By Cassandra Balentine
The market for commercial vehicle wraps found on main streets and roadways is strong. However, an opportunity also exists for specialty vehicles like bulldozers, ATVs, dirt bikes, and boats.
In the past, adhesion and durability challenges hindered the ability of print service providers (PSPs) using traditional pressure-sensitive vinyl and films to aggressively target these applications. New high-tack media options address these concerns, opening the door to added revenue streams in the forms of non-traditional wraps.
The March issue of Digital Output discusses the potential of wrapping untraditional vehicles in detail. Click here to read the article. Below, we look at vendor offerings targeting these unique applications.
3M Commercial Solutions
According to Tim Boxeth, market manager, 3M, any of 3M’s printable film products work on specialty wrap installations, including 3M Wrap Film Series 1080, 3M Envision Print Wrap Films, or 3M Controltac Graphic Film with Comply v3 Adhesive IJ180Cv3.
“3M wrap films like 3M Envision Wrap Films and cast vinyl films are ideal for wrapping boats or vehicles made of painted metal, primarily due to their conformability/lifting resistance, slideability, and air release,” he says.
However, he explains that when it comes to adhering to low surface energy plastics, PSPs need a special adhesive that adheres to challenging substrates common on dirt bikes, ATVs, and snowmobiles. For this, the company provides its 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series 3690LF and a value-based calendared 3M Scotchcal High Tack Graphic Film IJ39 that incorporates this special adhesive.
“To achieve an even higher durability than traditional wrap overlaminates on flat to simple curved applications where one might find higher abrasion—rocks and sand—use an overlaminate like 3M Scotchgard Graphic and Surface Protection Film 8991 to provide that gouge resistance and durability,” advises Boxeth.
He adds that it is important with this overlaminate to make sure any solvents in the ink are completely dry before laminating to prevent bubbling.
Arlon Graphics, LLC
Arlon offers its DPF 8000, which is a printable, industrial-grade film with an adhesive suitable for hard-to-stick surfaces. It is compatible with eco-solvent, solvent, UV, and latex ink systems. The high-tack adhesive system makes this media ideal for plastic dirt bikes to textured wall graphics.
Aslan, Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
The company’s UltraTack Aslan DFP 07 features a special adhesive with high adhesive strength designed for applications that require a permanent adhesive or different surfaces such as plastics. A double-sided PE-coated release liner offers flatness, moist stability, and ensures consistent feeding. It is printable with solvent, eco-solvent, latex, and UV-curable ink.
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions
Avery Dennison recently launched its Hi-Tack Easy Apply technology films, designed for use on low energy substrates found on ATVs, boats, snowmobiles, and industrial equipment such as diggers, excavators, and cranes.
Several of the company’s products are available with its Hi-Tack Easy Apply Adhesive, including MPI 1006, a 2-mil cast film designed for use on flat, simple, and complex curves; MPI 2126, a digitally printable calendared film with a matte finish that is durable for up to six years; SC 900 Supercast films, which are opaque, cast vinyl films that can be screenprinted or sign cut and are durable for up to 12 years; and HP 700 High Performance films, which are opaque, calendared films that can be screenprinted or sign cut and are durable for up to six years.
Both the SC 900 Supercast films and HP 700 High Performance films come in a range of colors and finishes that can be custom ordered with Hi-Tack Easy Apply adhesive.
Joey Heiob, technical sales representative, Avery Dennison, says Hi-Tack Easy Apply Adhesive offers adhesion levels generally found in higher performance products at the cost of a general permanent adhesive.
General Formulations
General Formulations offers Concept 235 MotoMark Matte White 4 mil Grip Vinyl—five year, and Concept 238 MotoMark Gloss Clear 12 mil Armor UV Laminate—five year. These films are specifically designed for low surface energy applications where durability is a must.
Hexis
Hexis offers its VCR100WG1 cast vinyl media featuring a high-tack adhesive for low energy surfaces including polypropylene and polyethylene. According to the company, these products are specially designed for full vehicle wraps, wall coverings, and complex curved surfaces and feature a combination of highly conformable cast vinyl films and HEX’PRESS adhesive technology.
Mactac Distributor Products
Mactac has an array of wrap products for non-traditional applications. Its IMAGin B-free GRUV series is well suited for boats and RVs where a slightly higher tack, conformability, and air egress are desired. Mactac’s REBEL H series features an adhesive designed for hard-to-stick applications and OEM style decals.
Orafol Americas
Orafol offers several products within its Orajet and Oraguard brands that cater to these specialized applications. Products such as the Orajet 3951HT feature a high-tack adhesive that is conformable so it works well with low energy plastics that come standard on dirt bikes and ATVs. “In looking at an application that may occur on a bulldozer, cement mixer, or dump truck, we offer extra protection of graphics using our Oraguard 280 Stone Guard Film—this is an 8-mil urethane-based laminate that can be used on not only extreme applications—such as a bulldozer—but on dirt bikes or boats,” says Craig Campbell, market manager – graphic products, Orafol.
Added Potential
The availability of durable media offerings featuring high-tack adhesives and conformability enable PSPs to explore opportunities outside of their comfort zone. Consider the possibilities for specialty wraps on vehicles of all surfaces, sizes, and environments.
Mar2016, Digital Output DOMARWRAP16
