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.

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.

Epson America, Avery Dennison and SkinzWraps have joined forces for a second year in a row to produce and display a custom wrap on an exotic sports car. A 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia, worth an estimated $250,000, will be on display in Epson’s booth at SEMA 2011 (Specialty Equipment Market Association) in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-4. In addition, Epson, Avery Dennison and SkinzWraps will be hosting daily live wrapping demonstrations of a Smart Car in Epson’s booth, #12173.

The custom wrap entitled “Burning Down The House” was designed, printed and applied by SkinzWraps using an Epson Stylus® Pro GS6000 printer and Avery® MPI 1005 SuperCast media. At the conclusion of the show, the car will be transformed quickly and easily back to its original design. In addition, Epson, SkinzWraps and Avery Dennison will demonstrate how vehicle wraps are printed and installed by applying a different wrap to a 2012 Smart Car on each day of the show live in the booth.

“After the success and enthusiasm of the wrapped Bugatti Veyron at SEMA last year, we were excited to tackle another supercar project with Avery Dennison and SkinzWraps,” said Reed Hecht, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America. “In addition, the live demonstrations of a Smart Car being wrapped on the show floor give show attendees a firsthand look at the technology, details and skills involved in creating a wrapped vehicle.”

The Ferrari 458 Italia has garnered over 30 international awards and is derived from a shared Ferrari/Maserati design. The two-seater berlinetta benefits from the company’s Formula 1 experience, and is powered by a 4.5-liter, 8-cylinder engine that produces 562 horsepower. The powerful engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission enable it to achieve 0-62 mph in less than 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 202 mph.

“The Ferrari 458 Italia has been called a synthesis of ’style, creative flair, passion, and cutting-edge technology,’ which is exactly how we feel about our business and our work with the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000,” said Peter Salaverry, CEO, SkinzWraps. “The Epson GS6000 combined with the Avery 1005 SuperCast media allows us to produce rich, vibrant colors and deep blacks with amazing details that make it worthy of being on a Ferrari 458 Italia.”

Check out this video Absolute Perfection posted of a vehicle wrapping job on a Zombie Escape vehicle. Just in time for Halloween!

Vehicle wrap

Vehicle wrapping specialist, Creative FX, has ‘chromed’ a 1994 Rover Metro Tahiti for Channel 5 TV programme, Fifth Gear.

The Metro, which was originally blue, was wrapped in chrome and carbon vinyl on Thursday 22nd September as a part of a feature for the channel 5 automotive series. Presenter Jonny Smith says, “Vinyl wrapping has become a real trend in the automotive world and we wanted to find out more about how it’s done and see what a difference it can make to the look of a car… even an old banger like this one.”

It took the vehicle wrapping specialists less than a day to transform the car, but Jonny admits it’s not as easy as Creative FX make it look. “It’s convinced me is that this is not a DIY job; not on your nelly. It’s very easy to get it wrong and there’s a very fine line between good and crap, especially with chrome.

“What comes across is the attention to detail. I’ve seen some vinyl wrapping before but never a full wrap. I’m blown away by the professionalism. These guys are used to wrapping the top marques but even though this car is a bit of a laugh, it didn’t stop their dedication to the job and they’ve made it absolutely as good as it can be. The first thing people will do, with type of work is look closely at the detail and they will be impressed.”

Sean Davis, Director at Creative FX, says, “It’d be a great car to have – it might not be to everyone’s taste, but it’ll certainly make you stand out from the crowd!”

“I’m really interested to know what the next big thing will be,” says Jonny. “We’ve had matt black, carbon fibre and chrome; what’s next? I’d like to have a wood effect wrap; people would really notice that,” he concludes.

The programme will be aired on Friday 28th October at 7.30pm on Channel 5.

Creative FX is a Bromley-based signage and display company specialising in vehicle liveries and automotive services, as well as shop signs and digital wallpaper.

We specialise in the design, production and installation of vehicle wraps for both the commercial and retail sectors. Any design can be used, from simple text and logo to a fully photographic vehicle wrap.

As well as wrapping individual vehicles, the Creative FX team has also carried out projects for major car manufacturers, and has completed numerous special commission projects for events and charities, such as: Arsenal FC (Teenage Cancer Trust); Mazda (618 vehicles wrapped in Belgium); Skoda (Fastest 2 litre production car ever); and two chrome Audi R8s auctioned at Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball for £620,000.

Creative FX also provides stone chip protection and window tinting services, and is an authorised supplier of vehicle badging for a number of leading car manufacturers including Volkswagen Group, Audi UK, Nissan GB, Toyota GB, Subaru UK, Kia Motors, Hyundai UK and Renault UK.