Materials & Substrates - Graphics by Hurricane

.020 Styrene
1. .020 Styrene

A thin, white polystyrene material. Smooth surface that flexes easily.

Features—Thickness: .020”. Sturdy, won’t tear or curl. Easy to roll up for storage and transport.

Best For—Posters and retail displays.
1/2” Gator Board
2. 1/2” Gator Board

A lightweight, rigid substrate made of a polystyrene foam core bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneer. Similar to ½” Gator Board, but thinner and more affordable.

Features—Thickness: 3/16” (5mm). Has a matte finish that will prevent glare in photographs. Dent- and scratch-resistant. Select the “Black” option for a more professional look.

Best For—Point-of-purchase and exhibit displays with medium-term applications, long-term framed signage.
100lb Gloss Paper
3. 100lb Gloss Paper

Great for brochures. A thick, yet flexible paper with a smooth aqueous gloss coating for a sleek look and feel. Material is perfect for #10 envelopes.

Features—Thickness: 9pt (.0092″). Gloss paper with an added aqueous gloss coating

Best For—Brochures.

The most popular material for business cards, postcards, and door hangers. A thick cover stock with a smooth, semi-gloss coating on both sides.

Features—Thickness: 14pt (0.014”). Add the UV Gloss Finishing option for extra high-gloss coating.

Best For—Business cards, postcards, and door hangers.
14pt Indoor Magnet
5. 14pt Indoor Magnet

Perfect for business card magnets and fridge magnets. A flexible, yet strong magnetic material with a gloss finish that looks and feels professional.

Features—Thickness: 14pt (0.014”).

Best For—Business card magnets, fridge magnets, and promotional magnets.
3/16” Gator Board
6. 3/16” Gator Board

A lightweight, rigid substrate made of a polystyrene foam core bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneer. Similar to 3/16” Gator Board, but thicker and more expensive.

Features—Thickness: ½” (12.7mm). Has a matte finish that will prevent glare in photographs. Dent- and scratch-resistant. Select the “Black” option for a more professional look.

Best For—Point-of-purchase and exhibit displays with medium-term applications, long-term framed signage.

The most-popular material for oversized checks. Bright white Sintra is a lightweight, yet rigid PVC extruded in a homogenous sheet. Similar to 6mm PVC, but thinner and more affordable.

Features—Thickness: 3mm (0.125”). Great with Dry Erase option.

Best For—Professional check presentations, multi-use presentation checks.
60lb Gloss Label
8. 60lb Gloss Label

A smooth, bright white, permanent adhesive label paper with a sleek gloss coating. Sold in sheets with an unprinted liner.

Features—Thickness: 9pt (.0092″). Great for business or personal use.

Best For—Address labels, mailing labels, product labels.
6mm PVC
9. 6mm PVC

The highest-quality material for an oversized check. Bright white Sintra is lightweight, yet rigid PVC extruded in a homogenous sheet. Has a professional look and feel.

Features—Thickness: 6mm (0.25”). Great with Dry Erase option.

Best For—High-profile check presentations, multi-use presentation checks.

A thin, white-coated metal. Remarkable for its ability to resist corrosion and durability, along with its light weight.

Features—Thickness: .040 mm. Nontoxic, nonmagnetic, and non-sparking. Life expectancy: 3 years.

Best For—Business yard signs, real estate yard signs, OSHA signs, security signs, property signs, parking signs and directional signs.
Backlit Film
11. Backlit Film

High-quality 3M™ Scotchcal™ Changeable Translucent Graphic Film. A semi-translucent material that allows light to pass through when lit from behind. This makes your image to pop with a three-dimensional appearance.

Features—Thickness: 3.2 mil. Adheres to both acrylic and glass surfaces, offers day and night visibility (when backlit using fluorescent or LED lights), self-adhesive backing, life expectancy: 1 year.

