Which vinyl do you use/like the best?

[Forche]

I'm just about to order some more vinyl for stencils and was wondering what brand you guys use? I use greenstar, and have seen the oracal but it looks a little more spendy.

THX!!

[Swampy]

I found any seven year cast vinyl is adequate, the more expensive products by name are probably more durable in the climate but for quality of making a sandblast resist, like I say a seven year off eBay is all I use.

I use seven year because it's stretchable like if I need to put it on a surface that curves in two planes like a barrel shape, I warm the piece with a hair dryer and also the vinyl. Apply it, immediately remove the application tape then work it around the curve. Maybe even put cuts with an exacto to relieve the corners but you knew that already right :o)

[Swampy]

*more durable for signmaking purposes is what I meant.

[Forche]

Thx for the response swampster. I use the 5 year - i just need it to put on, blast, and remove all within a couple of hours so I'm kinda going the other way - looking for a good vinyl that is cheap - possible?

Guess I need to rep some more or I'd hit ya again THX.

[Swampy]

Welcome. Same here with the 5yr when etching flat or a single plane curved surface. Even so if there's a really fine line to cut, the 7yr cuts fine lines (20 thou) pretty good.

But the 5yr takes more beating if you want to blast deeper and tends to hold it's edge/less tendency to burn out, I find.

Do you find the more expensive namebrand vinyls work better? Cost per square inch is negligable unless it's big areas.

[Forche]

I've always ordered my stencils before. I got a plotter about 6 months ago and it came with a greenstar variety pack, so I've never cut any other brand myself. I found the black and gold to work pretty good.

[Forche]

Good info on the fine lines with the 7 year tho. Will keep that in mind for more elaborate blast jobs.:bouncy:

[SoberstoneGlass]

i like the matte instead of the gloss finish. makes a difference IMO

[Forche]

^^Cool man, why exactly do you like better about the matte?

[SoberstoneGlass]

matte seems easier to weed out. got a bit cleaner cuts when doing small intricate images on the matte, the gloss said it was the same 4mm thickness but it felt thicker. i normally don't go into the vinyl place and get a specific roll, i just but when they got a good deal on, or partial discounted rolls. like to stay between 2-4mm thickness 2mm if you got lots of curves to go around. you'll get nicer cuts if you cut @ full speed.

if most of your work is darker colors get brighter colored vinyl or vice versa. makes it easier to see when the protector screen on blast cabinets get dirty.