Lenticular 3D and Flip Printed Products

These lenticular images offer more than just stunning graphics and cool effects. Studies have shown that 3D lenticular images increase the stopping power of advertisements by as much as five times, and increases the staying power by four times when compared with two-dimensional ads!

In one Market Watch study, 88% of a sample group said they prefer 3-D advertisements compared to 2-D advertisements. People also preferred 3-D ads by as much as 2.5 times over 2-D ads. In the same study, twice as many people felt the advertisement looked better in 3-D.

What is 3D lenticular printing? Lenticular 3D printing is a unique printing process that creates the illusion of 3 dimensions, depth, and perspective, similar to a holographic effect. This adds an element of vivid reality to your advertising graphics.

What is lenticular flip printing? A lenticular flip image is a dramatic swapping of two images-each vanishing and then reappearing from one to another. Utilizing this lenticular flip effect is most beneficial for demonstrating "cause-and-effect" or "before-and-after" comparisons. It’s also a great method to deliver multiple messages in the same space.

Where can I learn more about Lenticular Printing? There is an excellent industry website, www.lenstar.org where you can learn more about the world of lenticular printing.    

Where can I utilize lenticular printing to advertise my products? The applications are unlimited for utilizing small-format (up to 5” x 8”) 3-D lenticular and lenticular flip printed products.

   Products

• Event tickets (sporting events, concerts, etc.)
• Mousepads
• Cups
• Luggage tags
• Badges
• Pins
• Keychains
• Bracelets
• Collectible products
• Calendars
• Magnets
• Coasters
• Stickers
• DVD and CD case inserts
• Shelf tags
• Product tags

     Cards

• Lenticular business cards (flip and 3D)
• Trading cards
• Gift cards
• Mobile calling cards
• Loyalty program cards
• Museum cards
• Membership cards
• Public transportation passes
• Greeting cards
• Postcards
• Currency conversion cards
• Invitation cards

What are some design considerations I need to know before I start?

1. General Lenticular Information

• Maximum size: 5” x 8”

     Supported file types:

• Layered Photoshop PSD file for 3D printing with layers unlocked and editable and fonts included or font layers rasterized.
• HumanEyes Creative 3D Ldoc file
• Flip printing: tiff, jpeg
• Interlaced file of Adope Photoshop CS4 Extended for 3D (tiff, PSD)

• Resolution: If you upload a Photoshop CS4 interlaced file, resolution should be 600 dpi. For PSD files, 300 dpi at actual size is recommended.
• We need a bleed margin of 0.08” and additional (to the final size) margins of 0.50” on the left and right sides
• Fonts – must be Macintosh compatible. Include all printer/screen fonts in a separate folder. We prefer, when possible, that the text not be converted to graphics.
• Avoid thin lines, especially going the same direction as the lens
• Avoid type smaller than 14 points
• Avoid italicized or slanted fonts

2. Information for 3D Lenticular Image Effects

   * Maximum size: 5” x 8”

   * We need a bleed margin of 0.08” and additional (to the final size) margins of 0.50” on the left and right sides.

   * Upload a layered Photoshop PSD file, 300 dpi at actual size, with all elements editable - no placed images.

   * Zip-compressed PSD files are preferred

   * Photoshop PSD should have bare layers and use the following features:

• Blending mode should be Normal
• Flatten all layer effects (File->Scripts-> Flatten all layer effects)
• Flatten all Masks (File->Scripts-> Flatten all Mask)
• Rasterize all Vector/Text Layers
• Rasterize all Smart layers
• Opacity of layers should be 100%
• Remove all Groups
• Layer names should contain only English letters and numbers
• Merge all Adjustment Layers
• Convert Color mode to Adobe RGB 8-bit
• Remove/Merge all Alpha channels
• Save in Max compatibility

   * Additional Artwork Guidelines as follows:

• Use at least 3 layers and a maximum of 7 layers with bold contrasting colors. Place objects on different layers close to one another to give the eye a reference to differentiate varying depth layers.
• Layers should be ordered in the file according to their depth ordering. Each layer should be named with intended depth position of layer (ie.: Foreground, Mid, Background, etc.)
• Each layer should be provided, in its entirety, without "holes" left in areas obscured by foreground elements.
• Each layer or file should be the exact same resolution, size, and color space. If additional Photoshop work is needed to be done to create a missing bleed or missing information in the layers it may require billable time above and beyond the original effect preparation charges.