Best For—Backlit light boxes, storefront windows.
Backlit Poster
12. Backlit Poster

A glossy, semi-translucent material for backlit prints. Made from smooth, coated PET film. Adhesive free, with a sturdy poster-like finish.

Features—Thickness: 8.5 mil. Brilliant light diffusion properties resulting in vibrant, illuminated graphics.

Best For—Backlit prints, lightboxes, exhibition panels, and display systems.

Heavyweight coated canvas with a prominent tooth. Strong, yet flexible material has a uniform matte finish with a specialized coating that allows for vibrant, photorealistic printing.

Features—Thickness: 10 oz./yd.2. Can be stretched over frames (Gallery Wrap option).

Best For—Art reproductions, eye-catching POP signage, trade show graphics and store signage.
Car One Way Vision
14. Car One Way Vision

A white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film designed for application on vehicle rear windows. Apply on the outside of the window for one-way visibility. Graphics printed on perforated window films look less vibrant than those printed on solid vinyl because up to 50% of the vinyl is missing due to perforation. Thus, strong color contrast is preferred.

Features—Thickness: 8 mil. 50/50 perforation pattern, meaning that 50% of the film is micro-perforated with 1.5mm holes to achieve see-through effect. Self-adhesive backing, car wash- and rear windshield wiper-safe. Life expectancy: 2 years. For installation instructions, watch our Rear Window Graphics Installation Video.

Best For—Long-term fleet or business vehicle advertisements.
Clear Acrylic
15. Clear Acrylic

A cell-cast, colorless acrylic sheet with impressive optical clarity. Has a smooth, glossy finish and comes ready to mount with brushed silver standoffs. Easily cleaned with soap and water.

Features—Thickness: 1/4″. Exact Die-Cut Vinyl Decal Film, applied Inside Glass, comes standard. Also available with Etched Glass Film or Metallic Vinyl.

Best For—Lobby signs, wall displays, corporate signage, art reproductions.

A PVC film that clings to gloss surfaces such as glass, smooth plastic and shiny metal. The translucent appearance is completely see-through from both sides of the window. Both sides are cling-able to glass, but the Inside Glass option is recommended to extend material lifet. Our unique white ink technology produces white or solid effects on any text and image when placed on a clear background.

Features—Thickness: 7.5 mil. Removable, reusable and repositionable. Text and image options include white ink, see-through color, or solid color. Background options include clear or transparent, see-through color. Life expectancy: 3 months. Watch our installation videos here: Inside Glass, Outside Glass.

Best For—Temporary or seasonal advertising in high-visibility store fronts and offices. Not recommended for more-permanent advertising or for use on vehicles (unless inside a non-tinted window).
Clear Vinyl
17. Clear Vinyl

A transparent gloss adhesive film that is completely see-through from both sides of the window. Our unique white ink technology produces white or solid effects on any text and image when placed on a clear background. Text and image options include white ink, see-through color, or solid color. Background options include clear or transparent, see-through color.

Features—Thickness: 3.4 mil. Full-color, single-side printing and a pressure-sensitive, self-adhesive backing for outside application. Adhesive is removable for easy installation and repositioning (up to 1 year), but not reusable. Select “Inside Glass” option for front adhesive that applies on the inside of the window facing out. Life expectancy: 3 years. Before installing, read our Clear Vinyl Installation Instructions.

Best For—Advertising in high-visibility store fronts and offices. Only recommended for vehicle windows as small decals and stickers (select Car One-Way Vision for full coverage).
Corrugated Plastic
18. Corrugated Plastic

The most-common yard sign material. Twin-wall plastic sheet products produced from high-impact polypropylene resin. Fully-recyclable and considered to be environmentally friendly.

Features—Thickness: 2.45 oz. (0.16”). Affordably priced and weather-resistant. Can be 1- or 2-sided. Life expectancy: 3-6 months, with proper care and storage.

Best For—Personal use yard signs (for birthdays, weddings, etc.), political campaign signs, golf tournament signs, temporary business advertising.

