Different Types of Foil for Advertising Purposes and Foil Printing

Different Types of Foils

Advertising film is an integral element of marketing and publicity. Self-adhesive film, thanks to its versatility and customisation possibilities, represents one of the most effective promotional tools. In this article, we’ll examine the various types of advertising films, their applications and the benefits they can bring to your company. Did you know that choosing the right film can significantly impact the effectiveness of your advertising? We invite you to read on!

Various Divisions and Classifications of Advertising Films

Advertising films, like any technology, can be classified according to various factors, characteristics, properties and applications. The most popular classifications of self-adhesive films are divisions based on:

• Production method (types of film)
• Film durability (e.g. atmospheric conditions, temperature, mechanical damage, etc.)
• Application and display locations
• Type of adhesive and strength, and type of adhesion
• Finish and colours
• Protection, including against mechanical damage
• Others

Division of Advertising Films According to Production Method

Monomeric and polymeric films are calendered films. This means they are rolled or calendered to a specific thickness. A mixture of raw materials and pigments creates a PVC paste. This paste is rolled to the desired thickness and width. The film is subjected to tension and stretching.

Cast films are polymeric films formed by pouring onto a casting belt, then cooling and coating with adhesive.

Main Types of Advertising Films

The following division is based on the type of material and production method:

Monomeric Foil

Monomeric foil is the most popular type of advertising film, produced by combining various monomers. This film is ideal for short-term applications, such as seasonal events or promotions. It’s also the cheapest self-adhesive film.

Polymeric Foil 

Polymeric Film is produced by combining many monomers, which gives it additional durability and flexibility. It’s ideal for long-term advertising, such as company signs or vehicle advertising.

Cast or Poured Foil 

Cast foil is the most technologically advanced advertising film. The production process involves manufacturing the film from liquid plastic, enabling extremely thin, flexible film. Cast film is excellent for applications on irregularly shaped surfaces, such as car bodywork.

Additional Types, Being Developments of the Above Through Additives and Enhancement:

Calendered Film is film produced by pressing plastic between rollers, which increases its stiffness and thickness. It’s ideal for applications requiring greater durability, such as outdoor advertising.

Metallised Film is a special type of film that is produced by applying a thin layer of metal to the film surface. Metallised film is often used to create eye-catching, glossy adverts and can be used for printing metallised stickers.

Monomeric Foils

Self-adhesive monomeric film is an economical option. It’s good for short and medium-term applications of marketing materials; its durability averages 3 years. It can be used for both external and internal applications (outdoor and indoor) and for flat surfaces such as PVC boards, sheet metal, glass, and others. Compared to others, monomeric film has low flexibility and greater thickness.

Monomeric film is available in many colours — white or coloured (glossy or matte) — and as transparent film.

Monomeric films are available in many adhesion versions: standard adhesive, non-adhesive, channel adhesive for positioning, and so-called “grey adhesive,” which better covers the substrate.

Monomeric film is used to produce advertising boards, billboards, stickers, raised stickers, and in-shop window displays. Monomeric self-adhesive films are suitable for solvent, digital, UV and screen printing.

Polymeric Foils

Polymeric film is characterised by greater flexibility and durability (up to 7 years). Polymeric film is often used to wrap complex shapes (e.g., folds). It has high resistance to UV radiation and to high temperatures.

Polymeric self-adhesive films are available in many colours, including white, transparent, and coloured. All colours are available in glossy and matt versions.

Self-adhesive films are produced in various adhesion standards: standard permanent adhesives, non-adhesive, channel adhesive for positioning, and so-called “grey adhesive,” which better covers the substrate.

Polymeric self-adhesive film is used to produce signs, light boxes (including illuminated ones), stickers, labels and other promotional materials. It’s suitable for solvent, digital, UV, offset and screen printing.

What Are the Main Differences Between Monomeric and Polymeric Foils?

Firstly, there is a difference in film production. Monomeric and polymeric films are calendered films. This means they are rolled or calendered to a specific thickness. A mixture of raw materials and pigments creates a PVC paste. This paste is rolled to the desired thickness and width. The film is subjected to tension and stretching.

