Wrap it. Snap it. Rewards!
Show off your finished wrap. Share a photo and get rewarded!
3M IJ180MC-120 Metallic Custom Print Vinyl Wrap
Upload Artwork
Select Media Option
Calculate Media Usage
This finished size requires paneling. A fixed 1″ overlap is used. The calculator automatically selects a panel orientation and media width, which can be overridden.
File Instructions
Order Summary
$0.00
Gallery
Gallery
Product Details
Product Details
Create distinctive custom graphics with 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic Print Wrap Film, professionally printed by Printara. This premium 2 mil cast vinyl features an opaque silver metallic construction with a glossy manufactured finish, providing a unique appearance for full vehicle wraps, fleet graphics, partial wraps, and specialty printed applications.
Featuring 3M Controltac and Comply Adhesive Technology, this printable vinyl combines slideability, repositionability, and air-release technology to help installers achieve smooth, professional results on curves, contours, rivets, and corrugated surfaces.
Why Choose 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic?
- Silver Metallic Film: Opaque metallic vinyl with a glossy manufactured finish that provides a distinctive appearance for printed graphics.
- 2 Mil Cast Vinyl: Flexible construction designed to conform to compound curves, rivets, corrugations, and complex vehicle contours.
- Controltac Adhesive: Slideable and repositionable technology allows easier alignment before final adhesion.
- Comply Air-Release Technology: Microtechnology adhesive channels help trapped air escape during installation.
- Optimized Initial Tack: Helps installers position and adjust graphics before applying firm pressure.
- Long-Term Performance: Designed for professional indoor and outdoor graphics. 3M specifies a 6-year expected performance life for unprinted, unprotected metallic film under defined vertical outdoor exposure conditions.
- Removable Film: Engineered for removal under appropriate application and service conditions.
What Can 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic Be Used For?
3M IJ180mC-120 is designed for professional printed graphics that benefit from a silver metallic appearance. Its conformable construction makes it suitable for a variety of vehicle and specialty applications.
- Full Vehicle Wraps : Create custom metallic vehicle wraps for cars, trucks, vans, and other compatible vehicles. Ideal for designs that incorporate metallic finishes and custom graphics.
- Fleet Graphics : Produce distinctive branding for company vehicles, delivery vans, service trucks, and commercial fleets using custom printed metallic graphics.
- Partial Vehicle Wraps : Add metallic accents, branded graphics, and custom designs to vehicle doors, hoods, side panels, and other selected areas.
- Wall Wraps : Create specialty metallic wall graphics, branded displays, and decorative designs on compatible surfaces. Verify surface suitability and adhesive compatibility before installation.
Professional Custom Printing by Printara
Printara provides professional large-format printing for wrap shops, businesses, graphic designers, and independent installers. Upload your artwork, company branding, or custom designs and have them printed on genuine 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic Film.
The film's silver metallic construction creates a distinctive appearance compared to traditional white printable vinyl. Because the metallic surface can influence printed colors, the final appearance will depend on the artwork, ink coverage, and selected lamination finish. For color-critical projects, a printed sample is recommended.
Choose from available printing options, including standard 6-color printing and 11-color Ultra Sharp HD Printing for projects requiring enhanced image detail, rich colors, and smooth gradients.
Want sharper details and more vibrant prints? Discover the benefits of our 11-Color Ultra Sharp HD Printing technology and learn which printing option is best for your project.
Material Specifications
| Manufacturer | 3M |
| Product | IJ180mC-120 Metallic |
| Film Type | Cast PVC Vinyl |
| Film Color | Silver Metallic |
| Base Finish | Glossy |
| Opacity | Opaque |
| Thickness | 2 Mil (Film Only) |
| Adhesive | Pressure-Activated, Repositionable |
| Air Release | 3M Comply Technology |
| Application | Dry Installation |
View Complete 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic Media Specifications →
Lamination & Finish Options
Customize the appearance and protection of your printed 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic vinyl with Printara's available lamination options. Although the film has a glossy manufactured finish, the selected laminate determines the final surface appearance of your printed graphics.
