Window Graphics

GlassMate - 3 mil

This ultra low-tack, eco-friendly adhesive backed vinyl is designed specifically for window clings. It remains low-tack, removable and repositionable for life and will never leave an adhesive residue. You can even clean the adhesive surface to restore the tack if necessary. Unlike static cling, this product will stick in cold weather and won’t stick to itself and ruin the graphic. Available in both white and clear. The white offers the best visibility in a window.

Approximate longevity of 10 years indoors, 2-3 years outdoors.

White GlassMate

 

Clear GlassMate

 

Static Cling - 5 mil

Either side of this static cling decal vinyl will adhere to glass and other smooth surfaces, making for easy and economical window clings that can be used again and again. And, it can be used outdoors and in full sun without fear of premature fading. Also available in clear. Available in widths up to 54"

Approximate outdoor longevity is 6 months to 2 years, indoor longevity is 5-10 years.

 

TacLite - 4 mil

This polyester film has scratch and water resistant finish for indoor and outdoor use, and the back side features a unique suction-cling surface tension coating that allows the material to securely stick to glass, metal, or any smooth sealed surface. Since it has no adhesive, it can be removed and reapplied without leaving a residue, and it won’t stretch or fall off in cold weather like static clings.

Approximate longevity of 10 years indoors, 3 years outdoors.

 

 

TacLite Clear - 4 mil

This polyester film has scratch and water resistant finish for indoor and outdoor use, and the back side features a unique suction-cling surface tension coating that allows the material to securely stick to glass, metal, or any smooth sealed surface. Since it has no adhesive, it can be removed and reapplied without leaving a residue, and it won’t stretch or fall off in cold weather like static clings.

Approximate longevity of 10 years indoors, 3 years outdoors.

 

 

Face Mount TacLite - 8 mil

This window graphic material is a combination of TacLite Clear with a white backer for opacity. This combination has the same unique suction-cling surface tension coating that allows the material to securely stick to windows without adhesive. Since it has no adhesive, it can be removed and reapplied without leaving a residue, and it won’t stretch or fall off in cold weather like static clings, and this material makes it impossible for ink to transfer to the glass as can happen with face mounted static clings.

Approximate longevity of 3-5 years.

 

 

Frosted Clear MagicStik - 4 mil

The unique adhesive on this clear frosted material makes it easy to install, and it can easily be removed and reapplied, so it’s a great material for making removable window graphics that can be viewed from either side. And, the frosted finish means it can also be used as a privacy film. It provides excellent image quality, and is economically priced. Available in widths up to 54".

Approx. longevity of 2 years outdoors or 5-25 years indoors.

 

Face Mount MagicStik - 7 mil

This product combines the unique MagicStik adhesive on a clear vinyl with a white vinyl backing to make a high quality window graphic that can be applied face first in a window without the problems associated with static cling. It provides excellent image quality, is durable, and economically priced, and the MagicStik adhesive allows the graphic to be reused repeatedly. Available in widths up to 54".

Approximate longevity of 3-5 years.

 

MagicStik - 6 mil

The unique adhesive on this material makes it easy to install on any flat surface including painted walls, and it can easily be removed and reapplied, so it’s a great material for making removable wall graphics, borders, wall decals for children’s rooms, or temporary window clings in commercial environments. It provides excellent image quality, is durable, and economically priced. Available in widths up to 54".

Approximate longevity of 2 years outdoors or 5-20 years indoors.

 

Repositionable Backlit Film - 5 mil

This matte finished backlit film features a low tack, repositionable adhesive on the back and is designed for high quality graphics on store front windows, indoor or outdoor menu boards, deli counters, or in backlit boxes. This material is suitable for areas with high humidity and condensation. The adhesive on the back side of this material is made for indoor and outdoor use, and with strong lighting, the image is visible from both sides making for interesting window cling applications.

Approx. longevity of 2 years outdoors when laminated, and 5 years indoors.

 

View Through Paper - 7 mil

This perforated black-backed paper makes inexpensive interior mount window graphics that can be seen through from the inside. Perfect for short term uses where the graphic needs to go on the inside of the window. Available in 50% perforation, it can be taped in place, or used with our MicroDot face mount adhesive. Available in widths up to 54".

Longevity of 6 months to 2 years.

 

View Through Film - 7 mil

This perforated black-backed vinyl film makes interior mount window graphics that can be seen through from the inside. Perfect where the graphic needs to go on the inside of the window without blocking your view. Available in 30% perforation, it can be taped in place, or used with our MicroDot face mount adhesive. Available in widths up to 54".

