Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/827403
64 • June 2017 • S I G N & D I G I T A L G R A P H I C S WRAPS DIGITAL GRAPHICS Working with Carbon Fiber Interior and exterior film applications Charity Jackson is co-owner of Visual Horizons Custom Signs based in Modesto, CA. She has been in business since 1995, and has worked in the sign industry for over 20 years. You can visit her website at www. vhsigns.com. B Y C H A R I T Y J A C K S O N Let's Talk Shop The film is available in widths up to five feet wide which means a seamless application is possible on most vehicles and parts. Motorcycles seem to be a popular vehicle type for adding carbon fiber accents. I recently spoke with Sino Tour, with Icon Image Graphics, about some of their carbon fiber installations. Tour shared a few images of accent graphics they added to a motorcycle and had this to say, "Our motorcycle wrap for a 2007 Honda VFR 800, known as the jack of all trades of bikes, received 3M's black carbon fiber film on the majority of its body parts, especially the fairings. Since the fairings are the motorcycle's largest surface to cover, we had to carefully select a vinyl film that would accentuate the shell's finish with a bold textured look." On one of our installs, the customer wanted to add their shield logo to the side fairings of their bike. We loaded 3 M 1080 black carbon fiber onto our plotter and cut out the logo. The graphics were installed onto the fairing; the flexible 3M material allowed us to work around obstacles with no issues. Carbon fiber films are also great for interior applications. 3M's DI-NOC architectural finish films have a long interior life and are available as carbon fiber films in a number of differ- ent colors. The film uses 3M Comply Adhesive technology for easier, faster application with no bubbles. We primarily do vehicle graphics and signs, but product cus- tomizing is a big market too. Carbon fiber films are versa- tile and can be used to wrap laptops and phone cases, bike parts and other accent pieces. Specs 3M 1080 series films come in five different finish options. Carbon fiber is one option, along with matte, gloss, satin and brushed metal. The carbon fiber options from 3 M are available in black, white and anthracite. The pressure-activated adhe- sive and non-visible air release channels aid in a faster, easier application. Avery Dennison offers S W 900X Extreme Textures W e do our fair share of vehicle customizing via hood and roof wraps, mirror wraps, stripes and other vinyl applica- tions. A common request is carbon fiber film; its unique look has a texture that simulates real carbon fiber. With so many different manufacturers making carbon fiber films today, there is a large selection to choose from. Colors, textures and adhesives are just a few options to consider. Applications We've primarily worked with 3M's 1080 series carbon fiber. It's possible to wrap an entire car in carbon fiber, but most carbon fiber requests we get are for partial wraps and accent graphics. Roof wraps and hood wraps are a great way to add the tex- ture and color of carbon fiber. Mirrors are another great part of the vehicle where a little carbon fiber makes a big statement. Roof, hood and truck wraps are common areas to wrap with carbon fiber wrap films.