Window Films: Uses in Advertising and Design

Window Films: Uses in Advertising and Design was first seen on: Green Valley

There's a new meaning to the term window shopping. Windows are everywhere and provide endless opportunities to expand advertising and awareness of your product. Whether you need small spots or full coverage, there is a place for your graphics.

Vehicles have been common canvases for advertising, with many businesses covering the body of their car with eye-catching graphics, but the windows get left blank. Utilizing these extra spaces increases your advertising space and product awareness. Stores have also relied on their front windows to be forums for displays and films or graphics. Whatever the platform is, there are many places for the use of decorative and specialty graphics.

Window films for vehicles

[caption id="attachment_1101" align="alignright" width="507"] Bright color decals attract the eye of consumers to your storefront[/caption]

The vehicle wraps provided are in the Clear Focus line and have been relied upon time and time again. The Classic Vue Exterior Mount film is used first and wraps the whole vehicle, including the windows, to extend the advertising space. A 50/50 perforated film is used, which means that half of the film is made of vinyl and the other half if perforated holes. This film allows for great print work and allows people to see outside the window from within. The CurvaLam laminate finish is used as an overlay to complete the process and protect the graphics.

For windows that can be darker for security reasons or because nobody needs to look through them, regular printed wrap is used (no perforations) and is applied to the car and windows.

The best artwork to use for this type of film will incorporate larger print or font as well as brighter colors. The small print or fine details can be lost within the tiny holes so bigger is better when it comes to decorating cars with the perforated film. To ensure accurate color, it is advised to increase the image contrast of the graphics by no more than 20%. Because the holes affect the brightness of the color, this increase will help to compensate for the lost light through the holes.

Storefront Perforated Films

Stores are another perfect place for the perforated vinyl and can increase attention and business, with the large display area they offer. There are several options for stores, each of which does not reduce the visibility from within.

The EconoVue film is versatile and popular because of its number of available perforated options. Depending on what you need, these films offer more or less printable area because of the variations in print space to hole ratios.

For the finer print and more detailed work, the ImageVue 65/35 is recommended because of the larger print space available. If buildings and large areas such as bus shelters need to e covered, the SuperVue 50/50 film should be used because of its larger hole size.

Outside of the Clear Focus line, the 3M line is a reliable option of films. There top three options of perforated films are the 8170-P50 which is used for vehicles, the IJ67 which works for retail advertising and the larger ratio 40/60 8170-P40 film which is perfect for fine print and detailed advertising. Whatever your project is, research the options available and be sure to get the laminate that works best with cast properties of the film.

Retail Advertising

There are many options for stores, whether it be on their front glass, interior spaces or the P.O.P displays, besides perforated films. Many can be used as decoration rather than advertising.

The large windows at the front of stores are simply blank canvases to be used for creating or setting a tone for the store atmosphere inside. Successful businesses rely on more than just business cards, logos and slogans; the brand can be effectively marketed right there on the store front in a unique and exceptional manner.

Large chains like Little Caesars use window film to turn their windows into a large advertisement.

There is no special film required for glass application, the very same films used for signs and vehicles can also be used for glass. However, if you are looking for more unique and special effects, there are different films that can be purchased to achieve these looks.

CrystalVue, by Clear Focus, is a film that generates the frosted look whereas EtchVue can make the glass appear to be etched. Both of these are non-perforated and can be cut to specific design shapes for enhanced effects.

3M also brings you the Changeale Window Graphic, for use on temporary, fast changing ads as well as Scotchcal Clear which is a clear and changeable film, similar to perforated sheets but without holes.

For decorative and more customized jobs, Arlon Graphics brings you the DPF 5200 film; as a sheet or cut to a logo shape, this film has silver or sparkle etched glass appearances.

Easy Install

There can be a number of reasons that a customer will want easy application films, such as wanting to apply the film themselves. Films might need to be sent to multiple store locations or budgets are tight, so customers can opt for self installation. Several options are thus available for these situations.

SpotOn comes in either clear or frosted finishes and are ideal for indoor and short term uses. The film has an adhesive backing that customers can remove following the specific pattern provided to ensure application is easy and bubble-free.

For multiple uses, the Glass Adhere film is the way to go. With no laminate needed, it can be applied, removed and re-used several times, remaining durable in all conditions. Change things up every once in a while with this easy to use application available in clear or black out options.

Decorative Uses

While security, light control and marketing are all reasons for printable graphics films, there is another use for these films. Non-printable versions can be used to enhance indoor décor. SunSecure is perforated with a 35/65 ratio, to be used strictly for light control or privacy. This film is applied to the inner side of a window rather than the outside.

Crystal Glass Finish from 3M can also be used for decoration or the creation of privacy. This film appears translucent and can be purchased in either etched or sandblasted designs. Also by 3M, the Fasara line offers many designs and looks for decorative applications with shapes, patterns, textures and finishes to create any atmosphere.

Most of the decorative films are translucent but there are options available if an opaque look is needed and films can even be layered for effect or die cut. The versatility of these films is what makes them perfect for any project and whatever option is decided upon, the results will most certainly be eye-catching.

source http://www.windowtintinglasvegasnevada.com/?p=1097