3M or Avery Window Tint: What Is Best for My Customer?

When a customer walks into your tint shop and asks, “What’s the best window tint?”, there isn’t one answer that works for everyone.

The best automotive window film depends on what that particular customer cares about most: price, heat rejection, infrared rejection, UV protection, privacy, appearance, optical clarity, brand recognition, or overall performance.

For professional window tint installers, understanding these differences is important—but being able to explain them simply to your customer is just as important.

At Aerotect, we carry automotive window films from two of the most recognized names in the industry: 3M and Avery Dennison. Both manufacturers offer professional-grade automotive window tint options designed to cover different performance levels and budgets.

So, how do you decide which 3M automotive window film or Avery Dennison automotive window film is right for your customer?

This guide breaks down the different options and, more importantly, explains which type of customer each film is best suited for.

Start With the Customer, Not the Film

Before recommending a window film, ask your customer a few questions.

What is most important to you?

• Are you primarily looking for privacy and appearance?
• Is keeping the vehicle cooler your biggest concern?
• Do you want maximum heat and infrared rejection?
• Do you want a lighter tint that still provides heat protection?
• Is brand recognition important to you?
• Are you looking for the best performance available, or are you trying to stay within a certain budget?

These questions can quickly point you toward the right product.

Instead of overwhelming customers with VLT, TSER, IRER, SIRR and other window film specifications, start by understanding what they actually want their tint to accomplish.

From there, you can explain the technology and performance that makes one automotive window tint a better fit than another.

Understanding Automotive Window Tint Performance

Before comparing 3M and Avery Dennison automotive window films, there are a few terms every installer should be comfortable explaining.

VLT – Visible Light Transmission

Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is the percentage of visible light that passes through the window film and glass.

Generally, a lower VLT means a darker appearance.

For example, a 5% or 15% automotive tint will appear significantly darker than a 35% or 50% film.

Customers often assume that darker window tint automatically means better heat rejection, but that isn't necessarily true. Modern ceramic and spectrally selective automotive window films can provide impressive heat rejection while remaining relatively light.

That distinction can be a great opportunity to educate your customer and potentially move them into a higher-performance product.

TSER – Total Solar Energy Rejected

Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER) measures how much total solar energy the window film rejects.

TSER takes more than just infrared energy into consideration, which makes it one of the most useful numbers when comparing the overall solar performance of automotive window films.

In general, higher TSER means better overall solar heat rejection.

Infrared Rejection

Infrared radiation is responsible for much of the heat your customer feels coming through the vehicle's windows.

High-performance ceramic automotive window films are designed to reduce infrared energy while maintaining excellent optical clarity.

This is why ceramic tint can provide substantially more comfort than many traditional dyed films.

UV Protection

High-quality automotive window films can also block the overwhelming majority of harmful ultraviolet radiation.

UV protection helps protect vehicle occupants while also reducing sun exposure to interior materials such as:

• Leather
• Dashboards
• Upholstery
• Plastics
• Interior trim

For customers planning to keep their vehicle for years, UV protection can be another strong selling point.

3M Automotive Window Film Options

3M offers several levels of automotive window tint, making it easy for installers to build a good-better-best window tint package.

Depending on your customer's priorities and budget, you can move from an economical dyed film all the way to premium ceramic and multilayer optical window film technology.

3M Obsidian Series: Great for Budget-Conscious Customers

Best for: Customers primarily interested in appearance, privacy, UV protection and solid performance at an affordable price.

3M Obsidian Series is a great place to start for a customer who wants a quality 3M automotive window tint but doesn't necessarily need premium ceramic performance.

Obsidian uses 3M's patented infused technology, which is designed to provide improved durability, color retention and fade resistance compared with many conventional dyed automotive window films.

It also provides strong heat rejection, low reflectivity and UV protection.

Recommend 3M Obsidian when your customer says:

“I mainly want my windows darker.”

“I want a quality tint without spending a ton.”

“I want privacy and a clean appearance.”

“I want 3M window tint, but I don't need the most expensive option.”

This makes 3M Obsidian automotive window film an excellent entry-level option for customers who value the 3M name and want dependable performance without jumping immediately into ceramic tint.

3M Color Stable Series: A Step Up in Performance

Best for: Customers looking for a balance of price, appearance, color stability and improved heat rejection.

3M Color Stable Series is an excellent middle-ground automotive window tint.

The film combines 3M's color-stable technology with ceramic nanoparticles to provide improved solar performance while maintaining a rich charcoal appearance.

The result is a film that gives customers a factory-style look while stepping up heat rejection from a basic dyed window film.

3M reports that current Color Stable Series films can reject up to 64% of total solar energy, depending on film and glass configuration.

The film is also non-metallized, so it won't interfere with GPS, satellite radio, cellular devices or 5G connectivity.

Recommend 3M Color Stable when your customer says:

“I want something better than basic tint, but I don't need the top-of-the-line film.”

“I want good heat rejection without paying for the most expensive ceramic tint.”

“I want a dark, factory-style appearance.”

“I want something that will maintain its color.”

For many everyday vehicles, 3M Color Stable window tint hits a very attractive balance between cost and performance.

