Experience with window graphics applied from the inside facing out?

[AnaF]

Hi everyone Happy Friday! A client of mine has inquired about getting their window graphics applied from the inside facing out. Prior to this, we've always applied them to the exterior (outside facing out), whether it be perforated film or blockout, so we know what we're doing there. However, from what I've been reading, there are some other considerations when applying from the inside facing out. If anyone can share with me their tips, tricks, suggestions, etc. - I am all ears!

The options I am considering are as follows:

Inside mount perf:
Has anyone ever used the kind of perforated film you can print on the sticky side? Were you satisfied with the results? Did you have to modify your artwork in any way?

Clear adhesive vinyl printed in reverse, backed with white vinyl:
We have a 54" eco-solvent printer with no white ink capabilities, so this is the route we'd be going to achieve a solid/opaque look. My client's preferred look is that of heavy coverage dark colours, and from what I have read, this can absorb too much heat and cause the window to crack. Can anyone speak to this?

 

[P Wagner]

There are no medias that I am aware of which would support printing on the adhesive side of the substrate.

 

[AnaF]

There are no medias that I am aware of which would support printing on the adhesive side of the substrate.

Thanks, I was recommended one by a CSR at Grimco, but have never seen the product myself in the wild nor do I know anyone who can speak from personal experience as to whether or not it does the trick.

 

[netsol]

i think i ordered the shortest roll when they suggested it a couple years ago.
we ended up never using it.
i will look at the office over the weekend

did you consider glass apeel?

 

[AnaF]

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[AnaF]

i think i ordered the shortest roll when they suggested it a couple years ago.
we ended up never using it.
i will look at the office over the weekend

did you consider glass apeel?

Thanks – did you not end up using it because you were sceptical of it, or was it just not the right material for the job?

And as for Glass Apeel, I’ve considered it for other projects but as far as I know, it’s only got a 1 year lifespan. My client would expect their graphics to stay up for 5-7 years minimum

 

[pkeshtgani]

We have done it multiple times with contravision clear. Clients love it. We are in different about it. You have to reverse print with white BUT you need to print either higher saturation or darker graphics to compensate for variables such as the level of tint, sunlight, etc.

 

[mrsign1]

This is a nice product from Continental Graphics, distributed by Lex Jet among others.

https://www.lexjet.com/en/continental-grafix-panorama-twoway-vision#productTabs

 

[crashaffinity]

We have done it multiple times with contravision clear. Clients love it. We are in different about it. You have to reverse print with white BUT you need to print either higher saturation or darker graphics to compensate for variables such as the level of tint, sunlight, etc.

i remember a while back thinking about this and thought about doing a digital file with white and color layers on an optically clear film with a uv printer but we just don't get call for this kind of product. would be fun though.

 

[AnaF]

We have done it multiple times with contravision clear. Clients love it. We are in different about it. You have to reverse print with white BUT you need to print either higher saturation or darker graphics to compensate for variables such as the level of tint, sunlight, etc.

That makes total sense. We, unfortunately, don’t have white ink capabilities, but still good to know!

 

[AnaF]

This is a nice product from Continental Graphics, distributed by Lex Jet among others.

https://www.lexjet.com/en/continental-grafix-panorama-twoway-vision#productTabs

Nice, that sounds like it would work for us, thank you! I’ll reach out to my local distributor of Continental Grafix products – I’m located in Ontario, Canada

 

[AnaF]

i remember a while back thinking about this and thought about doing a digital file with white and color layers on an optically clear film with a uv printer but we just don't get call for this kind of product. would be fun though.

We’re considering this method too, but that would mean outsourcing the job entirely as we have neither white ink nor a UV printer. So it’s our “Plan B” for now! Wondering if the registration/alignment would be possible with all those tiny holes? And maybe two hits of CMYK, then white, then black even to get the desired look?

 

[mkoons11]

PanoRama Film from Continental Grafix is a non-adhesive window perf to be mounted on the inside of a window. They have the correct double-sided mounting tape to go with it.

Another good choice is PrintDuo by Drytac. 10 mil, opaque, double-side printable (first surface both sides) white film. Laminate either ReTac Duo or SpotOn Duo to the side facing out and mount to the inside of the window. The adhesive facing the window is removable on both mounting adhesives. Super easy to use and also cost effective. Both remove cleanly when done and ready to change out.

