First TrafficJet™ Xpress printer installed in France
By Matthan Evans - Jun 27, 2024
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions
August 7, 2024
Personalizing cars goes well beyond stereo equipment, rims or special lighting. Color change films can give vehicles a new, vibrant look that’s truly customized to your unique style. In this Q&A, three Avery Dennison experts aim to help car owners and enthusiasts take command of their car’s color options with color change vehicle wraps. The experts include:
Brittany Folino, Sr. Product Manager Automotive Aftermarket
Kristin Josepho, Social Media Manager
Ryan Allen, Technical Representative
Q: In your experience and based on color change film trends, how important is color for car restyling and customization?
Brittany: Our customers are “car enthusiasts / aficionados / experts / lovers / artists / etc.” One of the most significant ways of individualizing a vehicle is through color change. Whether it is a new color, a graphic design, crazy texture or finish - color change films give owners the ability to give their vehicle a personality with endless options. It's also the best way to express your personality on your vehicle as it's an extension of who you are. Without color, everyone's car looks exactly the same.
Q: What is a color change film, i.e. a “wrap”?
Brittany: A color change film, or “wrap”, is most commonly a vinyl casted film laid on a highly-specialized adhesive. The film is constructed to stretch and mold to the vehicle’s contours to deliver a seamless and smooth finish. Most wraps come in a variety of colors - Avery Dennison offers more than 120 unique color variations and finishes. Wraps go beyond the limited world of paints at a fraction of the cost and with a warranty when installed by a certified installer.
Q: What are the advantages of a wrap film?
Brittany: Wrap films have many advantages. For one, they allow individuals the opportunity to customize their vehicle to their own likes and preferences. People can express their styles and personalities through changing the color of their vehicle - to vibrant yellows, special effects like ColorFlow™ or even chrome. One could choose to re-paint their vehicle, but this is very expensive and the colors and finishes are more limited than the many color and finish options that come with wrap films.
Wrap films can also be installed nearly anywhere - compared to paint which must be applied in a sealed clean room. Wrap films do not require many additional tools like paints do, as well.
Likely the most popular advantage is that wrap film, including installation, is a more economical option - potentially even half of the price of paint, depending on which materials and installers are selected.
Q: What are the most popular types of color change film?
Brittany: Our research indicates Supreme Wrapping Film™ is one of the leading and most popular color change films in the industry. It is well known for its wide variety of colors, finishes and renowned ease of installation with the LTR EZRS (Long Term Removable, Easy Apply RS) adhesive and liner and flexible film construction.
Kristin: Conform Chrome products certainly generate a lot of attention on the road and in social media! These eye-catching, mirror-like color films are great for business promotion on trucks and vans, as well.
Brittany: We are also continuously investing in our automotive wrapping films - whether that is creating a more paint-like finish, or offering new and innovative styles. Supreme Wrapping Film will be the leader for many years to come, but I do foresee new types of wrap films being added in the near future.
Q: How many colors are in your car wrap portfolio?
Brittany: Today our Color Selector Guide has over 120 unique colors. And we are constantly adding new colors and matching existing colors with different finishes.
We make over 160 variations of colors and finishes in the Supreme Wrapping Film and Conform Chrome portfolios that are sold around the world. This includes some custom colors or region-specific colors. I tell you this to demonstrate that the options are seemingly endless!
Q: What are some of the most popular color change film colors? Satin, gloss, textures, shades, metallics?
Brittany: The highest volume colors and finishes in our portfolio are the blacks, whites, reds and grays - typically in both gloss and satin finishes. We also see high volume in colors that are used in fleet applications, like oranges and yellows.
Kristin: As you can likely tell from social media posts, our customers use and post about our vibrant and exciting colors like Satin Energetic Yellow, our metallics like Charcoal Gray Matte Metallic, and our ColorFlow™ products like Hidden Forest and Solar Dawn. Our unique matte finishes also do very well, even considering they are more nuanced styles. Carmine Red is a crowd pleaser, and Satin Black is one of the most popular colors, especially for Cybertrucks. Bubblegum Pink is on trend, perhaps a residual effect of the Barbie phenomenon. Additionally, Gloss Obsidian Black and anything with our Rugged textured film, like Combat Green, or Onyx Black are always popular.
Brittany: We will be launching a new set of bright colors this year - including pink, purple and green. These colors were specifically selected based on feedback from our customers and are sure to become favorites as well.
Q: How do you decide what colors to add to the Supreme Wrapping Film Portfolio each year?
Brittany: New colors are added based on a few factors, but development always starts with our customers’ input as I mentioned regarding the new colors launching this summer. I personally visit installation shops - I see both loyal customers of Avery Dennison and those that may also use some of our worthy competitor’s products. I ask for their feedback and input on what colors and styles they would like to see us develop. We of course always consult our R&D and operations team to ensure that any color or style we produce is of the highest quality using the best sourced raw materials and manufactured in a sustainable way. Our global product, marketing and sales team provide input based on what they have seen in other areas – fashion, OEM paint colors, home decor, etc.
