Alternative 3M Vinyl to IJ180c

[whatsinaname]

We have been using the IJ180c now for almost a year for our decals business but have been issues with the adhesive side channels being visible on the prints, especially the lighter ones. What other 3M cast vinyls can we go for with similar performance? IJ180CV3 or IJ180mc-10 or IJ280c or anything else from 3M?

 

[GaSouthpaw]

If you're doing short term decals, I would suggest finding a less expensive material that doesn't have the air release feature. A calendered vinyl would be ideal in those sorts of uses. They're also (usually) be a bit thicker, allowing retail customers to apply with less trouble. I know "3M" and "less expensive" don't really go together. It has a higher price point because it is a very good product.
If you're talking about decals for vehicles, etc. that are meant to last, your laminate should go a long way towards hiding any air release channels that show after installation.

 

[crashaffinity]

We have been using the IJ180c now for almost a year for our decals business but have been issues with the adhesive side channels being visible on the prints, especially the lighter ones. What other 3M cast vinyls can we go for with similar performance? IJ180CV3 or IJ180mc-10 or IJ280c or anything else from 3M?

how big are these decals and what are the intended uses?

 

[RighteousDude]

if you're not absolutely set on 3m, I'd suggest Avery mpi1105ezrs... I think it's better than 3m's 180 line in every single way personally, but it obviously sounds like you're stuck to 3m for whatever reason. The CV3 will have less visible air channels, but under scrutiny they are still visible. You say you're using it for "decals", which has me thinking you don't do much wraps, in which case the 180 line is really overkill and you might want to check out their lower end items like 40c or 35c (big step down, but much more affordable) or their 175 series (not as much of a step down, a little less forgivable on install skill though). Let me know if you're at all open to things other than 3m and I have more suggestions. My undestanding of 280 is that it's just like 180, just a little less aggressive (I suspect this is an attempt at competing with Avery's mpi1105ezrs which is less aggressive than the 180).

 

[whatsinaname]

how big are these decals and what are the intended uses?

Its for electronic devices like Laptops. It will be applied to both flat surfaces and curved corners. We are ok even if the adhesive is a little aggressive as we need to avoid premature peeling off from the applied devices. And yes, we would like to stick to 3M.

 

[whatsinaname]

if you're not absolutely set on 3m, I'd suggest Avery mpi1105ezrs... I think it's better than 3m's 180 line in every single way personally, but it obviously sounds like you're stuck to 3m for whatever reason. The CV3 will have less visible air channels, but under scrutiny they are still visible. You say you're using it for "decals", which has me thinking you don't do much wraps, in which case the 180 line is really overkill and you might want to check out their lower end items like 40c or 35c (big step down, but much more affordable) or their 175 series (not as much of a step down, a little less forgivable on install skill though). Let me know if you're at all open to things other than 3m and I have more suggestions. My undestanding of 280 is that it's just like 180, just a little less aggressive (I suspect this is an attempt at competing with Avery's mpi1105ezrs which is less aggressive than the 180).

Its for electronic devices like Laptops. It will be applied to both flat surfaces and curved corners. We are ok even if the adhesive is a little aggressive as we need to avoid premature peeling off from the applied devices. And yes, we would like to stick to 3M. We are avoiding 280 as its thinner than the 180CV3 and 180MC.

Is the 175C easily removable if we want to? How's the adhesive and controltac on it? And the white point? 180 series has a whitish tone where as I have seen the lower series 3M films have a bluish white point which we are not ok with.

 

[DL Signs]

Is the 175C easily removable if we want to?

No, no, no... IJ175 is not easily removed. It is air release, but once it's set, it's near impossible to get back off without inventing several new swear words. I use quite a bit of it, mostly on ACM that will be out in the elements where you never want it to come off.

 

[RighteousDude]

Its for electronic devices like Laptops. It will be applied to both flat surfaces and curved corners. We are ok even if the adhesive is a little aggressive as we need to avoid premature peeling off from the applied devices. And yes, we would like to stick to 3M. We are avoiding 280 as its thinner than the 180CV3 and 180MC.

Is the 175C easily removable if we want to? How's the adhesive and controltac on it? And the white point? 180 series has a whitish tone where as I have seen the lower series 3M films have a bluish white point which we are not ok with.

DL Signs already said it, but I'll reply too... I wouldn't say it requires inventing new swear words, but it is definitely more immediately aggressive than the 180 series and it's categorized under "permanent" within Fellers catalog as opposed to 180 which is categorized under "removable" I believe... which should kinda answer that question for you. I'm a little mixed up I think because you are simultaneously looking for a vinyl to avoid premature peeling and you are okay with it being a little aggressive, but you're also concerned about "removable if we want to". Is that concern about removability with regards to being able to lift it to correct placement? or is this a seasonal type of graphic that may be replaced every quarter-year/half-year/anually? 175c is pretty easy to lift up (it does tend to snap/break if it's cold during lifting it up) during install if you need to correct placement or fix a wrinkle or anything like that... but once it's on there for a while, it's much harder to remove than 180.

