how do you tell the difference between contact paper and real decal vinyl?

[m24 0]

i just bought some rolls of vinyl on ebay and i am a little nervous about what i got. there is no brand name on the back of the vinyl, but there are a bunch of tiny squares on the back. is it common for real vinyl to have these little squares on the back of the vinyl or am i looking at contact paper.  if it is vinyl what are the little squares for?

[FBRsportmod68 109]

YOU BOUGHT CONTACT PAPER. Is it dull? Easy to tear? Be careful what you put it on, won't last 6 mos.

[m24 0]

yes it is very easy to tear.

[m24 0]

does real vinyl have little squares on the back?

[JoeCamaro 11]

I use Oracal and it does have square but not so small, more like medium sized squares. I think those are to help you cutting or something like that.

[BannerJohn 1,324]

I have had many different vinyls with squares on the back. NOne of it was shelf lining.

Cast vinyl is thinner than calendared,and can tear easily if it is old.

[stormy 5]

Post the auction link. But yes, that sounds like contact paper.

[m24 0]

here is the link to the person who i bought the vinyl from on ebay:

[ftp=ftp://http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320300058615&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=320291701518&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%26itu%3DUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320300058615&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=320291701518&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%26itu%3DUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4[/ftp]

cut and paste if link does not work.

i will send a photo of what i got to see if you guys can tell me if it is contact paper or not.

thanks.

[BannerJohn 1,324]

that's not shelf lining paper. Period.Too thick. But if you already bought it,you paid too much.That comes out to $40 with shipping for 20 yards.

There are a few manufacturers in China that make vinyl with squares on the back. I go through a LOT of vinyl...almost 70 yards today alone. I buy in lots of 15-20  50 yard rolls. I know vinyl.

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

I purchased some vinyl from a miami seller on Ebay and tried it once and gave it away.  It had a mix of small and larger green squares on the back and had a tough feel and was difficult to cut and weed.

[m24 0]

here is the pic

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

Exactly like the stuff I gave away!

[BannerJohn 1,324]

I got 2 50 yard rolls..one black,one pink...from the same place. Once I got the settings right,it wasn't a problem with cutting or weeding. I used every inch of it.That was about a year ago...and so far,not a single complaint from any of the banner customers.

[m24 0]

what would be a good vinyl to buy and from who (not through ebay)?

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

Oracal products have been great thru any supplier!

[Vermonster 111]

I go through a LOT of vinyl...almost 70 yards today alone.

Damn John...save some for the rest of us. 

You KNOW you can cut more than one thing on a roll, right 

[BannerJohn 1,324]

FDC,Avery, 3m....all are good and CAN be had through ebay. There are at least 2 regular sign supply companies that I know of that sell on ebay...both have been in business for many years. Earl Mich is one of them. I buy regularly from an ebay seller who sells  fresh cut-offs..usually FDC. I've tried them all, and FDC seems to be as good as any.

[m24 0]

what is earl mich's ebay user I.D.?

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

earlmichcompany - another great seller I've used is stickerman5000

[captonzoom 2]

I had the same problem!!  DO NOT BUY FROM EBAY SELLER "vynil_windowtint_supply".  It is nothing but glorified Contact paper.  I need so inexpensive vinyl for a test project and ordered it.  BIG MISTAKE!!  I always buy Oracal.  Never again will I purchase anything else BUT Oracal or other HIGH END vinyls.  Not worth the time or money no matter how cheep.  Begged for a refund, which I got in 10 days, however it cost me $15.00 to have it shipped to me and $15.00 to ship back.  Payed basically $33.00 for the vinyl and $30.00 for shipping.  With that said, I could have purchased (2) 24"X 10yard rolls of vinyl and had it shipped for that price.

DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID!!

[BannerJohn 1,324]

I go through a LOT of vinyl...almost 70 yards today alone.

Damn John...save some for the rest of us. 

You KNOW you can cut more than one thing on a roll, right   

LOL yeah and I use every inch. That's why I stock all sizes...11 inch text uses a 12" roll. I have 8,6,even 4" rolls for the smaller stuff. I just do a lot of banners.

[FBRsportmod68 109]

I had the same problem!!  DO NOT BUY FROM EBAY SELLER "vynil_windowtint_supply".  It is nothing but glorified Contact paper.  I need so inexpensive vinyl for a test project and ordered it.  BIG MISTAKE!!  I always buy Oracal.  Never again will I purchase anything else BUT Oracal or other HIGH END vinyls.  Not worth the time or money no matter how cheep.  Begged for a refund, which I got in 10 days, however it cost me $15.00 to have it shipped to me and $15.00 to ship back.  Payed basically $33.00 for the vinyl and $30.00 for shipping.  With that said, I could have purchased (2) 24"X 10yard rolls of vinyl and had it shipped for that price.

DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID!!

i bought the same stuff, same co............i use for freebies and test patterns.........nothing but ORACAL 651 from now on