Commercial Decals & Magnets
The types and uses of decals and magnets that we have produced over the years is numerous and varied — from vehicle magnets for commercial branding to small magnets and decals to promote schools and teams to intricate decals used to identify parts of machinery and installed during manufacture.
Decals
- Bumper stickers
- Political decals
- Oval decals for back glass of cars
- Parking stickers
- Water bottle decals
- Decals for shopping bags
- Static cling window decals
- Reflective decals
Magnets
- Magnets for car/truck doors to identify a business
- Refrigerator magnets for educational / information purposes
- Business card magnets for refrigerators / etc.
- Save the date magnets
- Sports schedule magnets
Decals & Magnets Specialists in Wilmington NC
Why Should You Get Decals or Magnets for Your Business?
- Stand out with brilliant colors with crystal clear printing!
- Get noticed with custom shapes! We cut decals and magnets can be any size or shape.
- Decals and magnets help you advertise, share information or solve unusual problems creatively.
- Educate your clients about your business.
- Announce important safety measures.
- Grow your following with attractive branding.
Get Your Free Quote for Business Decals or Magnets
We make stunning decals and magnets with quick turnaround, quality workmanship, and great customer service, all at competitive prices. When you’re ready to get started, click the button below to get your free estimate.
Click to view larger image.
Cast Vinyl Decals
Our most durable, cleanest removing decals are produced on the same 3M media used to produce vehicle wraps. They are opaque, full-color, easy to apply, and conform to compound curves. They include high quality 3M laminate that increases outdoor durability to 7-10 years.
Perfect for vehicles, outdoor equipment, surfaces that get hot (225°F), glass, watercraft, dishwasher use and more.
Economy Decals
Our most economical, fast-turnaround decals. They are opaque, full-color and intended for flat surfaces. Can be produced with or without high-gloss or matte-finish laminate, which increases outdoor durability to 3-5 years. (1-2 year outdoor lifespan without laminate)
Perfect for short-term outdoor or indoor smooth, flat-surface applications.
Click to view larger image.
Click to view larger image.
Removable Decals
Opaque, full-color decals, intended for flat surfaces. These decals include a high-quality removable adhesive that bonds well to painted metal, plastic and glass surfaces without peeling or lifting and can be cleanly removed for up to one year from most smooth OEM surfaces. Standard laminate is matte-finish, but can be printed with high gloss laminate. Perfect for short-term outdoor or indoor smooth, flat-surface applications.
Clear Decals
Clear, full-color decals, offered with translucent inks only, or with white-ink underlay for image opacity. Typically intended for glass applications, on vehicles or otherwise. They include high-quality gloss laminate, which increases durability to 3-5 years.
Click to view larger image.
Click to view larger image.
Clear Static Stick (Cling) Decals
Clear, full-color static (non-adhesive) decals priced with white ink underlay for opacity of image. Intended for use on glass surfaces. Can be customized to apply on the inner or outer surface of glass. Intended for temporary uses, where frequent change is needed.
Die Cut Stickers
Custom shape decals, cut to shape of logo/etc. All of our decal types are available in custom shapes.
Click to view larger pictures in a photo gallery.
Click to view a larger picture.
Job Box Labels
Brand your construction permit box “Doc-Box” with your logo and colors to stand out to potential clients, and make it easy for your staff to properly record important details. These decals are full-color, permanent and sized to fit standard permit boxes. They have a matte-finish, “easy to write-on” surface.
Reflective Decals
Full-color decals printed on reflective media and paired with high quality gloss laminate that provides 7-9 year outdoor durability. Perfect for vehicles, watercraft, public safety and other applications. Available in flat-surface and compound curve surface options.
Click to view larger pictures in a photo gallery.
Click to view larger picture.
Parking Permit Stickers
Ideal for glass or bumper applications in small numbers or high volume. Available in both white and clear vinyl, with full-color or 1-2 color prints in high volume with consecutive numbering. Square and circle decals available, customized with your logo / text. Customized to apply to either the outer or inner surface of glass.
Click to view larger picture.
Click to view larger picture.
Equipment Labels
Ideal for specifying operation instructions and safety guidelines, or just identification and numbering. We recommend out cast vinyl media for equipment decals to ensure longevity of 7-10 years in varying temperatures. We offer specialty high-tack vinyl for textured surfaces, when needed.
Cast Vinyl Decals
Our most durable, cleanest removing decals are produced on the same 3M media used to produce vehicle wraps. They are opaque, full-color, easy to apply, and conform to compound curves. They include high quality 3M laminate that increases outdoor durability to 7-10 years.
Perfect for vehicles, outdoor equipment, surfaces that get hot (225°F), glass, watercraft, dishwasher use and more.
Economy Decals
Perfect for short-term outdoor or indoor smooth, flat-surface applications.
