plained Halloran. High clarity, non-PVC
polyester fi lms are also available for
window decoration in permanent and
non-permanent forms, he explained.
Another of Lintec’s most popular
product is its scratch resistant
UV-printable, non PVC fi lm PET
fi lm, with optically clear, permanent
adhesive for fl atbed UV printers. “You
can hit it hard with a squeegee and not
damage it,” he noted.
One of the most popular Avery Dennison
cast fi lms for windows is Etchmark
from the 100 Window Graphic Series,
said Joey Heiob, technical specialist,
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions.
“Th is unique fi lm provides the look
and feel of real etched glass. If an
installer is looking for high performance
These tantalizing cafe graphics were digitally printed on
Avery Dennison MPI 2105 by Art Effects Graphics & Signs.
calendered window fi lm, MPI
2077 is a fi tting choice,” he reported.
“Th is fi lm is clear with ultra removable
adhesive and is printable across
all digital platforms. MPI 2077 works
well in promotional and short-term
applications on glass and other smooth
surfaces. Another popular calendered
Avery Dennison fi lm is MPI 2921, which
is used in temporary transit advertising
due to its easy removability and stunning
color pop.”
For projects that call for perforated
window fi lms that provide strong color
pop with some visibility, Avery off ers
two intermediate calendered fi lms, MPI
2528 Perforated Window 50/50 and
MPI 2728 Perforated Window 65/35.
Th ey off er image clarity with one-way
visibility with your choice of open area,
50% or 35%. Full transparency may be
necessary in some projects as well, and
SF 100-103 Ultra Clear provides it. Th is
fi lm allows for full glass coverage without
distorting clarity in its unprinted
areas, meaning installers won’t need to
contour cut around the images in their
graphics.
Design elements
Avoid using dark colors in your design,
said Maricle. Instead, use bright,
vibrant colors to draw
focus to the graphic. Dark
colors will allow you to see
through the graphic from
the front side, giving you
the opposite eff ect.
Th ink about window
tinting when selecting
colors. “Tinted windows
could impact the overall
look of a wrap,” DeRicco
explained. “When selecting
lettering and graphic colors,
consider the contrast on
dark backgrounds, such as
tinted windows. Use lighter
and brighter colors over
dark backgrounds so they
visibly pop.”
“Getting dark, clear and
vibrant colors to pop on window
graphics is the biggest
challenge when it comes to
printing; utilizing white ink can help
solve this challenge,” said Coleman.
“Pay attention to image and text matching,”
added DeRicco. Any time there is a
break in the graphic, such as the rubber
areas between the metal and the window
on a vehicle, or a window divider
between two large window panels of a
retail store front, ensure that the graphics
have been perfectly aligned. “From a
distance, any variance will cause stand
out to the audience and refl ect poorly
on the brand,” he said.
Ink technology
Make sure to understand which ink
technology to use for outward-facing
window graphics. “Th is is important
for fading purposes,” said Jaycox. “It is
recommended for those applications
to use latex, eco-solvent/solvent, and
UV-curable technology. Aqueous inks
will fade considerably faster.”
Placement
Th ink strategically about the placement
of window graphics, said Coleman. “If
it’s on a storefront for instance, decide
if you still want people to be able to see
inside the store,” she remarked. “If so,
take care to fi nd the right balance. If
you don’t want to entirely obstruct the
view on a front window, but run out of
room for your message, consider using
a door window to compliment and
complete the project.”
Climate matters
Consider the weather for an exterior
installation, noted Coleman. “If it is a
wet apply installation technique and it’s
too hot outside, the material becomes
fl imsy and is hard to handle,” she said.
“Th e heat of the window can also dry
the water too quickly, making it hard to
get the application completed without
wrinkles.”
Echoing that thought, Halloran urges
print providers to know the environment
where the graphic is going to live.
“South Florida is a lot diff erent than
southern Maine. Putting a graphic on a
piece of glass westward facing in Florida
requires a diff erent fi lm than a window
installation in a colder climate.”
Do not apply graphics to an exterior
window if the surface temperature of
the glass is below 50°F, said Heiob. Pressure
sensitive adhesives do not stick
well to cold surface substrates. Avery
Dennison does not recommend using
its opaque fi lms on external windows
as a means to block sunlight; doing
this can result in glass breakage from
elevated surface temperature.
Installation tips
A clear directive by all industry experts
is to understand the best way to apply
14 Wide-Format & Signage August 2017 PrintingNewscom