Longevity of 2-5 years depending on handling.

 

View Through Adhesive Vinyl- 4 Mil

This perforated adhesive backed product creates great window graphics and window signs that can be seen through from the inside of the window. Available with 50% or 30% perforation, it is perfect for business or vehicle window signs where you need to be able to see out from the inside. Can be laminated for extra durability. Available in widths up to 60".

Expected longevity of up to 2 years depending on environment.

 

View Through Fabric- 15 Mil

This perforated woven textile has a 20% open area and black back so that can be seen through from the back side. Makes great hanging inside window graphics, room dividers or just about any application where a see-through effect is desired. Available in widths up to 60".

Longevity of 5-20 years depending on handling and exposure to light.

 

Vision Mesh - 12.4 oz

This unique flame retardant mesh has an anthracite black backing for a transparent, one-way vision effect from inside, making it perfect for shop window graphics, POP advertising and solar protection. It has a gloss finish and hangs with no edge curl even with heavy ink coverage. Available in widths up to 63".

Approximate longevity of 5-20 years indoors.

 

Economy Calendered Matte Vinyl - 4 mil

With an outdoor longevity of up to 3 years, this removable adhesive backed vinyl is excellent for outdoor retail sales signs and POS poster graphics. It has a blockout layer for excellent hiding power and the matte finish helps reduce glare. Can also be used indoors for sign and point of purchase displays. Will adhere to any smooth surface such as Alumalite, acrylic, Sintra, metal, or painted wood surfaces. Available in widths up to 60".

Longevity of up to 3 years outdoors, 5-25 years indoors.

 

Economy Calendered Gloss Vinyl - 4 mil

With an outdoor longevity of up to 3 years, this removable adhesive backed vinyl is excellent for outdoor retail sales signs and POS poster graphics. It has a blockout layer for excellent hiding power and the gloss finish makes for excellent color depth. Can also be used indoors for sign and point of purchase displays. Will adhere to any smooth surface such as Alumalite, acrylic, Sintra, metal, or painted wood surfaces. Available in widths up to 84".

Longevity of up to 3 years outdoors, 5-25 years indoors.

 

Repositionable Window Graphic - 8 mil

This window graphic has an optically clear, low tack, repositionable adhesive that turns it into a face mounting window sign. It can also be used on the back side to allow temporary mounting to any smooth surface. Easier to apply than static cling decals without bubbles, simply remove the release liner and stick to any smooth surface. Also great for displays, temporary photo mounting and point of purchase displays. Available in widths up to 50".

Longevity of 2-20 years indoors.

 

Double Sided Window Graphic - 12 mil

This double sided graphic is printed on both sides with a blockout layer in the middle to prevent any show-through from the opposite side. It has an optically clear, low tack, repositionable adhesive on one side with an air release feature for easy mounting. Much easier to apply than static cling without bubbles, simply remove the release liner and stick to the window. It can be removed and reused as long as the adhesive surface is kept clean. Available in widths up to 50".

Longevity of 2-20 years indoors.

 

SignUp - 12 mil

SignUp is a revolutionary product for special events, show-rooms, window clings, exhibitions, POS aids, film studios and all sorts of temporary communication needs. This product makes posting easy, just stick it directly to any surface, and you can unstick and restick it for perfect positioning and fast, bubble and crease-free installation, indoors or out. UV and weather resistant. Available in widths up to 54".

Outdoor longevity of 1-3 years, indoor longevity of 2-20 years.

 

GlassTex Ice - 6 mil

This privacy film comes in 3 different textures to create stunning looks for window decals, shower doors, glass partitions, store front window graphics, and more! Intended for indoor use, it can be easily applied to any smooth surface by simply peeling away the clear back liner. Has a permanent adhesive, yet with force it can be removed without damaging glass surfaces. Available in widths up to 48".

 

Approximately 5-50 years indoor longevity, depending on exposure to light.

This image show GlassTex Ice on a window. The upper panes do not have the film, the right hand panel is the film unprinted and the left hand panel shows the film with a printed image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GlassTex Rice Paper- 6 mil

This privacy film comes in 3 different textures to create stunning looks for window decals, shower doors, glass partitions, store front window graphics, and more! Intended for indoor use, it can be easily applied to any smooth surface by simply peeling away the clear back liner. Has a permanent adhesive, yet with force it can be removed without damaging glass surfaces. Available in widths up to 48".

 

Approximately 5-50 years indoor longevity, depending on exposure to light.

