Master Glass
There is more to window and glass decoration than just etching. Nowadays etching is rarely done with sandblasting, but achieved through the use of self adhesive films. There is a huge range of window films that imitate sandblasting, commonly used with logo elements, striping and patterns to provide safety and privacy. Digital printing and profile cutting has opened a world of opportunities for some pretty cool window effects. In the samples below I demonstrate some ways that windows and glass have been decorated by our customers.
We do produce and applicate standard etch striping for health and safety measures or more precisely, to stop people walking into doors and windows. These can be done and logo repeats, bands of striping or decorative patterns. These samples below include some frosting but show other creative ways to add graphic elements to glass using digital print and coloured vinyl. Take a look.
This example is clear self adhesive vinyl on a restaurant entrance partition. We digitally printed the graphic using UV curable ink which has a less transparent finish than other ink types. The white areas were also printed, then contour cut to shape. The internal lighting is diffused through the graphic which acts as a privacy screen.
This decorative store window pattern is profile cut self adhesive graphic elements applied to the inside of the glass. These shapes repeat across the entire window and meet at a large circular clear space framed with metallic gold and black which required accurate alignment, and good focus by our applicators! This type of design enhances the window display with dimension but without being overpowering.
Close-up of the graphic elements.
This example is a good use of window signage. Nice and simple, it's a restaurant menu presented nicely as cut panels. It has been applied to the inside of the glass which creates a finish with depth and reduces the likelihood of vandalism from passersby.
Internal use of one-way film here has an interesting effect on the image. Typically for one-way films to work the light has to be brighter on the image side and darker on the other. This is the case with this application but we have bright light coming through the external window of the office. Depending on the angle you view from it has degrees of transparency.
Good old self adhesive etch films have been applied to both sides of the glass here. This glass wall separates the boardroom from reception. The use of 3 types of dusted and frosting films creates different intensities of reflected light but ultimately gives complete privacy to the occupants of the meeting room.
These glass walls have been decorated with self adhesive clear film. Stunning photographs have been digitally printed to allow plenty of light to pass through and create a great image from both sides at any angle. The full coverage of image means that they also get full privacy with only a shadow created.
We digitally printed this artwork on translucent self adhesive film. The concept was to have a vibrant image that is enhanced by the lights inside the library. By printing on translucent film we get a nice image for all lighting.
A simple and effective graphic element. This character was digitally printed and profile cut from self adhesive vinyl. It has been applied to the inside of the glass of the entrance door.
This is a classic and effective use of window frosting film. The profile cut logo is visible but does not overly interfere with vision through to the window display. Different angles give varying lighting effects on the frosted film making it more, or less dominant depending on the light.
