3M Commercial Graphics announces the introduction of a stunning new color/finish combination to its 3M™ Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080 – Brushed Black Metallic. The unique film color was selected in the recent Wrap Battle: 1080 contest, which asked fans of the product to vote for their favorite new color and finish on Facebook. More than 500 fans of 3M Commercial Graphics cast their votes, with Brushed Black Metallic emerging as the clear winner among the nine contenders.

“The Brushed Black Metallic film creates a very tough, aggressive look that really pops in the light,” said Shareef Khan, CEO of SS Customs, a leading custom wrap shop based in Redwood City, Calif. “I’ve used metalized films from other companies in the past, and they don’t have anywhere near as much flexibility or stretchability as Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080. We really appreciate the research and development that 3M puts into their films. You can see in the way that it performs, the way it adheres, and the way the air releases that 3M utilizes the most advanced technology.”

With this new addition, Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080 now has 34 head-turning films in carbon fiber, brushed metal, matte and high gloss. As fans of the product know, film series 1080 makes a distinctive statement, providing industry-leading features and benefits that allow users to get the look just right, each and every time.

The long-term, removable cast films offer the same great installation features found on 3M Controltac Graphic Films with Comply Adhesive. The product’s pressure-activated adhesive allows it to slide and be repositioned until firm pressure is applied, with non-visible air release channels that assure fast, easy, and virtually bubble-free installations. Its 60 inch width means that users can wrap almost any section of a vehicle without seams, and the film remains removable for up to three years, making it easy to change looks. The film is also backed by the industry leading 3M MCS Warranty.

Diversified technology company 3M is proud to have played a part in promoting Richard Parks’ 737 Challenge: a world first race to climb the 7 highest summits on each of the world’s continents and stand on all 3 poles in 7 months.

The Cardiff branch of the UK’s largest signage company, Signs Express, was commissioned by the endeavour to wrap a new Audi A1 to raise awareness of the 737 Challenge. They chose the high-performance, ultra-conformable Controltac Graphic Film IJ380 by 3M, printed with striking graphics for the perfect finish. The fully wrapped vehicle made an appearance at the Dragons vs. Blues rugby match, televised in April 2011, and helped raise funds for the Challenge.

Richard Parks made history on 12 July 2011 becoming the first ever person to climb the famous 7 summits and stand on all 3 poles (The North Pole, The South Pole and the summit of Everest) in the same calendar year. He achieved his incredible world first in 6 months, 11 days, 7 hours and 53 minutes and aims to raise £1 million in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Part of his epic fundraising is a competition running until midnight on 12 July 2012, in which supporters wanting to help Richard raise £1 million in aid of Marie Curie have the opportunity to win a brand new Audi A1 (without its wrapping), donated by Mon Motors Audi. More information is available at: http://www.737challenge.com/

It was a perfect mix of graphic design and implementation, according to Emma Assender, fundraising executive for the 737 Challenge. “We engaged limegreentangerine, our design partners based in Cardiff, to design an eye catching wrap and Signs Express to carry that forward into the car graphics. They have done a fantastic job, enabling the 737 Challenge team and Mon Motors Audi to carry our message out on the streets. The car looks fantastic”.

Controltac Graphic Film IJ380 was used to provide the eye-catching look that combines black-and-white photography with rugged rough edges and complex typography. Suitable for high-quality screen printing and piezo inkjet printing, the film is combined with 3M’s Controltac Adhesive, which allows vehicle wrappers to slide and reposition the graphic before using pressure to activate the adhesive. Furthermore, using vinyl wrapping film rather than traditional car graphics means the vehicle remains immaculate with its original paintwork protected from stone chips and every day wear-and-tear.

Grant Zehetmayr, co-owner of Signs Express (Cardiff), commented, “As a keen extreme sports fan and graphic arts enthusiast myself, it’s been a great project to be involved in. My skilled sign makers have completed vehicle wraps for previous customers on this scale but never with such a high profile and for such a worthwhile cause. The recently reformulated 3M film was a dream to print and wrap.”

As part of its continuous improvement policy, Controltac Graphic Film IJ380 been optimised further for high quality print performance, as Kim Brewer, marketing manager with 3M’s Commercial Graphics Division, explained: “We recognise that graphic quality and finish are of utmost importance and are delighted that 3M was able to perform such an excellent job for Signs Express and the 737 Challenge. This is yet another demonstration of how vinyl wraps can create unique, attention-grabbing and impressive results.”

