Prep for backlit
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- i_monk
I'm prepping artwork for a series of posters for a client, most of them regular print jobs, but two or three will be backlit.
Are there any rules of thumb for preparing artwork (the photography in particular) for backlit posters?
- aanderton0
Add multiple lens flares to your work, when backlit the look fresh and dynamic.
- Projectile0
HDR MUTHAFUCKER!!! CAPITAL LETTERS AND LOADS OF EXCLAMATION MARKS TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
- bjladams0
we print backlit on a product called duratrans. it's made for that.
- i_monk0
I know of duratrans, do I need to prep the files in any special way for printing on it?
- bjladams0
we just print straight from customer files normally- we print out of a rip called rasterlink, which offers ink saturation levels, for backlit we normally adjust it to print an extra 15% thicker coverage and they turn out fine.
- PIZZA0
yeah don't waste money on that shit, just add lens flares it's the same effect
- elmntl0
@Projectile.. how old are you? 10?
- Lol, love the way projectile got insulted yet I didn't. Please don't tell me you actual though I was serious with the lens flares.aanderton
- flares.aanderton
- My age changes according to my mood, basically. I'm not feeling quite as juvenile today.Projectile
- e-wo0
I have a duratrans job coming up too. Anyone have more pointers?
- bjladams0
@ e-wo: make sure that your printer is using solvent ink and not pigment.
we've printed them both with and without laminate, and either way they end up lasting about 2-3 years before the color fades, and when it fades it goes quickly.
If your printer gives you the option, ask for it printed on 16 pass bi-directional with 15% extra saturation.we normally print a swatch for the customer anyway, and it puts everyone's mind at ease.
- bjladams0
also, your printer will probably know this, but from experience, they need to lay flat for 48 hours prior to printing- if they are rolled up any sooner they have a tendency to warp once introduced to the heat from the bulbs- but again, that should be taken care of by the printer.
- scarabin0
nobody here has mentioned backprinting?
the backs of movie posters are printed on (a registered reverse of the image on front) so when they're lit from behind the color isn't washed out. i don't know what type of filter/settings they use for this, but it does look different from the front
hope it helps
- i_monk0
Thanks for the input. I've only done two of these before, at one place we had a guy who took care of the final check (ink levels and whatever) and more recently I was just told to set it up the same as process print on coated stock.