LENTICULAR!

Lenticular creates interactive, engaging effects on a flat printed surfaces, images with a magic quality unique among printing processes. With a basic understanding its easy to transform static images into compelling lenticular prints. Midwest Lenticular's clients range from amateurs to veteran professionals - if you have an interest in lenticular we are here to help!

An understanding of lenticular starts by separating its popular uses into three categories: Flip, 3D and 4D.

Flip Imagery
Effects that involve change are known as flip effects. This can be a simple two-flip, like a before and after sequence, or a short animation like the classic winking eye. Flip images have great narrative potential and are easy to set up making them one of the most popular lenticular effects. Any two images can be made into a flip image and sequences of up to 18 frames can be used for animations. See the Project Checklist for more information on preparing flip images for printing.

3D Imagery
Lenticular also produces compelling illusions of dimensionality. A variety of approaches can be used to create 3D including multi camera rigs, camera sliders, rotating platforms and digital workflows using depth maps or 3D models. Artists with experience in these areas can upload files for easy 3D lenticular output. Those needing assistance can consult our tutorials on the subject or have their 2D images professionally converted to 3D by an in-house technician.

4D Imagery
Combining both change and 3D is known as 4D. This advanced technique can be extremely effective when used well. Prints that portray both dimension and movement appear living, bringing the full spectrum that lenticular has to offer. For help in setting up 4D images please contact us.

Lenticular may also be used experimentally in ways that are neither strictly flip, 3D or 4D. Lenticular refracts light in interesting ways, for example, and its luminous qualities present opportunities all by itself. Images can also be printed out of register, creating moire effects, and depth effects can be inverted creating unclear spatial relationships. Getting started in lenticular quickly reveals a range of interesting uses for the medium.

Proofing
Once you know the effect you will be excited to see the outcome. Many times the end result can be predicted with reasonable certainty and the project is sent directly for printing. But complex projects or those requiring exact color matching may need an intermediate proofing step before committing to the final print. Proofs also provide a hands on experience of the lenticular print where its thickness, viewing angle and coarseness can be properly evaluated.

Printing
Final printing is done using a two step laminated process for highest quality. We handle images from 12" x 12" up to 40"w x 90"h as single panel prints and offer limited multi panel printing for projects with larger dimensions. Images are printed on durable polyester film and cold mounted to sheets of lenticular plastic using optically clear, UV stabilized adhesives. This is the preferred method of gallery quality lenticular production, sealing the image surface inside a sandwich of stable plastics for longevity.

There can be a lot to consider when making lenticular output but the process does not have to be overwhelming. Midwest lenticular can be a filter or a funnel, depending on your level of interest! The best place to start is by calling or emailing, we are happy to discuss the particular factors that effect your project and get you up and running in no time!