Clear Window Decals are a great way to advertise. Sport your favorite team, or display your company log with style! These affordable decals are the best way to get your message out there.
Clear window decals are one of the most popular mediums to display logos and short messages on glass by highlighting a graphic put onto transparent sheets made of vinyl. Typical applications include glass doors, storefronts, automobiles, windows, etc.; as long as you can still see through it, the decal doesn’t take up the entire space.
When it comes to clear vinyl printing, there are only two major print options, either flood white or spot white finish. They are both completely different and achieve complete opposite results. The most important detail to note is if you intend on having transparency in the final design. Click here to read our blog post for a more detailed look into spot white vs. flood white!
Does your print-ready file have transparency in the design? If the answer is yes, you should be choosing "spot white" as the print option. Spot white will allow all transparencies in the design to remain clear in the finished product. A layer of white ink has to be printed behind all the file areas where color is defined. All clear materials must have a layer of white ink printed to support the colors. This is so your design does not appear to look like a stained glass window. With the spot white option selected, you indicate you have transparency that is intended to remain clear in the final design. You can choose spot white for both install types, install from inside, or a standard exterior install.
Flood white is the print option that would be selected if you have DO NOT have clear or transparencies in the final design. Flood white will print a solid layer of white ink behind the entire design virtually, "flooding out" any clear material. Flood white will be explicitly used if you intend to install the product from the inside. This option would reverse print your design, allowing the material's adhesive side to stick from the inside and face outward through the glass. Even though the material is clear with the "flood white" print option, there would be no clear in the finished design's final appearance.
One of the great things about this advertising medium is that it’s excellent for both outdoor and indoor usage - anywhere there is a window, you can use these decals as long as the surface is smooth (and preferably clean upon setting it). You are not limited as to how to use these, and you can pick the best place to promote your business, store, or brand.
There is a lot of confusion about clear window decals vs. vinyl lettering, and it makes sense - if you’re looking at the two, there can be a lot of similarities. Still, in reality, they are quite different. We know those clear window decals are printed on a vinyl sheet; however, with vinyl lettering, your design is cut from the sheet instead of printed. There is more texture to it, and vinyl lettering can have a little more pop and visual appeal but can be a pain to set up.
Although our transparent window decals are weather-resistant, they aren’t entirely weatherproof. Extended exposure to water will eventually damage the decal and wear away at the design, so it’s best to dry it right away if possible to ensure you prolong the lifespan.
Many customers ask if they can wash the surface they install it on - that’s okay, but power washing after the decal is applied will damage it and is not recommended. Ensure the area is immaculate before installing the decal, though dirt and window scum may affect the placement and cause ridges and wrinkles.
Ideally, use a damp (not wet), soft cloth to polish the messaging and surrounding areas. This way, you can either remove it entirely or move it around in various positions during the cleaning process. Be careful - you can do this more than a few times, but not forever, since the adhesive will lose its effectiveness.