Snapshot of Graphics History: 3M™ Scotchcal™ Translucent Graphic Film Is 25 and Going Strong

2008 marks the 25th anniversary of Scotchcal translucent graphic film. Enjoy this snapshot of its surprising history.

When 3M engineers experimented by laying a double-coated cloth tape containing glass beads as a roadway median in 1937‚ no one predicted that the inherent technologies would revolutionize traffic control and establish 3M as one of the world’s leading commercial graphics companies.

After years of technical challenges‚ 3M introduced translucent films in 1983. For the first time‚ technicians were able to cast 2-mil‚ wide-format films with color that was uniform when backlit — something spray painting and screen printing technologies could rarely produce.

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