Printable Self-adhesive Vinyl Films Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Translucent, Opaque), By Manufacturing Process, By Thickness, By Application, By Substrate, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global printable self-adhesive vinyl films market size was valued at USD 3.16 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2021 to 2028. Factors, such as rising demand for fleet graphics and growing demand from the sign & graphics industry are anticipated to fuel the growth of this market. Printable self-adhesive vinyl films are available in three types, which include transparent, translucent, and opaque films. These films are flexible and versatile, made from vinyl and removable adhesives, such as acrylic. They are used for making signs, logos, and advertisement campaigns for business promotion as well as spreading information to mass audiences using watercraft graphics, floor graphics, and others. The product usage in applications for fleet graphics, windows & floor graphics, and car wraps has witnessed a significant rise.

The product is widely utilized to cater to the rising demand for fleet graphics and to deliver higher impressions at a low cost. The frequent appearance of the promotion or the brand name in the market related to the company achieves an effective frequency of messages that is required to be delivered to the targeted audience. Rising demand for fleet graphics from the advertising industry for increasing the reach for prominent customers is anticipated to boost the market growth.

The availability of printable self-adhesive vinyl in two different forms, such as calendered and cast films, also provides a growth opportunity to the market. This is due to the benefits offered by these distinct films. For instance, cast films do not shrink with age, have extended life & durability, are available in thinner gauge, and are cost-effective.

Major players compete on the basis of product development and form strategic partnerships with regional players to minimize the risks associated with expanding into a new marketplace. For instance, Arlon Graphics, LLC introduced a self-adhesive vinyl films portfolio with FLITE technology, which enabled the company to cater to wrap installers with quick and easy installations with fewer rolls for wrapping.

Manufacturing Process Insights

The calendered films segment dominated the global market with a revenue share of more than 55% in 2020. Calendered films are manufactured using a process known as calendering in which gigantic and heated steel rollers transform vinyl into thin sheets. During the initial process of mixing and extrusion, all the raw materials are based on specific formulations. Increased formulations and the use of new pigments have increased color options in calendered films.

In comparison to cast films, calendered films provide stiffer and thicker texture for easy handling, higher performance on flat, simple, and moderate curves, are more economical than cast films, and have higher resistance against abrasion. Calendered films are used in applications, such as sunshade visors, floor graphics, preplaced lettering, and window decals.

Cast films are generally used in vehicle wrapping as they are long-lasting and thinner than calendered films. The PVC, plasticizer, and pigments are mixed at a predetermined rate for a set duration to produce a consistent mixture. The final process of manufacturing involves rolling onto large-diameter cores for additional adhesive coating. These films are recommended for providing the substrate a paint-look finish, which would last for an average lifetime of 5–12 years.

Thickness Insights

The thick (more than 3 mils) dominated the global market with a revenue share of more than 56% in 2020. Calendered vinyl films are generally manufactured with higher thickness to provide stiffer and thicker films for easy handling. The self-adhesive vinyl films have durability ranging from one to seven years and are ideal for application on flat, simple, and moderate curves, and are highly resistant to abrasion. Calendered printable self-adhesive vinyl films are economical in comparison to cast manufactured films hence the demand for thick vinyl films is expected to propel over the forecast period.

Cast films can be made thin to produce comfortable products ideally used for applications on compound curves, such as motorcycle helmets, vehicle fenders, corrugations, rivets, and others. In addition, these thin films are used in the fleet, vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats, and others requiring a paint-like finish. Thin films possess higher dimensional stability since vinyl is cast on the casting sheet in a relaxed state.

Type Insights

The opaque segment dominated the global market and accounted for more than 51% of the total revenue share in 2020. Opaque films do not allow the transmission of light through the surface due to the presence of black or grey adhesive, which reflects the light on the graphics to the viewer. These films are generally used to notify customers of information, such as discounts, clearance sales, and hours of operation. These graphics are inexpensive, can capture the interest of potential customers, and are easily changeable according to the business requirement.

Translucent printable self-adhesive vinyl films are limited to backlit and building signage as backlit graphics encounter various environmental stresses. In addition, they are used in applications, such as taxi top signage, mall & airport-terminal advertising, menu boards, and canopy facias. The growing advertising industry is expected to drive the demand for these types of films.

Printable self-adhesive transparent vinyl films are applied on glass or any see-through substrate without compromising light transmission or clarity. These films have gained recognition across various markets, such as restaurants and food shacks, that provide information, such as available offers. These films can be printed with suitable information and can be applied on transparent substrates.