We also have a best-in-class custom color matching service that specially formulates all of our colors. They consult us on what types of pigments or special effects, etc. are going to provide the best durability and performance.
Q: Are wrap films, like Supreme Wrapping Film, hard to care for, once it’s installed on a car?
Ryan: No, wrap films such as Avery Dennison’s Supreme Wrapping Film are designed to be relatively low-maintenance once installed. Proper care involves regular washing using mild soap and water, avoiding abrasive cleaners, and steering clear of automatic car washes with stiff brushes. Additionally, it’s advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals or extreme environmental conditions. With these simple steps, the wrap will maintain its vibrant look for years. Full care instructions can be found on our website.
Q: How do you make Supreme Wrapping Film colors so vibrant, or sparkle, or shift shades? Is it something to do with the color pigment?
Brittany: This is where R&D (Research and Development) comes in to make sure that a proposed pigment is going to be able to be processed and create a durable film. They take into account UV aging and environmental elements for a vehicle. Some pigments are notorious for fading as soon as they're in the sun, so the R&D team creates a quality product that can last. Avery Dennison has a very robust pigment testing and qualification system.
Q: Are there certain colors that are less sensitive to UV and some of the weathering elements?
Brittany: Black is definitely always going to be a good choice because you can't really see it. In general, it's the lighter shades that may be more susceptible to weathering. It also depends on where the car owner lives and what environmental elements the wrap will be exposed to.
Q: How long does a color wrap last?
Ryan: The longevity of a color wrap depends on several factors including the quality of the film, the conditions it is exposed to, and how well it is maintained. Avery Dennison’s Supreme Wrapping Film, for instance, may only be listed up to 10 years on vertical surfaces and 3 years on horizontal surfaces for durability, but could actually look amazing for years and years after. Regular maintenance and proper care can extend the life of the wrap and ensure it stays looking fresh. For specific warranty information, please refer to the film’s product data sheet.
Q: What should a car owner ask the installer or shop that is installing the wrap?
Ryan: Car owners should ask several key questions to ensure they get a quality wrap installation:
What type of wrap film do you use? Ensure they use high-quality films like Supreme Wrapping Film.
Can you show examples of your previous work? This will give an idea of their skill level and attention to detail.
Do you offer a warranty? What does the warranty cover? Understand the terms of the warranty, including what is covered and for how long.
How should I care for the wrap post-installation? Get specific instructions on maintenance to maximize the lifespan of the wrap.
What is the estimated turnaround time? Know how long the installation will take to plan accordingly.
What is the total cost, including any potential additional charges? Ensure there are no hidden fees or unexpected costs.
Q: Is there a price range for the typical installation?
Ryan: This will depend on where you are located, the type of material used, the size of the vehicle, and the complexity of the wrap. Commercial wraps are very different from custom wraps; you really have to take into account the installer/artist and the creation behind it. Generally speaking, a standard commercial wrap might start around $2,000 and go up from there. Custom wraps, especially those with intricate designs, use of printing/custom graphics, and premium materials like chrome, can be much more expensive. Additional work such as wrapping door jambs, interior pieces, or even the engine bay can significantly increase the cost. These highly custom projects can go for $25,000 or even more.
Think of it like purchasing a piece of art; finding the right artist who aligns with your vision and budget is crucial. It’s always best to visit a shop you’re interested in and discuss what you want or even your budget to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want.
In our experience, we find that installers are more than happy to meet with and really work with their clients to be sure they are getting exactly what they want. And, know exactly what they’re getting. Our Avery Dennison Certified Wrap Installers (CWI) have been trained and tested on their knowledge of the material and its installation. The certification demonstrates that the installers have been evaluated by industry-leading experts. You can find a CWI close to you by visiting the Avery Dennison CWI Directory online.
Q: If I want a custom color for my car wrap, can Avery Dennison create this for me? If so, how do I get started on this request?
Brittany: Always start your inquiry at your local wrap shop and work with an experienced wrap installer, like an Avery Dennison Certified Wrap Installer. You can search our installer directory for a CWI near you. We would love to help all of our customers directly, but minimum order quantities must be met in order for us to make a custom color. There is an option to ask your wrap shop to print custom designs or colors digitally if need be on our MPI 1105 Easy Apply RS opaque white wrapping film.
Q: Is MPI 1105 another type of wrapping film?
Brittany: Yes! It’s a digitally printable film, so it offers additional possibilities for customization. A car owner could select a specific color (as I mentioned in the answer above) or create a design and have it printed on MPI 1105 for their vehicle.
Other customization options include adding stripes or decals, chrome deletes, automotive window film, or adding paint protection film.
For more information about color change film as an option for your car, and to review Avery Dennison portfolio offerings, visit https://graphics.averydennison.com/swf.
To find an Avery Dennison Certified Wrap Installer near you, visit https://graphicsportal.averydennison.com/directory
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