Interior decoration offers a huge range of opportunities for digital printers and self-adhesive convertors. An impressive range of innovative high performance films for modern interior design are available to completely transform walls, floors, windows, ceiling and furnishings.

 

These films are designed to blend seamlessly into the environment. Rather than looking like giant plastic stickers, they instead have an authentic look and feel similar to traditional interior design substrates, making them an attractive solution for interior decorators and architects.

 

Interior films save decorators and architects time looking for the right materials as concepts and designs can be custom made exactly to a project’s specification. Specific interior fitouts can also be realised at a fraction of the cost of traditional decorative materials. Designers can print any interior effect imaginable in both small and large volumes. Architects can change the finishes on existing building structures to look like any kind of material. Best of all, self-adhesive films are much easier to update and replace, allowing customers to modify their surrounds easily and economically.

 

There is a large array of products that can be used for a number of decorative applications.

 

Customised wall coverings

 

New wall covering films allow for the creation of one-off, personalised wallpaper. Not only do these films look like wallpaper, they feel like wallpaper, giving a realistic, high quality appearance. Heavily embossed finishes, lightly textured synthetics and self-adhesive papers are just some of the myriad effects available.

 

Wall covering films also have application for masonry or concrete walls. They conform perfectly to the wall’s surface, giving the impression of paint.

 

Also interesting for this market are removable and repositionable films. They are designed for non-professionals to apply and can also be moved around to various locations a multitude of times. This is a feature that appeals strongly to the home décor market. Plain coloured films in trendy shades are a popular alternative to paint. The main advantage is that walls can be quickly transformed with minimal downtime.

 

In offices, restaurants, hotels and retail outlets there is a significant cost if a business needs to close to allow for paint fumes to dissipate and dry. With self-adhesive film, this is not necessary and disruption to business is minimal.

 

Window dressings

 

Self-adhesive films are ideal for decorating windows and can be used to create impressive effects for a fraction of the cost of specialised glass. They can replicate the look of sandblasting and stained glass.

 

Choosing printable ultra-clear film allows striking patterns and designs to be printed. Once applied, the film is invisible and the glass appears to be directly printed with the image. Self-adhesive films have the added benefit of removal and with the right product this can be done without damaging the window.

 

Furnishings and structured effects

 

Textured and structured laminates and films represent the ultimate in self-adhesive design effects.

These films look and feel like the real thing and they are designed to replicate different building and material finishes. You can choose from coloured films that already have the desired effect such as leather, carbon fibre or velvet, or create your own by combining coloured film or digital prints with structured 3D laminates.

 

These laminates add another dimension to prints giving the underlying film the look of wood grain, carbon fibre, linen, animal skin, leather, brushed metal, glitter or peach skin. Walls, doors, pillars, counter tops and furniture can be refreshed in an instant.

 

The advantage of using self-adhesive films to replace traditional decorative products is in cost, flexibility and design. Customers can update their look at any time and can do so as the initial investment is much more cost effective. 

 

With so many creative possibi-ities and practical advantages the interior design market offers sign and print companies genuine opportunities to expand into a profitable new market sector.