Removable Decals
Opaque, full-color decals, intended for flat surfaces. These decals include a high-quality removable adhesive that bonds well to painted metal, plastic and glass surfaces without peeling or lifting and can be cleanly removed for up to one year from most smooth OEM surfaces. Standard laminate is matte-finish, but can be printed with high gloss laminate. Perfect for short-term outdoor or indoor smooth, flat-surface applications.
Clear Decals
Clear Static Stick (Cling) Decals
Clear, full-color static (non-adhesive) decals priced with white ink underlay for opacity of image. Intended for use on glass surfaces. Can be customized to apply on the inner or outer surface of glass. Intended for temporary uses, where frequent change is needed.
Die Cut Stickers
Custom shape decals, cut to shape of logo/etc. All of our decal types are available in custom shapes.
Job Box Labels
Brand your construction permit box “Doc-Box” with your logo and colors to stand out to potential clients, and make it easy for your staff to properly record important details. These decals are full-color, permanent and sized to fit standard permit boxes. They have a matte-finish, “easy to write-on” surface.
Reflective Decals
Full-color decals printed on reflective media and paired with high quality gloss laminate that provides 7-9 year outdoor durability. Perfect for vehicles, watercraft, public safety and other applications. Available in flat-surface and compound curve surface options.
Hard Hat Decals
Full-color, opaque decals printed on cast vinyl with a high-gloss laminate. Easy to apply to the compound curved surface of hard hats.
Parking Permit Stickers
Ideal for glass or bumper applications in small numbers or high volume. Available in both white and clear vinyl, with full-color or 1-2 color prints in high volume with consecutive numbering. Square and circle decals available, customized with your logo / text. Customized to apply to either the outer or inner surface of glass.
Equipment Labels
Ideal for specifying operation instructions and safety guidelines, or just identification and numbering. We recommend out cast vinyl media for equipment decals to ensure longevity of 7-10 years in varying temperatures. We offer specialty high-tack vinyl for textured surfaces, when needed.
Click to view larger pictures in a photo gallery.
Vehicle Magnets
Our vehicle magnets are produced on high grade .036 thickness magnetic material. The full-color, high-resolution image is laminated in our highest quality cast laminate. This matters, because it means the magnet not only will have long-term, weather-resistant durability, but it will stay on the vehicle without any peeling at the edges.
*Note: Magnets are intended to be removed and reapplied often. Choose a magnet, when you know you will want to travel incognito, so to speak, at times. Magnets should not be left on vehicles for extended periods without removal at least once a week or so to wash beneath them. The buildup of dirt/grime between the magnet and vehicle paint will both damage the paint and potentially cause the magnet to fly off during travel.
Business Card Magnets
Some might argue that business cards are becoming a thing of the past, like Rolodexes. But not true of business card magnets! Because they stick to steel surfaces, people will stick them to refrigerators, filing cabinets, desks and more. There’s something about a magnet that makes it hard for people to resist sticking it to something! And thus… they see your message often!
We offer business card magnets in the super-thin .019 economy thickness (they stick, but not tightly) and our recommended .036 high grade thickness (they snap onto a steel surface).
Click to view larger picture.
Click to view larger pictures in a photo gallery.
Specialty Magnets
Magnets can solve all sorts of problems — and we’re not talking about joint pain! Magnets are a clean and clever way to create displays of all types that need to change often. We can print any image on a magnet and cut the magnet to any size or shape. They give flexibility to restaurant menu boards, sales displays, commemorative signs that change year to year, etc. Our die-cut magnets do the job of business card magnets, in fun, custom shapes.
Vehicle Magnets
Our vehicle magnets are produced on high grade .036 thickness magnetic material. The full-color, high-resolution image is laminated in our highest quality cast laminate. This matters, because it means the magnet not only will have long-term, weather-resistant durability, but it will stay on the vehicle without any peeling at the edges.
*Note: Magnets are intended to be removed and reapplied often. Choose a magnet, when you know you will want to travel incognito, so to speak, at times. Magnets should not be left on vehicles for extended periods without removal at least once a week or so to wash beneath them. The buildup of dirt/grime between the magnet and vehicle paint will both damage the paint and potentially cause the magnet to fly off during travel.
Business Card Magnets
Some might argue that business cards are becoming a thing of the past, like Rolodexes. But not true of business card magnets! Because they stick to steel surfaces, people will stick them to refrigerators, filing cabinets, desks and more. There’s something about a magnet that makes it hard for people to resist sticking it to something! And thus… they see your message often!
We offer business card magnets in the super-thin .019 economy thickness (they stick, but not tightly) and our recommended .036 high grade thickness (they snap onto a steel surface).
Specialty Magnets
Magnets can solve all sorts of problems — and we’re not talking about joint pain! Magnets are a clean and clever way to create displays of all types that need to change often. We can print any image on a magnet and cut the magnet to any size or shape. They give flexibility to restaurant menu boards, sales displays, commemorative signs that change year to year, etc. Our die-cut magnets do the job of business card magnets, in fun, custom shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Port City Signs & Graphics difference?
