Sign up to our newsletter
Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ is our trademark for see-through graphics that can be illuminated from the other side of the panel, requiring a translucent white “print pattern” (for example of lines, dots or perforated material) on which the design is superimposed. All such products fall within the dominant patent family including EP 0880439, however they are made.
Before this invention, all see-through graphic panels had an opaque “print pattern” or “silhouette pattern”, for example to make one-way vision panels with a design visible from one side not visible from the other side, the design being masked by the opaque print pattern. If such a one-way vision product is located on a window, the design is clearly visible during daylight hours and excellent visibility is provided from the inside to the outside of the building or vehicle window. However, during the hours of darkness, if there is strong internal illumination, for example within a convenience store, the design tends to disappear as the internal light “burns through” and dominates visibility of the exterior-facing design. This was the “mother of invention” of the Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ range of products. These include products for advertising, which are typically of lower cost as only one layer of white ink or white perforated vinyl is required on which to superimpose the design image. Optionally, the design can be reinforced by being printed on both sides of the white layer, especially suited to building partitions where a strong image is required to be visible from either side. All Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ panels have the apparent disadvantage of the reverse image being visible from the other side but, in reality, the brain has no difficulty in concentrating on the view through the panel. Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ panels are typically therefore selected for economy and the capability of being illuminated internally during the hours of darkness or from the other side of an internal partition. The illumination on the other side should preferably be out of the direct line of sight of an observer, for example in the ceiling of a retail outlet, which may include flood- or spot-lights directed onto a Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ panel, which really makes the design “pop”.
Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ panels can provide 24 hour privacy, depending upon natural illumination during daylight hours and internal illumination during the hours of darkness.
Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ panels can be made using any of our 4 technologies..
Non-perforated Contra Vision® BACKLITE™ products can be printed with any digital, screen, litho, flexo or even gravure printing machine with white ink, on any compatible transparent substrate, under license from us (see Online Licensing).