Self-adhesive films – The basic types
The material most commonly processed by cutting plotters is single-colour self-adhesive film, which is used to create cut-outs or stickers. They are suitable both for being applied over large areas to flat surfaces such as glass, windows or cupboard doors, and for being cut by a cutting plotter into lettering, logos, patterns or ornaments – so-called plots – and then applied to a surface.
Like all stickers, these films consist of two parts: the actual adhesive film, and the silicone paper to which it adheres. Depending on the application, the self-adhesive films must meet a wide range of requirements and possess specific properties in order to achieve the best possible result.
A distinction is made between monomeric, polymeric and cast PVC films, which, due to their manufacturing processes, differ not only in price but also in terms of their durability and flexibility during processing.
Monomeric, calendered PVC films
are manufactured from plastic blocks which are rolled or calendered in a calender until they reach the desired film thickness; this is usually 60–90 ym. As the monomeric calendered PVC films consist of uncross-linked molecular chains, they have only a moderate lifespan of around 3 years when exposed to UV light and tend to be rather inflexible when applied to difficult and uneven surfaces.
YOW! offers the following product ranges made from this material:
Polymers, calendered PVC films
In contrast, these consist of long, cross-linked and branched molecular chains, known as polymers. This improved molecular structure results in an extended service life of 5–7 years, as well as greater flexibility of the film when applied to uneven surfaces.
YOW! offers the following product ranges made from this material:
Cast PVC films
– also known as cast films – are not rolled, but are cast directly from liquid plastic onto the silicone paper or the adhesive in a highly complex process. However, the thickness of the film does not change during this process; it is manufactured from the outset to its final thickness of approximately 60 ym. Cast films do not have shape memory – i.e. unlike calendered films, they do not shrink and can be bonded exceptionally well to curved or contoured surfaces. They have a service life of around 10 years and, when exposed to heat, cast films can be used without any problems, for example, for full-wrap applications on cars.
YOW! offers the following product ranges made from this material: