Using walls to display visual messages is one of the biggest trends in advertising and interior design right now. With that in mind, here we explain the differences between wall decals and wallpaper and provide some tips on how to use each type of product.
Wall Decal vs Wallpaper: What Is the Difference?
While both are displayed on walls, there are some important differences between wall decals and wall papers. Wall decals are self-adhesive graphics printed on vinyl, while traditional wallpaper is made of vinyl-coated paper and comes without adhesive.
In the next sections, we’ll take a closer look at these differences—as well as some interesting facts about wall decals and wallpaper.
What Is a Wall Decal?
Wall decals, also known as wall graphics, are stickers printed on soft, self-adhesive vinyl and affixed to walls with decorative or advertising purposes.
Although the words “decal” or “sticker” may make you think of a small piece of printed vinyl, in reality, these graphics can be as large as you want. That’s why the term “wall graphic” is more accurate.
Wall graphics can accomplish a wide variety of goals, from promoting seasonal sales to enhancing the atmosphere of areas such as lobbies, dining rooms, and gyms.
Some common uses of wall decals include:
- Office graphics
- Wall murals
- Parking garage graphics
- Wall infographics
To learn more about wall decals, take a look at our previous blog, “6 Ways To Use Wall Graphics To Surprise Your Customers” and “Telling Your Brand Story With a Timeline Wall.”
What Is Wallpaper?
Wallpaper is decorative paper that covers the interior walls of a home or establishment.
While wall graphics are a relatively recent innovation, the history of wallpaper dates back to the Qin dynasty in China (221–207 BCE).
With such a long history behind it, wallpaper has enjoyed several reinventions, and we are going through one right now.
Interior designers now see wallpaper not just as a bland background but as an artistic medium that allows them to experiment with natural imagery, bold textures, and intricate patterns.
Wall Decal or Wallpaper?
In theory, the difference between wall decals and wallpaper is clear-cut.
Wall decals are made of vinyl and are used for advertising, while wallpaper is used for decoration and consists of a combination of layers of paper and vinyl.
However, one of the things we love most about digital large format printing is that it allows our customers to redefine the boundaries between different visual categories.
This is particularly fitting because, as we saw earlier, wallpaper is making a comeback and evolving into a more expressive medium closer to art and advertising
Now thanks to digital large format printing, you can bring any visual idea to life. To take a look at the possibilities at your disposal, just check the photos in this blog or visit the sections “Wall Graphics” and “Decor & Wallpaper” on our website.
CR&A Custom: Excellence in Wall Graphics
At CR&A Custom, we are a Los Angeles-based large format printing company known for our innovative visual solutions and our commitment to quality. We are proud recipients of the WBENC, WOSB, and NMSDC certifications.
Contact us today by email (info@cracustom.com), telephone (213-749-4440), social media (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn), or through the live chat on our home page.
