This is the first and only book dedicated to this popular and growing segment of the sign and vehicle graphics industries. Craig Campbell offers the benefits of his years of experience with vinyl products, ...
Specialty films provide high-impact graphics.
With the new year in full swing, it’s time to look at some new products, applications and ideas. Do you have customers who’d like to add some pizzazz to their graphics packages? Are you tired of using the same old colors in your shop?
This month, we’ll examine how some specialty, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) films can enhance your client’s graphics. We’ll define what makes a PSA film “special” and what specific applications benefit from adding some extra “oomph.”
Is it special or not?
“Specialty” films are graphic marking films that aren’t your normal opaque calendered or cast plotter films. Examples include metallics or metal-foil, translucent, transparent, holographic and textured films.
I also think reflective films fit in the specialty category, but they’re really a separate PSA class (see ST, July 2006, page 20).
You’ve probably seen these films in your favorite vinyl manufacturer’s catalog, but wondered, “When will I ever use this stuff?” That time is now. The signage and graphics industry is still experiencing huge growth and shows no signs of slowing. Such films, which were novelties, are now being considered
by architects, interior designers and major corporations. This has fueled everyday business owners to look for something different from graphics providers.
Specialty films for vehicle graphics
Vehicle and fleet graphics, one of our industry’s best advertising forms, deliver a company’s message in a very cost-effective way. However, some clients may compete with several other companies
that provide the same services. So, when you advise them how they can attract more attention to their businesses, you can offer different ways to enhance their vehicles’ or fleet’s appearance.
Specialty films that always get a second look, metallics, come in various colors and contain metal flakes in their formulations, which is what really makes the product “pop.” Consider using this film to accent a graphic, such as shad¬owing text, or even to fill in a field of color in a logo.
However, don’t use a metallic color for every aspect of the company logo or message – that’s just tacky. Most major vinyl suppliers sell their own metallic-film versions. Make sure you stick to the cast products, because metal¬lics’ durability ratings are lower than opaques’, and you want to get maximum life from the film.
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