Material Types and Specification System

Type	Thickness Range (μm)	Width Range (mm)	Substrate Type	Coloring Process	Main Characteristics
PET Color Film	12-250	500-2000	PET Polyester	Mass Coloring / Coating	High Transparency, High Gloss, High Strength
PVC Color Film	50-500	1000-3000	PVC Polyvinyl Chloride	Calender Coloring	Soft, Easy Forming, Low Cost
BOPP Color Film	15-100	800-2500	BOPP Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene	Online Coating	High Gloss, Low Haze, Moisture Resistant
CPP Color Film	25-150	800-2000	CPP Cast Polypropylene	Co-extrusion Coloring	Good Heat Sealability, Soft, Transparent
Metallized Color Film	12-50	800-2000	Various Substrates	Metallization + Coloring	Metallic Luster, Good Barrier Properties
Matte Color Film	25-250	800-2000	Various Substrates	Matte Coating	Matte Effect, Anti-glare
Pearlescent Color Film	30-300	800-2000	PP/PE Substrate	Pearlescent Pigments	Pearl Luster, High Decorative Appeal

Technical Parameters and Performance Indicators

Performance Indicator	PET Color Film	PVC Color Film	BOPP Color Film	Test Standard
Thickness (μm)	12-250	50-500	15-100	GB/T 6672
Tensile Strength MD/TD (MPa)	150-220 / 160-240	40-60 / 40-60	120-180 / 200-280	GB/T 1040.3
Elongation at Break MD/TD (%)	80-150 / 60-120	150-300 / 150-300	80-120 / 40-80	GB/T 1040.3
Tear Strength MD/TD (N/mm)	100-180 / 120-200	40-80 / 40-80	60-120 / 80-150	GB/T 16578.1
Coefficient of Friction (Static/Kinetic)	0.35-0.55	0.25-0.45	0.25-0.45	GB/T 10006
Surface Tension (dyne/cm)	≥38	32-38	≥38	GB/T 14216

Optical and Color Properties

Performance Indicator	High Transparency Film	Matte Film	Metallic Film	Test Standard
Light Transmittance (%)	≥85	10-50	≤5	GB/T 2410
Haze (%)	≤2.0	15-40	-	GB/T 2410
Gloss (60°)	≥90	10-30	≥80	GB/T 8807
Color Difference ΔE	≤1.5	≤2.0	≤2.0	GB/T 7921
Lightfastness (Grade)	≥7	≥6	≥6	GB/T 8427

Barrier Properties

Performance Indicator	PET Color Film	Metallized Color Film	High Barrier Color Film	Test Standard
Water Vapor Transmission Rate (g/m²·24h)	20-40	0.5-1.5	0.5-2.0	GB/T 26253
Oxygen Transmission Rate (cm³/m²·24h·0.1MPa)	80-120	1.0-5.0	0.5-3.0	GB/T 19789
Light Transmittance (%)	Varies by Type	≤5	Varies by Type	GB/T 2410

Typical Application Fields

Application Field	Specific Uses	Recommended Type / Thickness	Key Requirements
Food Packaging	Snack Packaging, Candy Wraps, Coffee Packaging	BOPP/PET Color Film 15-30μm	Complies with Food Safety Standards, Good Heat Sealability
Consumer Goods Packaging	Shampoo Labels, Cosmetic Packaging, Detergent Packaging	PET/PVC Color Film 25-50μm	Good Print Quality, Chemical Resistance
Electronics	Phone Films, Screen Protectors, Insulating Films	PET Color Film 25-100μm	High Transparency, Low Static, Scratch Resistant
Building & Decoration	Furniture Laminates, Wall Decoration, Advertising Light Boxes	PVC Color Film 80-300μm	Good Weather Resistance, Easy Application, Rich Patterns
Books & Stationery	Book Covers, Folders, Photo Album Covers	BOPP/PET Color Film 25-75μm	Good Stiffness, Vibrant Colors, Wear Resistant
Industrial Applications	Labels & Tags, Instrument Panels, Protective Films	PET Color Film 50-250μm	Heat Resistant, Solvent Resistant, Dimensionally Stable
Medical Supplies	Device Packaging, Medical Labels, Protective Equipment	PET/CPP Color Film 25-100μm	Biocompatible, Sterilizable, High Transparency

Color Stability Reference Table

Environmental Factor	Test Conditions	PET Color Film	PVC Color Film	BOPP Color Film
Ultraviolet Light	500h QUV Test	ΔE ≤ 1.5	ΔE ≤ 2.5	ΔE ≤ 2.5
High Temperature	80℃ × 168h	ΔE ≤ 1.0	ΔE ≤ 2.0	ΔE ≤ 1.5
Damp Heat	85% RH, 85℃ × 168h	ΔE ≤ 1.2	ΔE ≤ 2.5	ΔE ≤ 2.0
Chemicals	100x Alcohol Wipes	No Change	Slight Change	No Change
Abrasion	500x Rub Test	No Shedding	Slight Wear	No Shedding

Processing and Printing Guidelines

 1. Slitting and Rewinding

   Slitting Equipment: Dual-shaft Slitter, Single-shaft Slitter

   Slitting Speed: 100-500 m/min, adjusted according to material thickness.

