Material selection / Norvatex
Backlit film or clear PET display film?
Backlit film and clear display PET solve different display problems. Start with whether the graphic will be illuminated from behind or needs transparent unprinted areas. Norvatex supplies these films unprinted in professional rolls.
Light diffusion or transparency?
Backlit film and clear PET serve different purposes. Select the construction for the lighting and mounting method first.
Gloss backlit film
- For illuminated graphics
- Gloss front with diffusion back-coating
- 201µ nominal thickness
Clear display PET
- Transparent display graphics
- Non-adhesive construction
- 142µ nominal thickness
Choose backlit film for an illuminated graphic
Backlit film is intended for lightboxes and illuminated signs. Its construction helps diffuse the light behind a printed image. Assess the print with the intended lighting, rather than judging the result only on an unlit sample.
Satin printable backlit PET film has a satin surface and a nominal thickness of 215µ. It is supplied in 1,372mm × 30m rolls.
Gloss printable backlit PET film has a gloss front and a diffusion back-coating, with a nominal thickness of 201µ. It is supplied in 30m rolls in 914mm, 1,270mm, 1,372mm and 1,524mm widths.
Both product specifications list UV, latex and solvent/eco-solvent printing, subject to printer and ink testing. Choose the finish and width for the display, then trial the print under its operating light.
Choose clear PET for transparent display graphics
High-clarity clear PET display film is a non-adhesive transparent print film for overlays, point-of-sale graphics and clear displays. It is not the backlit diffuser option. Check the mounting method separately because the film has no adhesive.
It is supplied in 30m rolls in 762mm, 1,372mm and 1,524mm widths. The product specification lists UV, latex and solvent/eco-solvent printing. White ink may be needed to control opacity in a transparent design; test the intended artwork and viewing conditions.
Before you buy
- Confirm illumination or transparency as the main requirement.
- Check the display’s mounting method and usable print width.
- Check the printer and ink against the exact product guidance.
- Trial the printed result in the display and lighting it will use.
Browse backlit and display films or ask about samples. Samples are usually complimentary, depending on the request.
Satin or gloss backlit film?
Compare the surface finish under the actual display lighting. Satin has a softer surface sheen; gloss gives a high-gloss face. The selected film must also suit the display's usable width and mounting arrangement. A finish preference alone does not establish that a material will work in a particular lightbox.
Use a trial printed with the intended printer, inks and production mode. Evaluate fine detail, colour and uniformity with the lightbox switched on and off. Film choice, ink coverage and the lightbox work together, so there is no single ink-density setting suitable for every display.
Build a lightbox approval sample
| Check | What to review |
|---|---|
| Printed test image | Include brand colours, small text, dark areas and gradients. Print using the proposed production settings. |
| Illuminated and unlit appearance | Look for readable detail, acceptable colour and visible light-source patterns in the actual display. |
| Mounting and size | Confirm usable image width, trimming allowance and the frame or display holder with the fabricator. |
| Production record | Keep the material grade, printer, inks, settings and approved sample together for repeat work. |
For non-adhesive clear PET overlays, use an equivalent approval sample that checks transparency, white-ink areas where used and the separate mounting method. Do not assess it as though it were a light-diffusing backlit material.
Backlit and clear-display film questions
Can transparent PET replace backlit film?
Do not assume that it can. The clear display PET is intended for transparent graphics and overlays. Backlit film is a separate construction for illuminated graphics where light diffusion is needed.
Is the clear display film self-adhesive?
No. The 142µ high-clarity clear display PET has no adhesive or window-cling coating. Plan a suitable mounting method. For a printable adhesive film applied to glass, compare the separate window-film range.
Should I approve a backlit print without the lightbox?
An unlit print can help assess handling and detail, but it does not show the final illuminated result. Approve a representative sample in the intended display before producing the full job.