Stages of production of lithographic Lenticular.
• Choosing the lens
It is necessary to assess in which environment the lens will be used. The distance of visualization will determine the fatness of the lens. There are effects difficult to produce if the lens is not appropriate.
• Choosing the effect
Which type of effect would suit the best. For which industry? For which product? What is the purposeful customers? What is the budget? Ex: The flip is less expensive than the 3D.
• Type of file (Photo, video, film, 2D or 3D images, 2D or 3D animations)
Two possibilities; 1 _ Produced and prepared by AlterAction. 2 _ Pre-produced by the client. In both cases, any provided files must be at the highest resolution possible. For images; .TIFF at 300 DPI. For videos; AVI, MPEG, MOV, WMV (640 X 480 pixels minimum).
• Computer graphics
Computer design is extra, unless it’s mentionned from the beginning. For exemple; insertion of a logo.
• Pitch checker for prototype
Determine the pitch, for the ink jet printer, according to the distance of visualization of the lenticular.
• Enterlacing the file
Once the file is approved by the client, it is time to enterlace the file according to the prototype pitch and the chosen effect.
• Prototype production
For approbation/verification, a prototype (ink jet print fixed to a lens) is produce. It is less sharp and less clear than the lithographic print, but gives a good idea of the final print and helps for fine tuning.
• Prototype approbation
Approbation of the prototype by the client. The prototype is a working foundation, the final print will not be totally identical.
• Pitch checker for final printing
Determine the pitch, for the lithographic press. Different printing systems need different pitches.
• Final enterlacing
With the lithographic press pitch, it’s time for the final enterlacing.
• Lithographic printing
Printing directly on the lens (clear polyester) with inks especially conceived for that material.
• Drying
Drying time on that type of material can be quite long. Allow a minimum of 3 days.
• Lamination
A white polypropylene layer is laminated on the printed side to protect the dried ink and to reduce the lens tranparency. That laminated layer can be printed on (to become the back side of the lenticular).
• Final touch
Lenticular lens can be trimmed as paper or cardboard. It can be glued, grooved, die-cuted or be mounted on other surfaces.