Product Description
Arlon Series 5000 is a 2.8-mil (70 micron) high gloss calendered film and one of the most pliable calendered vinyls on the market. It cuts and weeds cleanly at production speed, lays down flat with excellent color, and is available in 35 colors — 21 of them rated up to 7 years outdoors. It is the film to reach for on flat and gently curved sign faces where you want cast-like handling at an intermediate price.
This listing: 48" x 50-yard roll. Also available in 24" x 50 yard.
Durability varies by color. Arlon rates 21 Series 5000 colors at up to 7 years and 14 colors — including 102 White — at 3 years. Check the durability table below before you spec a color for exterior work. Ratings are Zone 1, unprinted, vertical exposure.
Why sign shops run Series 5000
- Weeds fast. At 2.8 mil this is a thin, pliable film that releases cleanly from the liner — small copy and detailed logos come up without lifting.
- Contrasting blue liner on white. You can see your cut lines on white film, which is where most weeding time gets lost.
- High gloss, 75–85 gloss units. Deep, saturated color for banners, panel signage, and interior and exterior graphics.
- Handles like a better film than it is. Series 5000 is unusually pliable for a calendered vinyl, which makes it forgiving on soft curves and long panel runs.
- 35 colors, including bright reds, blues and greens that hold up for years.
Durability by color (Zone 1, unprinted)
Up to 7 Years — 21 colors
| Color | Rating |
|---|---|
| 101 Red | 7 Years |
| 103 Black | 7 Years |
| 105 Blue | 7 Years |
| 108 Brown | 7 Years |
| 110 Purple | 7 Years |
| 111 Green | 7 Years |
| 112 Burgundy | 7 Years |
| 114 Tomato Red | 7 Years |
| 130 Dark Blue | 7 Years |
| 133 Fire Red | 7 Years |
| 135 Imperial Green | 7 Years |
| 137 Blueberry | 7 Years |
| 140 Gray | 7 Years |
| 150 Dark Gray | 7 Years |
| 160 Bright Cardinal Red | 7 Years |
| 171 Teal | 7 Years |
| 173 Dark Red | 7 Years |
| 176 Dark Purple | 7 Years |
| 186 Forest Green | 7 Years |
| 193 Viking Blue | 7 Years |
| 198 Medium Blue | 7 Years |
3 Years — 14 colors
| Color | Rating |
|---|---|
| 100 Clear | 3 Years |
| 102 White | 3 Years |
| 104 Gold Medal | 3 Years |
| 106 Yellow | 3 Years |
| 107 Silver | 3 Years |
| 109 Orange | 3 Years |
| 116 Lemon Yellow | 3 Years |
| 118 Olympic Blue | 3 Years |
| 119 Light Orange | 3 Years |
| 134 Cloud Gray | 3 Years |
| 149 Light Gray | 3 Years |
| 164 Spring Green | 3 Years |
| 168 Daisy Yellow | 3 Years |
| 182 Beige | 3 Years |
A note on desert exposure. Arlon publishes Zone 1 figures. Arizona, southern Nevada and New Mexico sit in a harsher UV and heat zone, and Arlon notes that some color fade may occur in severe environmental areas. Expect shorter real-world service life here than the table shows, particularly on the 3-year colors. If the job has a warranty attached, call us at (602) 272-8655 and we will help you spec it.
Performance & physical data
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Film type | Calendered PVC, high gloss |
| Thickness | 2.8 mil (70 micron) |
| Surface finish | 75 to 85 gloss units (60° reflection) |
| Adhesive | Permanent, clear |
| Peel adhesion | ≥ 40 oz/in (≥ 0.45 kg/cm), PSTC-1, 15 min at 72°F |
| Release liner | Clay coated; contrasting blue liner on white film |
| Liner release | 150 g/2 in (TLMI 300 in/min) |
| Tensile strength | 12 lb/in width (2.1 kg/cm) |
| Elongation | ≥ 150% |
| Dimensional stability | 0.025 in (0.64 mm) nominal, 158°F for 48 hours |
| Application temperature | 60°F to 90°F (15°C to 32°C) optimum, clean dry substrate |
| Service temperature | −40°F to 150°F (−40°C to 65°C) |
| Humidity resistance | No appreciable effect |
| Gasoline resistance | No appreciable effect |
| Shelf life | 1 year from date of factory shipment |
| Outdoor durability | 3 or 7 years by color — see table above |
Recommended applications
- Flat and soft curved sign faces
- Banner lettering and graphics
- Interior and exterior signage
- Window and door lettering
- Displays and POP requiring vibrant color
- Panel and flat-surface vehicle lettering
Where Series 5000 is not the right film
- Full vehicle wraps, rivets and deep recesses. Series 5000 is recommended for flat and soft curved surfaces only. For conformable work, step up to Arlon Series 2100 cast.
