Vinyl Graphics in New York

Commercial vinyl graphics for storefronts, offices, retail, restaurants and events. Window graphics, wall graphics, door graphics, floor graphics and vinyl lettering, for branding, messaging, privacy and decoration. Cut or printed, removable or long-term, and specified for the surface it will go on.

A single door decal, a full storefront, or every window in the building.

Send Us a Photo of the Surface

The vinyl is rarely the problem. The surface is.

Vinyl graphics look simple: print it, cut it, stick it on. And most of the time the print is fine. The problems show up a few weeks later, and almost all of them come from the surface underneath.

Edges lifting on a textured wall. Bubbles on a window that was not cleaned properly. A wall graphic going on a week after painting, before the paint has cured, so it peels. A floor graphic with no anti-slip finish. A window film that looks perfect in daylight and like a mirror from the street at night.

So the first thing we ask for is not the artwork. It is a photo of the surface, and what it is made of.

Cut vinyl or printed vinyl

Aspect	Cut vinyl	Printed vinyl
How it is made	Solid-color vinyl cut to shape, with the waste removed.	Artwork printed onto white or clear vinyl, then usually laminated.
Looks like	Crisp single-color lettering and logos, like paint.	Full color, photos, gradients and complex artwork.
Best for	Door lettering, hours, logos, window lettering, wall text.	Window displays, wall graphics, murals, floor graphics.
Color	Chosen from a range of stock vinyl colors.	Printed to match your artwork.

Not all vinyl is the same

Cast vinyl. Thin and conformable, so it follows curves, rivets and light texture. It holds its shape and lasts longer, and is the choice for demanding surfaces and long-term graphics.
Calendered vinyl. Thicker and more economical. It suits flat surfaces and shorter-term graphics.
Removable or permanent adhesive. Removable adhesive comes off cleanly, which suits leased spaces and seasonal graphics. Permanent adhesive holds better for long-term use.
Laminates. A clear protective layer over printed vinyl guards against scratches, cleaning and fading. Floor graphics need a slip-resistant laminate.

Commercial vinyl graphics by surface

Surface	Typical graphics	What to know
Windows	Storefront graphics, promotions, privacy film, lettering	Choose between see-through, frosted, opaque or clear, depending on light and privacy.
Walls	Brand walls, values, wayfinding, decorative graphics	Paint type, texture and curing time decide the vinyl and the adhesive.
Doors	Logos, business hours, suite names, glass visibility bands	Small and easy to update.
Floors	Wayfinding arrows, queue markers, branding, promotions	Needs a slip-resistant laminate, and a clean, sealed floor.
Fixtures and counters	Reception desks, retail fixtures, counters, columns	Cast vinyl follows curves and edges.
Elevators and doors	Elevator doors, lobby doors, metal panels	Smooth metal takes vinyl well. Building approval is often needed.

Vinyl window graphics

Windows are where vinyl signage works hardest. It is seen from the street, it changes with every campaign, and it has to balance visibility against light and privacy.

Perforated window film. Printed on the outside, see-through from the inside. It covers a whole window with graphics without blocking the view out. From outside, the view in is reduced in daylight. At night, with lights on inside, people can see in more easily.
Frosted and etched-look film. Gives privacy while letting light through. Can be cut into bands, patterns or logos.
Opaque graphics. Solid printed or cut vinyl that blocks the view completely, for displays and privacy.
Clear printed film. Graphics printed on clear vinyl, so the glass stays visible around the design.
Applied from inside. Graphics can be reverse-printed and applied to the inside of the glass, facing out, which protects them from weather and cleaning.
Static cling. Adhesive-free film that is held by static, for short promotions.

More on privacy and decorative film is on our window film page.

Vinyl wall graphics

Let the paint cure. Freshly painted walls need time to cure before vinyl goes on, usually a few weeks. Applied too early, vinyl can fail to stick or pull the paint off later.
Know the paint. Some matte and low-VOC paints hold vinyl less well. We test a small piece where there is doubt.
Texture matters. Smooth walls take any vinyl. Textured walls, brick and concrete need a conformable cast vinyl, sometimes applied with heat.
Lettering or full coverage. Cut vinyl lettering for text and logos. Printed vinyl for brand walls and full-wall imagery.

