What Is Decal Printing?
A decal is a relatively newer printing technique. Currently, it is gaining popularity in the automobile enthusiast community. And for good reason- it is easy to put on, and it comes in two different kinds that users can choose from.
In the past, large format printing was much more popular as a means to print promotional material for businesses. Now, decal printing is gaining momentum because it looks more natural, and you can print it on a car rather than just sticking it on top.
A major problem with large format printing is that it is not eco-friendly at all. It involves plastic, which can end up in landfills. Decal is a more sustainable option because you are transferring the graphic or design over the car rather than only sticking a large plastic sticker. However, you can get it in cut form as well, which will still look better than large format printing.
In this article, I will talk about decal printing in detail. That means answering questions about what it is, the process behind it, and why it is a good option.
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What is Decal Printing?
Decal is a Printing technique, which is now growing famous amongst automobile enthusiasts. A major reason for it becoming so popular is that it looks very clean and provides you with a natural-looking print. Other car decorating techniques do not provide you with that clean of a result.
Decal printing on your car involves adding three layers;
- First is the mounting film that you wrap over the place where the decal is going to go.
- The next layer is the transport paper layer, which you put on the back.
- The third layer is the decal, which has the design printed.
The decal paper has two sides. One side is the decal, while the other side is a transferable surface.
To apply the decal paper over your car, you will need to pass the decal paper through and eco-solvent.
What Makes decal better than other Printing Techniques
A major benefit of the decal is that it involves a more eco-friendly process. On the other hand, you can use decal for multiple things.
Decal comes in all shapes and sizes. You can get a decal job to decorate your laptop, water bottles, restaurant plates, and other smooth surfaces. However, you can get special decal jobs to decorate or tint your car windows, car doors, bumpers, and much more.
You can use it to personalize your business cars. Since it is long-lasting and robust, it is the perfect candidate for the job. Compared to decal printing, other printing jobs like vinyl and car stickers might come off after some time.
Another benefit of using decal is that it is very long-lasting. A normal decal-printing job will last for almost five to seven years. However, if you take good care, it can last even longer.
Is Removing Decal Risky?
Decal applies beautifully. However, people do eventually get bored of it after some time. If you are someone like that, I wouldn’t recommend that you opt for decal for one main reason. Removing decal from any surface is very risky. While removing it will become a tad bit safer if your decal job involves several layers, it still won’t be entirely safe.
This is because the professional applies the decal sticker very robustly that it does not come off for several years. It is a big job. Therefore, removing the sticker is not safe at all. It might peel the surface underneath the sticker.
Process of Applying a Decal
If you were planning to apply decal on your own as a DIY job, you should probably reconsider. Applying decal is not a job for untrained individuals. It involves four steps that might look simple, but you need proper equipment and chemicals to do the job properly.
The professionals call the decal applying process “wet application”. The wet application involves four steps.
The first step is to clean the surface where you will be applying decal, using chemicals. In the next step, you need to mix dish-wash liquid and water and apply it on the surface that you cleaned. After this, you need to peel the back of the decal and put it on the wet surface. In the last step, you will need to smooth out the decal.
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Final Feedback
If you are searching for the best decal printing in NYC and the tri-state area, contact Automation Graphics today for an instant quote.
Automation Graphics
519 8th Avenue
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018