3M's New Films and Inks for Fleet Graphics

At the recent SGIA show, 3M announced several new products including: Scotchlite? Intermediate Reflective Graphic Film Series 5100R, Controltac? Plus Changeable Graphic Films, and Piezo Ink Jet Ink Series 2600UV.

The Scotchlite 5100R is a durable, flexible retroreflective white film that produces similar day and night-time visibility and retains 90% of its retroreflectivity even when wet. It is designed for use on flat or moderately curved aluminum or painted surfaces such as buses, commercial vehicles, and fleets. It can be printed using electrostatic, piezo inkjet, or thermal transfer systems. The graphics are removable (heat may be required) within three years with little or no adhesive residue. It comes in 36- and 48-in. widths.

Controltac Plus Changeable Graphic Films with Comply? Performance are designed specifically for short-term advertising and promotional campaigns and are especially good for automotive wraps as well as bus and media company fleet wraps. The 2-mil films will conform to compound curves and remove without heat, leaving little or no adhesive residue. The two-year warranty covers graphics applied to flat or simple curves. Like all Controltac films with Comply Performance, these films are highly positionable and the adhesive channels virtually eliminate bubbles–making the final graphic look better and install faster. The new films include 8652C for electrostatic printing and RG3552C and IJ3552C for piezo inkjet printing. The electrostatic and piezo films require an overlaminate.

The new Piezo Ink Jet Ink Series 2600UV are flexible, durable UV-curable piezo inks that are designed for use on the 3M Printer 2500UV. These inks will allow printed graphics to conform to compound curves including corrugations and rivets. With the new inks, 3M Printer 2500UV users can now print fleet graphics. The inks are designed for use with 2- and 4-mil Controltac Plus Graphic Films, Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Films, and even on many fabrics. Finished graphics are warranted for up to five years. (3M: www.mmm.com)