   Tension Control: 2-15 N/mm², to avoid stretching and deformation.

   Rewind Hardness: 45-55 Shore D, ensuring neat winding.

 2. Printing Processes

Printing Method	Suitable Film Types	Ink Type	Drying Method	Printing Precision
Gravure Printing	All Color Films	Solvent-based / Water-based Ink	Hot Air Drying	≤0.1mm
Flexographic Printing	Soft Color Films	Water-based / UV Ink	UV Curing / Hot Air	≤0.15mm
Screen Printing	Thick Color Films	Solvent-based / UV Ink	Air / UV Curing	≤0.2mm
Digital Printing	Small Batch Customization	Water-based / UV Ink	UV Curing	≤0.05mm

3. Lamination Processing

   Dry Lamination: Uses polyurethane adhesives, suitable for various color films.

   Solvent-free Lamination: Environmentally friendly process, suitable for food packaging films.

   Extrusion Lamination: Achieved through a PE/PP extrusion layer.

   Hot-melt Lamination: Suitable for laminating temperature-sensitive materials.

Selection Decision Matrix

Application Scenario	Primary Performance Requirement	Recommended Film Type	Thickness Suggestion	Processing Key Points
Outdoor Advertising	Weather Resistance, UV Resistance	PET/PVC Color Film	75-150μm	UV-resistant surface treatment, outdoor-grade inks.
Food Packaging	Safety, Heat Sealability	BOPP/CPP Color Film	15-30μm	Food-grade inks, heat-seal layer design.
Electronics	Dimensional Stability, Cleanliness	PET Color Film	50-100μm	Cleanroom processing, anti-static treatment.
Premium Labels	Print Quality, Stiffness	PET/BOPP Color Film	25-50μm	Surface corona treatment, fine printing.
Protective Films	Easy Release, No Residue	PET Color Film	50-125μm	Release force control, adhesive selection.
Decorative Materials	Texture/Feel, Durability	PVC/Metallic Film	100-300μm	Embossing treatment, scratch-resistant coating.

 Industry Customized Solutions

 1. Food Packaging Industry

   Requirements: High barrier, grease resistance, easy opening.

   Solution: Multi-layer co-extruded color film with built-in barrier layers.

   Applications: Stand-up pouches, retort packaging, frozen food packaging.

 2. Electronics Industry

   Requirements: Low dielectric constant, heat resistance, anti-static.

   Solution: Functional coated color film with added anti-static agents.

   Applications: Flexible circuit substrates, touch screen protectors, insulating materials.

 3. Automotive Interior Industry

   Requirements: Scratch resistance, aging resistance, premium feel.

   Solution: Surface-hardened color film with embossed textures.

   Applications: Dashboard decoration, door panel covering, control panels.

 4. Medical Packaging Industry

   Requirements: Sterilizability, high transparency, non-migratory.

   Solution: Medical-grade color film, certified to ISO 10993.

   Applications: Device packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, diagnostic reagent packaging.

Storage and Maintenance

 Storage Conditions

   Environment: Constant temperature and humidity, 15-25°C, 40-60% RH.

   Light: Store away from light to prevent UV exposure.

   Stacking: Store vertically or flat on pallets, avoid heavy pressure.

   Shelf Life: Best used within 6-12 months of production.

 Usage Precautions

   Conditioning: Allow 24 hours for temperature and humidity balance with environment before use.

   Static Control: Control static electricity in processing environment to avoid dust attraction.

   Tension Control: Precise tension control during processing to prevent stretching/deformation.

   Cleaning: Regularly clean guide rollers to avoid impurities damaging film surface.

 Development Trends

 Technical Development Directions

1.  Eco-friendly Color Films: Water-based inks, solvent-free lamination, biodegradable substrates.

2.  Enhanced Functionality: Self-healing coatings, thermochromic/photochromic colors, antibacterial surfaces.

3.  Intelligent Production: Online color inspection, intelligent color matching systems.

4.  Thinner Gauges: Achieving 20-30% reduction in thickness while maintaining performance.

 Market Application Expansion

1.  New Energy Sector: Lithium battery packaging film, PV module encapsulation film.

2.  Smart Packaging: RFID-integrated color film, smart label film.

3.  Flexible Displays: OLED substrate color film, flexible touch film.

4.  Green Building: Energy-saving window film, decorative architectural film.

As an important functional film material, color film plays a significant role in multiple fields such as packaging and printing, decorative building materials, electronics, and food & medical industries, thanks to its rich color options, excellent processing performance, and wide application adaptability. With increasing environmental requirements and diversification of end-use applications, color film is developing towards more environmentally friendly, smarter, and more functional directions. Correct material selection, precise processing control, and proper storage and use are key to ensuring the full performance of color film. In the future, color film will demonstrate its unique value and charm in more emerging fields.