More than 500 fans of 3M Commercial Graphics recently voted in “Wrap Battle: 1080,” a contest to choose the next color and finish for 3M Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080. By an overwhelming margin, voters selected Brushed Black Metallic from the nine color/finish contenders. The new film will be available in January 2012.

The contest was held on the Facebook page of 3M Commercial Graphics. After fans voted on their preferred color/finish combination, they were encouraged to share their choice with their Facebook friends, and then were entered in the sweepstakes to win a roll of the selected film.

Brushed Black Metallic received more than twice the votes of the next nearest finisher. The breakdown of the 554 total votes in the contest was as follows:

·     Brushed Black Metallic: 38%

·     Gloss Red Metallic: 15%

·     Carbon Fiber Blue: 12%

·     Matte Pink: 9%

·     Matte Blue: 7%

·     Carbon Fiber Gold:  6%

·      Matte Orange: 5%

·     Carbon Fiber Red: 5%

·      Matte Red: 3%

In the U.S., Evan Chan of La Habra, Calif., was the winner of a free roll, while Craig Stratton of Mount Pearl in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador won the prize in Canada.

“We are constantly evolving and improving our products to give our customers what they want,” said Doug Blackwell, business development manager for 3M Commercial Graphics. “This contest allowed us to communicate directly with users of our products, and we are thrilled with their response. Brushed black metallic will make an outstanding addition to our line.”

Scotchprint wrap film series 1080 has been embraced by car enthusiasts thanks to its variety of finishes, textures and colors. Film series 1080 is a long-term, removable, dual-cast film that offers graphics installers the same convenient installation features found on 3M Controltac Graphic Films with 3M Comply Adhesive. The film is slideable and repositionable, with a pressure-activated adhesive and non-visible air release channels to allow virtually bubble-free applications. The film is also backed by the industry leading 3M MCS Warranty, bringing peace of mind to discriminating users who require optimum performance.

3M Commercial Graphics announces its most budget-friendly addition to its product line—3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series IJ10 and Series IJ11. Dynamic enough for inkjet printing with UV, solvent, eco solvent and latex inks, Scotchcal graphic film series IJ10 and series IJ11 provide users with an economy solution.

The films come in 50-meter (164-foot) rolls offering users an extra 63 square feet as compared to typical 50-yard rolls. Perfect for permanent adhesive applications such as interior and exterior signage, decals and P.O.P. graphics, film series IJ10 and series IJ11 are 3.1-mil vinyl products with a clear (film IJ10) or gray-colored (film IJ11) permanent, pressure-sensitive adhesive. Available in gloss and matte finishes, the films have a heavier liner than most comparable competitor products to help the material resist buckling – even through the rigors of digital latex printing. For added versatility, film IJ10-114 is a clear product that can be used as both a digitally printable clear film and an overlaminate.

“Customers have come to know us for premium products, but we also understand their need for basic, low-cost solutions,” said Adam Larson, marketing supervisor, 3M Commercial Graphics. “Now, in addition to our premium and intermediate products, film series IJ10 and series IJ11 round out 3M’s offerings with options for even the most frugal needs. So whether customers want all the bells and whistles, or just the basics, 3M has the solution.”

MACtac Graphic Products introduces its new line of sustainable digital print media and overlaminate series  IMAGin Verde VM1229P and PERMACOLOR Verde VL1000 series. IMAGin Verde VM1229P is a 100 percent chlorine- and phthalate-free film designed for indoor or medium-term outdoor advertising and promotional applications on flat or slightly curved surfaces. PERMACOLOR Verde VL1000 series overlaminates are a family of intermediate pressure-sensitive adhesive coated, clear overlaminating films available in gloss, matte and lustre finishes.

IMAGin Verde VM1229P is intended for use in a variety of applications including indoor and outdoor signage, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, product identification labels, bumper stickers, short-term OEM decals and window graphics.

“With the introduction of IMAGin Verde VM1229P and PERMACOLOR Verde VL1000 overlaminates, MACtac is able to offer more environmentally friendly products to our customers,” stated Mary Ann Kucera, marketing manager, MACtac Graphic Products. “In addition, these products offer a greener alternative to vinyl wide-format media and laminates and satisfy end users looking to use more sustainable materials.”