This image show GlassTex Rice Paper on a window. The upper panes do not have the film, the right hand panel is the film unprinted and the left hand panel shows the film with a printed image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GlassTex Sandstorm- 6 mil

This privacy film comes in 3 different textures to create stunning looks for window decals, shower doors, glass partitions, store front window graphics, and more! Intended for indoor use, it can be easily applied to any smooth surface by simply peeling away the clear back liner. Has a permanent adhesive, yet with force it can be removed without damaging glass surfaces. Available in widths up to 48".

 

Approximately 5-50 years indoor longevity, depending on exposure to light.

This image show GlassTex Sandstorm on a window. The upper panes do not have the film, the right hand panel is the film unprinted and the left hand panel shows the film with a printed image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Optically Clear Polyester

This pressure sensitive laminate is designed specifically for use on perforated view through materials to be installed on flat windows. This gloss laminate protects the image from scratching and abrasion, and also blocks UV rays to make view through window graphics even more fade resistant. The special optically clear nature of the adhesive on this laminate is necessary so that it doesn't ruin the view through effect by clouding the view through the holes in the material, like a regular laminate would.

Cast Vinyl Laminate - Matte or Gloss

These pressure sensitive laminates are recommended to protect and extend the life of our Economy Calendered Adhesive Vinyl or MagicStik products. They have the highest degree of UV resistance and add thickness to the print making the graphics easier to install.

Optically Clear Cast Vinyl Laminate

This extra heavy premium gloss laminate is designed specifically for use on perforated view through adhesive vinyl. Unlike the Optically Clear Polyester, this laminate can conform to curved surfaces so it's the recommended laminate for view through graphics on vehicle windows. The special optically clear nature of the adhesive on this laminate is necessary so that it doesn't ruin the view through effect by clouding the view through the holes in the material, like a regular laminate would.

Micro Dot Face Mount Adhesive

This unique adhesive was designed specifically to be used to face mount our View Through Paper and View Through Film products. It consists of small dots of a repositionable adhesive that is applied to the face of the graphic in strips around the perimeter, and through the middle as well on larger graphics. Because the adhesive is in small dots instead of a solid film, there is nothing to block the holes in the view through film and spoil the view through effect. Graphics with this adhesive can be removed and re-applied multiple times.

Posterboard

This paper board comes in 22x28 and is an economical mounting material for short term posters that need enough rigidity to stand up in a poster frame or other sign holder. Other sizes are available on a special order basis.

Foamcore

This 3/16 inch thick foam board has a polystyrene core with paper facing. It's great for short term displays or those on a tight budget, but it's too easily dented when handled for long term or abusive environments. Available in black, or white by request.

Gatorfoam

This foam board has a styrofoam polystyrene core with a Luxcell veneer and is available in thicknesses of 3/16 and 1/2 inch. It's much more durable and harder than foamcore making it more suitable in situations where it will be handled frequently, but the corners will still dent with impact so careful handling is recommended. The faces are also archival so it's great for long term display of prints. Available in black, or white by request.

Sintra

This expanded PVC plastic board is available in a variety of thicknesses, but 3mm and 6mm are the most popular for mounting. It's water resistant and fire retardant, making is desirable for display applications. Since it's a solid board, it's more durable than foamcore or gatorfoam, but it's also heavier and not as rigid. It also expands and contracts with temperature changes, up to .05 mil/ft per degree F.

Normal turnaround time is 4-5 days. During the order process you will be asked if you have a specific due date, and if you do, we will adjust your shipping method, if necessary, to get your order to you on time. If you need your order even quicker, we also have a rush service. If you authorize rush charges, we can get your order shipped the same day or the next day. Rush charges are typically 50% of your order up to a maximum of $75. If we're able to meet your deadline without bumping other jobs, we won't actually charge the rush charge, but you must authorize the rush to guarantee delivery.

For high quality prints that look good up close, we recommend files be 150dpi at the actual size they will be printed. For view through window decals, lower resolution files will work since the material is full of holes which hides the lack of resolution with small files. Also, for window graphics that will be viewed from 5 feet away or more, you can use files that are as low as 72-100 dpi and still get satisfactory results. We use special software to enlarge smaller files for printing at larger sizes, but the larger your original files, the better the results will be so you should always use the largest files you can. When in doubt, send us your file and we'll examine it and let you know how large we think it can go and still look good.

