8 Types Of Graphic Media

Graphic media covers materials used to print, cut, and protect signs and graphics. From window decals and shop signs to outdoor banners and exhibition backdrops, the right material helps your message stand out. Here are 8 popular types of graphic media, with their uses, features, and product specifications.

1. Printable Self-Adhesive Vinyl

Printable self-adhesive vinyl turns panels, glass, and metal into advertising space. The face film carries the image, the adhesive holds it in place, and the liner protects the adhesive before installation. It is widely used for shop graphics, branded decals, and vehicle advertising.

Printable self-adhesive vinyl peeled away from its release liner

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Shop promotions, display panels, branded decals, and vehicle graphics.
Popular types:
- White vinyl: a white base for printed images.
- Clear vinyl: transparent areas around the print.
- Grey-adhesive vinyl: added hiding power.
- Air-release vinyl: channels that help air escape during fitting.
Finishes: Matte and gloss.
Film thickness & liner (selected models):
- SAV10/120: 80 μm face film; 120 g/m² release paper.
- SAV12/140: 100 μm face film; 140 g/m² release paper.
- SAV10T/120: 80 μm clear face film; 120 g/m² release paper.
- SAV12G/140: grey adhesive, 100 μm face film; 140 g/m² release paper.
Advantages:
- Can be cut to shape after printing.
- Adhesive backing makes application simple.
- One design can be used across a range of flat displays.

Get Free Sample

2. Color Cutting Vinyl

Color cutting vinyl comes in ready-made colors. A plotter cuts the letters or shapes, excess vinyl is removed, and transfer tape holds the design during fitting. It is a useful choice for shop names, opening hours, direction signs, and single-color logos.

Red, orange, yellow, green and blue color cutting vinyl rolls

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Shop lettering, window logos, direction signs, and vehicle lettering.
Popular types:
- Solid-color vinyl: lettering and color blocks.
- Translucent vinyl: illuminated signs.
- Metallic vinyl: gold and silver effects.
- Fluorescent vinyl: bold promotional graphics.
Finishing: Plotter cutting, weeding, and transfer-tape application.
Film thickness & liner (selected models):
- UC6000: 100 μm face film; 120 g/m² release paper.
- UC8000: 100 μm face film; 140 g/m² release paper.
- UC9000 translucent series: 100 μm face film; 140 g/m² release paper.
- UCM metallic series: 100 μm face film; 120 or 140 g/m² release-paper options.
Advantages:
- Solid-color lettering needs no color printing.
- Clean cut edges suit letters and logos.
- A choice of ready-made colors and finishes.

Get Free Sample

3. Window Graphics Films

Window graphics films turn shop windows and glass partitions into branded displays. Perforated film leaves openings for a view through the graphic. Clear film combines a printed design with a transparent background, while frosted film adds decoration and screens glass partitions.

Perforated window graphics film showing its white print face and black reverse

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Shop windows, glass doors, and office partitions.
Popular types:
- One Way Vision: perforated window film.
- Clear Printable Vinyl: clear adhesive print film.
- Frosted Window Film: a frosted finish for glass.
Visual effects: Perforated, clear, and frosted.
Film thickness & liner (selected models):
- PV1612 perforated window film: 120 μm face film; 120 g/m² release paper.
- PV1618 perforated window film: 180 μm face film; 160 g/m² release paper.
- SAV10T/120 clear vinyl: 80 μm face film; 120 g/m² release paper.
Advantages:
- Uses existing glass space for branding.
- Suits promotions, shop names, and decorative designs.
- Different surfaces offer different views and decorative effects.

Get Free Sample

4. PVC Banner Media

PVC banner media is made for graphics on a large scale. Its polyester base and PVC surface make it a familiar choice for billboards, event banners, and hanging displays. Frontlit, backlit, and blockout ranges serve front-lit, illuminated, and opaque graphics.

White PVC banner material with a smooth printable face and polyester reinforcement

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Outdoor banners, billboards, light boxes, and hanging signs.
Popular types:
- Frontlit Banner: graphics lit from the front.
- Backlit Banner: illuminated light box graphics.
- Blockout Banner: displays that need an opaque layer.
- Double-Sided Banner: graphics printed on both sides.
Finishes: Matte and gloss.
Weights (selected models):
- CFM11/440: 440 g/m², matte coated frontlit banner.
- CFM11/510: 510 g/m², matte coated frontlit banner.
- LBG55/610: 610 g/m², laminated backlit banner.
- CDM55/610: 610 g/m², coated blockout banner for double-sided printing.
Advantages:
- Flexible rolls for large-format printing.
- Can be finished with hems, grommets, and pole pockets.
- Coated and laminated options for different buying needs.

Get Free Sample

5. Mesh Banner Media

Mesh banner media carries printed graphics on an open structure. Its holes let air and some light pass through, making it useful for building wraps, construction fences, and sports fences. Rolls are available with or without a printing liner.