A white corrugated plastic with a smooth surface used for oversized checks. The most affordable large check material.

Features—Thickness: 2.45 oz. (0.16”). Affordably priced and lightweight. Not recommended with Dry Erase option as markers can leave indentations in the material.

Best For—One-time check presentations, checks for small amounts, organizations with limited budgets.
Etched Glass Film
20. Etched Glass Film

A frosted film that creates the look of cut or sandblasted glass. Apply to any metal, glass, or acrylic surface to add decorative design and privacy. Medium-gloss finish prevents an undesirable reflection. Unaffected by UV light, heat, cold, steam, and humidity.

Features—Thickness: 3 mil. Translucent quality obscures visibility but allows light transmission. Available as frosted lettering or frosted background with knock-out design. Life expectancy: 7 years.

Best For—Lettering and logos on a business window or door. Frosted backgrounds are commonly used as privacy film to block visibility in spas, restrooms, glass partitions, office doors and windows.
EZ Stick Fabric
21. EZ Stick Fabric

An all-purpose, reusable decal with a fabric texture similar to canvas. Backed with a unique, low-tack adhesive and includes a thick white liner (for storage). Can be applied to any flat, non-porous surface including walls, windows, doors, metal, plastic, and fine furnishings without damage or residue. Fabric texture provides high quality, crisp, vivid printing and vibrant colors. Material is eco-friendly and bio-degradable.

Features—Removable, reusable, and repositionable. Will not rip, wrinkle or stretch. Choose “Shape Die-Cut” for custom shapes and cutouts or reusable lettering. Life expectancy: 3 years indoors (without direct sunlight).

Best For—Wall decals, reoccurring event signage, reusable stickers, children’s rooms, daycares, eco-conscious businesses.

An all-purpose, flexible plastic film with a smooth finish. Backed with a unique, low-tack adhesive and includes a thick white liner for storage. Can be applied to any flat, non-porous surface including walls, windows, doors, metal, plastic, and fine furnishings with clean removability (leaving no damage or residue). Satin finish provides stunning image quality, crisp, vivid printing and vibrant colors.

Features—Thickness: 6 mil. Removable, reusable, and repositionable. Adhesive does not build over time. Choose “Shape Die-Cut” for custom shapes and cutouts or reusable lettering. Life expectancy: 3 years indoors (without direct sunlight).

Best For—Removable or reoccurring business advertising.
Flex Banner
23. Flex Banner

An ultra-smooth, flexible banner material. Made from thick, scrimless, matted PET with completely opaque finish.

Features—Thickness: 15 oz./yd.2 (0.16”). Won’t curl thanks to lay-flat technology. No hemming needed. Recyclable material.

Best For—Indoor displays, retractable banners, blockout, and double-sided banners.
Floor Vinyl
24. Floor Vinyl

A durable, white PVC vinyl produced by 3M. Comes with bubble-free Comply adhesive technology. Overlaminated with a textured matte finish to minimize glare and prevent slipping.

Features—Thickness: 8 mil. Pressure-sensitive adhesive allows for fast, bubble-free installation. Vinyl can be removed with heat. Life expectancy: 1 year on hard floor surfaces. 3 months on carpet surfaces. Indoor use only.

Best For—Floor advertising on level surfaces, including hardwood, tile, and low-pile carpet. When using on carpets, it is the user’s responsibility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Standards for Accessible Design.

A lightweight, rigid substrate made of a polystyrene foam core covered on either side by clay-coated white paper.

Features—Thickness: 5mm (3/16”). Has a matte finish that will prevent glare in photographs. Select the “Black” option for a more professional look.

Best For—One-time use applications, like school and business presentations, as well as point-of-purchase and exhibit displays. Not recommended for outdoor use, or with Dry Erase option as markers can leave indentations in the material.
Magnetic
26. Magnetic

Full magnetic backing mounts easily on any steel surface, such as cars, filing cabinets, refrigerators and other machinery. Specially magnetized for outdoor advertising. No dead spots, long-lasting. Custom shape finishing available, as are blank magnets and dry-erase magnets.

