Speak fluent wall graphics.

A liquid primer wiped onto edges, corners, seams and stretched areas so film grips harder where it is most likely to lift. 3M names Tape Primer 94 and its water-based DI-NOC WP-2000.

Source: 3M DI-NOC technical data sheet

A strip of film applied to the actual wall and pulled after a set dwell to check bond strength. 3M uses a 15-minute dwell and measures the pull in grams; Avery leaves a strip on for 2 to 3 days.

Source: 3M Instruction Bulletin; Avery IB 1.6

Tiny channels in the adhesive that let trapped air escape, so bubbles squeegee out. Avery Easy Apply and 3M Comply are examples.

Source: Avery MPI 2903 PDS; 3M Envision 48C

A thick decorative self-adhesive film printed and embossed to look like wood, stone, metal, leather or solid color, used to reface walls, doors, columns and cabinets. 3M DI-NOC, LX Hausys BENIF and Avery Dennison Rehlm are examples.

Source: 3M DI-NOC product page; LX Hausys; Digital Output

The standard fire test for surface burning of building materials, also published as UL 723. It reports a flame spread index and a smoke-developed index, which the building code turns into Class A, B or C.

Source: 2021 Seattle Building Code, ch. 8

A standard classification of wallcovering by durability and use. HP cites it for the Type II rating of its PVC-free wall paper.

Source: HP wall paper spec sheet

Vinyl produced by rolling it into sheets. It is thicker and lower in cost than cast film and can shrink with heat. Avery recommends it for smooth walls.

Source: Avery IB 1.6

Vinyl cast as a liquid and cured into a thin, conformable sheet. Avery recommends it for slightly textured and cinder-block walls, worked in with heat.

Source: Avery IB 1.6

Interior finish ratings based on ASTM E84 flame spread: A is 0 to 25, B is 26 to 75 and C is 76 to 200, all with smoke developed of 0 to 450. The class required depends on occupancy, wall location and sprinklers.

Source: 2021 Seattle Building Code, ch. 8

3M adhesive technologies. Controltac lets a panel be repositioned during install. Comply adds air-release channels for bubble-free application.

Source: 3M Envision 48C product page

3M's line of architectural finish films: about 8 mil of vinyl with a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive, in more than 900 designs (3M US). Standard DI-NOC is rated for vertical interior use; the EX and EXR series are made for exteriors.

Source: 3M DI-NOC technical data sheets

Applying wall graphics without any application fluid. Avery specifies dry application only for its wall films.

Source: Avery IB 1.6

A clear overlaminate with a hard coat that wipes clean of dry-erase marker. Drytac WipeErase Clear is one example; Arlon says its standard overlaminates are not designed for dry-erase.

Source: Large Format Review; Arlon

How long a film or test strip stays on a surface before it is tested or removed. 3M's wall test uses 15 minutes; its textured-wall test uses one week.

Source: 3M Instruction Bulletin

The two numbers an ASTM E84 test produces. Lower is better for both. Class A requires FSI 0 to 25 and SDI 0 to 450.

Source: 2021 Seattle Building Code, ch. 8

A UL certification for low chemical emissions into indoor air, tested under UL 2818 and stricter than basic GREENGUARD. HP cites it for its Latex inks and PVC-free wall paper; 3M cites it for Envision 48C film.

Source: HP Latex sustainability page; HP wall paper spec sheet; 3M Envision 48C

An aggressive adhesive made to grip textured surfaces. Avery's MPI 2636 textured film line uses it.

Source: Avery MPI 2600 product page

The total amount of ink laid down, given as a percentage. Too much increases shrinkage and initial adhesion. Avery flags loads above 250% on MPI 2600 and sets 270% as the maximum on MPI 2903.

Source: Avery MPI 2600 and MPI 2903 PDS

The standard cleaning solvent before film goes on a wall. 3M recommends wiping twice with 70% IPA and 30% water, then waiting about 10 minutes for the wall to return to normal temperature.

Source: 3M Instruction Bulletin; SignShop

Water-based inkjet ink used for indoor graphics. HP states its Latex inks are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified and dry instantly for immediate lamination and installation.

