Do You Use the Shiny Side or Matte Side of a Vinyl Backdrop?

Reflection and Glare

• Select the matte side of a vinyl backdrop if you want to reduce light reflection and glare in your room. Shiny vinyl backdrops have a smooth finish that is coated with a glossy protective seal. The glossy or shiny side of a vinyl backdrop reflects light and makes the patterns in your backdrop difficult to see. Depending on the time of day and the location of light sources in your room, shiny vinyl backdrops can appear almost mirror-like. Matte vinyl backdrops are much less reflective, and the decorative designs are readily visible under most lighting conditions.

Adhesion

• Opt for the matte side of a vinyl backdrop if you want to be able to remove your wall art easily. According to Wall Vinyl Decal, matte vinyl backdrops have a water-based adhesive that is removable up to two years after installation. After two years, you might need to use a low amount of heat from a hairdryer to remove the vinyl. Matte vinyl adhesives will not damage your walls. Shiny vinyl backdrops have semipermanent adhesives that are more difficult to remove. Avoid installing the shiny vinyl side of your backdrop if you don't want to risk pulling paint off the wall during the removal process.

Installation

• Choose a matte-sided vinyl backdrop for easy installation. A glossy vinyl backdrop is thinner, less durable and more unforgiving than its matte-finish counterpart. Glossy vinyl can tear, stretch, bubble or warp during installation, whereas matte vinyl generally keeps its shape. Matte vinyl backdrops are strong and are easily installed by hand without the use of surface-flattening tools or straightedges.

Surface Type

• Use the glossy side of a vinyl backdrop if you are installing it on glossy, semigloss or satin wall paint, glazed tiles or unfinished wood. Wall Vinyl Decal states that glossy vinyl adheres to more types of surfaces and more surface textures than matte vinyl. Glossy vinyl also adheres to finely textured walls and textured paint on older homes much better than matte vinyl. Matte-finish vinyl backdrops work best on flat wall paint surfaces and stained wood surfaces.