We used it exclusively until both suppliers in my area stopped selling it.
Now we use Arlon 4560GTX Air Release for printing (54inch) only because we have the profiles matched with the vinyl to get the best reproduction with our printer.
But when I need to order a solid color, I will find someone who sells Oracal.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I first tried oracal when it first came out. it seened "brittle" to me. I went through the Avery debacle and have used it since it was fixed without fail.
Harbor and Grimco carry Avery while Advantage carries 3M & Avery. With three suppliers carrying Avery, I'd say that is the most popular brand. Grimco also carries an Avery product called Briteline. I like it.
-------------------- Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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3M, 80 series, Sits untill its time to take it down, it comes off easily when I want it down but not before. It is also a good selling point, upon q about if it could be done cheaper I say yes, but I will not do it because I only do quality.
-------------------- Stein Saether GullSkilt AS Trondheim Posts: 1183 | From: Trondheim Norway | Registered: Nov 1998
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My local supplier dictates my choice a lot and that would be FDC. I do order quite a bit of Oracal 751 through Fellers, the color choice is excellent. Performs very well too.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Oracal for most printed stuff. Arlon Calon II for just about all my cut high performance vinyl. Been using it since the late 80's without a failure.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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I also find Oracal to be brittle, which makes it harder to weed. I like the Arlon/Calon brand, but no one in my area carries it anymore, so I use 3M now.....
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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SHINE RITE if you buy from FELLERS, BRITE-LINE if you buy from GRIMCO. both are the same GMI INTERMEDIATE VINYL. been using it came on the market 01-03....and never a failure.GMI hp vinyl, is 3M 7125 SERIES. when i do custom colors on new vehicles i buy 851 oracal. it is a totally different product then the old brittle 651.
[ February 21, 2013, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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As a follow up, what are paying? This briteline is new for me and at $62 for a 24 x 50yd roll, it's good for Banners and coro. I don't use any 4 year stuff. I'll us A9 High/perf. for box trucks. I did letter an older box with rivits with the new Briteline, and son-of-a-gun did it wrap around a rivit in 45 degree temps. I'll check back in 2020 to give you the 7 year update.
-------------------- Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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I use 3m. I have had 3 failures with Avery- so don't use it anymore except for their white paint mask. I find Oracal 751 & 651 to be brittle and hard to weed, so I will go back to 3M. My distributors that deliver to me don't carry Arlon/Calon.
Diane
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1695 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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For the good jobs I use Oracal 951, its pricey, but offers 10-12 years life.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Speaking of certain brands of vinyl being brittle, I've noticed Calon reflective is much more supple than 3M or Avery. I much prefer it to any other brand I've tried so far.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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mike, i can give you 9-10 years of using BRITELINE/SHINERITE....never a failure!!!! i have it on a whole fleet of tree service trucks which get serios abuse and it holds up a lot better then HP vinyl would in the same usage.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Looks like the way to go these days is Oracal and/or 3M which FDC falls under.
I am using High Performance FDC on this 15' Box Truck we are lettering next week. I just cut all the panels and it's a nice product. I think I like it better than Avery.
Thanks everyone! Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!
-------------------- Summit Signs 231 Victoria Rd Venice, Fla 34293 sales@summitsign.com http://www.summitsign.com Design Is The Difference. Posts: 271 | From: Venice, Fla | Registered: Mar 1999
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mike.......SHINERITE/BRIGHTLINE....BE CAREFUL WHEN WEEDING... dont let the weeded material touch what vinyl you need for lettering....damn stuff sticks tight with out any pressure.))))
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Oracal 751, 951 (since they stopped making 851) and I use Oracal 651 on temporary banners etc. I use 3M 680 series reflective on vehicles though. My supplier says that the FDC is like 3M and I use it sometimes.
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The biggest problem with Shine-rite is that when they go to get it off they're going to hate you. Barely comes off, leaves every bit of adhesive, and it takes 10 times more adhesive remover and 10 times more time to strip it off.
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I've gone 90% 3M just because of brand recognition. I've used 3M and Gregory's Trend Film for 27 years without a single failure. I'm pretty sure Trend Film uses 3M for some of their colors as they are a dead match, others not so much. The dead match colors weed the same as 3M, other colors like white, black and some others weed differently than 3M.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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