   * Color choice and placement play a large role in the optimum 3D lenticular effect. Please note:

• Avoid solid color and black and white backgrounds, which reduce the sense of depth.
• In order to create depth, the background must contain an image or texture. Overlap art elements when possible.  
• Bright and light imagery will often be the most successful.
• Neutral colors in the background and brighter colors in the foreground work best.
• It is best to use soft, less-detailed imagery for the extreme foreground and background layers.  
• Logos and typography should be near, or on, the middle keyplane where they will appear the sharpest and most readable.

   * Type and font guidelines as follows:

• Stay away from "serif" and "italic" type styles.
• Extra depth can be added to an image by substituting flat type for type that appears to have a bevel or extruded look.
• White type is best when pushed back or forward in a scene and can be improved by adding a fine hairline rule around it.
• Adding a hairline border to trap color around the white areas of type or logos is receommended.
• The font point-size will vary according to the lens LPI.
  (Example: The larger LPI (fewer lines-per-inch) will require a larger font point-size. Smaller LPIs (more lines-per-inch) will allow a smaller font point-size.)
• Avoid very fine type as the lenticular screen will reduce readability.
• A simple test to determine font readability is to print out a proof of the planned font size at 100% and place the planned lens over it to see how it will appear. (Remember to make sure the lens is going in the correct direction.)
• To enhance font readability, try outlining the type and applying various stroke sizes.
• Color is also a huge factor, so try changing the color until you find a satisfying result.
• Should you have trouble placing the type at, or near, the keyplane during interlacing, try layering the text on the interlaced art. (Keep in mind that the type will need to be the same resolution as the interlaced art.) By doing this, the copy will become static and there will be no parallax shifting. However, this might cause the type to appear as though it's pushing into some of the 3D objects—depending on the depth and layout. Logos may also benefit from this technique.

   * Guidelines for using the Interlaced Photoshop CS4 files:

• Upload a 3D interlaced file of Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Max job size : 5.0" x 8.0”
• All layers should be flattened (Layers>flatten image)
• File resolution should be 600 dpi
• Make sure you follow the file preparation guideline
• Do not move layers after converting them to 3D
• Make sure file is prepared for designated lens pitch (LPI)
• A 0.08" bleed is added to the net product size
• For large quantity jobs we recommend first printing one copy as a proof

3. Information for Lenticular Flip Printing Effects

• Less is definitely more. To maintain sharp contrast between the elements, the most dramatic visual presentation will result with fewer frames (images). Usually we do not recommend more than a 2-image flip.
• Upload 2 JPG or Tiff files
• Resolution should be above 120 dpi with 300 dpi at actual size recommended.
• We recommend uploading images with identical sizes
• Max size for up-down flip: W5.0" x H8.0"
• Max size for left-right flip: W8.0" x H5.0"
• Min size: 1.5" x 1.5"
• In case of mismatch, we fit your images to the designated size.
• A 0.08" bleed is added to the net job size
• Each flip image should be an individual file or discrete, opaque layer in a single multi-layer Photoshop document.
• Each flip image file should be the exact same resolution, size, and color space.
• Photographs or busy, "noisy" images work best.
• Avoid flipping from one high contrast element to another. For example, flipping from a red ball to a white square, would not work well as the red ball will "ghost" into the white square. Flips work best when the general color, shape of the elements, and contrast of the "from" and "to" pictures are similar.
• Keep the backgrounds the same when possible, while flipping individual images or text of similar shape and color.
• Color usage plays a large role in a successful lenticular effect. Bright and light imagery will often work best. It is recommended to avoid using dark image or text against light solid image or background.
• Avoid areas of extreme contrast in the main subject, logo, and/or product.
• Elements that are not similar enough can cause one image to appear faintly over the other (known as "ghosting") when only one image should be seen.
• Avoid overlapping typography that flips to other typography.
  (should your planned effect require overlapping typography, a bit of trial and error will be needed to help ensure success.)
• Stay away from very fine type as the lenticular screen will reduce readability.
• The same cautions apply for type and font information as listed above under 3-Dimensional Lenticular Printing

Fast delivery of custom, small-format 3D lenticular and lenticular flip printed products. Try us out for your next lenticular advertising project! You’ll enjoy how easy we are to work with!

Contact us now for a quotation or sample requests, or for any additional information you need.