Inspiration

As an installer working in the retail sector, you understand the importance of creating captivating and visually appealing shopping environments for your clients. One versatile solution for transforming retail spaces is the strategic use of internal films. With their adaptability and functionality, internal films offer endless possibilities to enhance aesthetics, promote branding, and improve the overall shopping experience. Today, we’ll explore different types of films, and how they can be combined to create impactful and visually stunning installations in retail settings.

Why Choose Internal Films for Retail Spaces?

Internal films provide numerous advantages when it comes to transforming retail environments, as an installer, you can leverage these benefits to offer your clients effective and cost-efficient solutions.

Some internal films are highly customisable, enabling you to integrate your clients’ branding elements, vibrant visuals, and promotional messages into the installations. This level of customisation allows you to create unique and tailored solutions that align with specific requirements and brand identity.

Installing internal films is a relatively straightforward process, requiring minimal disruption to retail operations. The ease of installation allows you to efficiently complete projects within tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results without causing any significant downtime.

Internal films offer a wide range of applications, allowing you to transform various surfaces within retail spaces. From windows and walls to floors and furniture, internal films can be applied to different substrates, enabling you to create comprehensive and cohesive designs. 

Window Films

Window films play a crucial role in grabbing customers’ attention and creating a captivating first impression.

• Promotional Graphics: For short-term promotional window displays, reverse printing is key. Designs are printed onto transparent film and laminated with a clear adhesive white vinyl to protect the print from scratches and reinforce the image’s white balance. UV-resistant inks maintain vibrant colours in direct sunlight. Choose removable adhesives for easy repositioning and residue-free removal. If you require a fully transparent result, choose to print on optically clear film and laminate with an equally clear overlaminate to ensure maximum visibility through the films.
• Frosted Films: Elegance and privacy blend with frosted films. Print intricate patterns or logos on these films for a sophisticated effect. Optically clear films complement frosted ones, ensuring unobstructed views. Precision in design and installation maintains a seamless transition between frosted and clear portions.
• Optically Clear Films: Create visually appealing window graphics with optically clear films that remain nearly invisible. Utilise advanced printing techniques to maintain transparency while adding desired designs. Ensure meticulous installation to prevent imperfections. High-quality inks maintain vibrant colours and sharp images while preserving film transparency.

Printed and Textured Wall Films

Interior Wall Films are a versatile tool for transforming retail spaces into captivating environments. Whether it's walls, pillars, or display cases, these films provide creative opportunities for enhancing visual appeal.

• Digital Print Films: Leverage the power of digital print films to create captivating visuals that resonate with customers. These films serve as a canvas for brand imagery, product photos, or artistic designs, effectively enhancing the overall ambience and drawing attention. For trickier applications to textured surfaces, William Smith recommends testing Arlon DPF 8000 and VION VP5900-02 HT. Testing is paramount when applying to textured surfaces due to a variety of factors such as paint or brick type. For further guidance, always consult with our sales team.
• Textured Films: Add depth and visual interest to plain surfaces by incorporating textured films. Films such as Avery Dennison MPI 8000 Series can simulate materials like wood, fabric, or stone, giving your clients’ retail spaces a unique and inviting atmosphere that sets them apart from the competition.

Wayfinding

Wayfinding graphics are a powerful tool for creating a smooth and intuitive shopping experience. By incorporating wayfinding graphics, you can help guide customers effortlessly through a store.

• Directional Guidance: Use wayfinding graphics to create clear and visually appealing directional signage that guides customers to different areas of the store. Whether it’s directing them to specific product sections, checkout counters, fitting rooms, or washrooms, these signifiers help customers navigate with ease and minimise confusion.
• Floor Graphics: Apply wayfinding films as floor markings to provide visual cues and guide customers along designated paths. William Smith stocks a range of films and overlaminates suitable for varying lengths and types of floor applications. For tricker applications, such as carpets, William Smith recommends Arlon DPF8000 Clear with 3420G/M Overlaminate.

Safety and Security Films

Safety and privacy are essential considerations for any retail space. Internal films can provide functional benefits without compromising aesthetics. Check out our 3M and VION ranges to find the perfect film for your project.

• Solar Control Films: Reduce glare on glass surfaces, such as display cases or mirrors with solar control films. These films improve visibility, allowing customers to view products without distractions and ensuring an optimal shopping experience. They also block a significant portion of UV radiation while still allowing natural light to enter the room. This not only safeguards individuals from potential health risks but also preserves furniture and equipment from sun damage.
• Safety and Security Window Films: These films are designed to reinforce glass surfaces, making them more resistant to breakage and helping to prevent shattering in the event of an impact. By holding shattered glass together, safety and security window films minimise the risk of injury from sharp shards, creating a safer environment for both customers and employees. Additionally, these films act as a deterrent to potential intruders, as they make it more difficult to penetrate glass doors or windows, providing an extra layer of security to the store.

Architectural Films

Architectural films provide a versatile solution for transforming existing furniture, fittings, and architectural elements within retail spaces. Bring old-fashioned furniture back up to date and save unnecessary landfill waste. Architectural films also have the benefit of no downtime and minimal disruption or fuss during installation.

• Surface Films: Apply these films to transform almost any surface, whether that be walls, columns, checkouts, or furniture. These films offer a wide range of finishes, including wood, metal, marble, or fabric textures, allowing you to create a visually striking environment that suits your clients’ desired aesthetic. William Smith holds the largest stock of architectural film in the UK from major brands including 3M DI-NOC, Cover Styl’, LX Hausys BENIF, VION Interior, and Decal All Décor 2D.
• Decorative Window Films: Enhance the appearance of glass partitions, doors, or windows with decorative window films. These films can provide a frosted, etched, or dichroic effect, adding elegance and sophistication to retail spaces. Glass design is made easy with our VION Décor and 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film ranges.

By leveraging the versatility of internal films, you can offer your clients effective and visually stunning transformations that elevate their retail spaces. From attracting customers with promotional window films to creating visually appealing surfaces with architectural films, internal films provide you with the tools to deliver outstanding results that meet your client’s objectives and exceed their expectations.

As an installer, incorporating internal films into your portfolio will not only expand your range of services but also demonstrate your ability to provide innovative and cost-effective solutions for retail transformations. Stay ahead of the competition and enhance your reputation as a trusted and skilled professional by harnessing the power of internal films to transform retail spaces.

Our new Internal Film Solutions Brochure is an excellent source of inspiration and includes visuals for you to use when pitching to potential clients. You can download it here.

Or check out the Maximise Spaces with Inside Knowledge webpage for more information.