Make Your Own Wall Cling

NOTE: I updated this post 12/25/2011 - since my last update, some printers have kept their prices steady while others have increased prices significantly. Unfortunately, at least two printers are no longer in business (I've removed their listings). If you are a printer who would like to be included here, please drop me a line or leave a comment. Thanks!

You may have seen TV ads for life-size vinyl wall clings of professional athletes. A life-size image of a sports star clinging to my living room wall doesn't exactly strike me as high style, but there must be plenty of folks who disagree judging from the money this company spends on their commercials.

Wallhogs
More interesting to me are companies like Wallhogs. You upload a photo of your kid playing soccer, and they send you a life-size cutout you can stick to your wall. Their web site indicates that you can stick the Wallhog to just about anything. So even if you don't think a life-size picture of junior will match your feng shui, you can slap a smaller Wallhog on your car window for away games. Pretty cool!

Wallhogs has a professional Web site and great prices:

• 12" mini, $12.99
  
• 24" long side, $29.99
• 36" long side, $41.99
• 48" long side, $54.99
• 60" long side, $64.99
• 72" long side, $79.99
• 84" long side, $89.99

These prices are for a reusable vinyl cling that is up to 52" wide and include removal of the background from your uploaded image. You can check out several customer-submitted images on their web site.

Update: Wallhogs is now offering their hogs on Photo-Tex, a patented fabric that holds up great and offers awesome reusability. You'll pay a bit more for Wallhogs on this fabric, but feedback on this media has been very positive.

Another update: Wallhogs has lowered their prices on Photo-Tex products! Due to the volume of orders they're processing, they've been able to negotiate lower prices on print media. Prices shown below reflect the new pricing and are current as of 12/25/2011.

• 12" mini, $19.99
  
• 24" long side, $39.99
• 36" long side, $54.99
• 48" long side, $74.99
• 60" long side, $89.99
• 72" long side, $99.99
• 84" long side, $119.99

Here's a Wallhog promo video I found posted on YouTube:

Wallhogs has also made several helpful videos that offer tips on installation and suggestions for taking the photos that will be used to create your Wallhogs. Regardless of where you wind up creating your wall cling, you should take a look at these videos to get an idea of what installation entails.

Full Disclosure: When you buy your wall cling from Wallhogs by clicking through one of the links above, you help support the Photo Freedom blog. So please click away!

Other Wall Cling Printers
There are several other printers out there who can work with you to help you create your own wall cling. I update this list regularly, so let me know if you run into anyone else I should add.

Sports Pose - Looks like this option is now for dealers and pro photographers only - I'd probably pass unless you're one of those folks. Judging from their updated site, it may be worth a phone call before you upload and place an order.

Buckethead Sports - Prices range from $80 for 3' tall to $120 for 5' tall. Buckethead prints their images on reusable vinyl. Though it's not clearly stated on their web site, Buckethead appears to be located in the Chicago, IL area.

Party Standups - If 7' just isn't big enough, check out the Wall Stars at Party Standups - for just over $112 bucks, they can set you up with an 8' wall cling that is up to 50" wide. Party Standups also sells plastic-mounted standups made from your photo. These are a little more expensive than the wall cling ($146 for an eight footer), although I'm guessing the shipping costs will be considerable. Still, not bad if you're in the market for this sort of thing! [Note: Scott Gardner from Party Standups has informed me that shipping typically runs only $18-$20 - less than I would have guessed!]

WallMonkeys - Like Wallhogs, WallMonkeys also prints their clings on Photo-Tex. WallMonkeys' prices:

• 12" - $35 (8x the same image)
• 24" - $50 (2x the same image)
  
• 36" - $55
• 48" - $70
• 60" - $90
• 72" - $100

Here is a WallMonkeys sample:

iPixXL - Based in Brighton, MI, iPixXL appears to print on reusable vinyl. They've adjusted their prices since my last review, bringing them right into line with other printers:

• 17"x23" - $19.99
• 24"x36" - $35.99
• 36"x48" - $54.99
• 48"x60" - $64.99
• 48"x72" - $79.99
• 48"x84" - $89.99
• 48"x96" - $125.99
  

iPixXL has posted several videos on YouTube to showcase their product. Here's one that shows their president driving his SUV through the car wash with a couple iPixXL's applied:

Jumbo Sticky Pics - Jumbo Sticky Pics is another printer offering custom wall clings (see their comment below). They print their wall clings on fabric (Photo-Tex?), which seems to be a trend due to this material's re-stickability. Prices are a little higher than some, but are still competitive:

