Lenticular - How it works
Lenticular - How it works
Lenticular print can easily be described as specially prepared graphics that are designed to work together with a lenticular lens to allow the viewer to see different images depending on the angle at which they view it.
The use of both imagery and lens material are inseparable when it comes to making the desired effect come to life in a lenticular print. The image itself is a composite of two or more graphics that are interlaced together. The lens is a unique plastic that is made up of individual lenticules that must be perfectly aligned with the interlaced image underneath it in order for the effect to work. Based on the angle of the viewer, each lenticule acts as a magnifying glass to enlarge and display the portion of the image below. Many lenticules working in harmony form the entire lenticular image. In this way, lenticular print can appear to show motion or even three-dimensions because each eye is viewing the lenticular print from its own angle.
Within this section, we'll show you the details of the lenticular lens itself, how the image is prepared and printed, and we've even got a glossary of lenticular terms to help get you started.
Manufacturing Extruded Lenticular Lens
One side of an extruded plastic sheet is embossed with columns of tiny corrugations called lenticules, hence the name "lenticular" in lenticular extruded lens. The lenticules are all the same size and are spaced equally across the sheet. The other side of the sheet remains smooth in order to be printed upon.
The frequency of lenticules is called lines-per-inch or LPI, and can vary from 10 to 200. Just as no one eyeglass prescription works for everyone, no single LPI works best for all project effects.
The curvature or angle of the lenticule is important to keep in mind when selecting the proper lens. For an optimal 3D effect, a narrow-angle lenticular lens with a viewing angle between 15 to 44 degrees works best. When working to achieve a good animation effect, a wide-angle lenticular lens with a viewing angle between 44 to 65 degrees works best. These variances will help to determine which lens works best for your project.
Lenticular Lens Dimensions
Lenticular sheets range in thickness from 0.008 to 0.385 of an inch. What you choose is determined by the desired effect your looking to accomplish and how your project will ultimately be used. Sheets come in a number of sizes, with 20"x 28" and 28"x 40" being two of the most commonly used in offset printing. Roll lenticular is also available for the flexo and web printing markets. UltimatelyÛwhatever dimensions being usedÛit's the clarity of the lenticular sheet that plays a huge role in the quality of the product.
Lenticular Lens Options
There are so many variables involved in putting together a great lenticular piece. Selecting the correct lens is ultimately one of the most important decisions to make. Below is a simplified chart system to aide in finding the best lens options for your planned effect.
Contact Information:
Barry Johnson
LENSTAR.org
c/o LinkingSolutions, LLC
4355 Peavey Rd Ô Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 856-4612
For General Inquiries: about@lenstar.org
For Technical Site Issues: technical@lenstar.org
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