Ward & Kennedy supplies businesses nationwide with traditionally die-cut and high-precision digitally cut vinyl. From vehicle wraps to stickers and everything in between, you can trust Ward & Kennedy’s nearly 100-year history for fast turnaround times and dedicated service and support.
Vinyl is a synthetic plastic material, most commonly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), known for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to weather and wear. It's widely used across signage, automotive, flooring, and upholstery industries, particularly in applications that require custom graphics, protective coverings, or long-lasting surfaces.
Common products made from vinyl include:
Vinyl's thickness, adhesive backing, and heat sensitivity directly affect how it performs during cutting, from blade depth control to edge quality.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Thickness (gauge) | Thinner vinyl allows precise detail work, while thicker vinyl needs more cutting pressure |
| Adhesive backing | Self-adhesive vinyl requires controlled blade depth to cut the top layer without slicing through the backing, known as kiss cutting |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible material that can shift during cutting if not held flat or tensioned properly |
| Heat sensitivity | Vinyl can melt or release fumes under heat-based cutting, making blade-based methods more common |
| Reinforcement (scrim or mesh) | Banner-grade vinyl often includes a fabric layer that must cut evenly with the vinyl coating |
| Static and tackiness | Can cling to itself or cutting surfaces, affecting handling and weeding after cutting |
slices completely through the material, and both digital cutters and traditional dies can perform it depending on thickness and volume.
A kiss cut slices through the top layer while leaving the backing intact, a strength of traditional die cutting though digital cutters can also achieve it with precise depth control.
cuts into the backing without cutting through the face layer, typically requiring the depth precision of digital cutting equipment.
Perforation creates a line of small cuts for easy hand separation, achievable by both die cutting and digital cutting.
Creasing forms a fold line without cutting through the material, handled well by digital cutters through adjustable pressure and by dies fitted with the right rule type.
Digital cutting is the primary method used for most vinyl applications, since signage, decals, and vehicle graphics are typically custom designs produced in small quantities or one-off runs. Vinyl cutters and plotters work directly from digital files, allowing text, logos, and graphics to be cut precisely without the cost of building a die for a design that may only be used once.
Die cutting becomes more practical for high-volume vinyl production, such as large runs of identical stickers or promotional decals. In those cases, the upfront tooling cost is offset by faster cutting speeds and lower per-unit costs once the design is finalized and quantities are high enough to justify the die.
At our facility in Milwaukee, WI, our team of designers and fabricators can help bring your vision to life. Whether you have existing design files or assistance with their creation, we’re here every step of the way.
Along with fabrics, we die cut materials like:
Ward & Kennedy has been designing, fabricating, and supplying industries all over the world since we were founded in 1928. Whether you’re in our Wisconsin backyard or located across the world in Asia, we can supply your die cut materials.
Along with fabricating parts for businesses across America, we supply them with the necessary tools, supplies, and gear to keep them running at full capacity. We stock abrasives, adhesives, PPE, and more from major brands like 3M, Dynablade, Superior Glove, Wendt and Mirka.
