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![]() A Signmaker's Guide to Choosing the Right Media for Backlit Displays
By Jennifer Chagnon, Senior Marketing Manager at InteliCoat Technologies
Are you leveraging backlit graphics in your shop, or are you letting the business pass you by?
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Although there are various options available for the production of signs and digital graphics, one particular area worth taking another look at is backlit products and applications. This is due in large part to the recent advancements that have been made in digital printing and media technologies, which have made it easier to produce high quality, cost-effective backlit graphics. Another major reason to refocus on backlit displays is the large market opportunity that POS graphics brings with it.
![]() Defined as an electronic display that incorporates a light source in back of a liquid-crystal or other electronic display to increase readability, backlit displays create a compelling visual effect through backlighting white or colored translucent graphics. Unlike many other applications, backlit displays enable the production of bright, vivid colors that highlight the product/service being sold, and grab the attention of potential buyers and customers. Typically, the same customer base that buys outdoor banners also has a need for in-store point of sale graphics. The average selling price of POS applications like backlit displays is 75 percent greater than the average selling price per square foot of outdoor vinyl; not to mention they are more environmentally friendly. So it then becomes a matter of capitalizing on this opportunity by educating yourself about the various options and newest developments in the backlit display market. Whether you're creating backlit products for aqueous, eco solvent, solvent and UV printing systems, there are a plethora of semi-opaque and clear film options available on the market today.
ABC's of Backlit Display Production It is recommended that signmakers use matte to textured, lustre finishes for the construction of backlits, which are commonly imaged on polyester or polycarbonate-based films. Polycarbonates are reverse printed and then viewed through the film or from the non-print side. Polyester films are available with a textured finish on the viewing side of the film.
Semi Opaque Films
To meet the wide array of environments, there are a number of semi opaque media solutions ranging in the $1.00 per square foot price range for use with aqueous dye/pigmented printers and inks. Some reverse print films enable print providers to print on the matte side in order to protect the image on the gloss side, making them ideal for high quality, promotional indoor backlit signage, backlit trade show display and backlit retail displays. Such films feature high color gamut on the viewing side, optimized opacity for maximum color with hot spots and enable the image to look great with the lights on or off. When looking for this type of film, choose a polyester film base for uniform, low-grain background. If you're looking to produce a durable sign, there are film solutions on the market that have a waterfast coating when used with pigmented ink. In addition to featuring a high color gamut on the viewing side, such films can be used for both frontlit and backlit applications, and enable positive direct-print on matte surface for easy file management. When choosing among such media options, look for a film that features optimized opacity for maximum color without hot spots. Ideal for high quality indoor and outdoor durable backlit signage, backlit/frontlit trade show displays and retail displays and durable reflective signage, these options are available in approximately $1.00 per square foot price range.
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Many of the semi opaque film solutions for solvent and eco-solvent printers present a more cost-effective option within the $.75 per square foot price range. For the production of backlit tradeshow and retail displays, and lightbox graphics and kiosks, there are universal films that allow front print and feature bright white surface for high image resolution. With solvent printers, the image should be back-illuminated to optimize image appearance. The use of a diffuser layer will increase overall density to the image. Lamination with encapsulation is the best way to ensure complete waterfastness for such applications.
Clear Films As discussed, for solvent/eco-solvent printing, polyester films provide the smoothest base uniformity and highest image resolution at approximately $.80 per square foot. In addition to looking for films that feature, outstanding, high density black, print providers should also consider the water-resistant properties of the film. Such characteristics result in the ideal solution for making not only film positives for screen printing, but also graphic overlays, clear signage as well as window displays, tradeshow media, point-of-sale and kiosk designs.
Finishing ICC profiles are another critical element in obtaining quality output with backlit films, which are typically polyester-based materials.
Conclusion
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