Application Tips for Successful Wall Graphics
Interior wall graphics pose some unique challenges. Here we look at the materials, challenging surfaces, and some tips for successfully applying self-adhesive vinyl wall cladding graphics.
Self-adhesive printable films were designed to replace paint in commercial signage, so they're made to adhere to standard industry substrates like glass, aluminium, and plastics. These all have very smooth surfaces that produce a good bond between the substrates and the vinyl's adhesive.
Putting these films on interior-painted walls is a little more challenging. Understanding what kinds of walls will and won't work with vinyl graphics is important.
Texture
Applying vinyl to rough or porous surfaces seriously degrades adhesive abilities. Textured and painted walls present some of the toughest challenges. The rougher the surface, the weaker the adhesive bond will be.
Unsealed concrete walls present a different challenge. While they are not that rough, they are very porous.
Getting graphics to stick to such walls requires the use of vinyl with a unique ultra-aggressive adhesive like Neoprint SS1000 Concrete Vinyl or ALUTEX AT12 Heavy Textured Conformable Aluminium Foil.
Choosing the Right Material
Interior wall installations require two key features: a material with a matt finish and a special adhesive designed to adhere to acrylic-painted surfaces. The matt finish is important because interior lighting can result in glare on traditional glossy vinyl surfaces, affecting the visual appeal.
As well as complete wall coverage, wall words are very popular, and glare is undesirable as it affects readability. The adhesive is the other critical element. Most walls are painted with acrylic paint containing non-stick additives such as Teflon.
These paints are designed to prevent things from sticking to the wall. Therefore, there is a need to use a material with an adhesive designed specifically for this purpose.
WALLTEX 101 is designed for interior wall applications, making these the ideal choice. STUX is a great choice for particularly challenging surfaces such as those on hoardings.
