, but also all the finishing equipment, inks & media, and RIP & colour management solutions, as well as generous warranties and ongoing service support.
Choose between our wide range of printers and manufacturers to find the one which is best for your specific circumstances:
Still not sure which printer will work best for your vinyl printing needs? Make sure to submit a contact form so that we can answer your questions and find the best fit for you.
Note* - Post updated and corrected June 2025
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