What Is Vinyl Lettering?

Vinyl lettering is used for several purposes, such as advertisement, sportswear and decoration. Commonly referred to as "vinyl," the composites used can vary in actual vinyl content.

Advertisements

A very common use for vinyl letters is advertising on smooth surfaces, such as glass. Automobiles, having an abundance of glass, are perfect rolling billboards. Most times the owner purchases a stencil of the image desired, then has it placed. The vinyl has an adhesive on the back and will remain on the glass for years. Emergency vehicles and police use vinyl on their door decals and windows.

Sportswear

Another use for vinyl lettering is clothing, typically for athletes. Numbers and names have been on the backs of jerseys for decades, and most of that lettering is manufactured in vinyl. Like the glass advertising, the letters have glue on the backing, but it is thicker and designed for fabrics.

Decorating

Vinyl designs were popular for clothing in the 1970s, depicting someone's favorite TV show or movie using "iron on" vinyl stencils. Popular pictures were glitter-covered scenes from "Star Wars," or fantasy creatures such as unicorns. Using a special heat-activated glue, they were able to permanently bond with fabric.

Bumper Stickers

Most storefront businesses, malls and buildings will display health hazards or warnings on their glass or counters in vinyl decals. Many bumper stickers made for automobiles are now made with vinyl, after paper stickers turned out to be inferior.

Product Labels

Many labels for consumer goods were switched to vinyl in the 1980s, mostly after plastic containers replaced glass ones. Vinyl, mixed with other composites, can be "heat shrunk" or glued to plastic bottles.