What Are Video Game Console Skins?
Although many people own video game consoles around the world not all of them own skins for their console. What are video game console skins you might ask? Well in simple terms they are just customized pieces of vinyl with sticky adhesive applied to back that are digitally cut to fit your console’s case. In many ways skins are similar to stickers except that skins are made to be much more durable with the ability to stand the test of time.
No one wants the “default” look anymore. People want to be able to customize their possessions to make them their own. Just like your computer’s desktop, skins for video game consoles allow you to personalized your console to your liking. There are two main types of console skins that are in use today: cast and calendared.
Calendered Film Skins
Calendered film (or economy vinyl) based skins get their name from the manufacturing process because during the manufacturing process, the film is stretched into shape rather than just lying in a relaxed state such as cast film. This causes the film to be less dimensionally stable than the alternatives which means heat will make them shrink and peel back towards its original form. The manufacturing process is quite quick for calendered skins which makes them perfect for mass production. The color matching on these films can be unattractive because they are produced so quickly but the upside of this is that they are relatively inexpensive. Durability of these skins is anywhere from one to five years.
Cast Film Skins
Cast films (or premium vinyl) are the best quality skins available. Cast vinyl has excellent durability and the ability to be conformed into any shape easily. They get their name via the manufacturing process just like calendered vinyl. A liquid mixture, called organosol, is poured (or “cast”) onto a cast sheet of moving webs and then processed through multiple ovens to evaporate solvents which leave behind a solid film. Being cast in a relaxed state on the casting sheet causes this material to have excellent dimensional stability which means they won’t shrink or peel like calendered vinyl will. The manufacturing process for cast films are more expensive but they are of higher quality than calendered vinyl. This very thin vinyl film will usually five to eight years depending on how it is treated.
Why Should I “Skin” My Video Game Console?
The better question is why not? Skins will not hurt your gaming console and to apply your skins you don’t even have to void your warranty because they are just stuck onto the outside of the case. Console skins help to customize your console while helping to protect it from harm. Game console skins can always be removed whenever you’d like so they can be switched in and out for new designs anytime.
You can get skins for everything from your favorite video game characters, movies, TV shows, or just your plain favorite image. You can even get skins to match the rest of your entertainment system. Skins are also relatively cheap – you can find many skins for around $20 online. There really isn’t any reason not to get a skin for your gaming console.