Which Backlit Graphics Will Deliver for You?

1.Duratrans

      Advantages

Early in 1979, Kodak began offering the first form of back lit graphics called duratrans. Duratrans are a large format  transparency, created for commercial use. This transparency is a film positive (in contrast to a film negative.) Duratrans transparency film has a milky back coating which functions as a diffusion layer. This layer is necessary to evenly disperse the backlighting. You often see duratrans in airports, at box store makeup counters, and at many fast food restaurants. The printing device used to expose duratrans over the years can vary from a traditional enlarger to a laser imagesetter, such as a Lightjet or Lambda. The exposed film transparency or duratrans is then processed through traditional photo chemistry. The laser image-setting devices is advantageous over traditional enlarging beyond the obvious switch out of the originals, from film negatives to beginning with a  digital file. Above this lies the distinct advantage of laser imagesetters producing an apparent resolution of 4000 DPI; which is huge! By requesting a laser imagesetter be used to produce your next project will ensure a tack sharp result, providing your starting file is sharp and a suitable resolution!

     Disadvantages

The disadvantage is that duratrans can ONLY be backlit. This means when you turn off the light, the image appears dark, murky, and not readable.

2.Day-Night Prints

Advantages

A second option for obtaining a backlit image is something called “day-night.” The distinguishing feature of a day-night print is that it views well both with lights on or off. Day-night prints are only produced with digital technology, meaning your originals must be digital files and your final print will use a digital printer, known as a UV direct printer. It is also referred to as a flatbed printer or direct-to-substrate printer. The key point is that you need to find a PSP or print service provider who has a direct printer with the “white ink option.” The white ink option enables the backlit properties, by giving it the the white ink milky layer, similar to that of the duratrans. The print processor for the day-night prints is the LED UV lightsource which passes over the special uv-curable inks. This is an entirely distinct digital age product and is quite different from the traditional duratrans. The inks used become instantly hardened, so much so, that no protective layer is required. Compared to the duratrans, this is a lighter package because there is no protective sheet of acrylic plex resting over top the print. Day-night’s unique property of being able to be viewed with lights off also allows for lower energy consumption as well as the less weight/ lower shipping costs.

Disadvantages

These day-night prints have a resolution of 1400, which is less than the laser printed duratrans.  You should note, however, that when you consider the longer viewing distances required for viewing larger image, then this factor does not come into play as much.

3.Backlit Fabric

The third method for providing backlit graphics in the display industry is known as “backlit fabric” graphics. These images printed on fabric are created by a process known as dye sublimation transfer printing. Here again, this is a fully digital process. The originals must be digital files. The printer is both an inkjet printer, used in combination with a dye sublimation fabric printer.

   Advantages

There are many advantages to using this method beyond it offering the greatest color saturation and good detail. It is done with a method that gases ‘water-based’ inks into ‘recycled polyester fabrics’ through the sublimation process. As implied, this is a greener process still.  Beyond it employed water-based inks over solvent inks, and use of recycled fabrics, some providers have solution sets also offering recycled or recyclable aluminum lightboxes. The fabric is placed into the lightbox by way of gliding a silicone-edge sewn into the fabric. A special channel on the frame is required to slide the silicone edge into. This is known as SEG or silicone-edge graphics.  The name implies it is a fabric graphic. What is wonderful is that this option backlights beautifully with a string of lightweight LED bulbs. Some providers may use different lighting choices. Duratrans lightboxes formerly used fluorescent light fixtures. There is a white fabric diffusion layer slide into the the lightbox, made to behave similarly to the milky white layer in duratrans. It buffers the light, giving you soft, even lighting. Dye sublimation transfer printing has made great gains in the fabric industry, and is gaining a reputation for these backlit fabric graphics as well. This sustainable product is most popular because it offers you a great-looking product with the greenest solution!

If you are looking for a print service provider offering all three of these backlit technologies or have additional questions about backlit graphics, please call 1.800.829.4562