Glass creates architectural and design statements

A BAF Graphics product story

Edited by the Interiorstalk editorial team Dec 3, 2009

The increasing use of glass in both the commercial and retail environment is creating architectural and design statements, according to BAF Graphics.

With this comes the demand for more ways to incorporate graphic solutions that work in conjunction with glazed surfaces.

This British Gas Cardiff display was designed by WMW and printed on optically clear film.

Full-colour imagery, including the use of white ink, can be printed direct to glass panels at the company's production facility or printed to specialist substrates for application in situ to glass.

BAF claims that this is achieved without losing the integral qualities of glass itself.

In addition, the inherent characteristics in non-printed films can be used to create decorative, display and communicative details or to perform an essential function, such as obscuring visibility or acting as an ultraviolet (UV) barrier.

For more permanent applications, the latest technology now enables direct printing using UV-cured inks to the glass panels themselves.

For interior or exterior applications, optically clear polyester films provide a suitable print substrate, achieving a translucent printed image while leaving non-printed areas with near-perfect optical clarity.

Films with scratch resistance on non-printed areas are also available.

If the application requires a total block-out, imagery can be printed to block-out film and then applied to glass, creating greater privacy where it is needed most.

Colours with varying opacity can provide an accent colour to complete a design scheme, whether used as for total coverage as cut and shaped graphics or text applied to any glazed surface.

Films such as Contra Vision enable imagery to be seen on one side but not the other, while still allowing visibility through to the other side.

Meanwhile, according to BAF, films such as Lumistry provide the ability to control what can be seen and not seen and create invisible viewing angles.

In order to obscure visibility, frosted-, embossed- and rice-paper-effect translucent films provide a solution for either total coverage, manifestations, cut and shaped graphics, text or as a print background.

A range of products provides room-temperature control capabilities as well as enhancing privacy and safety through tinted films.

In addition, museum and art exhibits can be protected by films that block out harmful UV rays.

In conjunction with the company's architectural glass partners, imagery can be encapsulated within the glass itself for permanent application and for durability.

Combining a high level of digital print technology and a fully personalised service, BAF provides artworking, print production, finishing and installation capabilities.

Designers and clients call on the company's capabilities to produce bespoke large-format graphics and imagery for many interior and exterior applications, including building and hoarding graphics, commercial wallcoverings, surface and window films, vehicle graphics, banners, branding, decorative treatments and direct-to-rigid media, such as to wood, metal, glass, laminates, foam and composite boards.

BAF offers many environmentally friendly media alternatives and is accredited to ISO14001 - Environmental Management.