- Gloss: A high-shine finish that enhances color depth and emphasizes the metallic appearance of the film.
- Satin: A smooth, low-sheen finish that provides softer reflections while maintaining a metallic appearance.
- Matte: A non-gloss finish that reduces reflections for a more understated appearance.
- Avery Gloss Clear Sparkle: A specialty gloss finish featuring a subtle sparkle effect that adds visual interest to custom printed graphics.
- Gloss Plus Protection Film: An enhanced protection option with a glossy finish, designed to provide additional surface protection for printed graphics.
- Satin Plus Protection Film: An enhanced protection option with a smooth satin appearance, combining reduced glare with additional surface protection.
Available finishes and protection options may vary. The selected laminate may affect the appearance of metallic graphics. Confirm material compatibility and application requirements before ordering.
Printing & File Preparation Guides
Need help preparing your artwork or understanding how your custom print is calculated? Scroll down to our Guides section below for step-by-step instructions on:
- How to set up your print file for production.
- How to create contour cut lines for custom-cut graphics.
- How square footage is calculated for printing and pricing.
Estimating a project? Use our Printara Project Cost Calculator to estimate material requirements and costs for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic good for full vehicle wraps?
Yes. 3M IJ180mC-120 Metallic is designed for full vehicle wraps, partial wraps, and commercial fleet graphics. Its cast construction and air-release technology help installers work with complex vehicle surfaces.
How long does a printed vehicle wrap last?
Service life depends on the film and laminate combination, installation, environmental exposure, and maintenance. 3M specifies a 6-year expected performance life for unprinted, unprotected metallic film under defined outdoor exposure conditions. This is not a finished-graphic warranty. Learn more in our Vehicle Wrap Durability Guide .
How much does a custom vehicle wrap cost?
Costs vary based on vehicle size, printed square footage, material selection, finishing options, and installation. Learn more in our Full Vehicle Wrap Cost Guide .
How much vinyl do I need to wrap a vehicle?
Material requirements depend on vehicle dimensions, coverage area, panel overlap, and installation needs. See our guide on How Much Vinyl You Need to Wrap a Vehicle .
Additional Manufacturer Resources
For official technical documentation, approved applications, compatible graphic protection, and installation recommendations, visit the Official 3M IJ180mC Product Page .
Material durability, removability, and warranty coverage depend on application conditions, compatible materials, installation procedures, and manufacturer guidelines. Metallic film appearance can vary with artwork, ink coverage, lighting, and lamination selection. Always review current technical specifications before installation.
Wholesale Pricing Available
Wholesale Pricing Available
For print shops and installers
Wholesale pricing for your next big project
Order custom prints and other Printara products at wholesale pricing. If you are not yet a wholesale customer, apply below to get started.
Apply for wholesaleCustom print discounts
Your discount is based on the total square footage of custom prints in your order. The highest tier reached applies.
| Custom print order size | Discount |
|---|---|
| 100–299 sq ft | 3% off |
| 300–499 sq ft | 5% off |
| 500–999 sq ft | 7% off |
| 1,000–1,499 sq ft | 9% off |
| 1,500 sq ft or more | 12% off |
10% off other products
Wholesale customers receive 10% off all other products. Services, including graphic design and installation, are excluded.
Ready to apply?
Submit the wholesale application to request access to wholesale pricing.
Start your wholesale application
California P65 Warning
California P65 Warning
Guides
How to set up your print file
How to set up your print file
File size and artwork dimensions
- Maximum file size: 1 GB.
- Artwork width: Make your artwork at least 0.5″ narrower than the media you select. For example, artwork printed on 60″ media should be no wider than 59.5″.
- Artwork size: Set up your file at the size you want it printed whenever possible. Smaller-scale files are accepted too. If you send a smaller file, tell us the final print size and scale in your order comments.
- Raster image resolution: Make sure your image has enough resolution for its final print size. Enlarging a low-resolution image can make it look blurry or pixelated.
Color
For standard artwork: We recommend sending RGB artwork with the sRGB IEC61966-2.1 color profile embedded. This gives our print software a consistent reference when converting colors for the selected printer and material.
