3D lenticular printing is a relatively new and niche printing technology, but one that has so many creative potential uses. It is most commonly used in the advertising industry to create eye-catching posters or advertisements that showcase a 3D effect, but can also be used to print off all sorts of different objects. From mugs to mobile phone cases… If you’ve ever seen a cereal box with an image that appeared to move as you tilted it from side to side, then you’ve seen a good example of how the effects of lenticular printing can be put to use. In this article, we’ll look at what lenticular printing is, who it can be useful for and how you can use it for your own projects.
What is 3D Lenticular Printing?
Lenticular printing is a printing technique where images are printed on sheets of plastic stacked on top of one another to make a finished product. The plastic sheets have multiple images printed on them and are layered so that multiple images are visible at different angles. This creates the illusion that one image is transforming into another or that an image has depth and is moving. For example, a company could print multiple images of their product on a sheet of plastic, then angle the sheets so that each image can be seen at different angles. Once all the printing is finished, the sheets are laminated together to create a single, finished item. These items can be applied to various products, from posters to coffee cups to smartphone cases.
Why Use 3D Lenticular Printing?
As we’ve seen, lenticular printing can be used to create posters or other products that appear to transform or move over time. This can be used to great effect to create a more immersive product for a viewer. When used for posters, the lenticular printed images can be placed in high-traffic areas and create a visual impact for viewers who might not know the company. There are plenty of other reasons why lenticular printing can be useful. For example, you could use lenticular printing to create a more interactive children’s book or fun family activity. Lenticular printing can also be used to create memorable souvenirs for tourists, souvenirs that would be difficult to find anywhere else. Lenticular printing can also create an extra layer of branding for products you’re already using. For example, if you’re selling t-shirts with your company’s logo, you could use lenticular printing to create t-shirts with an extra layer of branding.
How Does 3D Lenticular Printing Work?
As we’ve seen, 3D lenticular print allows multiple images to be printed on a single sheet of plastic, then stacked on top to create the illusion of depth. To create a lenticular image, you’ll need to work with a design software package that supports importing multiple images. For example, Adobe Photoshop, through the use of layers, supports the printing of multiple images. Apple’s iMessage sticker editor is also capable of this. Once you’ve created an image, you’ll want to consider the best way to arrange your images on the plastic sheet. You’ll want to look for ways to stack your images so that they layer on top of each other in a way that creates the illusion of depth.
3D Lenticular Printing Limitations
While lenticular printing is a highly effective technique, it does have its limitations. One of the biggest limitations of lenticular printing is that each image printed on a sheet of plastic is intended to be viewed only from the angle in which it was created. While lenticular printing allows you to create multiple images that have depth, it’s important to understand that each of these images is meant to be viewed in only one way. If you view an image from an angle where it’s not meant to be viewed, you won’t see any transformation or depth because there isn’t a second image to layer on top of the first. One way around this is by including clear instructions on how to view your image. For example, if you’re creating an image with a dolphin leaping out of the water, you might want to include instructions that encourage viewers to tilt their image from side to side to see the dolphin jump out of the water.
How to make use of 3D lenticular printing?
If you want to use lenticular printing for your projects, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure that you’re working with a design software package that supports the use of multiple images. Once you’re designing your image, you’ll want to think about the best way to arrange the images on the plastic sheet. Here, you’ll want to find ways to stack images on top of one another to create the illusion of depth. Once you have your image designed, you can take it to a professional printer offering lenticular printing services. Alternatively, there are a few online services where you can upload your image, and they’ll take care of the printing for you.
The Bottom Line
As we’ve seen, lenticular printing is a relatively new technique with many creative uses. It is most commonly used to print posters and advertisements that appear to transform or move over time, but it can also be used to print various products. Lenticular printing has many benefits and is a very effective printing technique. Yet, it has some limitations you’ll need to keep in mind when designing your images. Suppose you are looking for a way to make your advertising more engaging or want to create exciting souvenirs for tourists or a special event. In that case, lenticular printing is an excellent choice.