Close-up of open white PVC mesh banner material

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Building wraps, construction fences, sports fences, and large outdoor graphics.
Popular types:
- Mesh with Liner: supplied with a printing liner.
- Linerless Mesh: supplied without a liner.
- White-Back Mesh: a white reverse side.
- Black-Back Mesh: a black reverse side.
Construction: PVC-coated mesh with an open structure.
Weights (selected models):
- M99P: 340 g/m², mesh supplied with a liner.
- M1212NP: 360 g/m², mesh supplied with a liner.
- M1212D: 400 g/m², mesh for double-sided printing.
- M1212B: 240 g/m², black-back mesh without a liner.
Advantages:
- Allows air to pass through the graphic.
- Keeps some natural light in the covered area.
- Suitable for large graphics made from joined panels.

Get Free Sample

6. Printable Textiles

Printable textiles give graphics a soft fabric finish. Backlit fabric lights up displays, stretch fabric fits display frames, blockout fabric forms event backdrops, and flag fabric carries graphics on moving flags. These materials are widely used in exhibitions and retail spaces.

UNISIGN printed polyester lightbox fabric with a colorful print and white reverse

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: SEG light boxes, exhibition backdrops, tension displays, flags, and table covers.
Popular types:
- Lightbox Fabric: backlit displays.
- Display Fabric: soft signage and frame graphics.
- Backdrop Fabric: event and exhibition backgrounds.
- Flag Fabric: printed flags.
- PVC-Free Coated Fabric: coated textile graphics.
Printing ranges: Dye-sublimation fabrics and coated fabrics for UV or Latex printing.
Weights (selected models):
- SDB190 lightbox fabric: 190 g/m².
- DSP09 stretch display fabric: 230 g/m².
- DSP-BLK-01 black-back backdrop fabric: 260 g/m².
- DSP02 flag fabric: 110 g/m².
- PCG135B PVC-free coated backlit fabric: 135 g/m².
Advantages:
- A soft finish for close-view displays.
- Can be sewn with silicone edges, pole pockets, or pillowcase seams.
- Soft fabrics are easy to pack and transport.

Get Free Sample

7. Poster & Display Media

Poster and display media is used for retail and event graphics that change with each campaign. Photo paper carries images and promotional posters, PP media serves display graphics, and PET ranges cover roll-up stands, blockout displays, and light boxes.

UNISIGN grey-back PET display media with a white printable face and roll-up display example

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Poster frames, promotional posters, roll-up stands, display systems, and light boxes.
Popular types:
- Photo Paper: gloss or matte finishes.
- PP Synthetic Media: PP display materials.
- PET Roll-Up Media: graphics for roll-up stands.
- PET Backlit Film: illuminated light box graphics.
Surface & backing: Gloss, matte, grey-back, and blockout options.
Thickness & weight (selected models):
- UPET-GREY-330: grey-back PET, 250 μm thick; 330 g/m².
- UPET-GREY-420: grey-back PET, 300 μm thick; 420 g/m².
- UP220EG: glossy photo paper, 220 g/m².
- UP260EG: glossy photo paper, 260 g/m².
Advantages:
- Covers common poster and portable-display formats.
- Grey-back and blockout options help hide the background.
- Change the graphic to update a campaign.

Get Free Sample

8. Cold Lamination Films

Cold lamination film adds a clear protective layer over a printed graphic. Its pressure-sensitive adhesive bonds to posters, photos, and printed decals, adding surface protection and a choice of finishes. Standard cold lamination uses pressure rather than a heat-lamination process.

Clear cold lamination film lifted away from its release liner

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Surface protection for printed decals, photos, posters, and display graphics.
Popular types:
- Gloss Lamination: a shiny surface.
- Matte Lamination: a low-gloss finish.
- Satin Lamination: a soft sheen.
Finishing: Pressure lamination over the printed surface.
Film thickness & liner (selected models):
- UCL06/90: 60 μm face film; 90 g/m² release paper.
- UCL08: 80 μm face film; 100 g/m² release paper.
- UCL08/120: 80 μm face film; 120 g/m² release paper.
- UCL1100: 80 μm face film; 120 g/m² release paper.
Advantages:
- Helps protect the print surface from scuffs and dirt.
- The clear film keeps the design visible.
- Adds the chosen finish to the completed graphic.

Get Free Sample

Why Choose UNISIGN?

A broad product range: Printing media, cutting vinyl, and lamination films for different stages of sign making.
Materials for each application: Product ranges for windows, shop signs, outdoor advertising, and exhibitions.
Samples to compare: Explore color, finish, feel, and handling with material samples.
Help with your order: Get product details, specifications, and quotes for media rolls.

Buying materials for your sign or print business? UNISIGN supplies graphic media rolls for print shops, sign makers, and distributors. Explore the ranges for your next shop display, large-format graphic, or exhibition project.