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This is a straight forward guide to help educate you and give you a better understanding of today’s vastly increasing phenomenon of game console “skins”. The new way to customize your gaming system console.
What exactly is “skinning” or game console “skins”?
There are numerous things that come to mind when someone refers to a “skin”. In our world today it seems as though people don’t like the “default” look, people like to customize things and make them unique to their own taste/personality. A few well known examples would be your computer, a.k.a. your desktop, I know the first thing I did when I got my computer was change the background from that ugly Windows XP to a more comforting picture of my own taste. Internet forums, designs/layouts, mp3 (Winamp) & media players, MSN Messenger, AIM, or other chat services, iPods, cell phones, etc. All these items are very popular items that get “customized” to personal preference. This is where gaming consoles come into play. Gaming console skins are adhesive backed vinyl digitally cut to fit the outside case of your gaming console. Sort of like a sticker but higher quality and longevity.
What is vinyl?
Vinyl dates back to early 1920 when a rubber scientist, Waldo Semon, stumbled onto a new material with fantastic properties during his search for a synthetic adhesive. Soon after his discovery, PVC based products such as rain coats, and shower curtains hit the market. As the decades passed on, more and more companies started producing vinyl based products ranging from gaskets and tubing to automotive parts and plastic wrap. Today, vinyl is the second largest-selling plastic in the world with industries employing over 1 million people in the United States alone which makes vinyl the leading material of the 21st century.
What kind of vinyl is used for “skinning”?
There are two main types of adhesive vinyl that is commonly used in the sign industry today: “cast” and “calendared”.
Cast Films
Cast films, also known in the industry as premium, high-performance or 2 mil, are considered to be a premium product with excellent durability and conformability characteristics. The term "cast" refers to the manufacturing process of this type of vinyl. Making a cast vinyl film is a lot like baking a cake. The vinyl begins with a "recipe" calling for a list of ingredients known as the formulation. These materials are added to a "bowl" or mixing churn in a predetermined order while mixing at specific speed and for a set amount of time to ensure a complete and consistent mixture. This liquid mixture, known as organosol, is then "poured" or cast onto a moving web known as the casting sheet and is then processed through a series of ovens which allows for the evaporation of solvents. When the solvents are evaporated, a solid "film" is left behind. The film is then wound up in large-diameter rolls for subsequent adhesive coating. The casting sheet determines the texture of the film. Because the vinyl is cast on the casting sheet in a relaxed state, this material offers very good dimensional stability. This process also allows the film to be very thin (most cast films are 2 mil), which helps with the conformability of the product. Material manufacturers recommend the use of cast films on substrates such as fleets, vehicles, recreational vehicles or boats where the customer wants a "paint-like" finish that will last a long time, usually five to eight years depending on how the film is processed.
Advantages of cast films:
* Shrinkage is the lowest of all vinyl films because the "casting sheet," not the film itself, is pulled through the machine. Since the film has not had any stress applied during the manufacturing process it does not try to resume or shrink back to its original form.
* Durability of cast films is generally higher than that of other vinyl films due to the manufacturing method and the raw materials used.
* Cast films can be made very thin which produces a conformable product that allows application over substrates with rivets, corrugations, and complex curves. Also, once applied, this low caliper makes the graphic less vulnerable to abrasive forces.
* Cast films also maintain their color and other properties better than other vinyl films. This results in better performance of pigments and UV absorbers.
* The manufacturing process of cast films makes it easy to run small productions of special colors to match. It is relatively easy to change color during production making color matching in small batches possible.