Features—Thickness: 30 mil (.036”). Rounded corners to prevent fly-aways. “Reflective” option makes your magnets stands out at night. Life expectancy: 3 years under normal weather conditions. Click for more details about how to Install Magnetic Signs.

Best For—Removable business advertising for personal vehicles.
Matte Poster Paper
27. Matte Poster Paper

An affordable solution for indoor promotion signs and professional window posters. A high-quality, bright white photo paper with a matte finish.

Features—Thickness: 8 mil. High-quality, vivid, full-color printing. Resists cockling from heavy inkload. Scratch- and water-resistant. Life expectancy: 1 year.

Best For—Changeable indoor signs, wall signs, window signs, hanging promotional signs.

High-quality, flexible scrim vinyl material with smooth surface. Provides excellent image quality and vibrant color. Matte coating reduces glare caused by camera flashes and fluorescent bulbs. Fire retardant material meets NFPA701 code.

Features—Thickness: 13 oz./yd.2 (0.14”). Highly durable, tear- and fade-resistant, resists curling. Grommets included approximately every 2 feet along all sides of the banner to facilitate hanging. Other finishing options available upon request.

Best For—Indoor banners, professional or formal event banners. A more affordable alternative to canvas prints and backdrops.
Mesh Banner
29. Mesh Banner

A high-quality, coated polyester scrim mesh material. Criss-crossed fibers allow for excellent air flow and ink printability. A great alternative to wind slits in windy environments.

Features—Thickness: 8 oz./yd.2 (0.09”). Lightweight. Resists tearing, curling, and fading. Grommets included every 2 feet along all the edges of the banner as well as in each corner to for easy hanging. Edges will also be reinforced by 1” stitched hems.

Best For—Outdoor banners in high-wind areas
Poster Paper
30. Poster Paper

A premium weight, bright white paper with a gloss finish. A professional look for professional posters and promotional signs.

Features—Thickness: 8 mil. High-resolution, vibrant, full-color printing. Outdoor durability and excellent scratch resistance. FSC Certified.

Best For—Posters, changeable indoor signs, wall signs, window signs, hanging signs.

An environmentally responsible option for business cards. A smooth, heavyweight cover stock made with 100% post-consumer fiber.

Features—Thickness: 14pt (0.014”). Manufactured Process Chlorine Free (PCF). Uncoated, matte finish with great write-ability.

Best For—Eco-friendly business cards, postcards, invitations.
Snap Board
32. Snap Board

A rigid white polystyrene that can be rolled or bent and will spring back to a flat position without breaking. Looks professional, but lightweight for easy portability.

Features—Thickness: 1/16”. Can be used with Dry Erase option. Saves money on shipping cost. Store flat to ensure no permanent curling or creasing.

Best For—Extra large oversized checks (i.e. 30” x 72”), business presentations that require travel.
Static Cling
33. Static Cling

A white PVC film that clings to gloss surfaces such as glass, smooth plastic and shiny metal. Both sides cling-able to glass, however Inside Glass option is recommended if message needs to face to outside to street.

Features—Thickness: 7.5 mil. Reusable, removable and repositionable. Clear Static Cling available for additional cost. Life expectancy: 3 months. Watch our installation videos here: Inside Glass, Outside Glass.

Best For—Temporary or seasonal advertising in high-visibility store fronts and offices. Not recommended for more permanent advertising or for use on vehicles (unless inside a non-tinted window).

A perforated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film used for long-term exterior glass window displays. Apply on the outside of storefront window to create the illusion of a full-color design. Customers outside see what appears to be an eye-catching, opaque graphic, while those inside can still see out the windows, thanks to the material’s perforations. This material works best with strong contrast / bright colors. Dark colors are not recommended, because they draw the eye through the graphic rather than focusing attention on the graphic itself.

