Vinyl is one of the most common and versatile materials used for modern sign making, but before you get cracking, you’ll need to decide whether it’s better to use printable vinyl or coloured sign vinyl. Both are popular options, and both have their strengths, but knowing when to use each can save time, cut costs and help you achieve the exact finish your client wants.
What Is Printable Vinyl?
Printable vinyl is exactly what it sounds like - vinyl you can run through a wide-format printer to create full-colour images, gradients, logos, and high-resolution designs. It’s perfect for projects that involve complex artwork, photographic elements, or brand-specific colours that can’t be matched with standard vinyl shades.
This type of vinyl printing media comes with a printable topcoat that allows ink to bond properly, ensuring sharp, vibrant prints. A popular choice is Metamark MD3, a high-quality intermediate, calendered, self-adhesive vinyl that offers great print quality and durability for mid-term applications like vehicle graphics, exhibition panels and retail signage.
If you’ve got access to a solvent, eco-solvent, latex, or UV printer, printable vinyl gives you almost unlimited creative freedom.
What Is Coloured Sign Vinyl?
Coloured vinyl, on the other hand, is pre-pigmented vinyl in a wide range of colours and finishes. Think gloss, matt, satin and metallics. It doesn’t go through a printer. Instead, you cut your design straight from the vinyl using a plotter or cutter.
This is ideal for text, logos, and simpler shapes where colour matching isn’t critical. Because it skips the printing and laminating stages, it’s fast, efficient and great for projects on a tighter budget or deadline.
Metamark offers a wide range of coloured sign vinyl, including their 7 Series and M4 range, both of which deliver excellent weeding, adhesion and outdoor durability.
When Should You Use Each One?
Here’s a simple way to decide:
Use printable vinyl when:
- The design is full-colour, detailed, or photographic
- You need gradients or complex branding
- The colour palette can’t be achieved with stock vinyls
- You have access to a wide-format printer
Use coloured vinyl when:
- You’re working with solid colours, text, or simple shapes
- You want to save time on short-run or repeat jobs
- You don’t have access to a printer
- You need high durability with fewer production steps
Choosing Vinyl Based On The Application
The best choice of vinyl will also depend on where and how the finished graphic will be used. For example, vehicle graphics may need a material that can handle outdoor exposure and movement, while retail signage or exhibition graphics may have different durability requirements.
It’s also worth considering the shape and surface you’re applying the vinyl to. Large, simple lettering may be quicker to produce from coloured vinyl, while a detailed graphic with multiple colours is likely to be more practical with printable vinyl.
Thinking about the application before choosing your material can help you avoid unnecessary production steps and make sure the finished graphic is suitable for its intended environment.
Do You Need To Laminate Printable Vinyl?
Lamination isn’t always necessary, but it can be an important consideration when using printable vinyl, particularly for graphics that need additional protection from scratching, handling or outdoor exposure.
The right approach will depend on the vinyl, ink technology, application and expected lifespan of the finished graphic. A laminate can also provide a different surface finish, such as gloss or matt, which can change the overall appearance of the graphic.
For shorter-term applications, you may not need the additional step. For projects where durability and surface protection are more important, however, it’s worth considering whether laminating the printed vinyl is appropriate.
Consider Cost And Production Time
Cost and turnaround time can also influence whether printable vinyl or coloured vinyl is the better choice. Printable vinyl requires printing and, depending on the application, may also require lamination before it is ready to use. This adds extra steps to the production process.
Coloured vinyl can be quicker for straightforward designs because the material is already coloured and can simply be cut, weeded and applied. This can make it particularly useful for simple lettering, logos and repeat jobs where a full-colour print isn’t necessary.
However, the most cost-effective option isn’t always the vinyl with the lowest material price. Consider the amount of labour, ink, finishing and production time involved, as well as the complexity of the final design. Choosing the right material for the job can help you balance quality, efficiency and overall project costs.
A Word On Self-Adhesive Vinyl
Both printable and coloured vinyls fall under the wider category of self-adhesive vinyl, meaning they come with an adhesive backing ready to apply, no messy glues needed. Whether printed or plotted, self-adhesive vinyl makes application quick, clean and reliable.
In the end, there’s no single right answer for every application. It all depends on the job. Some sign-makers even combine both, using printable vinyl for a complex logo and coloured sign vinyl for accompanying text.
The real trick is knowing your materials, knowing which one will work best, and that’s where Signmaster Systems comes in to help you make the right choices for both you and your clients.
Need advice? We’re always here to help you choose the right vinyl printing media for your next project. Contact us today.