Calendered Films
Like cast, calendered film also gets its name from the manufacturing process. These films may also be referred to as intermediate, 4 mil, short-term or economy. Calendered vinyl is formulated with similar raw materials as cast, except that no solvents are used. The batch is mixed and heated to a molten state that resembles pizza dough. Once the film reaches this molten state it is extruded through a die and is then fed through a series of calendering rolls. These polished steel rolls progressively squeeze and stretch the vinyl into a flat sheet (similar to flattening out dough with a rolling pin). Because the film is stretched into shape, it has some degree of memory and therefore is less dimensionally stable than cast vinyl films. This means that when a calendered film is exposed to heat the film will have a tendency to shrink or pull back towards its original form. Calendered films also tend to be thicker (usually 3.2 to 3.4 mils) than cast films because of the limitations of the calendering process. Unlike casting where a textured or smooth casting sheet is used to produce the film finish, calendering implements a special finish cylinder at the end of the process while the film is still warm. This process is extremely fast and is ideal for bulk production runs. Therefore, color matching is very unattractive on these machines. However, due to its bulk production with high yields, calendered films are relatively inexpensive. The quality of calendered films can range from economy to intermediate with durability of one to five years. These films generally are not recommended for vehicle applications because they are thicker, less conformable and less durable than cast films.
Advantages of calendered films:
* Greater production yields equals less cost
* Stiffer/thicker film equals easier handling
* Thickness of film increases resistance to abrasion
What kind of vinyl is used for your “skins”?
We want your skin to look the same 10 years down the road as it does the day you buy it. For that we use cast films for our gaming console skin kits. We use cast films for a few reasons:
* They don’t shrink from the heat caused by your console.
* They last longer, 7-9 year lifetime in extreme outdoor conditions.
* 2 Mil thickness allows for easy conformability around some gaming console curves.
* They won’t fade, crack, or peel.
Because we use cast vinyl for our gaming console skins, our profit margins may not be as high as other companies selling the same product. However, we value our customers and want to make sure that we go out of our way to ensure our customers are 100% satisfied with our products. We want to establish a long term customer relationship for years to come.
Who thought of the idea of “skinning” game consoles?
Some people may argue that they were the first to come up with the vastly growing phenomenon, but it’s unknown to the world who started the craze. As far as we know by researching through Google, game console skins date back to the original Xbox during early 2002. Since then, several companies have adopted the idea and have made their own designs/templates for a wide variety of consoles including: Xbox, Xbox 360, Playstation 1, 2, 3 and portable, Nintendo Wii, Game Cube, Game Boy, DS, DS Light, and the list goes on. Here at System Skins, we proudly state that we were the first ones to develop the skin kits for the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Standing in line for 4 days before release date on November 17th 2006, we had a completed skin kit with eBay auctions posted for buy-it-now sale in as little as 3 hours of our PS3 purchase. We then did the same thing for the Nintendo Wii just 2 days later on November 19th 2006. We will continue to provide gaming console skins for future gaming systems with the same turn around as the PS3 and Wii. Don’t see a skin kit for your product? Let us know and we’ll add it to our list.
Why should I put a "skin" on my gaming console?
Why not? There is no harm in putting a skin on your gaming console. They don't cover up any vent holes or void your consoles warranty. They simply give you a customized look to your console, along with helping protect your console from any scratches that may occur. One nice feature about console skins is that they can give you the ability to match the rest of your audio/video components that you already have sitting on your entertainment system.
Can they be reused?
Unfortunately no, because of the characteristics of vinyl, once adhered to a surface the adhesive will cause the vinyl to stretch out of its original state when peeled off. Thus, most skins are only one time use.
Will I void my consoles manufacture warranty?
No. Our skins are designed to not cover up any vent holes that could otherwise cause your gaming system to overheat.
When I remove the skin, will there be any adhesive left behind?
Some of our chrome colors, if left on for a long period of time, have been reported to leave some adhesive behind. But this is easily removed. It's similar to the rubbery cement glue that they use to fasten credit cards to mailers. Just roll it around onto itself and it comes right off, like packing a large snowball. You can even use a lint free cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
Do I need any help installing your skins?
The adhesive on the back of the vinyl will adhere to just about any surface. Thus, once it touches a part of your console it sticks. If not positioned properly you could damage your new skin. Although not required, we highly recommend our application kit to help install your new skin kit. Using this will allow you to apply, slide, move your skin kit pieces into place without damage to your console or skin kit.
Where can I purchase a skin kit?
You can visit our eBay store for your system skin purchase. There you will find our PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Xbox HD DVD Drive, Playstation 2 Slim, Xbox, Nintendo Game Cube, Playstation 2, PlayStation Portable, and many other great products. We will also continue to add new products as they come out, or if we see a demand for them.