We don't charge either of these common fees. In our opinion, charging setup and RIP fees would be like advertising a price for gasoline, but charging a pumping fee to get it into your car. It's misleading and since you can't print a job without setting it up and processing it through a RIP, like the gasoline is of no use if it isn't pumped into your tank, it should be reflected in the prices already. They are just hidden fees to increase the cost of your job in a way that makes a companies printing prices look more competitive. As long as you provide print ready files, there are no additional charges related to printing your job.

We recommend exterior mount window graphics whenever possible. They are easier to see and will attract more attention, which is usually the idea, and there are more options at a lower price for exterior mounted window graphics. In areas where vandalism or city ordinances prevent exterior mounted window graphics, the interior mounted options are a good alternative.

Static cling window decals can be more difficult to install than adhesive products, but if you follow these instructions, and have a little patience, you will be able to successfully install your static cling window graphics without any problems.

Surface Preparation

• Static cling vinyl will adhere to glass and other smooth surfaces.
• Clean the surface and dry with a lint free cloth. Do not use any cleaner that contains ammonia or it can cause the adhesive to fail.

 

Applying the Window Decal Face First

• Spray the surface of your window cling liberally with water. This will allow you to move the window graphic around some during installation and smooth out any bubbles.
• Spray the surface you are going to apply your cling to with water as well.
• Place top of static cling graphic into place. If it is not level or needs to be moved, reapply water to the window surface and the cling.
• Using a plastic squeegee, driver’s license or credit card type object, slowly squeegee out the air and water going down the graphic in 45 degree strokes, working from the center out. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to soak up the water as it's squeezed out from between the window and the graphic. Be sure your squeegee does not have any sharp edges or irregularities or it may damage the cling.
• Continue to squeegee out the water and any bubbles until no more water is being removed.
• Carefully peel the backing paper from one corner and slowly pull it away from the cling at a sharp angle to avoid lifting the cling from the window. Continue to pull the backing paper off and save it in case you want to remove and save the static cling for later use. Gently go over the static cling again with the squeegee to ensure it is stuck well to the window.
• Over the next several hours, any remaining moisture will evaporate and leave a clean installation.

 

Applying the Window Decal Back First

• Spray the window you are going to apply your cling to with water. This will allow you to move the window graphic around some during installation and smooth out any bubbles.
• If you are installing a smaller static cling window decal, you can peel the decal off the backing paper and spray the back liberally with water. For larger graphics, you will need to peel back a few inches of the paper backing at the top to expose a section of the static cling and spray that section with water.
• Place top of static cling graphic into place. If it is not level or needs to be moved, reapply water to the window surface and the cling.
• Using a plastic squeegee, driver’s license or credit card type object, slowly squeegee out the air and water going down the graphic in 45 degree strokes, working from the center out. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to soak up the water as it's squeezed out from between the window and the graphic. Be sure your squeegee does not have any sharp edges or irregularities or it may damage the cling.
• If you are installing a larger graphic, lift the bottom of the graphic so you can reach the paper backing from behind and either pull it off completely, or for very large graphics, just pull back a few feet at time and spray the back with more water. It may help to have an extra pair of hands to help hold the static cling in place during this step so you don't pull it loose from the window while removing the backing.
• Continue to squeegee out the water and any bubbles until no more water is being removed.
• Over the next several hours, any remaining moisture will evaporate and leave a clean installation.

 

Routine Maintenance

• Static cling window decals will tend to come loose from the window over time and may need to be removed an reinstalled.
• NOTE: Face mounted static cling decals in direct sunlight can transfer ink onto the glass. If you have window that gets a lot of direct sunlight, be aware of this and consider one of our adhesive products which do not have this problem.

 

Removal Instructions

• Lift one edge of the decal and pull it off the window at an angle. If you intend to reuse the graphic, replace the paper backing to keep the window decal from sticking to itself, which can ruin it.

 

GlassMate window decals are best installed with water. Because of the ultra low tack adhesive on this product, it's important to make sure you don't get oil or dirt from your fingers on the adhesive when you start to peel the graphic from the release liner. Wash your hands before you start and touch the adhesive surface as little as possible during installation.

Surface Preparation

• GlassMate will adhere to glass and other smooth surfaces.
• Clean the surface and dry with a lint free cloth. Do not use any cleaner that contains ammonia or it can cause the adhesive to fail. Alcohol is the most effective and safest cleaner to use.

