ing – with colour and design. But it’s not necessary to fight what’s already there or to ignore the natural finish of the surface. Applying a mural or decal to bare bricks or concrete can really complement an industrial space or heritage property.” In terms of floor graphics, Broad says there has been something of a shift from during the pandemic to post-Covid times, with many having a surplus of floor materials. He explains that there is plenty of potential for application opportunities and business growth in this area. and do it right the first time than have to repeat.” With this, Collins draws attention to the Antalis range, explaining that its adhesive options are on a sliding scale from removable and repositionable to high tack, adding that they all have a place depending on the application. Most of Antalis’ new self-adhesive products are more environmentally friendly alternatives to PVC. These include Coala PP Stick and Coala Paper Stick for both external and internal applications, as well as the new Coala Walldesign Stick R smooth matt wallpaper with a repositionable adhesive. Antalis partner Drytac also recently announced its Zero range with polypropylene versions of its popular ReTac adhesive that does not gain tack. In addition, new to the market is UV printable Orajet 3720 and 3740 polypropylene film with removable and permanent adhesive that Collins says is at a price point on par with conventional PVC. Stand the Test of Time Switching attention to Drytac, Steve Broad, sales director for EMEA and Asia at the specialist supplier, says the company is seeing great demand for wall and floor graphics, with large demand in particular for materials that can stick to rough surfaces such as brick or concrete. “For any wall or floor graphics application, it’s essential that the graphic itself will stand the test of time,” Broad explains, adding: “Bricks and concrete, being rough and porous, are not the easiest surfaces to work with, but these tips should help you achieve great results. “Graphics can be incredibly impactful, changing a room – or even a whole build- “Consumers’ new-found familiarisation with floor graphics opens a host of opportunities for new forms of interaction,” Broad says, adding: “For example, retailers can print specific offers on the graphic and direct the customer to where this can be found in the store. A play on the one-way systems that we became used to in Covid time, if you will. “What makes floor graphics so unique is that they can be used in almost any environment that you can think of and for all sorts of reasons. Floor graphics come in such an array of forms they are sure to have a major role to play in the post-pandemic period and beyond. “This flexibility is also true in terms of the surfaces that floor graphics can be applied to, both indoor and outdoor. Films and vinyls, including those available from Drytac, are suitable for use on floor tiles, wood laminate flooring, and short pile carpet indoors, as well as concrete, asphalt, tarmac, and concrete tiles outside.” Broad goes on to highlight some of the options available from Drytac, beginning with Drytac Polar Grip. This is a polymeric self-adhesive PVC film designed to deliver up to five years of indoor or outdoor durability due to a unique high-bond adhesive. It is flexible, making it ideal for curved or rough walls and comes in a choice of matte or gloss finishes. “For example, Drytac SpotOn products feature removable dot pattern adhesive science, making the media incredibly easy to apply and remove, making it the ideal choice for projects such as window, wall, and floor graphics,” Broad says. Another popular product range from Drytac is the Drytac Retac Smooth collection, which features items such as ReTac Smooth 150 for wall graphics. These films have permanently peelable adhesive sciAntalis’ range of adhesive options is on a sliding scale from removable and repositionable to high tack Factoid 68 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 248 - August / September 2023 BACK TO BASICS / FLOOR AND WALL GRAPHICS ► Antalis says demand for floor graphics has gradually returned as retailers realise the benefit of under-utilised floorspace ► Drytac says consumers’ new-found familiarisation with floor graphics opens a host of opportunities for new forms of interaction
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