How To Measure The Thickness Of Magnets in Mils And Choose The Right Size
Ever wondered why the custom magnet that you bought cost you more than your friend’s magnet? or what made your magnet stick on the car while that of your neighbor fell off when the car was moving?
For an average Joe, all magnets may look the same, except may be the color and shape. But choosing the right magnet is all about picking up the right thickness and the Mil. So, if you have been buying custom magnets without paying much attention to the MIl thickness , it may not serve your purpose.
Here is a quick guide on how to choose magnets based on thickness and which magnets suit which purpose.
If you are looking for an outdoor car magnet, make sure that it is 30 mil or more to make it stick firmly on your moving car. Need a refrigerator magnet or a business card magnet? Obviously , you may not need a magnet that is as thick as a car magnet. 20 mil thickness magnets make a perfect choice for you.
Mil is a measurement that equals one-thousandth of an inch. It is a unit of measurement of thickness of products like plastic sheets, magnets etc. To give you a fair idea, here are some examples. A standard piece of copy paper is 3.8 mils thick, a trash bag ranges between 1.2 mils and 1.7 mils, while a credit card is around 30 mils.
Magnets have a multitude of applications including home organization, crafts, commercial purposes etc. While buying magnets, you should have a clear understanding of the various thicknesses in which these are available. The bigger the mil, the thicker the magnet will be.
To get the best results it is important to choose magnets of the right thickness (mil) that is suited for your specific application.
20 mil Magnets for indoor use
Indoor magnets are typically available in 20 mil thickness. These are designed for refrigerator doors and other ferrous surfaces. Business card magnets, refrigerator magnets and save the date magnets are some of the magnets that are available in this thickness.
Indoor magnets need not be as thick as outdoor magnets and magnets between 20-30 mil works great for most indoor projects. 20 mil dry erase whiteboard magnetic boards can stick easily. Likewise refrigerator magnets of 20 mil not just stay firm on the fridge doors but can even hold up your shopping lists and reminders.
Business card magnets are available in various thicknesses like 20, 25 and 35 mil. These will stick to any magnetic surface. These will be of approximate thickness of a credit card or lighter, which makes it easy to carry in purse or bags.
30 mil Magnets for both indoor and outdoor use
The standard thickness for an outdoor car magnet is 30mil. These are strong enough to withstand the wind and stay firmly on the vehicles without being tossed off by the speeding car. It is as thick as a credit card. Magnetic car signs and outdoor car magnets are typically available in this thickness.
Car magnets are ideal to get your message out to a bigger audience. Car magnets should not be less than 30 mil because a lighter magnet may not have the strength to withstand the force of a moving car.
35 Mil magnets for both indoor and outdoor use
Choose from a range of shapes like rectangle, square, vegetable shapes and a lot more, these custom magnets will add fun and character to your promotions. Your brand and message imprinted on these will stand out and grab easy attention. These can be used for both indoor and outdoor promotional purposes.
55 Mil Magnets for industrial use or home organization
Magnets with thickness 55 mil can be used for organization and labeling in homes, warehouses, factories, and other industrial settings. Commonly used in dry erase boards, labeling inventory, and warehouse organization, these magnets will not get displaced easily and will stay steady because of its strength and thickness. Though these magnets are super strong, these can still be cut with a sharp pair of scissors or utility knife, which makes it easy to use.
It will stick easily and stay sturdy even under the most demanding conditions thereby keeping you well organized.
Now that you have an overview of some of the common thickness of magnets and its applications, you can make a well informed decision. Get magnets that are of the right size and thickness for your next home, office, or warehouse project.