 

Applying the Window Decal

• Spray the window you are going to apply your cling to with water. This will allow you to move the window graphic around some during installation and smooth out any bubbles.
• If you are installing a smaller window decal, you can peel the decal off the backing paper and spray the back liberally with water. For larger graphics, you will need to peel back a few inches of the paper backing at the top to expose a section of the graphic and spray that section with water. Take care not to touch the adhesive surface any more than necessary to prevent oils from your hands from getting on the adhesive, which can keep it from sticking.
• Place top edge of the graphic into place. If it is not level or needs to be moved, reapply water to the window surface and the cling.
• Using a soft squeegee, driver’s license or credit card type object, slowly squeegee out the air and water going down the graphic in 45 degree strokes, working from the center out. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to soak up the water as it's squeezed out from between the window and the graphic. Be sure your squeegee does not have any sharp edges or irregularities or it may damage the graphic. You can cover your squeegee with a soft cloth to keep it from causing any damage.
• If you are installing a larger graphic, lift the bottom of the graphic so you can reach the paper backing from behind and either pull it off completely, or for very large graphics, just pull back a few feet at time and spray the back with more water. It may help to have an extra pair of hands to help hold the graphic in place during this step so you don't pull it loose from the window while removing the backing.
• Continue to squeegee out the water and any bubbles until no more water is being removed.
• Over the next several hours, any remaining moisture will evaporate and leave a clean installation.

 

Removal Instructions

• Lift one edge of the decal and pull it off the window at an angle. If you intend to reuse the graphic, replace the paper backing to keep the adhesive side clean and try not to touch the adhesive surface any more than necessary. If the adhesive does get contaminated, it can be cleaned with a mixture of water with a drop or two of dish soap. Once the adhesive surface has been cleaned, rinse it thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry and the tack should be restored.

TacLite window decals can be installed with or without water. It's easier to install without water, but you are more likely to get bubbles. Installing with water makes it easier to prevent bubbles, but care must be taken because the surface tension coating will soften when wet and can be damaged or removed if handled in this state, so it's important to not remove and handle the cling surface until it has fully dried if installing with water. It's also important to note that the Taclite surface will turn milky when wet. This will only be noticeable on the clear Taclite, and the coating will become clear again after the water has evaporated and the coating has completely dried.

Surface Preparation

• TacLite will adhere to glass and other smooth surfaces.
• Clean the surface and dry with a lint free cloth. Alcohol is the most effective and safest cleaner to use.

 

Applying the Window Decal with Wate

• Spray the window you are going to apply your cling to with water. This will allow you to move the window graphic around some during installation and smooth out any bubbles.
• If you are installing a smaller window decal, you can peel the decal off the backing paper and spray the back liberally with water. For larger graphics, you will need to peel back a few inches of the paper backing at the top to expose a section of the cling and spray that section with water.
• Place the top edge of the graphic into place. If it is not level or needs to be moved, reapply water to the window surface and the cling.
• Using a soft squeegee, driver’s license or credit card type object, slowly squeegee out the air and water going down the graphic in 45 degree strokes, working from the center out. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to soak up the water as it's squeezed out from between the window and the graphic. Be sure your squeegee does not have any sharp edges or irregularities or it may damage the graphic. You can cover your squeegee with a soft cloth to keep it from causing any damage.
• If you are installing a larger graphic, lift the bottom of the graphic so you can reach the paper backing from behind and either pull it off completely, or for very large graphics, just pull back a few feet at time. Spray the cling surface with more water. It may help to have an extra pair of hands to help hold the graphic in place during this step so you don't pull it loose from the window while removing the backing.
• Continue to squeegee out the water and any bubbles until no more water is being removed.
• Over the next several hours, any remaining moisture will evaporate and leave a clean installation. If you need to reinstall the graphic, make sure it has completely dried before removing it so that you don't damage the tension coating.

 

Removal Instructions

• Lift one edge of the decal and pull it off the window at an angle. If you intend to reuse the graphic, replace the paper backing to keep the cling side clean.

 

Cleaning Instructions

• If the cling surface does get dirty, it can be cleaned with water by gently wiping with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth that has been wetted, preferably not too much, with warm (not hot) water. The Taclite surface will go milky, which can be more easily seen on clear Taclite, but if left open to the air, this will recover over a few hours to become clear again. Recovery time will depend on atmospheric conditions and can be accelerated by warm and dry air. You can even use a touch of detergent, although this will slow recovery of the coating. It is important to let the surface recover completely before re-applying to a window for maximum clarity.

 

These instructions are provided for our customers that want to install their own window decals. Tools you will need: Scissors, Xacto knife or razor blade, soft squeegee or protect the image with paper (hard squeegee will damage the print), and masking tape. You can also use your hands to apply the decal, but you are more likely to get bubbles in that case.

