Vehicle Graphics experts at Positive Design praise ease of use, printability and quality of advanced film, after project with long-term customer in the environmental services sector
Bracknell, UK, 24 May 2016 – 3M, the science-based technology company, revealed details of the first vehicle wrap to be completed in the UK using its latest non-PVC vinyl film, Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3. 3M provided on-site support to the team at Positive Design, a Tamworth, Staffordshire-based vehicle graphics, signage and digital printing specialist, to wrap a refuse truck taking advantage of the film’s environmental benefits.
Local waste management and recycling business Wm. M Briers & Son (Tamworth) Ltd contacted Positive Design to help express its quality-of-service and environmental values including zero waste to landfill through the latest truck to join its fleet. The new Isuzu Forward F120.240 Euro VI, 12-tonne chassis combines reliability and fuel economy and is fitted with an 8m³ refuse compaction body and a trade approved weighing system. The resulting wrap, which combines striking type and a vibrant, leafy graphical theme, has been so successful that the vehicle was displayed on the Isuzu truck stand at the Resource Efficiency and Waste Management (RWM) exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, the largest event in Europe dedicated to resource efficiency.
“We have a long history of working with Briers, a company that seeks to continuously improve care for the environment in everything it does,” explained James Nicholls of Positive Design. “As a signage company we keep a close eye on new materials. We knew the latest Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 from 3M would be ideal for this and future projects with Briers and other environmentally-aware customers.”
Non-PVC, phthalate-free Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 from 3M is manufactured with no added chlorine or halogens and 58 per cent less solvents than conventional films. At the same time, printability, ease of application and durability are equal to or better than the current range, thereby ensuring no performance trade-offs in exchange for improved environmental performance. “The film is just as easy to apply as the other 3M Vinyls we use regularly,” confirmed Nicholls. “Our newest and least experienced applicators have achieved first-class results with little assistance from senior staff. 3M also supported us, as early adopters, by sending a product specialist to advise and help set up our printer for optimum colour and quality.”
Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 from 3M is designed to be tough and colour fast, to look good throughout its lifetime of up to seven years when used with the recommended over-laminate. Positive Design is confident that the truck graphics will present a quality image for the long term by standing up to vigorous cleaning with broom and hose, daily wear and tear, and exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as intense sunlight, high summer temperatures, cold winters, rain, frost and snow.
“Strong environmental credentials are increasingly important for all businesses, and our new PVC-free film now enables companies to demonstrate their commitment through graphics and signage choices,” said Pen Webley, Senior Marketing Executive for 3M Commercial Graphics division. “Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 from 3M is the ideal medium for forward-thinking specialists like Positive Design to create striking, high-quality, ecologically sound graphics and extend their reach into new sectors such as clean tech.”
While soft and compliant for vehicle wrapping purposes, Envision Print Wrap Film SV480Cv3 from 3M is also tough enough to use on textured surfaces such as interior or exterior walls. James Nicholls and the team at Positive Design expect to explore this side of the film’s potential in forthcoming projects with Briers and other customers.
