---
title: What is a Low/Zero-VOC paint?
description: Low Zero VOC paints
---

[Skip to content](https://help.arlon.com/what-is-a-low/zero-voc-paint#main-content)

<https://help.arlon.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en>

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- <https://help.arlon.com/kb-tickets/new>
- [arlon.com](mailto:techservice@arlon.com)

[arlon.com](mailto:techservice@arlon.com)

 HOW CAN WE HELP?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Arlon Help Center](https://help.arlon.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [General Information](https://help.arlon.com/general-information?hsLang=en)

# What is a Low/Zero-VOC paint?

A **low-VOC paint** is a type of paint that contains **low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)**.

**VOCs** are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air as paint dries. Traditional paints release a lot of them—that’s what causes the strong paint smell and can lead to headaches, dizziness, eye irritation, or long-term health issues.

**What makes low-VOC paint different?**

- **Fewer toxic fumes** during and after painting
- **Better indoor air quality**
- **Safer** for homes, schools, hospitals, and enclosed spaces
- **More eco-friendly**

**How low is “low”?**

It depends on regulations, but typically:

- **Low-VOC:** under ~50 g/L (grams per liter)
- **Zero-VOC:** under ~5 g/L (and may still have trace VOCs from pigments)

**So,** **Why Low/Zero VOC paints can be a problem when wrapping walls?**

1. Low-VOC paint can **cause vinyl adhesive to fail** because its chemistry and curing behavior are different from traditional paints. Low-VOC paints often **dry fast but cure slowly**.  
   Vinyl adhesives need a **stable, fully cured surface** to bond. If the paint is still outgassing or soft beneath the surface, the adhesive can’t properly “grab” and may lift, reason why Low/Zero VOC paints require longer curing times than regular VOC paints.
2. **2**. To replace solvents, low-VOC paints use more **surfactants** (soap-like additives that help pigments spread). These can **rise to the surface as the paint cures**, creating a microscopic slick layer that **repels adhesive**, similar to trying to stick tape to soap residue.
3. **Additives designed to repel stains also repel glue**

Many modern low-VOC paints include:

- stain blockers
- scrub-resistant additives
- anti-blocking agents
- Hydrophobic agents

**Great for walls. Terrible for vinyl adhesion.**

- [General Information](https://help.arlon.com/general-information?hsLang=en)
- [Product Specification](https://help.arlon.com/product-specification?hsLang=en)
- [Printing & Production](https://help.arlon.com/printing-production?hsLang=en)
- [Application](https://help.arlon.com/application?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Architectural](https://help.arlon.com/application?hsLang=en#architectural)
    - [Fleet & Commercial Vehicles](https://help.arlon.com/application?hsLang=en#fleet-commercial-vehicles)
    - [General Signage](https://help.arlon.com/application?hsLang=en#general-signage)
    - [Marine & Aircraft](https://help.arlon.com/application?hsLang=en#marine-aircraft)
- [Maintenance & Removal](https://help.arlon.com/maintenance-removal?hsLang=en)
- [Troubleshooting](https://help.arlon.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Before Application](https://help.arlon.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#before-application)
- [Regulation & Compliance](https://help.arlon.com/regulation-compliance?hsLang=en)
- [Training & Certification](https://help.arlon.com/training-certification?hsLang=en)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.arlon.com/hubfs/Arlon%20ANZ%20LP%20Images/arlon-logo.svg "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.arlon.com)

<https://www.instagram.com/arlongraphics_us/> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/arlongraphics> <https://www.youtube.com/@ArlonGraphics> <https://www.facebook.com/ArlongraphicsUS/>

Copyright © 2026, Arlon Graphics