General Notes

• Windows should not have been treated with water repellent.
• If applying a window graphic that is not laminated, use a soft squeegee or protect the image with paper during installation to prevent damage to the printed image.
• Apply decals in the shade (no direct sunlight).
• The ideal temperature would be between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wind or wind gusts will cause problems.

 

Surface Preparation

• All surfaces should be considered dirty and must be cleaned prior to installation. Clean the area where the decals are to be applied with a household, non-ammonia based cleaner. We recommend an alcohol based cleaner such as denatured alcohol or equivalent. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
• Air and window surface temperatures must be above 40 degrees.

 

Applying the Window Graphics

• Position your decal in the desired location and tack into place on each end with small pieces of masking tape.
• Peel back about 2” of the release liner away from the top edge on the adhesive side of your decal.
• Cut that section of the release liner off and discard.
• Squeegee down the exposed edge of the decal starting from the center and working towards the edges. Let the squeegee cause the contact with the mounting surface and brush from the center outward using overlapping 45 degree angled strokes.
• Flip the graphic up, or have an assistant hold it up and start to peel back the remaining release liner.
• Pull back a few inches of the release liner at a time and squeegee the graphic into place using the same technique as above.
• If you get an air bubble, you can either lift the decal enough to release the air, or if the bubbles are not too large, you can pop them with a pin and squeegee the bubble toward the pin hole to squeeze out the air.
• Once the entire decal is applied, squeegee the entire decal once more to ensure a firm bond with the surface.

 

Special Note for Vehicle Window Graphic Installations

Installing window graphics on vehicles is the same procedure as described above. However, windows that are not flat, particular rear car windows, can be difficult to install if you don't have experience with this type of installation. Since you are applying a flat window graphic to a curved surface, the graphic will need to stretch and distort to some extent to stick without wrinkling. This involves some patience and usually the application of heat to the graphic to make it more pliable, usually with a hair dryer or heat gun. If you are not comfortable with this process, we recommend paying a professional to install your graphics. Contact us if you need assistance locating an installer in your area.

Static cling decals must be applied with water, and it's the recommended method for GlassMate and TacLite window clings, but with adhesive decals, it's not required. Some people prefer to use water with just a drop of dish soap when installing adhesive window graphics as well. Except for laminated view through adhesive vinyl, you can use the same technique described above for static cling decals when applying adhesive products. This can make it easier to remove air bubbles, but it takes more time and patience than the described method above, so we prefer to not use water during installation of most adhesive backed graphics, but it's a personal preference and either method will work.

Installing window graphics on flat surfaces is a fairly simple process if you follow our instructions above. Interior mounted graphics tend to be easy because they all have removable and reusable adhesives, so it's not difficult to fix any mistakes by lifting and reapplying the window graphics. View through adhesive vinyl without a laminate is also very easy to install on outside mount installations since the material is thicker than regular adhesive vinyl, and the fact that it's full of holes makes it very difficult to get air bubbles.

In general, the larger the graphic, the more difficult it will be to install without making mistakes or getting air bubbles, but if you take your time and follow our instructions, it's not a very difficult thing to install. The larger your graphics, the more you probably spent on them as well, so the larger the job, the more we would suggest you have your window graphics professionally installed.

Installing window graphics on vehicles can be more difficult. Windows that are not flat, in particular rear car windows, can be very difficult to install if you don't have experience with this type of installation. If you are not comfortable with this process, we recommend paying a professional to install your graphics in this situation. Contact us if you need assistance locating an installer in your area.

We have clear static cling, clear TacLite and clear adhesive vinyl, but we generally recommend against clear window decals because the inks are partially transparent so they are very difficult to see in a window unless there is a white wall or other kind of backing not far behind the windows. They can be very effective for decorations such as stained glass effects, but for advertising purposes they are not usually a good idea.

Usually clear window decals are requested by customers who want the design to float on the window without seeing the edges or background of the decal. An alternative to this can be achieved by die cutting the window graphics into irregular shapes that conform to your design. See the question below on cutting window decals into custom shapes for information on how to set up your design for die cutting.

GlassTex films have a permanent adhesive, which means they can be removed, but it will take time, patience, and probably adhesive removers to get them off your glass so they should not be used for temporarily installations. Also keep in mind that fading from the sun can occur in as little as 3-5 years if placed in a window with a great deal of direct sunlight. In those situations, we recommend the Frosted Clear MagicStik as it's a removable product so it will come off cleanly when you want to remove it, making it much more convenient for short term use, or in windows where direct sun exposure may necessitate the replacement of the graphic more frequently.

