When to use ORACAL 651 v ORACAL 751 . . . Or ORAJET 3164?

CAST VINYL

One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive, here at The Vinyl Corporation, is: “which self-adhesive sign vinyl can you recommend for use on a boat?” otherwise referred to as MARINE GRADE VINYL, the answer is ORACAL 751 or ORACAL 951 for even more complex shapes and curves, these are higher grade CAST VINYLs that are thinner, more durable and therefore more flexible and conformable.

ORACAL 651 OR ORACAL 751

The primary difference between ORACAL 651 and ORACAL 751  is the manufacturing process, 651 is thicker as it is produced by a method referred to as calendaring which is basically taking a piece of material and squashing it, at high pressure between two rollers at a much lower temperature than cast vinyl is produced at, the finished calendared film will leave the calendar mill at a thickness of 70 microns, as opposed to the 751 cast film that will leave the casting plant at a thickness of 60 microns, making it more pliable and more able to retain the shape that it is placed into, rather than shrinking back to it’s original form. CAST FILM is produced by heating until it becomes a liquid state and then formed or CAST into a sheet form, making it very dimensionally stable and easier to work with having less internal tensile strength within it.

Orajet 3164 or ORACAL 651?

The Vinyl Corporation will suggest that the Oracal 651 product is the “Go To” VINYL for the vast majority of applications, it is reliable, strong and stable also matching the required price point for most Signmaking projects, but should a PRINTED VINYL DECAL or PRINTED GRAPHICS be needed then the first port of call will probably be the ORAJET 3164 SOLVENT PRINT VINYL as this product has been successfully utilised on Solvent, Eco-Solvent, UV and Latex Inkjet printers. The ORAJET 3162 is the removable version of the 3164 100 microns very versatile PRINTING VINYL of choice.

Should a SIGN MAKING VINYL project require marine graphics or compound, complex curves or rivets covering, then a CAST VINYL such as the ORACAL 751 or the ORACAL 951 should be used, if it is a standard VAN SIGN or SHOP WINDOW DISPLAY then ORACAL 651 will be recommended and if it is a pictorial or printed SIGN that is required, then The Vinyl Corporation will suggest that the ORAJET 3164 is employed, for more complex shapes and applications with DIGITAL PRINTED VINYL the ORAJET 3951 with corresponding laminate will be offered. If further help or advice is required about the choice or specification of materials available, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly and well-informed helpdesk at The Vinyl Corporation 0115 930 1133

FUN FACT :

ORACAL is pronounced “or-uh-cal”…  NOT Oracle! … But pronounce it how you like when placing an order with TVC  . . . .