 

[AnaF]

PanoRama Film from Continental Grafix is a non-adhesive window perf to be mounted on the inside of a window. They have the correct double-sided mounting tape to go with it.

Another good choice is PrintDuo by Drytac. 10 mil, opaque, double-side printable (first surface both sides) white film. Laminate either ReTac Duo or SpotOn Duo to the side facing out and mount to the inside of the window. The adhesive facing the window is removable on both mounting adhesives. Super easy to use and also cost effective. Both remove cleanly when done and ready to change out.

Oh, this Drytac solution intrigues me! We’ve worked with and had positive experiences with their products in other applications over the years. I’ll look into which combo works best for us – thank you for this suggestion!

As for the PanoRama I am looking into, it’s called “TwoWay Vision” and it is apparently adhesive. I am not really keen on anything non-adhesive that gets taped up, and I doubt my client would be expecting that either.

 

[TEN]

Most exterior glass in commercial building will have some level of "tint" or "energy saving" coating that cause colors to display slightly differently. We always suggest taking two sheets of white copier paper, tape one to the inside of the glass and the other to the outside of the same glass so they can be viewed side by side and have the client go outside and look at the difference. Most commonly the white paper on the inside will have a light greenish tint compared to the exterior paper. This will affect all of the colors in a similar way. Depending on the glass it will vary, but this may save everyone from being disappointed with the results from second surface mounted graphics.

 

[AnaF]

Most exterior glass in commercial building will have some level of "tint" or "energy saving" coating that cause colors to display slightly differently. We always suggest taking two sheets of white copier paper, tape one to the inside of the glass and the other to the outside of the same glass so they can be viewed side by side and have the client go outside and look at the difference. Most commonly the white paper on the inside will have a light greenish tint compared to the exterior paper. This will affect all of the colors in a similar way. Depending on the glass it will vary, but this may save everyone from being disappointed with the results from second surface mounted graphics.

That’s a great, simple way to have them see with their own eyes how what they’re asking for may not turn out as envisioned! Thanks for the tip

 

[d fleming]

Thanks, I was recommended one by a CSR at Grimco, but have never seen the product myself in the wild nor do I know anyone who can speak from personal experience as to whether or not it does the trick.

Do not let a CR at anyplace tell you what to use. I haven't found one single rep on phone in years who remotely has a clue about our industry and products. As a matter of fact nine times out of ten if you are not specific to the third power you get incorrect material. Then there's billing, lol.

 

[AnaF]

Do not let a CR at anyplace tell you what to use. I haven't found one single rep on phone in years who remotely has a clue about our industry and products. As a matter of fact nine times out of ten if you are not specific to the third power you get incorrect material. Then there's billing, lol.

Don’t I know it! They are so useless and are only motivated to sell. You have to do your own research

 

[truckgraphics]

We've done this once or twice about "100 years ago." If I recall correctly, we printed a reverse image on clear calendared overlaminate. It's important that you don't use the best overlaminate - especially not optically clear - because the ink doesn't adhere very well to it. Having some flaws or cloudiness in the overlaminate helps. We used glossy, not luster or matte, but wonder if that might be the way to go. You might like to experiment. Then we laminated white film to the non-sticky side of the overlaminate. We then installed the graphic, sticky side out to the window, floating it on with soapy water. It worked well and we didn't have to hang off a ladder or lift 40 feet in the air. I'm not sure, but the graphic might still be there. Being inside, it's not affected by weathering. Of course commercial windows have some tint altering the image a bit, but our customer was pleased with the result.

 

[AnaF]

We've done this once or twice about "100 years ago." If I recall correctly, we printed a reverse image on clear calendared overlaminate. It's important that you don't use the best overlaminate - especially not optically clear - because the ink doesn't adhere very well to it. Having some flaws or cloudiness in the overlaminate helps. We used glossy, not luster or matte, but wonder if that might be the way to go. You might like to experiment. Then we laminated white film to the non-sticky side of the overlaminate. We then installed the graphic, sticky side out to the window, floating it on with soapy water. It worked well and we didn't have to hang off a ladder or lift 40 feet in the air. I'm not sure, but the graphic might still be there. Being inside, it's not affected by weathering. Of course commercial windows have some tint altering the image a bit, but our customer was pleased with the result.

Great to know re: calendared lam.! I didn’t know that about ink adhesion. Were the graphics you printed heavy coverage? Full bleed? I’m worried about dark colours absorbing heat and causing the glass to crack