Material selection / Norvatex

Removable or permanent printable mirror film?

Gold and silver printable mirror films can create reflective lettering, retail displays and decorative graphics. Choosing the colour is only the first step: Norvatex supplies separate removable and permanent adhesive constructions, all unprinted for professional printing.

Curled sheet of gold mirror-finish printable metallic film.
Illustrative imagery. Films are supplied unprinted.

Choose the adhesive before the colour.

Gold and silver are available in separate removable and permanent constructions. Match the adhesive and viewing requirement to the job.

Removable mirror films

For temporary promotional graphics on suitable smooth surfaces, compare the removable silver film and removable gold film. Their metallic appearance is visible from both sides, which is useful when evaluating a graphic on glass.

These grades use removable adhesive. Wet application is possible subject to a surface trial. Removable does not mean suitable for every surface or every installation duration; test the intended material and removal conditions before production.

Permanent mirror films

The permanent silver mirror film and permanent gold mirror film use high-tack permanent adhesive. Their mirror appearance is single-sided. Consider these constructions for longer-term signage and decorative graphics on suitably prepared smooth surfaces.

A permanent adhesive is not a substitute for checking surface suitability. If the job needs later removal, discuss that requirement before selecting a permanent grade.

Roll format and printing

All four films are supplied in 1,372mm × 45.7m rolls. Their product guidance lists UV, latex and solvent/eco-solvent printing, subject to printer, ink and application testing. The gold and silver metallic surfaces affect how a printed design appears, so a physical trial is useful when matching a brand colour or assessing opacity.

Film or metallic wallcovering?

Printable mirror films are different from the gold and silver printable non-woven wallcoverings. The latter are paste-the-wall substrates for interior wallpaper production. Choose the construction for the surface and installation method as well as the finish.

Browse printable mirror films or request samples to compare appearance and adhesive suitability. Samples are usually complimentary, depending on the request.

Plan the metallic effect in the artwork

The gold or silver surface forms part of the design. Decide which areas should show exposed metal, which should be tinted by printed colour and which need an opaque appearance. Where the printer supports white ink, compare a printed colour with and without a white layer beneath it.

Approve a physical print under the display's intended lighting. A screen preview cannot reliably show reflectivity or how a brand colour changes over a metallic background. Check small lettering, large colour areas and the view through glass if the graphic will be seen from both sides.

Agree an application and removal trial

Use the actual installation surface for the trial, including any paint or coating. Record the material, preparation method, print process and intended duration. Check the initial bond and later removal where removal is part of the brief.

The word removable describes the adhesive construction, rather than guaranteeing damage-free removal from every surface. Permanent film should be selected where a lasting bond is intended. If later replacement is important, raise it before ordering the permanent grade.

Printable mirror-film questions

Will both sides have the same mirror appearance?

The removable gold and silver grades have a metallic appearance visible from both sides. The permanent mirror grades have a single-sided reflective finish. Printing and white-ink layers can further change the finished appearance.

Is printable mirror film a replacement for a glass mirror?

These are materials for decorative printed graphics and lettering. They are not specified here as an optical or safety-mirror replacement. Assess the reflection on the actual substrate for the intended decorative use.

Can I use the same specification for metallic wallcovering?

No. The mirror films use self-adhesive PET constructions. The metallic non-woven wallcoverings are separate paste-the-wall materials. Check the surface, printing and installation specification for the selected product.