Source: HP Latex sustainability page; HP Latex 730/830 page

Paints with reduced solvent content, good for indoor air. 3M notes that film is less likely to adhere to them, so plan for an adhesion test.

Source: 3M Instruction Bulletin

3M's method of splitting a graphic into segments so it fits tile, brick or block with grout lines deeper than 1/8 inch.

Source: 3M Instruction Bulletin

Solvents or gases escaping from fresh paint, new drywall or undried ink. Trapped under film, they cause bubbles and lifting, which is why paint and prints need time to cure.

Source: Avery IB 1.6; Mactac; ORAFOL ORAJET 3628 TDS

A clear protective film applied over a printed graphic. It sets the sheen (gloss, luster or matte) and adds resistance to abrasion and cleaning.

Source: Avery DOL 3060/3070/3080 PDS

The force needed to peel film from a standard test surface such as stainless steel, given in lb/in or N/25 mm. Avery's removable wall film reaches 1.5 lb/in at 24 hours; the permanent version reaches 4.0 lb/in.

Source: Avery MPI 2600 PDS

Printed film with a hole pattern, so the graphic shows from outside while people inside can see out. Avery's 50/50 version has 50% open area. Rule of thumb: the effect needs the outside to be brighter than the inside.

Source: Avery MPI 2528 (distributor listing); Contra Vision

A coat applied before graphics to seal porous or problem surfaces so film has something sound to grip. 3M lists options such as ZINSSER Bulls Eye 1-2-3 and GARDZ, and 3M and Mactac both ask for primer and paint from one maker.

Source: 3M Instruction Bulletin; Mactac

Graphic film made without polyvinyl chloride. 3M Envision 48C is a 3 mil non-PVC film, and HP makes a PVC-free printable wall paper.

Source: 3M Envision 48C; HP wall paper spec sheet

Covering an existing door, cabinet, column, wall or elevator panel with finish film to change its look without replacing it. 3M describes less downtime, noise and disruption. Film cannot fix a damaged, swollen or moisture-affected surface.

Source: 3M DI-NOC product page; 3M DI-NOC prep guides

Removable adhesive is designed to peel off, though Avery does not warrant wall damage on removal. Permanent adhesive is made to stay and damages paint when removed.

Source: Avery MPI 2600 PDS; Avery IB 1.6

A stiff-bristle brush used to push film into texture and finish edges. Avery specifies a 75 mm brush; 3M's version is the RBA-1.

Source: Avery IB 1.6; 3M

The width of the film roll, which sets the widest panel that can print in one piece. Ardor's wall film runs on 54-inch rolls, so wider walls are printed in overlapping panels.

Source: Ardor production specs

Where two panels meet. Avery calls for an overlap of at least 0.5 inch. Mactac also describes cutting through both overlapping layers and removing the off-cuts so the panels butt together.

Source: Avery IB 1.6; Mactac

The hand tool used to press film onto the wall. Mactac says to use a felt squeegee on its wall media, and Avery says to pull it across the film rather than push, which stretches the film.

Source: Mactac; Avery IB 1.6

Film made to conform to brick, block or stucco when heated. 3M IJ8624 is applied with a TSA-4 applicator and a heat gun and paired with 8524 laminate.

Source: 3M IJ8624; 3M Instruction Bulletin

Commercial vinyl wallcovering grades under WA-101, set by minimum weight (7, 13 and 22 oz/yd²) and scrub cycles (200, 300 and 500). Fire rating is tested separately.

Source: Wallcovering Association WA-101

Visible light transmittance and visible light reflectance: how much light a glass-and-film system lets through and bounces back. Used to compare window films.

Source: 3M window film data sheets

A large printed graphic on adhesive wall film, usually laminated and installed in panels directly on a wall. It can cover a full wall, part of one, or wrap around doors and windows.

Source: Ardor Printing

A finish material hung on interior walls, from traditional wallpaper to commercial vinyl. Printed wallcovering is usually hung with paste, unlike self-adhesive wall film.

Source: WA-101; HP wall paper spec sheet

Applying film over a slip solution so it can be positioned, then squeegeeing the solution out. It is standard for window films. Wall films go on dry.

Source: 3M FASARA and Dichroic bulletins; Avery IB 1.6