• 24" - $48.99
• 36" - $58.99
• 42" - $65.99
• 48" - $69.99
• 54" - $78.99
• 60" - $84.99
• 66" - $89.99
• 72" - $94.99
• 78" - $99.99
• 84" - $109.99
• 96" - $125.99
  

JSP advertised a 30% discount over the holidays - not sure if they'll still honor that, but it's still advertised on their web site at the end of February. One word of caution: when I checked out the Jumbo Sticky Pics order page, I noticed that it does not use SSL encryption. This means that credit card information you submit when you order will be transmitted across the Internet in the clear - not good. If you choose to order from Jumbo Sticky Pics, please call them to give them your credit card rather than sending your credit card information using their order form. I've notified them of my concern; I'll update this post when they let me know that they've encrypted their order page. [Note: the page is still un-encrypted as of 12/2011.]

Mpix - You may be familiar with Mpix as a full-service, web-based photo lab. Recently, Mpix added custom wall clings to their product offerings. Like several other vendors, Mpix is printing on high-quality Photo-Tex. Their site also offers a very helpful 'how to order a wall cling' video. Prices are:

• 18"x12" - $40
• 36"x24" - $60
• 48"x32" - $70
• 60"x40" - $80
• 72"x48" - $90
  

Sticky Fan - Based in Portland, OR StickyFan prints their cut-outs on fabric (Photo-Tex?) and offers free shipping. They also offer options for car windows and see-thru clings. Sizes and prices for basic clings:

• 10" - $15
  
• 24" - $39
• 36" - $49
• 48" - $59
• 60" - $79
• 72" - $89

Sticky Fan is also advertising their cut-outs on TV - here's their ad as posted on YouTube:



WallBee.com - WallBee offers their wall clings on both vinyl and Photo-Tex.

Vinyl prices are:

• 12" - $29.99
• 24" - $39.99
  
• 36" - $49.99

Photo-Tex prices:

• 12" - $39.99
• 24" - $54.99
  
• 36" - $64.99
  
• 48" - $74.99
  
• 60" - $89.99
  
• 72" - $99.99
  
• 84" - $129.99
• 96" - $159.99
  

Wall-Stars.net - This Pennsylvania-based company offers their wall clings on both vinyl and cloth. Their prices:

Vinyl :

• Pee Wee (2'x1') - $44.00
  
• Pee Wee (2'x2') - $49.00
• Junior High (3'x1.5') - $62.00
• Junior High (3'x3') - $79.00
• Freshman (4'x2') - $79.00
• Freshman (4'x4') - $129.00
• Junior Varsity (5'x5') - $169.00
• Varsity (6'x6') - $199.00
• Rookie (7'x3.5') - $129.00
• Rookie (7'x7') - $229.00
• Rookie (8'x4') - $159.00
• Rookie (8'x8') - $299.00

ProShot Active - I was unable to find contact information on their site, but according to whois it appears that they are located in California. They offer vinyl wall clings at the following prices:

• 2' - $29.99
  
• 3' - $41.99
  
• 4' - $54.99
• 5' - $64.99
• 6' - $79.99
• 7' - $89.99

As you can see, more and more options are becoming available to create your own wall cling. Drop me a line or leave a comment if you've used any of these printers - your feedback will help others make an informed decision!

ThinTwin - Located in Lawrenceville, GA, this company offers both Photo-Tex and vinyl, as well as laminated vinyl. Their Photo-Tex prices:

• 24" - $44.99
  
• 36" - $58.49
  
• 48" - $71.99
• 60" - $85.49
• 72" - $104.39

BigShotz - Located near Pittsburgh, BigShotz offers both Photo-Tex and vinyl. Their Photo-Tex prices:

• 1' - $19.99
  
• 2' - $39.99
  
• 4' - $74.99
• 6' - $99.99
• 8' - $139.99

Wallheads - If you're a junior sports photographer, you might want to check into Wallheads (based in Sarasota, FL). They offer a discount program for professional photographers that allows you to buy your wall clings at a discount and then resell them to parents at a profit. Their suggested retail prices (as a pro, you'll get a discount from these prices):

• 2' - $89
• 3' - $99
• 4' - $109
• 5' - $119
• 6' - $129
• 7' - $139

As you can see, more and more options are becoming available to create your own wall cling. Drop me a line or leave a comment if you've used any of these printers - your feedback will help others make an informed decision!

Important Update: I see on their web site that you can now get your custom wall clings directly from Fatheads.com - the company that really got the idea of wall clings off the ground. Prices are a higher than most of the printers I've posted here - the 4'x6' custom Fathead will run you $140. I'm interested to hear your feedback if you've purchased a true Fathead - please leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Call to Printers: If you'd like to be added to this list of wall cling printers, please drop me a line. I'd be glad to add your service to this post!