 

[whatsinaname]

Then I guess 180Cv3 or 180mc is our only option. Has 180Cv3 or 180mc got any curling issues even if we let it outgas for 24 hours? We outgas all our prints for at least 24 hours before laminating.

 

[whatsinaname]

DL Signs already said it, but I'll reply too... I wouldn't say it requires inventing new swear words, but it is definitely more immediately aggressive than the 180 series and it's categorized under "permanent" within Fellers catalog as opposed to 180 which is categorized under "removable" I believe... which should kinda answer that question for you. I'm a little mixed up I think because you are simultaneously looking for a vinyl to avoid premature peeling and you are okay with it being a little aggressive, but you're also concerned about "removable if we want to". Is that concern about removability with regards to being able to lift it to correct placement? or is this a seasonal type of graphic that may be replaced every quarter-year/half-year/anually? 175c is pretty easy to lift up (it does tend to snap/break if it's cold during lifting it up) during install if you need to correct placement or fix a wrinkle or anything like that... but once it's on there for a while, it's much harder to remove than 180.

175c is ruled out then. Those decals will be removed in 6 mo to a year..Has 180Cv3 or 180mc got any curling issues even if we let it outgas for 24 hours?

 

[Peter Signz]

We have been using the IJ180c now for almost a year for our decals business but have been issues with the adhesive side channels being visible on the prints, especially the lighter ones. What other 3M cast vinyls can we go for with similar performance? IJ180CV3 or IJ180mc-10 or IJ280c or anything else from 3M?

First we used 3M LX480, changed to IJ180 to end up with IJ280 for carwraps. The latters works fine for both out HP Latex and Epson S80600 printer but we prefer to print the carwraps on the Epson.

 

[crashaffinity]

Its for electronic devices like Laptops. It will be applied to both flat surfaces and curved corners. We are ok even if the adhesive is a little aggressive as we need to avoid premature peeling off from the applied devices. And yes, we would like to stick to 3M.

i remember a while back using IJ3650 for more permanent stuff, doesn't have a hatched pattern and sticks like poo to fur if i remember correctly, long life too. definitely won't peel from most surfaces

 

[stickerhed]

First we used 3M LX480, changed to IJ180 to end up with IJ280 for carwraps. The latters works fine for both out HP Latex and Epson S80600 printer but we prefer to print the carwraps on the Epson.

When using the Epson for car wraps, what happens when you need to reprint a panel, regarding outgassing. Do you wait until the next day to finish then?

 

[TheAngryCanadian]

If you are doing back of laptops you can use 3M 40c. Using 40c will cut your costs in half and you’re getting the same results. You could even use IJ35c cause the back of laptops is not a complex install.

 

[LizKeenan]

Is there a reason you are going with cast instead of calendered? For decals calendered IJ35 or IJ40 should be fine.

 

[whatsinaname]

Is there a reason you are going with cast instead of calendered? For decals calendered IJ35 or IJ40 should be fine.

Calendered might shrink due to the heat that these electronice devices generate with the usage and charging..

 

[whatsinaname]

If you are doing back of laptops you can use 3M 40c. Using 40c will cut your costs in half and you’re getting the same results. You could even use IJ35c cause the back of laptops is not a complex install.

It will even be for the sides and corners..Also the white point for these films is not pure white like the IJ180 series films...its kind of bluish tone if I can remember correctly..Also we fear these films might shrink or curl due to the heat that these electronic devices generate with the usage and charging..

Pls correct me If I am wrong..

 

[TheAngryCanadian]

Sounds like 3M IJ180mC is what you want if seeing the air channels is your primary concern. 40c being a calendar film it will shrink a little and if you’re concerned about white point the 40c is slightly different as well.

 

[RighteousDude]

[edit to remove, I double posted on accident]

 

[RighteousDude]

It will even be for the sides and corners..Also the white point for these films is not pure white like the IJ180 series films...its kind of bluish tone if I can remember correctly..Also we fear these films might shrink or curl due to the heat that these electronic devices generate with the usage and charging..

Pls correct me If I am wrong..

Personally, I find Avery's white point superior to 3Ms. They'd probably be happy to ship you a sample roll so you could compare. Avery MP1105 is clean removeable up to a year (maybe 2, can't recall manufacturer specs on that at immediate moment) and should save you I think roughly a couple hundred per 50yd kit. The texture from the air release pattern is nearly invisible on MP1105 EZ RS and they have an optically clear laminate to pair with it.