Window Decals and Perforated Window Vinyl: Which Film for Your Glass?

A window decal is a printed film applied to glass: a logo on a door, opening hours, a sale message across a storefront. The film decides the effect. Clear vinyl lets the glass show around the design, white vinyl is opaque, static cling holds by static with no adhesive, and perforated window vinyl is printed on a film full of tiny holes, so the outside shows a full graphic while people inside still see out.

Window films we print

Our adhesive vinyl comes in sizes from 11 x 17 in to 48 x 96 in on several films suited to glass: clear adhesive vinyl with white ink, where a white layer under the colours keeps them vivid on clear film; removable vinyl for promotions you will take down; static cling, clear with white ink or white, which needs no adhesive and can be repositioned; and backlit film for lightboxes. Permanent vinyl is there for graphics meant to stay.

Perforated window vinyl (one-way vision)

Perforated vinyl is a white film, usually black on the adhesive side, punched with small holes across its surface. From outside, the eye reads the printed graphic; from inside, the dark backing and holes let you look out, which is why it covers storefronts, office windows and vehicle rear windows. It works best when the outside is brighter than the inside, and fine text loses detail through the holes, so keep messages bold. It is not one of our online film options: ask the shop for perforated window vinyl.

Inside or outside the glass

Decals read from outside can be applied on the outside face, or on the inside face with the artwork printed as a mirror image to read through the glass. Inside application protects the print from weather and scraping; if your decal goes on the inside, mention it to the shop so the file is set the right way round.

Which one for your job?

Clear vinyl with white ink for logos and hours where the glass should show around them. Static cling for seasonal messages you will move. Removable vinyl for temporary promotions. Perforated vinyl when the whole window becomes the ad but the view out must stay.

Common questions

What is the difference between a window cling and a window decal?

A cling holds to glass by static, with no adhesive, so it peels off and repositions easily. A decal uses adhesive, permanent or removable, and stays put better on large or exposed windows.

Can you see through perforated window vinyl?

From inside, yes, as long as it is brighter outside than inside. At night with lights on inside, the effect reverses and the graphic becomes harder to read from outside.

Why is white ink needed on clear vinyl?

Printing inks are translucent. On clear film, a white layer underneath keeps the colours opaque and bright instead of letting the glass and background show through them.

Products where this term matters

See also in the dictionary: Paper vs vinyl stickers, Kiss-cut vs die-cut, UV printing · full dictionary