Overall spectral evolution of SN 1996W. Wavelengths are in the observer’s rest frame. The phase reported for each spectrum is relative to the explosion date (JD 2 450 180), late spectra have been multiplied by a factor f5 and 20 to emphasise the features. The ⊕ symbol marks the positions of the most important telluric absorptions. The spectra are shifted with respect to the first one.