a newly formulated technology to adapt to flat, curved, or shaped surfaces while allowing for quick installation. The line, which features both gloss and matt finishes, have been developed to offer a high mechanical resistance, ensuring long-lasting durability without losing aesthetic quality. For digital printing, the PowerJet range offers two key options, namely gloss white and gloss metallic silver. Both vinyls are designed for UV and latex printers, reportedly providing strong colour reproduction and fast drying of inks. APA is also in the process of designing solutions for solvent and eco-solvent printers. Speaking of the range, Bell asserts: “Here at APA, we are always looking for the ‘next best thing’ and strive to always improve anywhere we can. Our latest PowerJet wrap material achieves exactly this. It is a product of hard work and dedication, fuelled by feedback from our customers to achieve a user friendly, easy to apply, stable cast wrap material with excellent aesthetics and high gloss.” More Materials Manifested For Pen Webley, 3M’s commercial branding and transportation marketer, the choice for signage companies to expand their offerings into wrapping is a no-brainer. “Signage companies are often the first point of contact for exterior and interior branding projects”, he posits, “so growing their skill set and service offerings in vehicle wrapping will help them deliver a complete service to their customers, providing an end-to-end service.” Manufacturer 3M film wrap portfolio has continued to expand over the years. The company now offers an extensive range of solutions, including printable and protection film products. Its latest printable film, the Print Wrap Film IJ280, was reportedly designed in response to feedback from installers worldwide, who wanted improved print quality, clarity, and colour depth in comparison to previous incarnations. The IJ280 introduces 3M’s new Comply v4 air release technology which, as Webley explains: “It channels airflow for smooth results with minimal heat, applies faster, and without fear of rework”. As with many modern wrap products, the film has been designed to combine initial repositionability with strong adhesive qualities once set. Webley highlights a range of advance63 Issue 258 - April / May 2025 email: editor@signlink.co.uk ments seen in wrapping in recent years, increasing the speed of application, quality of prints, and durability of wrapping products. “Improvements in conformability, ease of repositioning, and reduction of initial tack all help aid application in terms of quality and time taken”, he says. “Print quality remains top of the list of must-have features, combined with a choice of overlaminates, which helps wrappers offer a wide range of designs for their customers.” 3M were one of a range of major manufacturers at Wrapfest 2024, a UK-based show for vinyl installation and vehicle wrapping professionals which took place at Silverstone race circuit. The manufacturer unveiled its new Protection Wrap Film at the event – the non-PVC series, which is designed to allow for a combination of personalisation ▲ 3M’s Print Wrap Film IJ280 offers improved print quality, clarity, and colour depth in comparison to previous incarnations Although the view from the outside looking into this industry might make it seem like not much has changed, there have been some really major advancements in technology and product WRAPPING MATERIALS
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