Steve Yarbrough, product support specialist at Drytac, outlines a number of useful tips for getting the best out of window graphic applications.
Window graphics can make a big impact for retailers, offices, cafes and plenty of other organisations. The right design, installed correctly using specialised materials, can make a bold and vibrant statement on both external windows and inside a building. Alternatively, window graphics can be used to provide privacy or to change the light within a space. It’s a thriving market for graphics companies and designers.
It’s essential to use the right media for each project. At Drytac, a range of window graphics materials have been developed to help users choose the best product for the job, with a few things to consider.
First, it’s crucial to check with the client exactly what they want from their window graphic. Do they need a window graphic that is only visible from the outside, or inside the building as well? This will dictate both which material and type of printer to use. Has the customer requested an optically clear finish? If so, you don’t want to use a contact clear material. Do the colours need to be totally accurate? Check colour profiling and matching, asking the client to approve any colours before installation – perhaps printing a few colour swatches on the material to examine on site.
Drytac window graphic materials are rated for either indoor or outdoor use to help you choose the right media – it’s important to ensure a good finish and the required lifespan. Similarly, the printer must be compatible with the chosen materials, as certain ink sets may require top coats or laminates to ensure longevity. And never use a permanent adhesive for a temporary graphic: this will cost you later in time and money.
We also advise against using a material that will trap heat in a window, as this can cause expansion and shatter the window. These include multi-layered block-out materials, but do your research and ask the manufacturer if you’re unsure. They may even have a new product, perfect for your project, that you don’t even know about.
Finally, don’t choose sub-par materials and expect top-quality results. The difference will show in clarity, adhesion and overall performance. Drytac has developed a range of materials for different window graphics applications to help achieve a finish to be proud of.
For an easy installation of short-term graphics, for example, SpotOn is a 4 mil-thick vinyl with a ‘dot pattern’ adhesive which makes it simple to fit, reposition, remove and even reuse. Available in clear matte, white matte and white gloss, and compatible with solvent, eco-solvent, latex and UV inkjet printers, SpotOn is an incredibly versatile media.
WindowTac, too, is great for temporary graphics on glass, acrylic and other non-porous surfaces, especially for backlit displays. This 0.9 mil, visually clear PET film can also be installed with minimal effort.
Or, for longer term window graphics, take a look at ViziPrint Impress Clear, a 5 mil optically clear PET film with proprietary adhesion technology that can withstand both high and low temperatures and moisture. Available for UV, solvent, eco-solvent and latex inks, one can expect ideal graphics for years, and clean removal up to three years after installation. From the same range is ViziPrint Illuminate, a 4 mil high quality, translucent matte PET film that uses a mechanical bond to adhere to smooth, flat surfaces such as glass. Reverse printable and durable even without over-lamination, its bright white base colour creates brighter, more vivid window images.
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