In 1968 the Manufacture of SOLARFILM iron-on film started in Chorley, England with just six basic colours. A competitive iron-on film from another source had appeared, but it had a soft, flexible, sticky adhesive which allowed the covering to slacken off after a very short time. SOLARFILM had a harder 'dry' adhesive that avoided that problem.

1973 Solarfilm manufacture moved to a larger factory in Blackpool, England. By then the colour range included transparent and metalic colours.

1979 Solarfilm moved back to Chorley into a larger purpose-built factory, doubling the floor area again.

1982 SOLARTEX, the iron-on fabric was developed and put into production. This was Mark 1 Solartex. (current Solartex is mark 4). There were several colours and it could be left 'as ironed-on' without any need for further coating. The other iron-on fabric being sold was a plain white fabric which needed a full paint job after being applied to the model.

Since then Solarfilm has added further products, each one being a new development in iron-on coverings, SOLARTRIM, SOLARSPAN, SOLARFILM SUPERSHRINK POLYESTER, FIBAFILM, LITESPAN, AIRSPAN, SOLARKOTE, GLOSSTEX, SO-LITE, MATT POLYESTER. Most were to fill a demand created as new and different types of model began to be built and flown. Most have since been copied.