The main difference between monomeric and polymeric film lies in the plasticiser used. As the name suggests, a monomeric film is produced from a monomeric plasticiser, which contains only one adhesive molecule. It is therefore less stable than polymeric plasticiser. Polymeric films are produced from polymeric plasticisers, i.e., chains of several molecules, and provide a more stable film with longer life.

Monomeric and polymeric films may shrink slightly after application. The film always wants to return to its original shape. This is similar to pizza dough, which shrinks slightly during baking.

Cast Foils

The production of cast film requires precise control and advanced technology. Here are the basic steps of this process:

Preparation of Raw Materials: The process begins with preparing raw materials, which are then mixed to form a polymer mixture. This mixture typically contains PVC, plasticisers, dyes and other components necessary to obtain the desired properties of the final product.

Casting Process: The mixture is then poured onto a flat surface, called a “casting belt,” which passes through a series of rollers to achieve uniform thickness. During this process, the mixture is heated, making it sticky and fluid.

Cooling Process: After casting, the film is cooled to harden and stabilise its structure. This is important to ensure that the film has appropriate hardness and flexibility.

Lamination Process: Finally, the film is laminated with a layer of adhesive, which enables it to adhere to various surfaces.

Cast film is known for its exceptional durability and flexibility, making it ideal for outdoor applications and on surfaces with irregular shapes, such as cars. Cast films are very durable — up to 10 years —and are available in many colours, including metallic effects.

Properties of cast films:

• Colour versions: white, transparent or coloured (all in glossy and matt versions), many colour versions for changing vehicle colours (metallic effects)
• Varied adhesion: standard permanent adhesive, non-adhesive, with channel adhesive facilitating positioning

For wrapping vehicles, complicated shapes, and surfaces. Suitable for solvent, digital, and UV printing.

Types of Foil According to Special Applications

Floor Foils

For the production of floor stickers. Thick and abrasion-resistant. Often additionally laminated with floor laminate. Short-term – 30-40 days – which is why they use a special adhesive that makes the sticker easy to remove. Suitable for solvent, digital, UV, screen printing.

One Way Vision (OWV) Foils

Foil for sticking to shop window panes and vehicle windows. Allows light in and provides external advertising exposure. It has special holes through which light passes. Honeycomb-like structure. Usually short-term 1-3 months, with easily removable adhesive. For producing window stickers (e.g. promotional, discount). Suitable for solvent, digital, UV printing.

Frosted Foil (So-called Frosted)

Foil applied to windows to reduce visibility through the glass while allowing light to pass. Used in surgeries, offices, toilets. Can be printed for advertising. Suitable for solvent, digital, UV printing.

Films for Backlighting

Polymeric foils used in illuminated advertising and advertising light boxes. Resistant to high temperatures caused by lighting. Suitable for solvent, digital, UV, screen printing.

Other Types of Advertising Films Include:

• Reflective foils
• Metallic foils
• Magnetic folis – integrated with magnetic backing
• Holographic foils
• Foil for roll-ups
• Flex and Flock foils – materials intended for heat-pressing onto clothing, T-shirts, advertising bags, umbrellas, sports and work clothing and other textiles. The material is cut on a plotter and transferred to fabric by hot pressing
• Glitter foils
• Non-adhesive adhesive and electrostatic foils – can be used to produce electrostatic stickers
• Security foils that crumble or delaminate when attempting to remove
• Metallised foils with a mirror effect or brushed aluminium

It’s worth mentioning the transfer foil used in advertising production, which enables the transfer of many cut, separate elements onto the surface in one motion from self-adhesive film.

Among advertising foils, so-called plotter foils are also popular. These are self-adhesive white or mass-dyed films intended for cutting on cutting plotters. In the past, many signs were created by manually sticking several layers of plotter-cut foil in different colours onto PVC boards or sheets. Now that solvent printing plotters have become widespread, this faster print-based method has displaced many local sign “wrappers.”

Each type of foil can be further protected with a laminate, enhancing UV resistance and abrasion resistance. This extends the film’s useful life. Lamination is an essential element for advertising foils used on floors and other flat surfaces that are subject to abrasion.

The best-known brands of advertising foil manufacturers include Oracal, Avery, 3M, Ritrama, Jac, and Ikonos, a Polish manufacturer.