3M Ceramic IR Series: High-Performance Ceramic Window Tint

Best for: Customers concerned about heat, comfort and infrared rejection.

When your customer says, “I want my car cooler,” it's time to start talking about ceramic tint.

3M Ceramic IR Series uses advanced nano-ceramic technology to deliver strong infrared heat rejection without using metal.

Depending on the film and glass combination, 3M reports rejection of up to 66% of total solar energy and up to 95% infrared rejection under the measurement identified by 3M.

Ceramic IR also rejects up to 99.9% of UV light.

Because the film is metal-free, customers don't have to worry about interference with:

• GPS
• Cell phones
• Satellite radio
• Bluetooth-connected devices
• 5G connectivity

Recommend 3M Ceramic IR when your customer says:

“My car gets way too hot.”

“I park outside all day.”

“Heat rejection is more important to me than just having dark windows.”

“I want ceramic tint.”

“I want a premium film, but I don't necessarily need the most expensive option available.”

For drivers in hot climates, commuters, families and vehicles with large glass areas, 3M Ceramic IR automotive window film can be an easy performance upgrade to demonstrate and sell.

3M Crystalline Series: Premium Technology and Performance

Best for: Customers who want premium 3M technology, high optical clarity and excellent heat rejection—including customers who don't necessarily want extremely dark windows.

3M Crystalline has long occupied the premium end of the 3M automotive window film lineup.

Unlike conventional dyed automotive window tint, Crystalline uses 3M's proprietary multilayer optical film technology.

One of the biggest advantages of this technology is that a window film does not have to be extremely dark to provide meaningful solar performance.

This makes Crystalline particularly useful for customers who want heat protection without dramatically changing the appearance of their vehicle.

Recommend 3M Crystalline when your customer says:

“I want the best 3M window tint you offer.”

“I want maximum performance.”

“I want heat rejection, but I don't want my windows super dark.”

“I have a high-end vehicle and want a premium product.”

“Price isn't my biggest concern. I care about performance.”

Crystalline is also a strong option for windshields where legally permitted and for customers who want a lighter VLT while still improving comfort.

Avery Dennison Automotive Window Film Options

Avery Dennison offers a complete lineup of professional automotive window films designed to give installers options for different budgets, performance expectations, heat rejection needs and customer preferences.

The Avery Dennison Encore automotive window film lineup makes it easy to create a tiered offering within your shop. From customers primarily looking for privacy and appearance to those wanting advanced infrared heat rejection, there's an Encore film designed for the job.

The key is matching the right Avery Dennison automotive tint to the right customer.

Avery Dennison Encore: A Quality Entry-Level Option

Best for: Budget-conscious customers primarily looking for privacy, appearance and UV protection.

Avery Dennison Encore is a great starting point for customers who want a professional automotive window tint without paying for premium heat-rejection technology.

This is the customer who may be less concerned with maximizing infrared rejection and more interested in getting a clean, attractive tint from a trusted manufacturer.

Recommend Avery Dennison Encore when your customer says:

“I mainly want my windows darker.”

“I'm looking for a good tint at an affordable price.”

“Privacy and appearance are my biggest concerns.”

“I don't need the highest heat rejection available.”

Encore gives installers an excellent option for customers shopping primarily on value, appearance and everyday performance.

Avery Dennison Encore Supreme: The Step-Up Option

Best for: Customers who want better overall performance while still keeping their tint purchase within a reasonable budget.

Avery Dennison Encore Supreme provides a step up from the standard Encore series and is a great choice for customers looking for a stronger combination of appearance, solar performance, durability and comfort.

This is an important category for tint shops because not every customer wants the least expensive film, but they may not be ready to jump all the way to a premium infrared-rejecting product either.

Encore Supreme fills that middle ground.

Recommend Avery Dennison Encore Supreme when your customer says:

“I want something better than your basic tint.”

“I want good performance without going all the way to your most expensive film.”

“I want a quality film that's going to look great on my vehicle.”

“What's your next step up?”

Encore Supreme makes it easy to give customers a good-better-best automotive tint option without immediately pushing them into the highest-priced film.

Avery Dennison Encore Supreme IR: High-Performance Infrared Heat Rejection

Best for: Customers who prioritize heat rejection, interior comfort and infrared performance.

When your customer says “I want to keep my car cooler,” Encore Supreme IR should enter the conversation.

Encore Supreme IR is designed for customers who want to move beyond basic automotive window tint and invest in a higher-performance film focused on infrared heat rejection and passenger comfort.

This is especially valuable for customers who:

• Spend a lot of time driving
• Park outside regularly
• Live in hot climates
• Have vehicles with large glass areas
• Have children or passengers in the vehicle frequently
• Are particularly sensitive to heat coming through their windows

For Southern California installers, heat rejection is often one of the easiest premium features to demonstrate to a customer.

Recommend Avery Dennison Encore Supreme IR when your customer says:

“My car gets way too hot.”

“Heat rejection is my biggest concern.”

“I want a premium tint.”

“What's your best option for keeping the interior cooler?”

“I want better infrared rejection.”

