Do you think of having a wall-mounted graphic put up in your college, school or at a university?
Uncertain of the many choices are?
As creators of wall graphics and educators in all aspects of school displays, we’ve helped schools across the UK discover between the advantages and disadvantages of each and pick the appropriate wall art item. This article explains what makes vinyl appropriate for school environments and also explains what you should know before beginning your project.
What is a wall art?
Wall vinyls can be positioned around any wall obstruction and aren’t restricted in size or design.
Any design or image that is affixed to an interior wall with self-adhesive or self-adhesive is considered to be wall art or a wall art. It is the most widely used and least expensive type of wall art. With larger-sized designs being placed on your wall in sections known as drops, there is no limit to the size of the wall art. Wall graphics can cover the entire wall (like wallpaper in your home) or they can be sized and cut to suit any shape.
There are a variety of vinyl products for companies to choose from, each having different degrees of success adhering to walls painted. It is possible to save money by using lesser kinds of vinyl, but it’s not likely to last as long since the adhesive was not specifically designed to adhere to painted surfaces. They have lower surface tension , and typically require the use of a wall-specific wall vinyl.
Why should I choose vinyl graphics for my school’s walls?
Vinyl wall graphics work great in schools due to the fact that they’re cost-effective and simple to put up and are protected with a protective film or laminate to protect the image from scratches and scratches. The complete wall wraps for spaces like corridors or other areas that are frequented by traffic can have a major impact on the appearance of your area and, as they are easily cleaned, they can reduce the expense of redecorating walls each year.
What kind of walls do I require to install a vinyl graphic?
Vinyl graphics are best suited to walls that have a smooth, finished paint and are as free of obstructions as is possible. Vinyl is able to be placed around light switches, sockets and other obstacles, however, if you have a lot of conduits, pipes and even sections of trunking that are covering the wall, the design might not be noticed and it will be more difficult to make an impactful effect.
Vinyl can display any bumps or imperfections on your wall. To get the best finish possible, it’s always recommended to fill in any gaps or holes, paint and sand your wall when it’s in need of it. The better the paint surface, the more attractive the wall art you put up appear once it’s installed.
There are special vinyl options which can be applied on blocks and brick walls, but make sure you know the cost of installation since they may take longer to set up than panels. Additionally, since they don’t conceal the texture of the wall, you must consider the final view distance that will ensure that your design can be seen the way you want without the texture appearing to be a distraction.
Is it possible to easily alter an image on a wall?
They can last for 10 or more years indoors, it is advisable to consider using a wall vinyl as a long-term display option. After your vinyl is put up, you are unable to change the design easily without taking it off which leaves your wall needing some kind of change prior to doing any other thing with it. If you’re looking for more flexibility or require a shorter-term solution there are plenty of alternatives that could meet your requirements better.
Can students take the vinyl off the wall?
Vinyl can attract curious fingernails only when there is an obvious edge. If your design will be all the way across the wall, floor-to ceiling, then this is the most effective way to guard from this type of scrutiny. If your design has to end before a ceiling or wall, think about making a trim for your design. This will conceal the vinyl edge and make it simpler to decorate every year.
Wall vinyl is cut into intricate shapes , if your design needs it. While in some areas they can be a great solution, take into consideration that shapes cut designs may be more costly to create per square meter, but they are less difficult to remove from the wall than full-coverage designs , and are more difficult to embellish around.
What type of care do wall graphics made of vinyl need?
After your vinyl wall art is installed, it will need minimal or no maintenance. If it has the protection of a laminate which allows you to use more powerful cleaning products than if the ink is not protected. A gentle wash using the standard surface cleaner can take away most scratches and marks. Isopropyl alcohol cleaners or alcohol wipes may be used to wash off some more stubborn marks.
Can a wall-mounted vinyl material be fixed?
If the vinyl design has been damaged, ripped or torn, the only method to fix the damage is by applying the use of a vinyl patch. In the majority of cases the patched are applied in a way that it is difficult to even notice that they exist and especially when the patch is cut to connect to the design. If this isn’t feasible however, there could be an option to design the patch so that the patch to be less evident. When the damages are substantial the section might need removal, and the walls repainted and a new section of vinyl to be added.
When you apply any vinyl patch or add-on that is applied retroactively there is the possibility that the colours might not be in harmony. This could be more challenging for certain types of printers than other. For instance, latex printers are especially affected by this problem of colour-matching which can result in small colour variations on the same image in one print to another.
What could cause a graphic made of vinyl to fail?
Three main reasons your school wall graphics could begin to peel off the wall: the effects of temperature fluctuations, an ineffective installation procedure, or incompatible paint.
Temperature
Vinyl is made for expansion and contraction when it cools and heats, and is predicted to shrink in the course of time. This is why joints are placed with an overlap in order to ensure that the gaps in your design are not visible over time. When the temperature fluctuations become more severe they can stretch excessive, weakening your bond, leading to the loss of adhesion. You could be in trouble using vinyl in these locations.
Poor installation
The majority of wall vinyls have a more durable adhesive than sign-making, and the method of application is also a bit different. For the best results it is recommended to apply them dry in one easy operation on a wall that has been thoroughly cleared and cleaned. It’s possible for smaller images to get an excellent finish using DIY methods, but bigger walls with full coverage are for the pros only.
Paint that is incompatible as well as poorly-painted walls
While vinyl is suitable for application to any wall but it is dependent on high surface tension to allow the adhesive to “key into’, so it’s not appropriate for every finish. Paints with added silicone won’t allow for a solid bond. Wall vinyl experts should be able to perform the wall with a test using the paint they recommend and will show the degree to which the vinyl will adhere. If the paint is thin or (for the construction of a new building) the plaster wasn’t made in a proper manner, it could result in the failure of paint.
Vinyl graphics: pros and cons graphics
Pros
Cost effective
Quick to set up
Are they able to withstand the rigors of school life?
It is possible to clean
Hight impact
No maximum size.
Cons
It’s not easy to modify
Not suitable for certain locations.
It is possible to pick them up if the area is not secured or positioned strategically
If you’re still unsure whether a wall-mounted vinyl graphic is the best option for your college, school or university, contact us.
