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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Boat Lettering Vinyl

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justinkonecny
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/26/2014 : 11:51:04

Is there a specific type of vinyl that is used for boat lettering? I have been looking around online but haven't found any real answer. It would suck if I put regular adhesive-backed vinyl on the hull and it fell off or faded in a month...

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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2014 : 12:24:33

The answer is no. There are only 2-3 companies that make the sticky-back vinyl for signs and lettering.
I work as an art director in TV we use this all the time and after discussions with the suppliers found that the vinyl is about all the same so...
You don't need to to find a "boat lettering" company any sign company can help you. Just make sure to get vinyl that is colored all the way through not something that is printed. Prepping the surface is key, wax removal and clean.
I put Peregrine's lettering on from a sign company in 1997 and looks the same as the day I put it on. The company used the 3M vinyl.
The real trick is if you are putting lettering on both sides of the boat getting them even is the thing. If applying them yourself get a spray bottle with water and a little dish soap this will give you a little leeway till it's positioned right then use a squeegee to work the bubbles out from one end.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4035 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2014 : 12:42:53

If your a member of this association these people give you a discount. I myself and others have used them.http://www.greatlettering.com/

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justinkonecny
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2014 : 12:46:04

Great, thanks for the help. I'll stick with my regular vinyl then. I have a plotter/cutter but just wanted to be sure on the material.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2014 : 08:03:51

I disagree that it doesn't matter. There are only a few companies that make adhesive vinyl, but they make it in many different styles.

Oracal 651 works pretty well and is inexpensive. They rate it for up to 6 years outdoors.

Oracal 751 and 951 are nicer and are what they recommend for marine graphics. Oracal 951 is rated to last up to 12 years outdoors, and the glue is more durable when constantly being splashed with water.

http://www.orafol.com/gp/americas/en/products/plotter-films/marine-graphics-9765-product-details/items/oracal-951-premium-cast

I used to get 751 and 951 from Expressions Vinyl, but it looks like they are no longer selling it. That is too bad because I don't know of another source for 12" wide rolls of this stuff that will fit my Cameo plotter.

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Tomas Kruska
Admiral

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Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2014 : 12:44:29

There are at least two types of the materials and they call it 5 and 7 years. I always order that premium 7 year material which has the red lettering on is back side.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3507 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2014 : 05:54:08

I bought my lettering online from Boat US Graphics Dept back in 2005, however, I then learned that their Dept was located at their Hqtrs in Alexandria, VA which was not that far from me and so when I finally smudged one of the letters, I just went down to their Graphics Dept and they cut me some matl free to use for letter repairs/replacements. Not sure if they are still located at Hqtrs since the Boat US Store which turned into a West Marine store was closed many years ago....but their insurance, etc Hqtrs is still there.

The lettering is now 9 1/2 years old and looks the same as the day I applied it back in 2005. (See below)

I read the other postings regarding Oracal, which I believe is a 3M product. Way back ...more than 35 years ago, I owned a 16' sailboat and had bought 3M vinyl material mail-order. I believe the material was called...Intertac or something like that. (I may still have the roll of matl left over tucked away in my gagrage.) I am sure that the vinyl processing was improved thru the years and new generations of products have come out by 3M since the time I used the vinyl matl for a boat name. But I do recall, it held up fine for the 5 years or so that I had the boat and I am sure any 3M product bought these days is an improvement over what was a great product back then.

The whole key to doing the job right is from what you are going to make the letters from - free-hand, stencil, etc and then ensuring the letters go on lined up perfectly. It is definitely going to cost you more to have an online company provide you a pre-made boat name but it is done professionally and the spacing, etc lined up perfectly. The application as a one piece is fairly easy...you can then only screw it up if you do not have the whole name lined up horizontally...as opposed to screwing up any one of the lined up letters when doing making and applying letters yourself. This is generally a one shot deal and so the cost if going the pre-made route is really peanuts when you figure it will probably never need replacing. Then again, some like the idea that they designed and manufactured the lettering themselves...and so it becomes a nice project to work on.

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Lehooks
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2015 : 19:29:52

I own a sign shop and any good sign shop can do the job. Ask for "premium" or "high performance" vinyl. Cut vinyl will last longer than digitally printed graphics. If you have a style you want or a picture of one you like, take it with you. They can even install if you want.

There are several brands of adhesive vinyl but all have premium version which will last 8-10 years. Black will last the longest. Reds fade the fastest.

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