What Is a Printable Waterproof Vinyl?

A printable waterproof vinyl is a special PVC-based film that you can print on using inkjet printers as well as laser printers, and thus, can be customized with different graphics and colours.

Moreover, since these vinyl films are made to withstand harsh conditions such as UV-rays, harsh water splashes, and rock chipping, they are suitable for outdoor use.

A stack of printable waterproof vinyl sheets in studio

Science Behind Being Vinyl Waterproof Stickers

When it comes to using custom waterproof vinyl stickers for different applications, a common concern that arises is whether they can withstand water or not. Vinyl films are inherently impervious to water, which means their material composition is designed in a way that does not allow moisture to seep in.

This waterproof property makes vinyl suitable to be used as outdoor signage, stickers, labels, decals, and whatnot.

Printed vinyl repelling water droplets

Difference between Water-resistant and Waterproof

Well, the difference is simple: water-resistant materials can repel moisture to the maximum extent, yet some moisture can still penetrate through after a certain time.

On the contrary, waterproof materials are completely impenetrable and make the moisture run off the surface.

Types of Custom Waterproof Vinyl Stickers

Printable vinyl comes in different finishes to expand the utility and allow for variable usages. These finishes make it possible to attain different designs that are suitable for versatile applications in different niches.

In this section, we will elaborate on the available vinyl film finishes and their best uses so that you can choose one according to your needs.

Glossy Printable Vinyl

Glossy vinyl films have a high-shine appearance that looks like freshly painted and provides a luxurious persona to the stickers. This finish can be customized with high resolution graphics and designs to make different products.

glossy vinyl-wrapped RVs with advertisement

Benefits

This section will highlight the benefits of opting for glossy vinyl stickers.

  • Attractive: They have an eye-catching appearance and look attractive at first glance.
  • Easy-to-Clean: Glossy finishes have a plane surface and therefore, are easier to clean just with a microfiber cloth.
  • Self-Healing: Glossy vinyl has the tendency to withstand minor scratches and heal upon applying heat through a heat gun.

Best Use

Since the appearance of glossy vinyl is more towards shine and glare, it is more suitable for applications that demand attraction. So, glossy white vinyl is the best option if you have one of the following needs;

  • Brand Advertisement: You can advertise your brand through glossy vinyl-wrapped RVs or trucks. These vehicles move around the town carrying your glossy business stickers and thus, attract an audience.
  • Product Labels: Glossy stickers are also suitable to serve as the labels for different products, such as water bottles and tin cans.
  • Stickers: Being the self-adhesive vinyls, they are most suitable to be used as cutting vinyls, such as logo stickers, business stickers, and laptop stickers.

Matte Printable Vinyl

Matte finish in printable vinyl is a non-glare, diffused option that is ideal for a professional look that displays stealth and boldness. Stickers with a matte appearance stand out among other finishes because of their subtle elegance.

Matte printed vinyl used to label jars in kitchen

Benefits

Knowing the benefits of the printable vinyl stickers in matte finish, you will be able to make an informed decision as per your application.

  • Swirl Marks: The stickers made out of matte vinyl do not show swirl marks and scratches like other fins do. Therefore, these vinyl stickers are easier to maintain and clean.
  • Textured Appearance: Most surfaces covered with matte vinyl look textured, which gives an aesthetic charm and a tectile feel.

Best Use

In this section, you will get to know that if you choose printable vinyl in matte finish, what the best uses are that you can employ it for.

  • Minimal Design: Matte finishes are the best choice when the look you aim to attain is towards the Minimalism aesthetic. The subtle accents of matte decor vinyl keep the look toned down but attractive.
  • Text-Heavy Labels: For the labels that have detailed text, you need to keep the background quiet and delicate so that it doesn’t overpower the text. In such cases, Matte comes out as the best choice.
Simple advertising decals made of matte printable vinyl

How to Choose the Best Waterproof Printable Vinyl?

With so many options of printable vinyl stickers available in the market, it becomes a hectic task to choose the ones that truly suit your needs. However, this process can be made easy if you just breakdown the factors you must consider before making the purchase.

In this section, we will tell you the easy way to choose high-quality printable vinyl stickers.

