LenticularBlog.com

• Visual changes (flip)
  Consist of visualising from 2 to 4 different images on the same lens.
• Three dimensions (3D)
  With a vertical lens, a 2D image is separate in multiple layers shifted from one an other. It gives a relief effect that makes a 3D illusion. The right eye sees an image while the left eye sees an other. The brain reads both images as one with relief.
• Animation
  There is many kind of animation possible; a video sequence (by any video camera), a 2D animation (cartoon style), a 3D animation (from a 3D software) and finally a photographic animation (many quick shots of a moving object). Each image of the animation is called frame. The maximum amount of frame for an animation is proportionnal with the print work system capabilities and the lens resolution. For exemple; 75 LPI lens can show 64 frames with a 4800 dpi printing system.
• Morphing
  It’s a transformation of an object to an other. The morphology is produce by a specific software and has the same restriction as the animation.
• Zoom
  Consist to enlarge or reduce a subject. This effect can be produce by a 3D sofware or can be made frame by frame with a 2D sofware. The same limiting factors as the animation are applicable.
• Mixed visual effects
  It’s possible to do more than one effect at the same time. Exemple; a 3D effect with a Flip or a 3D effect with animation.

See our web site for interactive exemples: www.alteraction.ca

The sequential assembly of images printed on a lens.

The lenticular lens is composed of multiple parallel lens strips with the same optical caracteristics. Each strip magnify and project a micro image strip printed on the back of the lenticular lens, in way that all strips can be sequentially seen for each vision angle of the lens. When using vertical lens, it is possible to project stereoscopic (relief/3D) images for each eye. When using horizontal lens, it is also possible to project changing images, the image seen by the eyes depend of the vision angle.

The lenticular sheet is an optically transparent substrate, with a flat backing that allows direct printing (offset), or pasting. Images must be made to fit precisely with the lens strips size and must be perfectly align with the lens strips.

Here are some numbers to demonstrate that lenticular product draw attention, create excitement and drive sales.

From TIME Magazine (Lenticular ad vs. conventional print ad)

• 96% of the readers recalled seeing the 3D Lenticular ads.
• 91% reported reading more than half of the article that the ad was attached to (30-40 % is typical for flat conventional print ads).
• 72% retained the association between the lenticular ad and the company that placed it.
• 69% were favorably disposed towards the 3D lenticular ad, compared to 14% among those exposed to the same ad in flat print.
• 62% of the readers responded that it increased their appeal to the company that placed the ad.

From EASTMAN Kodak (study of a 3D Lenticular displays in malls)

• 58% of the stores’ customers remember seeing the display. Only 7% recall seeing one of the traditional 2D displays.
• When used in conjunction with stores in the mall, the stores saw sales increase by up to 12%.
• Customers were drawn to the stores with the 3D Lenticular displays.
• Stores that had the 3D displays indicated they had a 34% increase of consumer traffic.

From a well-known beverage company (3D lenticular display in conjunction with their product)

• During the research, they randomly asked consumers that selected their product the reason for their purchase.
• 21% stated that they normally don’t drink that brand, but because the display, they thought they would give it a try.
• When the test was completed the Company returned to the stores (15 days later) and asked consumers if they remembered the Lenticular display.
• 91% of the consumers recalled seeing the display
• 31% asked about the product
• 34% could not recall what the competitors display (conventional 2D printed) looked like
• 1.3% demonstrated a change in brand loyalty.

Alter Ego is the only one to make offset printed lenticular in a 800 lpi quality. We’ve developed the unique alteraction process !

We constantly search for innovative products for more effective advertising. We have 2 other exceptionnal products. The EZ-FIX and the RE-FIX.

EZ·FIX^MD electrostatically adheres to every smooth flat surface without adhesive, allowing for original and convenient display that in no way damage the surfaces they are applied to. Showing yourself has never been so easy!

RE·FIX^MC is similar to a sticker, it adheres to any flat surface once its backing has been removed. A fine layer of adhesive ensures effective adherence while allowing for easy repositioning or removal without damaging the surface it is on.

To know more about the AlterAction lenticular process, to request samples and/or price : www.alteraction.ca

To know more about RE-FIX : www.re-fix.ca

To know more about EZ-FIX : www.ez-fix.ca

A 3D effect can be made by both holography and lenticular. The 3D effect is greater in holography, but still monochromatic, the full color make the 3D lenticular print more vibrant and realistic even if the depth effect is less impressive.

