Why Do So Many People Use IJ180 When the Project Doesn't Seem to Call for It?

[WarrenHarding]

I know sign shops that use IJ180 for basically every vinyl project that doesn't require something temporary or that can adhere to bumpy surfaces. It costs 4x a roll of standard calendared vinyl. That standard, cheaper, vinyl, can hold up for 5 years in an interior environment easily, but people are laying IJ180 on sheetrock walls in offices.

What gives?

I even have an installer telling me he sees higher quality in print shops that only use "3M products" - but never see any real comparisons between 3M and established competitors like GF or Oracal. It looks like the Apple of vinyl to me.

Am I missing something?

 

[victor bogdanov]

Just likely everyone wants everything laminated when most stuff doesn't need laminate, half the interior walls graphics I see are laminated, total waste

 

[Boudica]

My take on this would be that smaller shops don't need multiple brands of vinyl on deck. Cast when necessary, and calendered when appropriate. No need to go outside the comfort zone with brands when guaranteeing your work.

 

[MikePro]

easier to have a standard of awesomeness and price accordingly
people get burned on cheap materials, and 3M pushed their marketing of longevity at a time when Avery had a massive failure of warranty.

edited to add: laminated, is quality. sucks to double the cost of material but it will double the longevity of your ink that will eventually scratch, if not on install, or meet an overzealous cleaning lady,