For full-wall imagery, see our wall murals page.

Vinyl door graphics

The essentials. Business name, logo, hours of operation, suite number and contact details.
Visibility on glass doors. A frosted or colored band across a clear glass door helps people see it, and it can carry branding.
Easy to update. Hours, phone numbers and names change. Door vinyl can be replaced in minutes.

Vinyl floor graphics

Slip-resistant finish. Floor graphics use a laminate designed for foot traffic.
Direction and queues. Arrows, lines and markers for wayfinding, queues and spacing.
Branding and promotion. Logos and campaign graphics at entrances and in retail aisles.
Mostly indoors. Indoor floor graphics are straightforward. Graphics on public sidewalks generally need city permission and a material made for outdoor pavement.

Installation and removal

How vinyl goes on decides how long it lasts. How it comes off matters just as much in a leased space.

Surface prep. Glass and walls are cleaned and degreased first. Most bubbles and lifting edges trace back to this step.
Temperature. Vinyl adheres poorly in very cold conditions. Exterior window work in winter is scheduled with that in mind.
After-hours installation. Storefronts, offices and restaurants can be done before opening or after closing.
Clean removal. Removable vinyl is taken down and the adhesive residue cleaned off, leaving the surface as it was.
Campaign changes. Old graphics removed and new ones installed in the same visit.

Artwork to installed graphics

Send us the surface. Photos, rough measurements and your artwork or logo files.
Four questions. What surface is it? How long should it last? Does it need to let light through, or give privacy? Will it need to come off cleanly?
Measure and specify. We measure on site where needed and choose the vinyl, adhesive and laminate for the surface.
Proof. A scaled mock-up on a photo of your surface, with colors and sizes marked.
Production. Printed, laminated or cut, then prepared for installation.
Installation. Surface cleaned, graphics applied and edges checked, outside business hours if needed.

Custom vinyl graphics, specified for the surface

Capability	What it means for your graphics
We start with the surface	Vinyl and adhesive chosen for the wall, glass, door or floor it goes on.
We choose film for the job	Cast or calendered, removable or permanent, laminated where it needs protection.
We check light and privacy	Window graphics that work in daylight and after dark.
We prep properly	Clean, degreased surfaces, so graphics stay flat and edges stay down.
We install around your hours	Storefronts and offices done before opening or after closing.
We remove cleanly	Old graphics off and residue cleaned when campaigns change or leases end.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vinyl Graphics

How long do vinyl graphics last?

It depends on the vinyl, the laminate, the surface and whether it faces the sun or the weather. Cast vinyl with a protective laminate lasts much longer than economy vinyl. Tell us how long the graphics need to stay up and we will specify accordingly.

Can vinyl graphics be removed?

Yes. Removable adhesives come off cleanly from glass and most properly cured paint. Any residue is cleaned off during removal. Permanent adhesives hold better but are harder to remove.

Can people see through window graphics?

With perforated film, yes, from the inside. The outside shows the graphic, while people inside can still see out. At night, with the lights on inside, the view from the street increases.

Can vinyl go on a textured wall?

Often, yes, using a conformable cast vinyl applied with heat so it follows the texture. Very rough surfaces, such as some brick and concrete, may suit a different product. We test where there is doubt.

Can vinyl go on a freshly painted wall?

Not straight away. Paint needs time to cure, usually a few weeks, before vinyl can be applied reliably. If your space has just been painted, build that time into the schedule.

Are floor graphics slippery?

Not when they are made properly. Floor graphics use a slip-resistant laminate designed for foot traffic.

Can you match our brand colors?

Printed vinyl can be color-matched to your artwork. Cut vinyl comes in a range of stock colors, and we choose the closest match to your brand.

What do you need for a quote?

Photos of the surfaces, rough measurements, your artwork or logo files, and how long the graphics need to last.