For artwork using Printara Colors: Use the LAB values shown for the color. In Illustrator, create a LAB-defined spot-color swatch and keep it as a spot color in your vector file and production PDF. Preserving the spot-color definition is the preferred way to carry the Printara color target into production.
Prepare your artwork
- Images: Use an image resolution that suits the final print size. Low-resolution images may look blurry or pixelated.
- Fonts and placed images: In vector files, convert fonts to outlines, curves, or paths. Embed any images placed in your file.
- Artboard: Crop the artboard closely around your full design. Any blank space inside the artboard may be included in the printed output.
Accepted file types
We accept PDF, PSD/PSB, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, AI, EPS, and SVG files. To preserve Printara LAB spot colors, submit vector artwork or a PDF with spot colors retained. For raster artwork, submit a Lab-mode PSD, PSB, or TIFF.
Before you submit
Please send files that are ready to print. If your file is smaller than the intended print size, include the final size and scale in your order comments.
Printara may decline files that do not meet these guidelines. We do not review or correct every submitted file, so please check your artwork before sending it.
Need help with your artwork?
Our design team can help prepare or create your artwork. Submit a custom graphic design request.
How to set up contour cut lines
How to set up contour cut lines
- File should be supplied in AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF format with vector contour lines.
-
IMPORTANT: Contour lines must be assigned as a Spot Color named 'CutContour'.
To assign a spot color using Adobe Illustrator:
- Open the Swatches Palette. If the Swatches Palette is not readily visible, you may need to open it by selecting Swatches from the Windows menu.
- Click the 3 horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the Palette, and select New Swatch. This opens the New Swatch dialog.
- Enter CutContour as the name of the new swatch. This needs to be spelled exactly as shown here.
- Select Spot Color from the Color Type drop-down menu, and use the slider bars to create a color. The color is not important since it will not be printed.
- Click OK to close the dialogs.
- Select your cut paths and assign your new swatch color to those paths.
Note: You may use any vector-based drawing program you want. These instructions are specific to Adobe Illustrator. Most drawing programs will follow a similar process. If you have trouble, see the Help Files in your drawing program.
- Contour lines and print image must be supplied in the same file.
- Contour files must be at least 2" less than width of print media.
- Opacity of CutContour lines MUST be at 100%.
- DO NOT hide the CutContour layer or turn off the option to print.
Taking these steps allows us to seamlessly assign your CutContour lines. If followed correctly, the CutContour lines will NOT print. Failure to follow guidelines may result in delayed processing time.
PNG file types with transparent backgrounds are acceptable, but not recommended. Please be aware that PNG files work in a RGB colorspace, and WILL be converted to CMYK when sent to print. We are not responsible for any inaccuracy or color shift that occurs as a result of the conversion.
How square footage is calculated
How square footage is calculated
How Print Square Footage Is Calculated
Our products are priced by the amount of print media required to produce your project. Because your artwork is printed from a roll, the square footage used may be different from the finished square footage of your graphic.
Square Footage Is Based on the Media Used
Your print is produced from a fixed-width roll of media. This means your order is calculated using the amount of media required to produce the print — not just the finished area of the graphic itself.
36″ × 72″ Graphic Example
A 36″ wide graphic is produced on 48″ wide media. Even though the finished graphic is only 36″ wide, the full 48″ width of media is used for the 72″ print length.
Graphic
Projects That Require Panels
If your project is too wide to print in one piece, the calculator can divide it into overlapping panels.
Panels include a fixed 1″ overlap. The calculator determines the media width, orientation, number of panels, and total material required.
Already Know Your Square Footage?
Use the Square Footage tab instead of entering finished dimensions.
Enter the square footage you need and select the desired media width. The calculator will show the approximate length of material that square footage represents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my calculated square footage larger than my graphic?
Do I need to select the correct media width myself?
Can my artwork be rotated to use less material?
How much smaller should my artwork be than the media?
What happens if my artwork cannot fit on one piece of media?
No Manual Math Required
Enter your finished dimensions on the product page and the calculator will determine the media required for your print.