Thank you for reading our guide to What exactly are game console “skins”? we hope we have answered all your questions. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
What exactly is “skinning” or game console “skins”?
There are numerous things that come to mind when someone refers to a “skin”. In our world today it seems as though people don’t like the “default” look, people like to customize things and make them unique to their own taste/personality. A few well known examples would be your computer, a.k.a. your desktop, I know the first thing I did when I got my computer was change the background from that ugly Windows XP to a more comforting picture of my own taste. Internet forums, designs/layouts, mp3 (Winamp) & media players, MSN Messenger, AIM, or other chat services, iPods, cell phones, etc. All these items are very popular items that get “customized” to personal preference. This is where gaming consoles come into play. Gaming console skins are adhesive backed vinyl digitally cut to fit the outside case of your gaming console. Sort of like a sticker but higher quality and longevity.
What is vinyl?
Vinyl dates back to early 1920 when a rubber scientist, Waldo Semon, stumbled onto a new material with fantastic properties during his search for a synthetic adhesive. Soon after his discovery, PVC based products such as rain coats, and shower curtains hit the market. As the decades passed on, more and more companies started producing vinyl based products ranging from gaskets and tubing to automotive parts and plastic wrap. Today, vinyl is the second largest-selling plastic in the world with industries employing over 1 million people in the United States alone which makes vinyl the leading material of the 21st century.
What kind of vinyl is used for “skinning”?
There are two main types of adhesive vinyl that is commonly used in the sign industry today: “cast” and “calendared”.
Cast Films
Cast films, also known in the industry as premium, high-performance or 2 mil, are considered to be a premium product with excellent durability and conformability characteristics. The term "cast" refers to the manufacturing process of this type of vinyl. Making a cast vinyl film is a lot like baking a cake. The vinyl begins with a "recipe" calling for a list of ingredients known as the formulation. These materials are added to a "bowl" or mixing churn in a predetermined order while mixing at specific speed and for a set amount of time to ensure a complete and consistent mixture. This liquid mixture, known as organosol, is then "poured" or cast onto a moving web known as the casting sheet and is then processed through a series of ovens which allows for the evaporation of solvents. When the solvents are evaporated, a solid "film" is left behind. The film is then wound up in large-diameter rolls for subsequent adhesive coating. The casting sheet determines the texture of the film. Because the vinyl is cast on the casting sheet in a relaxed state, this material offers very good dimensional stability. This process also allows the film to be very thin (most cast films are 2 mil), which helps with the conformability of the product. Material manufacturers recommend the use of cast films on substrates such as fleets, vehicles, recreational vehicles or boats where the customer wants a "paint-like" finish that will last a long time, usually five to eight years depending on how the film is processed.
Advantages of cast films:
* Shrinkage is the lowest of all vinyl films because the "casting sheet," not the film itself, is pulled through the machine. Since the film has not had any stress applied during the manufacturing process it does not try to resume or shrink back to its original form.
* Durability of cast films is generally higher than that of other vinyl films due to the manufacturing method and the raw materials used.
* Cast films can be made very thin which produces a conformable product that allows application over substrates with rivets, corrugations, and complex curves. Also, once applied, this low caliper makes the graphic less vulnerable to abrasive forces.
* Cast films also maintain their color and other properties better than other vinyl films. This results in better performance of pigments and UV absorbers.
* The manufacturing process of cast films makes it easy to run small productions of special colors to match. It is relatively easy to change color during production making color matching in small batches possible.
Calendered Films
Like cast, calendered film also gets its name from the manufacturing process. These films may also be referred to as intermediate, 4 mil, short-term or economy. Calendered vinyl is formulated with similar raw materials as cast, except that no solvents are used. The batch is mixed and heated to a molten state that resembles pizza dough. Once the film reaches this molten state it is extruded through a die and is then fed through a series of calendering rolls. These polished steel rolls progressively squeeze and stretch the vinyl into a flat sheet (similar to flattening out dough with a rolling pin). Because the film is stretched into shape, it has some degree of memory and therefore is less dimensionally stable than cast vinyl films. This means that when a calendered film is exposed to heat the film will have a tendency to shrink or pull back towards its original form. Calendered films also tend to be thicker (usually 3.2 to 3.4 mils) than cast films because of the limitations of the calendering process. Unlike casting where a textured or smooth casting sheet is used to produce the film finish, calendering implements a special finish cylinder at the end of the process while the film is still warm. This process is extremely fast and is ideal for bulk production runs. Therefore, color matching is very unattractive on these machines. However, due to its bulk production with high yields, calendered films are relatively inexpensive. The quality of calendered films can range from economy to intermediate with durability of one to five years. These films generally are not recommended for vehicle applications because they are thicker, less conformable and less durable than cast films.