MACtac’s IMAGin Verde VM1229P is a 3.1-mil gloss white, topcoated polypropylene film. Featuring an 86# kraft liner, it offers a permanent, grey, acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive for excellent hiding power. IMAGin Verde VM1229P is intended for wide-format, eco-solvent, solvent-based, latex and UV-cured inkjet printing.

PERMACOLOR Verde overlaminates VL1000 are 3.1-mil polypropylene films coated on one side with a clear acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. Featuring a 60# coated kraft liner, PERMACOLOR Verde overlaminates VL1000 are designed for indoor or short-term outdoor applications and available in a variety of surface finishes.

PERMACOLOR Verde overlaminates VL1000 can be laminated to photographic prints, transparencies and digital images including solvent and eco-solvent and water-based inkjet prints to impart protection from abrasion, moisture and other potentially damaging effects in both indoor and outdoor environments.

The full line of MACtac Graphic Products: IMAGin, PERMACOLOR, MACmark and REBEL provides a pressure-sensitive solution for every signage need. Whatever technology–wide-format digital printing, mounting and laminating, CAS or screen printing–MACtac has you covered.

New IMAGin ROODLE RO628 enables vinyl wall graphics to go to the edge for the production of removable wall graphics. As a specialty adhesive from MACtac Graphic Products, the borderless media advances the possibilities for wall vinyl graphics.

IMAGin ROODLE RO628 is a robust removable vinyl with a thick facestock that eliminates the need for a laminate for handling. It is ideal for wall murals, posters, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, removable decals and other large graphics on smooth, flat surfaces.

“We’re pleased to introduce an easy to install vinyl wall media which is great for borderless graphics,” said Mary Ann Kucera, marketing manager, MACtac Graphic Products. “IMAGin ROODLE removes the limitations associated with some vinyl wall graphics and opens the door to a wide range of possibilities.”

A specialty wall vinyl, IMAGin ROODLE RO628 is a 6.0-mil matte white, semi-rigid calendered PVC film. It features an aggressive removable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and a 90# SuperFlat polyethylene-coated kraft liner. It is also designed for wide-format , eco-solvent, solvent-based, latex, UV-cured inkjet, screen printing and off-set printers using UV inks or plastic/oxidizing inks.

IMAGin ROODLE RO628 has an outdoor durability of up to three years. In addition, it can be cleanly removed from most surfaces up to two years after application.

The full line of MACtac Graphic Products: IMAGin, PERMACOLOR, MACmark and REBEL provides a pressure-sensitive solution for every signage need. Whatever technology “wide-format digital printing, mounting and laminating, CAS or screen printing” MACtac has you covered.

MACtac Graphic Products introduces MACmark Tuning Films, the market’s widest range of carbon fiber and matte wrapping films for a variety of custom wrap applications. These films are designed for complete or partial vehicle wraps, interior vehicle trim, laptops, game consoles, cell phones and more.

“MACmark Carbon Fiber Tuning Films feature a very detailed and authentic pattern which allows for no waves or irregularities with a flexible and conformable facestock,” stated Jason Yard, marketing specialist, MACtac Graphic Products. :In developing this product, we listened to the needs of automotive and specialty application customization providers and developed an easy-to-use product based on customer desire and application needs.”

MACmark Matte Tuning Films can be used for complete vehicle color change, racing and rally stripes, vehicle detailing or any other type of automotive customization. Both matte black and matte white provide a unique alternative to gloss paints, and the automotive aftermarket industry has embraced this trend as one of the fastest growing.

MACtac’s Tuning Film faces are 6.9-mil cadmium-free polymeric vinyl and are available in five carbon fiber colors including black, white, silver, gold and graphite plus matte white and matte black. The black matte and white matte have a repositionable adhesive with a true zero-glare matte finish resistant to fingerprints and smudges. In addition, they are resistant to most oils and grease, fuels, aliphatic solvents, weak acids, salts and alkalis. The Carbon Fiber Tuning Film is coated with a high-performance micro-structured (bubble-free) permanent, acrylic adhesive for easy application. It also features an 80# polycoated release liner for added stability and layflat with a light grey “MACtac” back printing.

The full line of MACtac Graphic Products: IMAGin, PERMACOLOR, MACmark and REBEL provides a pressure-sensitive solution for every signage need. Whatever technology–wide-format digital printing, mounting and laminating, CAS or screen printing–MACtac has you covered.