Vinyl printing & lettering
Create adaptable graphics with printed self-adhesive vinyl and cut lettering.
Vinyl printing & lettering
Vinyl lettering
Opening hours on a door, a company name on glass, a quote on a meeting room wall: all of these are jobs for cut letters. Vinyl lettering is for anyone who wants text with no background, applied directly to a smooth surface.
How it differs from a printed sticker
Each letter is cut from coloured film by a plotter, and the waste is lifted away. Only the letters stay behind, held in position by a sheet of application tape, so the wall or glass shows between them. Since the colour runs through the film rather than sitting on top as ink, solid colours look clean and even. It cannot do gradients or photos, though. For those you will need a printed film, as shown on our vinyl printing page.
Typefaces and sizes that cut well
A plotter follows outlines, so very fine details cause trouble. Delicate serifs, thin script fonts and tiny text can tear when weeded or lift once applied. As a rule, keep strokes reasonably chunky, and ask us about a minimum size for your typeface. Supply text as vector outlines, not a photo or a Word document with an unusual font, or give us the wording and font name. Our artwork guide explains vector files if the term is new to you.
Getting it onto the surface
- Clean the surface with a suitable cleaner and let it dry completely
- Mark the position with low-tack tape, using a spirit level
- Peel the backing, then squeegee from the centre outwards
- Pull the application tape back slowly at a low angle
Cold surfaces and textured paint can stop film sticking, so wait for a mild day if working outside. Lettering for the inside of windows is cut in reverse, so tell us which side of the glass it goes on.
Related topics
Useful to know
Your questions.
Can vinyl lettering go on a painted wall?
Yes, on smooth, sound paint that has fully cured. Textured or matt paints bond less well, and some can lift when the letters come off. Test a small piece first if the wall matters to you.
Can vinyl lettering be removed later?
Yes. Gentle heat from a hairdryer softens the adhesive so letters peel away, and any residue cleans off with a suitable remover. Sun-faded surfaces may show a faint outline of the text, particularly after years outdoors.
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