* Greater production yields equals less cost
* Stiffer/thicker film equals easier handling
* Thickness of film increases resistance to abrasion
What kind of vinyl is used for your “skins”?
We want your skin to look the same 10 years down the road as it does the day you buy it. For that we use cast films for our gaming console skin kits. We use cast films for a few reasons:
* They don’t shrink from the heat caused by your console.
* They last longer, 7-9 year lifetime in extreme outdoor conditions.
* 2 Mil thickness allows for easy conformability around some gaming console curves.
* They won’t fade, crack, or peel.
Because we use cast vinyl for our gaming console skins, our profit margins may not be as high as other companies selling the same product. However, we value our customers and want to make sure that we go out of our way to ensure our customers are 100% satisfied with our products. We want to establish a long term customer relationship for years to come.
Who thought of the idea of “skinning” game consoles?
Some people may argue that they were the first to come up with the vastly growing phenomenon, but it’s unknown to the world who started the craze. As far as we know by researching through Google, game console skins date back to the original Xbox during early 2002. Since then, several companies have adopted the idea and have made their own designs/templates for a wide variety of consoles including: Xbox, Xbox 360, Playstation 1, 2, 3 and portable, Nintendo Wii, Game Cube, Game Boy, DS, DS Light, and the list goes on. Here at System Skins, we proudly state that we were the first ones to develop the skin kits for the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Standing in line for 4 days before release date on November 17th 2006, we had a completed skin kit with eBay auctions posted for buy-it-now sale in as little as 3 hours of our PS3 purchase. We then did the same thing for the Nintendo Wii just 2 days later on November 19th 2006. We will continue to provide gaming console skins for future gaming systems with the same turn around as the PS3 and Wii. Don’t see a skin kit for your product? Let us know and we’ll add it to our list.
Why should I put a "skin" on my gaming console?
Why not? There is no harm in putting a skin on your gaming console. They don't cover up any vent holes or void your consoles warranty. They simply give you a customized look to your console, along with helping protect your console from any scratches that may occur. One nice feature about console skins is that they can give you the ability to match the rest of your audio/video components that you already have sitting on your entertainment system.
Can they be reused?
Unfortunately no, because of the characteristics of vinyl, once adhered to a surface the adhesive will cause the vinyl to stretch out of its original state when peeled off. Thus, most skins are only one time use.
Will I void my consoles manufacture warranty?
No. Our skins are designed to not cover up any vent holes that could otherwise cause your gaming system to overheat.
When I remove the skin, will there be any adhesive left behind?
Some of our chrome colors, if left on for a long period of time, have been reported to leave some adhesive behind. But this is easily removed. It's similar to the rubbery cement glue that they use to fasten credit cards to mailers. Just roll it around onto itself and it comes right off, like packing a large snowball. You can even use a lint free cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
Do I need any help installing your skins?
The adhesive on the back of the vinyl will adhere to just about any surface. Thus, once it touches a part of your console it sticks. If not positioned properly you could damage your new skin. Although not required, we highly recommend our application kit to help install your new skin kit. Using this will allow you to apply, slide, move your skin kit pieces into place without damage to your console or skin kit.
Where can I purchase a skin kit?
You can visit our eBay store for your system skin purchase. There you will find our PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Xbox HD DVD Drive, Playstation 2 Slim, Xbox, Nintendo Game Cube, Playstation 2, PlayStation Portable, and many other great products. We will also continue to add new products as they come out, or if we see a demand for them.
Thank you for reading our guide to What exactly are game console “skins”? we hope we have answered all your questions. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Guide created: 10/04/07 (updated 05/06/08)
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