Window Graphics
Windows to the soul.
Window graphics are a versatile tool that can be used in many ways to serve your business;
Privacy
Vinyl is applied to windows to obscure the inside and give your employees or customers discretion.
Light control
Vinyl comes in a spectrum of opacities from blackout to transparent to shield from the sun.
Advertising
Turn your windows into billboards to communicate with your customers.
*Be sure to check what your local zoning laws will allow before purchasing. Permit-acquiring services and installation services available at request.
Contact us to get started!
OPACITY
Vinyl comes in many opacities which can offer privacy or control light.
Black Out
NO natural light can permeate. Without interior light, the room will be pitch black. Functionally turns the window into another wall for rooms where absolute darkness is needed.
Opaque
ALMOST NO natural light can permeate. Functionally blocks out most light, and is the most popularly used window vinyl. Commonly used for cut decals & first surface applications.
Translucent
SOME natural light can permeate, graphics will omit a slight glow but still blocks most light.
Optically Clear
MOST light is allowed to permeate through. The opacity of the graphics is entirely dependent on the ink load. Allows for creative applications such as elaborate spot graphics, tinting, second surface etc.
Frosted
MOST light permeates through. Frosted vinyl is a textured window film that gives the effect of etched glass. Frosted vinyl diffuses light, and obscures visibility.
Perforated
Perforated vinyl is used when you want windows to be opaque from one side, and “see-thru” from the other side. Perforated vinyl uses tiny holes to create an optical illusion which means you can see out, but others can’t see in.
APPLICATION
How the vinyl is applied to the window can influence the end result.
First Surface
The image is applied to the outside of the window, to be viewed from the outside of the window.
Graphics are printed on vinyl and laminated to protect the print from sun bleaching. They are then applied to the side of the window the graphics are intended to be viewed from.
First surface prints protects your window from minor damage and vandalism and offers more vibrant prints because there’s no glare from the sun to contend with. Prints are more visible and have better legibility from further away.
Second Surface
The image is applied to the inside of the window, to be viewed from the outside of the window.
Graphics are mirrored, printed on clear vinyl, and backed up with a heavy layer of white ink to add opacity. This method allows the vinyl to be applied to the inside of the window so it can be seen as intended through the other side of the glass.
Prints are protected by a layer of glass making them resistant to harsh chemicals, extreme weather conditions, and vandalism, however, visibility may be impaired by glare from the sun.
PRODUCTION
The graphics can be printed or produced differently depending on your needs.
Under flood
White ink goes UNDER colored graphics, making your graphics visible from the OUTER surface.
Used in first-surface applications to make graphics opaque.
Over flood
White ink goes OVER colored graphics, making your graphics visible from the INNER surface. ideal for second-surface applications.
Allows for detailed control of opacity letting you to use the transparency of windows to their full creative potential.
Creates the effect of cut decals without the need for transfer tape allowing for simpler application.
Cut Decals
Graphics are cut by a vinyl plotter and have excess negative space peeled away. These graphics are then applied to the window.
Uses the glass as the negative space of the design to appear as “one with the window”.
Traditional/ 1 layer
Images are digitally printed on self adhesive vinyl. Can be printed on opaque for vibrant, high resolution images or transparent for tinting and more subtle décor.
Double Sided / 5 layer
Achieve double-sided graphics with half the installation time and material of traditional dual application.
In double-sided printing, first, an image is printed, then a layer of white ink is printed for opacity, then a layer of black ink is added to ensure the 2 images do not interact with each other, then another layer of white is added, and another image is printed on top. This 5-layer method offers dual-sided images that are opaque and vibrant without any compromises.
Consumes less time, installation, and material
Possible to achieve variations in transparency across the image
Offers the benefits of both the first surface and second surface application.
Night/Day / 3 layer
Night/Day printing uses the same concept as double-sided printing with only 3 layers instead of 5. With only 1 layer of white ink separating the images, The 2 images are designed to interact. This way, both images can be viewed at the same time. The images also become more visible when light is applied, meaning you can have different images at night and day depending on the direction the light is coming from. Offers creative design opportunities often achievable by traditional printing methods. Allows unique images to be created for one-of-a-kind branding. Transparency can be increased, decreased, or eliminated across the image.
Need Ideas?
Dear Designers, Unsure how best to format your images for export?
Check out our submission guidelines for tips on how to export the best possible image for maximum control over the outcome of your graphics.