Instead of selling Encore Supreme IR based only on technical specifications, explain the real-world benefit: reducing the amount of solar energy entering through the vehicle's glass can make the cabin more comfortable for the driver and passengers.

Avery Dennison Encore Shield IR: High Performance Without the Dark Look

Best for: Customers who want infrared and solar performance while maintaining a lighter, more natural appearance.

One of the biggest misconceptions in automotive window tint is that a film has to be dark to reject heat.

That's where Avery Dennison Encore Shield IR can be particularly useful.

Encore Shield IR is designed for customers who want advanced solar and infrared performance without dramatically darkening their windows.

This makes it a great option for applications where maintaining higher visible light transmission is important.

Recommend Avery Dennison Encore Shield IR when your customer says:

“I want heat rejection, but I don't want dark windows.”

“Can you put something almost clear on my windshield?”

“I want to reduce the heat coming through the glass without changing the appearance too much.”

“My vehicle already has factory privacy glass. I just want better heat rejection.”

Encore Shield IR can also be an excellent complement to vehicles with factory privacy glass. The existing glass may already provide the darker appearance the customer wants, while Encore Shield IR can be used to improve solar performance without making the glass unnecessarily darker.

For windshield applications, always make sure the installation complies with applicable state and local automotive window tint laws.

 

3M vs. Avery Dennison Window Tint: Which Is Better?

The better question is:

Which product best matches your customer's priorities?

Both 3M and Avery Dennison manufacture professional automotive window films with different technologies, price points and performance characteristics.

Instead of treating the conversation as Avery Dennison vs. 3M window tint, think of each product as another tool in your sales toolbox.

Don't Sell Tint Percentage—Sell the Solution

A customer asking for 20% tint may actually be trying to solve a heat problem.

Another customer may care primarily about privacy.

Another may want their front windows to match their factory rear privacy glass.

Another may want maximum heat rejection but doesn't want dark windows at all.

Once you understand the customer's goal, you can recommend the automotive window film technology first and VLT second.

That turns a simple tint sale into a professional consultation—and makes it easier for customers to understand the value of upgrading to a better-performing film.

Build a Good-Better-Best Automotive Window Tint Menu

For window tint shops, offering too many choices can sometimes make selling harder.

Instead, create a simple good-better-best window tint package.

For example:

GOOD – Quality Appearance & Privacy

BETTER – Improved Heat Rejection

BEST – Ceramic / Premium Heat Rejection

You can then position specific 3M or Avery Dennison window films within those categories based on the products your shop carries.

This approach makes upgrades easier to understand without forcing the customer to become an expert in window film specifications.

The Bottom Line: Choosing the Best Automotive Window Tint for Your Customer

There isn't one best automotive window tint for every vehicle or every customer.

A customer who simply wants privacy and a clean appearance has very different needs from someone who drives two hours every day in intense heat.

That's why professional window tint installers should understand the differences between dyed window tint, ceramic window tint, nano ceramic window tint, infrared-rejecting film and premium multilayer optical films.

With options from 3M Automotive Window Film and Avery Dennison Automotive Window Film, installers can build a product lineup that covers multiple budgets and performance levels.

The goal isn't always to sell your customer the most expensive window tint.

The goal is to help them understand what they're paying for and which technology best solves their problem.

When customers understand the difference between appearance, privacy, UV protection, TSER, infrared rejection and ceramic window tint technology, choosing the right product becomes much easier.

And an educated customer is much more likely to recognize the value of a professional automotive window tint installation.

Frequently Asked Questions About 3M & Avery Dennison Automotive Window Tint

Is 3M or Avery Dennison window tint better?

Both manufacturers offer professional-quality automotive window films. The best choice depends on the customer's budget, desired appearance, heat-rejection expectations and preferred technology. Rather than choosing solely by brand, compare the specific window film series.

Is ceramic tint worth the extra money?

For customers who prioritize heat rejection and interior comfort, ceramic automotive window tint can be worth the upgrade. Nano ceramic technology is designed to provide excellent infrared rejection without relying on metallic film construction.

Does darker window tint reject more heat?

Not necessarily. VLT measures visible light transmission, not overall heat rejection. Advanced ceramic and spectrally selective films can provide strong solar performance even at relatively high VLT levels.

What is the best 3M window tint for heat rejection?

Customers primarily concerned with heat should compare 3M's higher-performance technologies, particularly Ceramic IR and Crystalline, rather than choosing a film solely based on how dark it looks.

What Avery Dennison tint is best for heat rejection?

Avery Dennison NR Nano Ceramic IR is designed for high-performance heat and infrared rejection while maintaining high optical clarity and a deep graphite appearance.

Can ceramic tint interfere with cell phones or GPS?

The ceramic films discussed in this guide are metal-free and are designed to provide heat rejection without interfering with electronic devices.

Does factory privacy glass block heat?

Factory privacy glass primarily reduces visible light and creates a darker appearance. Adding high-performance automotive window film can provide additional solar and UV protection.

What window tint percentage is best?

The ideal VLT depends on the customer's desired appearance, vehicle glass and applicable state and local tint laws. Always verify local automotive window tint regulations before installation.