Our professional designers are experts in large format print and sign design, which differs from standard graphic design training. Each member of our production team has more than 20 years of experience in this trade. Thus, when you choose Port City Signs & Graphics, you are choosing the assurance of quality, efficiency and professionalism.
How are reorders handled?
To move your re-order through our system quickly, email theteam@portcitysigns.com the prior proof sheet or the job order/invoice number. Indicate you are looking for an exact re-order and you would like to bypass the proof. This will send your order directly to production!
What is the design process like?
- Collect information to provide a quote:
- Size: inches, width x height
- Quantity:
- Consecutive numbering needed? (applies to stickers)
- Shape (applies to stickers): square/rectangle, oval/circle, contour/custom shape
- Provide artwork ready to print, or provide logo, text and info for design team. (artwork@portcitysigns.com)
- Identify deadline.
- With this info, we can provide a quote.
- Approve quote and place a 50% deposit.
- Design team will email a proof.
- Proof approval puts sign into production.
- Client will be called to for pickup or notified of shipping.
- Balance due at time of installation, pickup or shipping.
*We offer Net 15 terms to commercial clients upon request/approval.
What is the turnaround time?
What's the difference between Cast and Calandered vinyl?
Cast Vinyl
Cast vinyl starts in a liquid state and the ingredients are mixed together and then poured onto a casting sheet. This sheet travels along a long conveyor or moving web and through a group of ovens which evaporates the solvents, leaving behind a solid vinyl or film. This is wound up in large rolls and is later coated with an adhesive. This process allows the vinyl to be in a relaxed state, which results in a very thin and flexible vinyl that is conformable (hence an ideal product for wrapping vehicles with their complex curves). Cast vinyls are more durable than calendered vinyl, with many cast products rated at seven or more years of outdoor durability.
Calendered Vinyl
Calendered vinyls (also known as intermediate or short-term vinyls) is a molten mixture that is extruded through a die, followed by a series of calendering rolls. This process makes for a thicker vinyl (3 to 6-mil is typical) and this vinyl has a memory which does not lead to it being dimensionally stable. Calendered vinyls are good for flat surfaces or simple curves. The calendering rollers will determine the appearance of the vinyl. In the same manner as the cast vinyl, this product is wound up in large rolls and later coated with an adhesive. Calendered vinyls are usually rated at one to seven years of outdoor durability (this depends heavily on the quality and grade of the raw ingredients). Calendered vinyls also will “shrink” more than cast vinyls.
How do I apply vinyl decals?
Cleaning Procedures
All surfaces are contaminated to some degree. To ensure good adhesion to any surface it is critical that you follow these recom- mended procedures to decontaminate and prepare the surface prior to any vinyl product installation.
1. Wash and rinse the area with liquid dish detergent and warm water (or use Glass Plus). DO NOT use Windex, as it has ammo- nia in it. Dry the surface with a clean, lint-free towel or cloth.
2. Finish up the cleaning process by wiping down the entire area with a 2 to 1 ratio mixture of water and Isopropyl Alcohol. To avoid recontamination during the final cleaning step, wipe the surface in just one direction, using a clean, lint-free towel or cloth.
Temperature Recommendations
Surface temperatures should be above 60 degrees F. Adhesive becomes brittle when it gets too cold and gummy when it gets too hot. Applications outside the recommended range of 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit reduces the adhesives’ ability to perform.
Application Procedures (for flat surfaces)
Dry Application
- Tape vinyl to surface with masking tape. Measure to ensure it’s straight/flat.
- Apply a single piece of masking tape along the entire top length of the vinyl to form a “hinge” for the vinyl.
- Beginning with the left side separate the application tape (top layer) from the vinyl backer (the thick solid white sheet). Be careful to not allow the application tape to touch the surface while keeping a taught grasp.
- Starting at the top make clean sweeps left to right, then right to left using a squeegee (or something with a hard edge) and working your way down
- Pull the transfer tape at a 45 degree angle slowly making sure the vinyl is sticking
OR Wet Application
- Repeat steps 1 & 2 above
- Remove the entire liner. Make sure you do not let vinyl stick to the substrate.
- Spray the vinyl (the sticky side) with a mixture of water and Joy detergent (for 1 gallon of water, apply 3-4 drops of detergent). Or you can purchase, by the gallon, application fluid.
- Let the vinyl then fall to the substrate and using firm sweeping motions, left to right and then right to left, apply the vinyl to the substrate all the way down.
- Allow the this to dry approx. 15-30 min.
- Remove the application tape at a 45 degree angle (pull it back on itself).
Completion
Carefully inspect your installation for bubbles and imperfections. If you have a bubble that can not be easily removed with the squeegee, use needle or thumb tack and poke a tiny hole in the bubble. This will allow you squeegee out any air and flatten the bubble. Do not slit the vinyl to release the air. If the vinyl is slit it will spread or gap. The cutting or trimming of any stripe or graphic should be done using a very sharp knife and very little pressure.