Substrate Insights

The plastics substrate led the global market and accounted for more than 46% of the overall revenue share in 2020. The product application on plastic substrate depends on the type of plastic and its chemical composition. Some plastics respond to adhesive vinyl graphics, while some may not; however, it depends on the installation technique. Floor graphics are used for increased customer attention, effective directions, brand promotion, information sharing, and to save additional space.

These are generally used in theatres, retail shops, hospitals, offices, and other workplaces. Printable self-adhesive vinyl films offer optical clarity & easy removal and are used as window graphics and decals for promotional purposes. These films are applied on the glasses of offices, restaurants, shops, and other commercial spaces for either advertising or privacy purposes.

Plastics, such as Polycarbonate (PC), Polymethacrylate (PMMA), Polyethylene (PE), and Polystyrene (PS), are used to manufacture automotive components, such as bumpers, glass, headlights, and others. These plastics can be applied with printable self-adhesive vinyl films, thereby boosting their demand from fleet graphics.

Application Insights

The fleet graphics application segment dominated the global market and accounted for more than 19.5% of the total revenue share in 2020. Increasing demand for effective advertising that makes a lasting impression on the customer is propelling the growth of fleet graphics across the advertising industry.

Outdoor advertising is a platform for creating brand awareness, building brand visibility, and popularity. In the past few years, outdoor advertising has become prominent by offering creative canvas to companies to deliver their brand message and ease of transformational advertising. Global advertising and marketing professionals have included printable self-adhesive vinyl films media in their branding strategies.

Floor graphics are suitable for tradeshow booths, reception areas, corporate lobbies, conference rooms, and performing art centers & theatres. The utilization of floor graphic vinyl materials is a cost-effective advertising and promotion method. Vinyl media does not consume valuable space as it adheres to the floor; however, it has an incredible impact on attendees and prospective customers.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific & Japan was the largest region in 2020 and accounted for more than 38% of the overall market revenue share.Asia Pacific is estimated to expand further at the fastest CAGR over the forecast years owing to the rising product demand from China, India, and Japan. The product demand for strategic advertising by numerous companies is increasing rapidly in the region. Aesthetic characteristics, such as higher brightness, which attracts travelers and other prominent customers, propel the demand for these films for branding and promotional purposes.

Government initiatives to promote tourism using printable self-adhesive vinyl for fleet graphics on commercial vehicles including buses and trucks have propelled the demand for these films across the region. The market demand has shifted toward full and partial vehicle wraps, which attract more attention as compared to lettering and signs.

The high population in the region allows more impressions per day, leading to efficient marketing. Sales of heavy vehicles, especially trucks, in China and India have increased significantly over the past few years. This rise in sales coupled with demand for advertisements by small businesses is expected to augment the product demand over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market has a strong presence of several global and a few medium- and small-scale regional players. Major players compete on the basis of product development and form strategic partnerships with regional players to minimize the risk of expanding into a new marketplace. For instance, Arlon Graphics, LLC introduced a self-adhesive vinyl films portfolio with FLITE technology, which enabled the company to cater to wrap installers with quick and easy installations with fewer rolls for wrapping.

Several companies are expanding their product offerings owing to the high demand from end-use applications including fleet graphics, watercraft graphics, car wrapping, floor graphics, and others. Since vinyl is highly flexible and well-suited for contoured and curved surfaces, the product demand has increased in the automotive industry. Some of the prominent players operating in the global printable self-adhesive vinyl films market are:

• 3M

• Avery Dennison Corp.

• Mactac

• LG Hausys

• Lintec Corp.

• HEXIS S.A.

• Arlon Graphics LLC

• Metamark (U.K.) Ltd.

• Orafol Europe GmbH

• FLEXcon Company, Inc.

• Achilles Corp.

Printable Self-adhesive Vinyl Films Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. Forthe purpose ofthis study, Grand View Research has segmented the global printable self-adhesive vinyl films market report based on manufacturing process, thickness, type, substrate, application, and region:

• Manufacturing Process Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Calendered Films

    • Monomeric

    • Polymeric

  • Cast Films

• Thickness Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Thin (2-3 mils)

  • Thick (More than 3 mils)

• Type Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Transparent

  • Translucent

  • Opaque

• Substrate Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Floor

  • Plastics

  • Glass

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Fleet Graphics

  • Watercraft Graphics

  • Car Wrapping

  • Floor Graphics

  • Labels & Stickers

  • Window Graphics

  • Exhibition Panels

  • Outdoor Advertising

  • Furniture Decoration

  • Wallcovering

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Latin America (LATAM)

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • GCC Countries

    • South Africa

  • Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ)

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia