There are several different product types or designations you might consider if you're looking to add visuals to a vehicle as any kind of advertising or marketing program. Such approaches can be extremely valuable for producing word-of-mouth and related forms of marketing, and two of the most common items often considered by clients in this area are car decals and car magnets. 

When you're working with a top manufacturer of these products, such as Signazon, you have a number of options for car decals, car magnets and numerous other related products that help turn any personal or company vehicle into a mobile advertisement. What are the basic differences between these two products, and what are some of the settings in which both are used? Let's run through all the basics here so you'll have an easy time choosing between these two -- or even utilizing both in complementary ways. 

Magnetism or No Magnetism?

One of the first and most notable differences between these products, one that's somewhat apparent given their names, is that car decals are not magnetic. Car magnets, on the other hand, make use of magnetism to attach themselves to metal surfaces. To be clear, this doesn't mean car decals will fall off easily -- they won't at all, but the adhesive used is different. Car decals are affixed with pressure-sensitive adhesive, or PSA, while car magnets use magnetic strips that need to be in contact with metal for the product to attach properly.

There are a few implications of this difference that you should know about. First and foremost, car magnets can only be used on vehicles with metal surfaces. If you're working with a non-magnetic car -- or even an all-plastic car, which is becoming increasingly common -- then car magnets simply won't work. In such cases, you have to go with car decals instead.

Now, on the flip side, those who want to regularly tweak positioning or even change their vehicle advertising on the fly may prefer car magnets because they are extremely easy to remove and replace. This is an important consideration for those who want to use their car advertising in a more flexible way, though it's worth noting that car decals can be removed as well with relative ease.

Different Types of Adhesive Backing

In addition to the major difference in the way these products attach to vehicles, there are also some notable differences in the types of adhesive backing that are used. Car magnets typically make use of a very strong and durable adhesive that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions without any problems whatsoever. Car decals, on the other hand, come in both permanent and removable varieties.

Practically, both these products stick extremely well to vehicles, so there's no need to worry about them falling off in most cases. That said, those who want the option to remove and replace car decals more easily may prefer the removable variety, while those who want a product that will withstand any sort of weather condition without issue may prefer car magnets.

Size and Shapes

While there are very few limitations for both car decals and car magnets in terms of available size and shapes, decals tend to run up to larger sizes in general. This is important to keep in mind if you want a very large or otherwise oddly-shaped advertisement on your car, as magnets may not always be able to accommodate such requests.

In terms of shapes, both these products can be cut into any number of designs, so this won't necessarily be a limiting factor for most people. However, those who want something truly unique or complex may find that decals offer more options than magnets.

Cost Comparison

Another area where these two products are relatively similar in a broad sense is cost, as both car decals and car magnets are quite affordable, especially when purchased in bulk. This mostly comes down to two factors: Your preferences, for one, and the kinds of vehicle surfaces you're working with.

As a general rule, car magnets are going to be slightly more expensive than car decals because they require a bit more material to produce. That said, the difference in cost is typically quite small, so it's unlikely to be a major deciding factor for most people.

Those who want the absolute cheapest option may prefer car decals, as they can be produced quite easily and quickly. However, those who want the best possible value for their money may prefer car magnets because they are more durable and offer more versatility in terms of where they can be used.

Installation

Once again, there's not much separating car magnets and car decals when it comes to their installation needs. Both are very easy to install, and can be done so in just a few minutes with minimal effort.

That said, car decals may be slightly easier to install because they don't require any special lining up or other considerations. Car magnets sometimes need to be properly lined up before they can be affixed to a vehicle, which can be a bit more tricky for some people.

Removal

The removal process is also quite similar for these two products, though car magnets may be slightly easier to remove because they don't require any special tools or techniques. Car decals, on the other hand, sometimes need to be heated up before they can be removed without impacting the paint job underneath.

In both cases, though, removal is a straightforward and easy process that can be completed without much trouble. 

Making Your Choice

As we've alluded to a couple times here, there's really no "right or wrong" answer when it comes to choosing between car decals and car magnets. It's all going to come down to your specific preferences, needs, and budget in the end.

If you want something that's very affordable and can be easily installed without much trouble, car decals are probably your best bet. If you need something that's a bit more durable and versatile, though, car magnets are probably the way to go.

Ultimately, the best way to make your decision is to simply weigh the pros and cons of each option and see which one seems like a better fit for your needs -- and to consult with professionals in the industry if you're still unsure, such as those at Signazon. With that in mind, we hope this guide has been helpful in helping you understand the key differences between these two popular vehicle advertising products.