Arlon Overlaminate Guide: Choosing the Right Laminate for Your Print

The Full Arlon Overlaminate Lineup

Here's every Arlon overlaminate at a glance. Each row links to the dedicated product page for ordering and full specifications.

Cast vs. Calendered vs. PVDF vs. Non-PVC: What's the Difference?

Before choosing a specific SKU, it helps to understand the four laminate constructions in the Arlon line. Each is engineered for a different combination of cost, conformability, and longevity.

Decision Guide — Which Laminate Should I Choose?

Start with the application question. The right answer often comes down to one or two specific requirements (Class A fire rating, UL 410 floor approval, optical clarity, etc.) that immediately narrow the field.

Quick Picks by Common Scenario

Choosing a Laminate for Vehicle Wraps

Vehicle wraps are the single most common application for Arlon overlaminates, and there are five products in the line that can handle wrap work. The right choice depends on three factors: budget, conformability requirements, and any non-PVC or Class A specifications from the customer.

Critical Wrap Reminders

• No horizontal surfaces. None of Arlon's overlaminates are recommended for vehicle hoods, roofs, or auto tops. Direct sun, moisture, and dirt deposition on horizontal surfaces dramatically shortens service life and voids warranty coverage.
• Allow inks to outgas. Most cast laminates require 24–48 hours of dry time on printed images before lamination. Skipping this step traps residual solvents and causes adhesion or appearance issues.
• UV inks need extra care. See Arlon's Tip 55 (What Is Silvering?) for best practices when laminating over UV-printed graphics.
• Cold lamination only. All Arlon overlaminates are designed for cold lamination on standard roll laminators — no heat required.

UL 410 Floor Graphic Systems

Two Arlon laminates carry UL 410 slip-resistance certification for interior floor graphics: Series 3220 Gloss and Series 3420 (Gloss and Matte). For a UL-compliant floor graphic system, both the laminate and the print media must be approved. Pair the floor-rated laminate with one of these Arlon DPF print media:

• DPF 4600GLX / MLX — gloss and matte print films
• DPF 8200 High Tack — the only approved option for low-pile carpet
• DPF 8000 Ultra Tack — for challenging smooth-floor surfaces
• DPF 510 GT / MT — standard smooth-floor applications
• DPF 510 GTR / MTR — removable smooth-floor applications

Window Film & Optically Clear Applications

Series 3200 is the only Arlon overlaminate engineered for window applications. Every other laminate in the line — even the premium cast options — explicitly states it's "not designed to be used as an optically clear window film."

The reason is the adhesive. Standard cast laminate adhesives are formulated for opaque substrates, where slight haze or milkiness in the bond layer doesn't show. On glass, that haze is immediately visible from both sides — defeating the entire purpose of perforated window film, where the graphic must read crisp from outside while preserving see-through clarity from inside.

3200 uses both an optically clear film and an optically clear adhesive, making it the right answer for:

• Perforated window film (one-way vision graphics)
• Storefront and retail window advertising
• City bus and transit window wraps
• Automotive rear-window graphics
• Flat glass, office partitions, and architectural glass installations

Specialty Laminates: Anti-Graffiti & Non-PVC

Series 3350 — Anti-Graffiti (PVDF)

Series 3350 stands alone in the lineup as Arlon's only PVDF (fluoropolymer) overlaminate. The chemistry that makes PVDF different is exactly what makes it valuable: solvent-based paints, permanent markers, and tagging inks don't bond to the fluoropolymer surface — they sit on top of it. A wipe with isopropyl alcohol or acetone removes the graffiti without damaging the film or the printed graphic underneath.

That makes 3350 the laminate of choice for transit signage, municipal infrastructure, safety signs and nameplates, utility markings, schools, and permanent wayfinding — anywhere graphics are exposed to vandalism and routine cleaning is part of the maintenance plan. The trade-offs: 3350 is rigid (won't conform to curves or wraps), creases are permanent, and only one semi-gloss finish (40–60 GU) is available.

Series V3370 — Non-PVC Polyurethane

Series V3370 is Arlon's premium specification-grade laminate. The polyurethane construction unlocks four capabilities no vinyl laminate offers in a single product:

• Non-PVC — meets sustainable-sourcing and PVC-restrictive procurement specs (LEED, healthcare, K-12)
• ASTM E-84 Class A fire rating — qualifies for interior commercial wall graphics
• Self-healing scratch recovery — minor scratches and swirl marks recover over time
• Aggressive chemical resistance — IPA, ethanol, gasoline, ethyl acetate, and most cleaners

Combined with 220% elongation (the highest in the line), 12-year unprinted durability on Gloss, and mold-growth resistance (when paired with DPF V9700 or V9500), V3370 is the answer for projects where standard PVC simply doesn't meet the spec.

Frequently Asked Questions