- Digital printing. This is a cut and plot film. For printable media, see our Arlon DPF digital print film range.
- Backlit and illuminated faces. Series 5000 is opaque. For translucent sign faces, see Arlon Series 2500 and Series 4100.
Working with Series 5000
- Minimum font size for optimal weeding is 1 inch. Arlon states this directly — below 1 inch, the thin 2.8-mil film gets difficult to weed cleanly.
- Apply to a clean, dry substrate between 60°F and 90°F. Cold substrates are the most common cause of edge lift.
- Let the substrate acclimate before application. In summer, a panel sitting in an Arizona yard can be well above the 90°F ceiling even when the air is not.
- Store rolls suspended or on end, away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight. Shelf life is 1 year from factory shipment.
- Pair with a medium-tack paper application tape for standard lettering.
How Series 5000 compares
| Film | Type | Thickness | Finish | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 5000 | Calendered | 2.8 mil | High gloss | Flat and soft curve signage, banners, best value per foot |
| Series 4500 | Polymeric calendered | 3 mil | Satin | Signage where a lower-glare satin finish is specified |
| Series 2100 | Premium cast | 2 mil | Gloss | Fleet and vehicle graphics, compound curves, longest life |
Ordering & availability
- Stocked colors ship same day from our Phoenix warehouse on orders placed by our daily cutoff.
- Colors marked Special Order come direct from Arlon — call for current lead time before you commit to a deadline.
- Overnight delivery across Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. Nationwide UPS shipping.
- Buying in volume? Email Sales@kgsupplies.com for a quote, or call (602) 272-8655.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Series 5000 really a 7-year film?
- For 21 of the 35 colors, yes — Arlon rates them up to 7 years unprinted in Zone 1 vertical exposure. The other 14 colors, including White, Yellow, Silver and the light grays, are rated 3 years. Pick your color against the durability table above rather than against the headline number.
- White is only 3 years? Most sign vinyl white lasts longer.
- On Series 5000, yes. Arlon's own bulletin lists 102 White at 3 years. If you need a long-life white for exterior signage, look at Arlon Series 4500 or Series 2100 instead. We would rather tell you that up front than have the sign come back.
- Can I print on Series 5000?
- No. Series 5000 is a cut vinyl for plotters. Arlon publishes no print compatibility for it. For eco-solvent, latex or UV printing, use an Arlon DPF digital print film.
- Will it go around rivets or into deep recesses?
- No. Arlon recommends Series 5000 for flat and soft curved surfaces. Elongation is 150%, which is fine for a gentle curve but not for conformable vehicle work. Use a cast film such as Series 2100 for that.
- What is the smallest lettering I can cut?
- Arlon specifies 1 inch or greater for optimal weeding. You can cut smaller, but expect the weeding to slow down noticeably at this thickness.
- What is Series 5050?
- Series 5050 is the perforated version of the same film. This listing covers the standard non-perforated Series 5000. Call us if you need 5050.
- How long can I keep a roll before I use it?
- One year from date of factory shipment, stored away from excessive moisture, heat and direct sunlight. Colors you turn slowly are better bought in the 10-yard roll.
Specifications from the Arlon Series 5000 Product Information Bulletin, July 2026. Typical values are not specifications. Arlon's Standard Terms and Conditions apply. Some color fade may occur in severe environmental areas.