Features—Thickness: 8 mil. 65/35 perforation pattern, meaning that 35% of the film is micro-perforated with 1.5 mm holes to achieve a see-through effect. Self-adhesive black backing adds privacy by blocking out visibility and provides shade to keep the interior cool. Life expectancy: 2 years.

Best For—The best material for large or full-coverage storefront window graphics, windows that face direct sunlight.
Ultra Metal
35. Ultra Metal

A high-strength aluminum composite that consists of two sheets of .015mm aluminum with a solid polyethylene core. Stronger and more durable than regular Aluminum, which results in fewer dings and dents.

Features—Thickness: 5mm (3/16”). Features a bright white face for superior print quality. Modern-looking Brushed Silver and Brushed Gold finishing available for additional cost. Life expectancy: Lifetime.

Best For—Professional real estate signs, building signage and other long-term business signage.
VersaFabric
36. VersaFabric

100% polyester fabric with a special weatherproof coating. Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant material easily slides in and out of retractable banner stands and does not curl when fully extended.

Features- Thickness: 7.1 oz/yd2. Matte finish for indoor or outdoor use. Life expectancy: 2 years indoors, up to 6 months outdoors.

Best for- retractable banners, trade shows, soft image displays, store signage, and backdrops.

High-quality, flexible scrim vinyl material with smooth surface. Provides excellent image quality and vibrant color. Gloss finish looks professional and attractive. Fire-retardant material meets NFPA701 code.

Features—Thickness: 13 oz./yd.2 (0.14”). Lightweight, tear- and fade-resistant, resists curling. Grommets included approximately every 2 feet along all sides of the banner as well as in each corner to facilitate hanging. Other finishing options available upon request.

Best For—Hanging advertisements and indoor displays.

Note: If using a banner outdoors or if ordering a size larger than 48”x72”, add the “Outdoor” option. By selecting this option, the edges of your banner will be folded over and stitched down to reinforce the grommets for added strength during severe weather or wind.
Vinyl Decal Film
38. Vinyl Decal Film

An affordable advertising solution with a stunning gloss finish. Regular Vinyl Decal Film is back-adhesive (applied on the outside of the window). Select “Inside Glass” for front-adhesive if you wish to apply on the inside of the window facing out.

Features—Thickness: 3.4 mil. Full-color, single-side printing on white material. Select Shape or Exact Die-Cut for custom shapes. Car Safe uses a special adhesive to protect your car’s paint. Clear Vinyl Decal Film available for additional cost. Life expectancy: 3 years. Before installing, read our Vinyl Decal Installation Instructions.

Best For—More permanent advertising in high-visibility store fronts and offices, as well as on vehicle fleets. Storefront window displays, office or vehicle door graphics, bumper stickers, etc. For full-coverage store window graphics, select Store One-Way Vision.
Vinyl Lettering
39. Vinyl Lettering

Ready-to-apply, self-adhesive lettering that can be applied to almost any smooth surface. After the lettering is applied, the vinyl letters will appear to have been painted on and usually last much longer than paint.

Features—Thickness: 3 mil. No printing involved—cut directly from colored vinyl (including white). Life expectancy: 5 years. Masked with transfer tape for easy installation—read our Vinyl Lettering Installation Instructions.

Best For—One-color letters, such as car lettering, window lettering, business hours, etc. Multi-color designs or letters, which are printed onto regular white vinyl, should be ordered as Vinyl Decal Film with Exact Die-Cut option.

A white PVC film made of 3M calendared opaque vinyl. Overlaminated with luster (satin) finish to provide additional ultraviolet protection, excellent scratch resistance and protection from chemicals and moisture.

Features—Thickness: 4 mil. Pressure-sensitive, low initial tack adhesive can be removed for up to one year (using heat). Gray back side with invisible air release channels make for bubble-free graphic installations. Life expectancy: 7 years.

Best For—Full-coverage graphics applied to smooth surfaces, such as a non-textured wall, wood, metal, plastic, etc.