By Cassandra Balentine
Printed vehicle wraps take a lot of time and resources in terms of design and installation. Overlaminates help ensure they stay vibrant and effective against the elements.
Here we present a few overlaminate options on the market today for vehicle graphics.
3M
3M Envision Luster Wrap Overlaminate 8549L can be used to wrap vehicles, trailers, and boats. This non-PVC, highly-conformable luster film is an environmentally friendly option for those looking for a “greener” solution.
Arlon
Arlon overlaminates are designed to protect and prolong the life of a graphic. Products include Series 3200 Optically Clear, a premium, high-gloss optically clear overlaminate; Series 3210, 3220, and 3270 premium cast overlaminates; and the Series 3420 calendared overlaminate.
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions
Avery Dennison offers a variety of overlaminate films that can be used for vehicle wraps. The most recent overlaminate product launch is the DOL Max series, which offers two new products, DOL 1060 Max (2.1-mil) and DOL 1360 Max (1.3-mil). These overlaminates offer extended durability—up to seven year vertical and up to two year horizontal protection in zone 1—and pair perfectly with MPI 1105 Easy Apply digital wrapping film.
The company also offers the DOL Z overlaminate series, which includes product offerings in gloss (DOL 1060Z and DOL 1360Z), matte (DOL 1080Z and DOL 1380Z), and luster finishes (DOL 1370Z). DOL 1060Z offers up to five year vertical durability in zone 1, while DOL 1360Z offers up to four year vertical durability in zone 1.
Avery Dennison also offers two PVC-free overlaminate products, DOL 6460 (gloss) and DOL 6470 (luster). These polyurethane films offer exceptional value for applications requiring abrasion resistance and conformability. DOL 6460 and DOL 6470 also offer durability up to six years vertical and three years horizontal in zone 1.
Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives
In 2022, Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives introduced vehicle wrap films to the U.S. industry. Its product portfolio, Ri-Jet, is a digitally printable media for vehicle graphics.
Flexcon
Necessary for protection from abrasion, heat, moisture, chemicals and sunlight, Flexcon overlaminates come in smooth or textured finishes and with or without UV protection for both indoor and outdoor applications. Certain products also include printability for variable information via thermal transfer, digital, and other methods.
General Formulations
Among its vehicle wrap overlaminates, General Formulations offers GF 231 Automark Wrap Laminate, GF 240 Automark Wrap Laminate, GF 242 OptiMark Gloss Optically Clear Cast UV Laminate, GF 813 AutoMark High Gloss Cast Clear Wrap Laminate, GF 831 2.0 mil gloss clear UV cast wrap laminate, GF 840 AutoMark matte cast clear wrap laminate, and and GF844 Automark ulti-matte cast clear wrap laminate.
Graphic Finishing Products, LLC (Gfp)
Gfp has two overlaminates for partial or spot wrapping. Its OD product is a five year polymeric PVC and its new Self-Wound film can be used for flat decals and partial non-contour or stretched applications.
Mactac
Mactac offers a range of overlaminate options for vehicle wraps, including Rayzor. This is a 1.5-mil matte or gloss cast laminate designed for long-term outdoor, marine, fleet, or vehicle markings on flat, curved, corrugated, riveted surfaces, and textured wall applications. It also offers Rayzor 1.5-mil cast gloss with a PET liner for an optically clear overlaminate.
ORAFOL
ORAFOL features a range of laminating films within its sign and display tapes segment ideal for vehicle graphics, including ORAGUARD 289F, ORAGUARD 290, ORGAUARD 290F, ORAGUARD 293, and ORAGUARD 297GF.
Great Selection
Many media suppliers offer overlaminates meant to protect printed vehicle graphics. These films are essential to the success of a wrap.
Read more about overlaminates for vehicle wraps in the March issue of Digital Output.
Mar2024, Digital Output
