Before starting to print on lenticular we recommend to buy some "non lenticular" PET sheets (ideally same size and thickness as the lenticular sheets).
NEW: our partner Finze, selling small quantities, is proposing a starter pack of 250 sheets 711x508mm, GAG, more information on our "small quantities" page.
These PET sheets will allow you to check the adherence of the inks with your ink supplier. The choice of the inks will depend of your drying system, the inks should be UV inks if you have UV drying (the most efficient today). You'll find links to some ink suppliers on our links page.
The second step would be to create a new specific color curve to print with high lines screening. Lenticular requires high lines screening (about 400LPI) so you will need to create a specific color curve otherwise the colors might be too dark.
These sheets will also be used for the make ready on press.
You'll also need hard blankets. You'll find links to some ink suppliers on our links page.
You'll see our different products and sheet sizes on our website.
The new customers usually start with 75LPI. We don't have small quantities in stock and we know by experience that starting will require a pallet.
When we deliver a first pallet to a printer, we propose to start with simple test files that you can download from our website. These tests will allow to show to the technicians how to print on lenticular.
The key element will be the pressure: what we call "kiss printing". I would recommend to decrease the pressure to the minimum when you can see that there is not enough ink on the sheet. Once you are at this point you can increase the pressure slowly until you come to the point that you can have just enough ink on the sheet.
The second test file will be the pitch test (see prepress process).
After these first tests we can propose our training program.
The training starts with the prepress, how to create the images, interlacing, (software). and finishes on press printing the first lenticular images.
In detail:
- the theory of the different types of lenticular effects
- flip, 3D, Morph, zoom etc
- a full explanation of lenticular prepress techniques
- an explanation of line screening and angle sets
- practice and execution in the Workflow and RIP
- imposition method theory
- practice on effects and image creation.
- imposition practice and printing on press
We are working with top specialists, the more experienced in lenticular technology. Usually we start with 2 days training. We know by experience that the printer will be able to have good samples after these two days.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the above.
You'll find QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS about lenticular by clicking here.