Removing window decals is as simple as lifting it from one edge and the peeling it off the window. If you are removing one of our reusable window decals and won't be re-installing it right away, you should replace the release liner on the adhesive to protect and keep it clean until you are ready to install it again. If the adhesive on these window graphics becomes dirty, they won't be able to stick as well and would need to be replaced.

With the exception of the GlassTex privacy films, all our window graphics materials will remove cleanly from any glass surface.

We can make window decals of any size, but the largest size we can make them in a single piece depends on the material. If you look through the material descriptions in the Printing Materials tab, you will find the largest size available for each particular media. Keep in mind that we cannot print all the way to the edge of the material, so for example, the largest width we could print on a 54" material is 52" wide by just about any length. If you are ordering window graphics with die cutting, the you must limit the width a few more inches to allow for die cutting registration marks.

The inks used in our window graphics are fade resistant outdoors for up to 3 years without lamination, and up to 5 years with a cast vinyl laminate. However, some window graphics materials are not designed to be left up that long. For example, it would be unusual for a static cling graphic to stay up with out being reinstalled for more than 6-9 months. View through adhesive vinyl has a shorter warranty than regular adhesive vinyl, but on a flat business window, it should hold up about as well.

Interior mounted window graphics are much more fade resistant, because even without a laminate, they window itself blocks quite a bit of the UV light that causes fading. Look through the descriptions in the Printing Materials tab for estimated longevity of the different options, and contact us with questions about your particular circumstances and we'll be happy to help you figure out which product will best hold up in your situation.

For irregularly shaped window graphics, we can digitally die cut them into virtually any shape. Most of our window graphics can be die cut, with the exception of the view through materials, and some of the interior mount materials.

If you want your window graphics cut out in a shape, we need a vector path that is read by our equipment to determine where to cut your window decals. There are two ways to set this up. The first way is for you to create a cut path yourself. This can be done in a drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw, or you can draw the path in Photoshop and we can copy it out and use it. If you decide to do this, be sure you draw a complete, closed path and that you leave approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch of image outside the cut path to allow for variances in the cutting. The smaller your window decal, the smaller the margin needs to be. Make the path a color that will stand out against your image and we will handle the technical details.

If you don't have the ability to create the cut path, or prefer not to, we can create it for you, but we do charge for the service. With most images, the cost is $20 but if you want to send us your file in advance, we can verify what the cost will be to create the cut path for you.

When you fill out the order form, be sure to select die cutting under Other Finishing to add this service to your order.

View through materials have holes that are punched in the film in a regular pattern, and combined with a black backing, create a see through effect. When you look at the back side of the view through material, your eye only picks up the light that comes through the holes in the film and ignores the black backing. That's why the effect works best when there is more light outside than inside. The effect is similar to looking through a screen door or window.

Surprisingly well. This example shows what a printed graphic looks like from the outside. It looks basically like a solid graphic from even a short distance away. There are different perforation patterns for different products with some having more holes and others having less, and the size of the holes themselves varies from product to product. Our view through adhesive vinyl product is actually available in a 50% perforation pattern as well as a 30% perforation pattern. With the 50% pattern, half of the material is removed so only half of your image is left. This material is common on vehicle wraps which is why the windows on vehicle wraps tends to look more washed out than the body of the vehicle. We prefer the 30% perforation pattern because it leaves 70% of the image, which makes a much nicer graphic with stronger colors. This example shows the 30% perforation product.

This image show the same graphic as viewed from the inside. As you can see, compared with the panes of glass below, the window almost looks tinted, but you can still see through it quite clearly, and this is the 30% perforated material so for even more visibility, the 50% material can be used if desired.

 

Laminating view through graphics requires special materials that have optically clear properties because regular laminates would spoil the view through effect by clouding the view through the holes in the material. Even with these special optically clear laminates, having a film over the holes in the graphic will reduce the visibility somewhat, so we recommend only using them when necessary. On vehicle windows there are several reasons you might want a laminate on your view through window graphics. Without a laminate, the view through the graphic can be blocked by water in the holes, so if it rains you won't be able to see out. Also on back windows with wipers, the abrasion from the wiper will eventually ruin the graphic, so we recommend a laminate in those cases. On business windows, we generally recommend against a laminate because there is less chance of abrasion and if the view is blocked during a rain storm, it's not critical. Also, having a laminate on the graphic makes installation more difficult because without the laminate, air escapes through the holes in the graphic making them very easy to install.

