Showcasing the latest innovations in films and vinyls and machinery, along with new product launches, the Spandex Summit was the place to be in March. For those that missed the summit, assistant editor, Ana Lambert, has compiles the event’s highlights.
Josh Marshfield, PPF specialist at Spandex UK
After three successful summits last year, Spandex once again donned its responsibilities of bringing its partners and customers together to explore
new innovations and develop partnerships.
Maintaining relationships and building new ones is a crucial part of keeping any industry alive, and the shows that support these in-person interactions are a great way to develop new offerings, partnerships and gain new knowledge of materials and machinery.
The Spandex Summit was films and vinyls galore, from your traditional car wrapping vinyls to architectural films and vinyls, the summit showcased the industry leaders in this space.
But that wasn’t all as some of the biggest names in the industry for machinery were also there, including Roland, Canon, Epson, and Vivid Laminating Technologies. Along with the Spandex experts that were on hand to help visitors with their questions.
Vinyl on display
Taking up the majority of the space were the many films, vinyls and graphics brands available from Spandex.
Industry names from 3M and Avery Dennison attended the summit, along with Spandex partners including Stek, Orafol, Arlon, KPMF, and Spandex’s own brand Image Perfect.
Visitors could speak with brand ambassadors and sales representatives about the products on display and in the catalogues, and get the chance to see and put some of them in action.
Live demonstrations took place throughout the day with professional wrappers explaining their companies’ products. One of these live demonstrations was 3M’s dual demonstration on Mercedes Benz cars, showcasing its 3M Paint Protection Film 150 Series gloss in white and 3M’s
cast print wrap film IJ280 in a heritage racing green.
Avery Dennison displayed its Supreme Wrapping Film and Orafol displayed its Oracal 970RA + ProSlide wrapping cast film, with Arlon displaying its colour protection film.
However, it wasn’t just Arlon, 3M, Avery Dennison, KMPF, Orafol and Image Perfect presenting its materials, but also Stek – launching its new paint
protection film.
New launches
Newly launched Orafol Oracal
970RA + ProSlide
Launched to visitors on the first day of the summit was Stek’s new paint protection film, Stek FORCESHIELD AIRFORCE. The new Stek FORCESHIELD AIRFORCE, is a dry apply paint protection film, which is hydrophobic and self-healing.
Josh Marshfield PPF Specialist at Spandex UK, said: “FORCESHIELD AIRFORCE differs a lot from others on the market as it requires very minimal post heat and its very easy to position with its stretchability and this makes it an
Stek FORCESHEILD AIRFORCE
all-round good film for installers to use.”
Another new launch was Orafol’s AUTO Drift, a new digital vehicle wrap film, and the latest product in the range, alongside AUTO SE, AUTO Wrap and AUTO PPF. Its ProSlide technology allows graphics to be moved and repositioned smoothly across the surface, allowing wrappers
to manoeuvre it more easily when installing.
The architectural influence
Embracing the architectural side of films and vinyls, the summit also showcased architectural solutions from Spandex’s own ImagePerfect range and from Avery Dennison and CoverStyl.
ImagePerfect highlighted its ImagePerfect 2324PI WallTex Picasso wall covering and its IP 7504 screen privacy film. CoverStyl had a wide range of
different types of films and vinyls on display for those visiting to see, feel and learn more about.
Titans of machinery
Roland DG TrueVis XG-640
Over in the machinery section were many industry titans, including Canon, Roland DG, Epson and Vivid Laminating Technologies.
Roland DG displayed two large-format machines with the TrueVIS XG-640 eco-solvent printer/cutter and the TrueVIS LG-640 UV-LED printer/cutter. Roland DG technicians were given visitors live demonstrations throughout the summit – showcasing the differences between UV and eco-solvent printers.
Epson bought its SureColor S9100 a 64in eco-solvent printer with an extended colour gamut to the summit. Epson’s technician was on hand for live
demonstrations and expert advice for those visiting – showcasing the abilities of the SureColor S9100.
Vivid Laminating Technologies bought its wide-format digital die cutter, the VeloBlade Nexus and Easymount Air for those visiting the summit.
With live demonstrations and expert advice, visitors could learn more about the solutions.
Canon was also in attendance with associates there to help and assist visitors with its machinery queries.
Importance of partnerships
Building partnerships and maintaining relationships is a reason why summits like Spandex’s are important to continue.
Linda Edwards, managing director of the BSGA, commented that the summit was a great way to reconnect with members and engage with suppliers
within the sector.
Linda said: “Attending the Spandex Summit 2026 at Mercedes Benz World gave the BSGA team a welcome opportunity to reconnect with our industry colleagues and engage with the suppliers and professionals who continue to advocate best practice and expertise within our signage and graphics sector.”
The benefit of moving the location to just outside of London, helped those from the south attend the summit more easily, and opened these types of events to those who might otherwise might not be able to attend.
Linda continued: “Events such as this provide an important forum for conversation, learning and the exchange of ideas across our diverse industry.
Locating the event in Surrey additionally helped extend its reach, providing greater accessibility for businesses across the South of England and
allowing a wider cross section of the industry to partake.”