Producing hologram is time consuming and is more like a piece of art. Lenticular can be produce in a matter of days and be print in less than a week. It can be manipulated and viewed without a special device (glass or light).

The price is also important. Lenticular print is of course more expensive than a similar paper piece, but the impact much more important, and the retention on the customer attention is amazing. Hologram have been so expensive to produce in the past, it was display and use in art museum and high end produced pieces.

Even before the beginning of the photographic techniques, scientists tried some interactions with images and lenses to produce 3 dimensional images. Some was succesfull, some not. In the late 20s, Herbert Ives simplifies the concept and used a lens array to produce the effect. The basic lenticular lens was invented.

That was a first step, but there was the problem to print on it. Eastman Kodak in the 50s was using a film recorder to get the image on special lenticular lens coated more or less like a 35mm film

In the 60s, large corporations recognized its advertising potential. Mass production became a reality on February 25, 1964, when a Look Magazine issue featured the “first ink-printed postcard sized parallax panoramagram”. A black and white still life.

Since then, lens manufacturers produced more types of lens, different plastic types and resolutions.

Great advance in offset printing inks makes it possible to print on plastic with great color and registration.

So now, Alter Ego is proud to annonce the alteraction lenticular printing. A procedure to make offset printed lenticular in super high quality, in quantity from 500 to 50,000.

You are only one click away from having it in your hand, see it, test it, ask for price, and having YOUR lenticular printed in the alteraction way.

Request sample and/or price : www.alteraction.ca

Lets define both terms first.

• Holography: is a form of photography that allows an image to be recorded in 3 dimensions. It is a bit like recording on light sensitive plate a live 3D object, light by a laser. By lighting this plate after it as been develop, you should see the object like if it was there. Holography has been invented in 1947 by Dennis Gabor (Nobel Prize in Physics).

• Lenticular printing: is a technology in which a lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles. Created in 1940, it has been improved over the years to become the little piece that you get in a Cracker Jack Box in the 60s. Now, with very high resolution printers, and press that can register very precisely, lenticular become a high end commercial publicity piece.

01- Can I combine 3D and flip ?
No. You cannot combine 3D with FLIP effect because the lens has to be vertical to make a good 3D effect, and it has to be horizontal to make a nice FLIP effect.

02- Can I combine 3D and animation ?
Yes. 3D effect can be combine with animation. A 3 frames animation is the best to be combine with a 3D effect, more frames will be blur, and less frames will be less interesting.

03- Is the effect the same on 20lpi and 60lpi lens
The bigger the lens is (20 lpi), the more the effect is enhanced. The fields of view affect the speed of the animation. See the specifications page for more informations.

04- Can I use any color ?
White & Black is not recommended. It is preferable to have some data in the highlight. Using dark color is fine, but black is just too dark. Using black for text is OK.

05- Why my sample is not exactly the same as the printed piece ?
A sample printed with inkjet printer and finish by hand is always different and a less sharp than the real thing printed directly on the lens.

06- Is the resolution of my file important ?
The more resolution you have, the better the details will be, but we can create a 3 seconds animation with a 800×600 Quicktime… if we have to, it will be just fine.

07- Any restriction to print on the back ?
You can print on the back of the lenticular (over the white lamination) but it must be 50% screen… unless the back type can show through the front.

08-Any problem with flip ?
When making a FLIP effect, make sure the images look alike (position, size), and fit together, a slight shift can make it blur.

09- Any animation restrictions ?
Animation can use as much as 32 frames, the maximum is 64, the more you have, the smoother the animation will be. The technician will evalute the best frame rate to use, just send your animation for evaluation.

10- Is it long to print lenticular ?
Lenticular work can be produce in a week or less. But usually, the great lenticular pieces take time and tweek to get perfect… so expect 3-4 weeks for a top quality job !

???- You have more questions? ask us , we will be please to answer it here, where everybody can benefit these informations. info@alteraction.ca

You always wanted to know more about the lenticular world. Another way to increase your sale and attract attention. Here is the place to know more about how to create the perfect lenticular piece from start to finish. You will learn photoshop design techniques, different lenticular effects and much more.

Keep going back here, in the next week there will be more and more for you to learn and see what lenticular can do for you.