Intended Usage

First of all, you must clearly define the intended use, as a vinyl sticker designed for outdoor applications needs to be stronger and more durable than one meant for indoor use.

Outdoor vinyl decals must have functional properties such as UV resistance and scratch resistance, whereas indoor vinyl can perform well even without these features.

outdoor vinyl decals of shop vs indoor vinyl decals

Printer Compatibility

Now, before buying a vinyl, you must also confirm its compatibility with your printer because not all vinyl sticker films are made for every printer. Only good-quality printable vinyls work well with both inkjet printers and laser printers.

So, make sure the vinyl film you are buying fulfills the requirements of your printer to obtain long-lasting and high-resolution prints.

Side-by-side comparison of ink-jet and laser printing on vinyl sheet

Water Resistance Level

Some vinyl films are splash-proof, which indicates they can withstand minimal water attack and have a moderate water-resistant level. So, for use on indoor furniture and walls, such vinyls can be opted for. However, for outdoor use, you must go for fully waterproof printable vinyl stickers that do not let water to seep-in.

Waterproof vinyl printed stickers not absorbing water

Thickness and Vinyl Calliper

The thickness of the vinyl decides how flexible and durable the sheet will be. It is often considered the more, the merrier, but the same doesn’t apply to the thickness because thicker vinyls do not conform easily and are not of great quality.

So, you must choose a vinyl between 12-20 mil and confirm it using a vinyl calliper.

Vinyl calliper is being used to meassure thickness of vinyl sheet

Best Applications for Custom Vinyl Stickers

After getting your hands on great quality vinyl stickers at a good price, you must also know their best applications. So, in this section, we have put together different uses of vinyl waterproof stickers so that you can employ yours to the best application.

Product Labels & Packaging

Packaging and label are the first factors that a customer notices in a product; therefore, they must be designed attractively. Printable vinyl provides the freedom to design custom stickers, to be used as labels, with high-resolution graphics.

Products and packagings are labled using printed vinyls

Outdoor Decals & Signs

Signboards that are installed outdoors must have a surface strong enough to withstand harsh environmental conditions, and for such requirements, vinyl stickers are your best choice.

Outdoor signs made using printed vinyl

Jars & Container Stickers

Printable vinyl stickers also come in handy for labelling jars with customized designs, ranging from pantry labels to spice jar labels. These stickers easily conform to the curved surfaces of jars and containers and adhere securely as self-adhesive labels.

jars are labled using printed vinyl

Promotional & Branding Materials

Vinyl stickers also serve as an excellent medium for advertising and branding due to their ease of customization and flexibility in shapes and sizes. For instance, you can create promotional mugs for your brand and personalize them with vinyl stickers featuring vibrant, eye-catching promotional prints.

 promotional mugs with printable vinyl for your brand advertising

Conclusion

Waterproof printable vinyl has gained widespread applications owing to the functional abilities that other polymers lack. A good quality waterproof vinyl is the one that truly fits your needs while also proving to be worthwhile in terms of investment.

Carlike is the brand that sells high-quality printable vinyl materials that bring out high-resolution prints with vibrant colours.

Save Big by Getting Printable Vinyl from Carlike Now!

CarLike has been positioning itself as a top-line manufacturer of vinyl films, whether they are getting them for vehicle wrapping or product labelling. We offer low MOQ, fast production, and high-quality products that are produced under strict quality control.

Whether you need flexible OEM/ODM services or rapid shipping, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us now and get your hands on bulk stickers at a wholesale rate.

FAQs

Q1: Why is printable waterproof vinyl so important for custom products?

Printable waterproof vinyl ensures durability and vibrant colors, making it ideal for long-lasting custom stickers, labels, and decals that endure harsh conditions.

Q2: Can I use waterproof printable vinyl for outdoor applications?

Yes, waterproof printable vinyl is perfect for outdoor applications, with excellent resistance to water, UV rays, and weathering, ensuring long-term performance.

Q3: What is your MOQ for printing vinyl?

Carlike’s standard MOQ is ten rows, but we can accommodate smaller orders to help new customers evaluate our products. Contact us now for a personalized quote!

Q4: Can I get a sample of your printing vinyl?

Yes, CarLike provides samples for you to assess the quality and suitability of our printing vinyl. Just contact us with your request.