When you first open the order form, there will be an expanding list of items on the left. If you use the Place Order button, you can skip to the next paragraph, otherwise, choose the Printing for Indoor Use or Printing for Outdoor Use option, then choose the specific material you want from the drop down list under Window Graphics for our materials specifically designed for window graphics, or under Adhesive Vinyls for solid materials that can be used for window signs and decals as well as for other uses. If you haven't already decided on a material, you can choose different items and read their descriptions to help you make a choice. If you need some help in deciding, you can also look in the Our Recommendations tab for some suggestions.

Once you have decided on the material, you will need to indicate if you are sending a file, providing a photo/film to be scanned, or if you need us to design your graphics. Select an option from the drop down menu to continue.

Once you tell us how you are sending your file, you will be presented with a form to complete. Here you need to tell us what size to print your graphic by entering the width and height in inches. This is the size you want the finished graphic to be, not the size of your file.

Next enter the number of copies you want printed in the quantity field and the price will be calculated. If you are ordering multiple graphics of different files, you should complete these steps for each graphic. To speed up the process, some customers prefer to attach all their graphics of the same size and indicate here the total number of prints they are ordering at this size, rather than complete the info for each file individually. You can do this if you prefer, but the prices shown will not be accurate in that case.

Next you can select from any available finishing options. In general, only finishing options that are appropriate for the type of printing material you have selected will be available. For instance, for window graphics, there would be no mounting substrate options available since those products are not designed to be mounted on a board. The die cutting option will be available under Other Finishing.

Next you can request a proof. A reduced size printed proof is $30 and will be printed on the same material as your final print, but an electronic pdf or jpg proof is free. A pdf proof is good for checking the general layout, proof reading, etc., but if you're concerned about color accuracy or the quality of an image when enlarged to full size, a physical proof is the best option. A reduced size proof of the overall design is good for proofing color, or we can print a section of the graphic at full size so you can see how an image will look when blown up. If we feel the file will print poorly, we will always contact you to discuss your options before printing, but since our expectations and yours may not match, and since custom printed graphics cannot be returned, a proof is your best way to verify what the final print will look like in advance.

The final step before adding your print to the shopping cart is to tell us what you want us to do if your file doesn't fit the dimensions you gave us. The options are to have us size your file to fit the dimensions you provided and crop any excess, or to contact you for instructions. If you're sure that your image actually sizes correctly to your dimensions, it doesn't really matter which option you choose because neither one will be necessary. But, if you're not sure, you should either choose to have us contact you, or tell us to crop the image to fit. We'll do our best to crop your image in way that makes sense, but you should also be sure to request a pdf proof so you can see the results of the cropping.

Once you've complete all the previous steps, click the Add to Cart button to add this print to your shopping cart. On the shopping cart screen you can see all the items you've added to your order, delete any that you don't want, and have another chance to upload your file if you chose Upload Later from the order form. You can also choose Add Another to add another item to your order.

You don't need to log in or create an account to select and add items to your shopping cart, but you will need to do so in order to complete your order. This is so your account history can be maintained for future reference and ordering convenience. Your account information is secure and confidential, and creating an account WILL NOT result in unwanted e-mails from us, or anyone else.

Once you have placed all the items you want in your cart, and are logged in to your account, click the Order Now button. You will be asked to specify either normal turnaround time for your order, or provide a specific due date. If you do specify a due date, you will also be given the option to authorize rush charge for your order. If you need your order completed in less than the normal 3-5 day turnaround, you should authorize rush charges to ensure you get your order on time. Rush charges are 50% of your order total, up to a maximum of $75. If we don't have to bump other jobs to meet your deadline, you won't be charged the rush fee, but if you don't authorize the charges, we'll do what we can to complete your order on time, but won't go so far as to bump other jobs. If you specify a due date, we will adjust the shipping method, if necessary, to ensure your order arrives by the date you specified. In this case, extra shipping charges may apply.

Next you will be asked to select the shipping method, and finally the payment type. You should know that your credit card is not being charged when you submit the form. We are collecting the information for your order, but you will not be charged until we have verified your order to make sure there were no mistakes made. That way, if there are aspects of your order that change, we can adjust the order and the shipping cost, if necessary, before you are charged.

Once you click the Order button, you will receive an order summary via e-mail for your records, and we will receive your order and the process can begin.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please Contact Us and we'll be happy to help you with the process.