There are several options for permanent and semi-permanent wall murals for interior and exterior use. Here is a short list of popular medias used for wall coverings, their price points and when you might use them. If you have a special project ask your vendor which media they recommend for your needs.
Conformable Cast Vinyl
Museum Wall Mural with Matte Overlaminate
Wall Mural with Custom Contour Cut
Conformable Cast Vinyl is a pressure sensitive adhesive backed material that is ideal for long-term* installations indoors or out. Conformable means you can install this media on surfaces that are not entirely flat, this product can wrap your custom graphic over rivets, curves or trim molding. Cast vinyl is a premium product because the film stays in a more relaxed state, resulting in a durable, flexible, conformable and dimensionally stable film that retains color well. The adhesive on this media is also versatile and can be cleanly removed from stable surfaces for five years.
- Matte, Lustre or Gloss Lamination Options
- Best installed and removed by a professional
- Plottable for a custom contour cut (Special shapes or lettering)
- Interior and Exterior Use
- Best used on painted drywall, painted wood, glass and metal
- Conforms to compound curves, corrugations, flat, flat with rivets and simple curves
- $$$
Calendered Vinyl
Adhesive backed calendered vinyl prints with sharp quality and vivid color, and is often used for short and medium-term* installations on flat surfaces. When compared to cast vinyl, calendered vinyl is less expensive, and it’s heavier weight makes it easier to install. This adhesive is also versatile. It is generally removable from stable surfaces for two years.
- Matte or Gloss Lamination Options
- Easy installation and clean removal
- Plottable for a custom contour cut(Special shapes or lettering)
- Interior and Exterior Use
- Best used on non-porous flat surfaces such as, painted drywall, painted wood, glass and metal
- Non-conformable
- $$
Repositionable Fabric
This adhesive backed fabric film is removable, reusable, and repositionable and won’t leave any residue behind on most stable surfaces. This media works for medium to long term indoors or short term outdoors. While this media will not conform around objects such as rivets, it can be wrapped around corners and poles. It’s flat finish is a favorite for sophisticated atmospheres and calming spaces.
- Fine fabric weave texture for a matte non-glare finish
- Easy installation and clean removal
- Plottable for a custom contour cut (Special shapes or lettering)
- Interior and Exterior Use
- Best used on painted drywall
- Non-conformable
- $$$
Exhibition Calendered Color Film
Museum Wall Graphic and Lettering
Lobby Logo and Lettering
Exhibition film is the best option for unprinted contour cut graphics, especially lettering and paragraphs of text. Available in more than 80 vivid colors including transparent options, this vinyl is perfect for short to medium-term* installations. It’s matte finish option is perfect for gallery spaces, and it’s clean removal makes exhibit change out a smooth operation.
- Pre-colored vinyl for uniform color – non-printed
- Matte and Gloss Options
- Easy installation and clean removal
- Plottable for a custom contour cut and lettering
- Interior Use
- Best used on painted drywall and glass
- Non-conformable
- $$$
* Installation Terms
Short-term: less than a year
Medium-term: 1 to 3 years
Long-term: 3-7 years
Tip: Freshly painted walls should have 15-30 days of curing time to before installing wall murals for best results in adhesion. Paint out-gasses slowly over time and this gas can become trapped under your mural to create bubbles or cause your mural to peel up. Many paints also have repellents in them, which can hamper adhesives. It’s best to test your surfaces before committing to a large installation.