A new shop can open with a small PPF inventory: one wide roll for hoods and roofs, one narrower roll for bumpers and small parts, and the tools to install them. Buy the rest once the appointment book shows what your customers actually ask for. Film sitting on a shelf is cash you cannot spend on a second installer, a better lift or local ads.

Roll widths to start with

In the first month, widths matter more than anything printed on the box. A 60 in roll covers a full hood on most cars and lets you run a roof or a long truck panel in one piece. A 36 in roll is the better use of film for bumpers, trunk ledges and rockers, because cutting those parts from a 60 in roll leaves offcuts that end up in the bin. Many shops add a 24 in roll for mirrors, headlights, A-pillars and door cups. Those small jobs are quick to book. They are also the easiest add-on to sell when a customer picks up a car after a wash or a coating.

Widths and lengths vary by film line, so check the spec sheet of the grade you plan to stock before you build cutting patterns around it.

Gloss first, matte when the demand is there

Gloss is the safe first purchase. It keeps the factory look, and it is what most protection jobs get quoted on. Matte, or stealth, film changes the finish of the car, and demand for it depends a lot on your area and on how many EVs and sports cars come through the door. If people already ask for it, one wide matte roll lets you quote a matte conversion the same day instead of sending the customer away to wait. If nobody asks, hold off.

Plan around the cars you see most

Look at the cars you expect to work on. In many US markets that list starts with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, then pickups and mid-size SUVs. Check that your widest roll covers the hood of your most common model without a seam, since a seam across a hood is the first thing a customer points at. Before you open, a week of counting cars in nearby parking lots tells you more than any national sales chart.

Cash flow: buy direct and buy in steps

Some film brands ask new shops to sign a supply agreement or buy a starter package before they can install the film. Buying factory-direct avoids that. HIGHCOOL makes Paint Protection Film (PPF) in its own 20,000 m² factory in Shanghai and sells it by the roll, and the US warehouse holds PPF stock, so a reorder does not always mean waiting on an ocean shipment. Each roll carries its own code for warranty tracing, and the warranty runs 5 to 10 years depending on the grade.

We will not print a price list here, because your price depends on your country, the grade and how much you move. Tell us those three things and we quote within 12 hours on business days. If you want to see the film first, A4 PPF samples are free and ship from US sample stock; you pay the shipping.

Storage

Keep rolls in their boxes, stored horizontally, in a dry, climate-controlled room away from direct sun. Heat and humidity work on the adhesive long before the film reaches the car. A roll that spent July next to the bay door will not handle like one kept indoors. Ask for the storage conditions on the technical data sheet of the grade you buy and follow them.

Consumables to buy with the film

• Squeegees in soft, medium and hard
• Precision knives and a large stock of spare blades
• Separate sprayers for slip solution and tack solution
• A heat gun, and a steamer if you plan to do a lot of edges and mirrors
• Panel-prep cleaner, clay and lint-free towels

Change blades often. A dull blade drags the film and is the fastest way to cut into paint.

If you are planning an opening order, send us the cars you expect to see most and your budget through our contact page, and we will suggest a starter mix of PPF rolls.

FAQ

How many PPF rolls does a new shop need to open?
Two or three rolls is enough for many new shops: one wide gloss roll, one narrower roll for bumpers and small parts, and a matte roll only if local customers already ask for it. Reorder from booked jobs, not from forecasts.

Which PPF roll width should I buy first?
Buy a 60 in roll first, because it covers full hoods and roofs in one piece. Add a 36 in or 24 in roll next so bumpers and small parts do not eat into the wide roll.

Can I test HIGHCOOL PPF before ordering a roll?
Yes. A4 PPF samples are free and ship from US sample stock, and you pay the shipping. Test them on the panels your installers find hardest.