By Melissa Donovan
The proper adhesive, liner, and material helps to complete a successful vehicle wrap installation. Today’s newest film and media products boast updates to release liners, repositionability, bubble-free installation, and bonding strength.
The March issue of Digital Output—as well as a webinar now available online at digitaloutput.net—takes a look at these major components that go into crafting effective vehicle wrap media.
We compiled a look at all of the vendors who offer materials in this space here and share some of the newest iterations of their application technologies for vehicle wrap applications.
3M Commercial Solutions bills its 3M Print Wrap Film IJ280 as one of the company’s most technologically advanced film solutions. Based on 3M’s research, it is up 20 percent faster to install and proven to lift two times less compared to previous 3M products and other competitive options. 3M Print Wrap Film IJ280 features a new, proprietary adhesive with optimized initial tack, slide, and repositionability and is equipped with 3M Comply v4 Air Release for maximum air flow and smooth results.
Arlon Graphics, LLC’s newest innovation is SLX+. Superior repositionability, conforming effortlessly around rivets, complex curves, and deep channels, the performance benefits of FLITE Technology and more are involved this product. With a moderate tack adhesive and quick-flow characteristics, SLX+ ensures the easiest installation in both hot and cold temperatures. With the ability to adhere to more challenging vehicle surfaces sign shops can easily adapt and install on multiple surfaces.
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions continues to innovate with products like the MPI 1105 Supercast film, which combines superior printability with conformability and durability. This material is ideal for digitally printed vehicle wraps and provides vibrant, long-lasting graphics that adhere seamlessly to complex surfaces. Additionally, the Supreme Wrapping Film portfolio has expanded with new finishes and colors, offering more design options for both personal and commercial vehicle wraps. Technologies like Easy Apply RS adhesive ensure effortless installation and long-term performance.
General Formulations recently introduced two new laminates to its expanding AutoMark Cast line of products—GF 813 AutoMark Cast 1.3 Mil Gloss Clear and GF 844 AutoMark Cast 2.0 Mil Ulti-Matte Clear. GF 813 is a high gloss and highly conformable laminate with maximized flexibility. GF 844 is a conformable laminate with a pure matte finish. GF AutoMark Cast laminate and film solutions are specially engineered for full vehicle wraps, partial wraps, fleet graphics as well as long-term applications where a high-quality cast laminate is required. The AutoMark cast films are highly conformable with maximized flexibility, enhanced slideability, and superior repositionability. The AutoMark cast laminates provide graphic protection from UV exposure, moisture, and abrasion.
Omega-Skinz is the brand name of a line of film products developed by Grafityp and SOTT International. Omega-Skinz wrapping film is constructed in a different way than many conventional films. Omega-Skinz consists of different layers that absorb the film tensions during stretching and deformation. The top layer is a transparent PVC film, which gives the bottom layer extra color depth. Omega-Skinz wrapping film is cast as a two-pass or three-pass system, whereby the different layers eventually form one homogeneous layer. The result is a strong, stable film during application, which becomes very soft and supple when heated with a heat gun or infrared lamp. Both properties are ideal for large surfaces and complex shapes such as bumpers, spoilers, and door handles.
Hexis announced at the SEMA show in November 2024 new colors in its SKINTAC HX20000 line—including Century Green Gloss and Scottish Green Gloss. The wrap vinyl portfolio consists of a multilayered cast PVC film and a release liner; with structured HEX’Press adhesive. It is specially designed for full wraps. Thanks to its thickness it preserves its color even under strong deformation. It is convenient and effortless to apply and remove. HX20000 makes application easy thanks to its structured adhesive that facilitates air egress.
FDC Graphic Film, Inc.’s Lumina by FDC 7128 Print Media is a premium cast vinyl wrap film with a low profile air egress adhesive designed for printing vehicle wraps. It offers long-term durability and conformability with clean removal. This product features a repositionable opaque adhesive, which provides easy application without bubbles or wrinkles.
Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives Ri-Jet C50 Ultimate S&T has set a new standard in vehicle wrap technology. It features a flexible and durable cast face film with up to 12 years of durability, a low-tack adhesive, and a micro-embossed liner. This combination provides slideability, excellent repositioning, and effective air bubble evacuation through adhesive micro-channels. Additionally, the cast face film has the unique ability to shrink in both machine and cross directions when heated, simplifying installation on convex surfaces. Additionally, Fedrigoni is excited to launch a new range of color-change films later in 2025, offering the same installation benefits.
Mactac IMAGin B-free Slide-able GRUV is the company’s newest wrap product. It offers a vertically integrated liner from Lintec and a specialty adhesive system—bubble-free air egress acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive with an omni-directional invisible adhesive pattern.
ORAFOL Americas’ ORAJET 3971RA+ ProSlide is a 2-mil cast polyurethane non-PVC wrapping film that conforms over complex curves and recesses. The 88# PE-coated silicone paper release liner features RapidAir+ and ProSlide technology to facilitate quicker, easier application. RapidAir allows air bubbles to easily escape underneath the film, whereas ProSlide enables installers to easily position the wrap film into place due to its optimized repositionability.
More to Look Fore
As it is early in the new year and many vendors have alluded to plans to launch new products in this space, we look forward to reporting back on this topic later in 2025.
Mar2025, Digital Output
