How it works

Lenticular print could be described as a specially prepared image which allows viewing different images at different angles when connected with the lenticular lens. Interlaced graphics is a combination of two or more images. Lenticular material is a sheet of plastic with extruded lenticulas (lenses). These lenses have to be perfectly aligned to the graphics.

Depending on viewing angle each lenicula works as magnifying glass. It zooms a piece of graphics which is underneath. The whole cluster of such a lens gives a view of the whole  picture. Changing the angle of viewing causes changing of images under the lenses. It gives a sensation of motion or depth. If lenses are parallel to both eyes – we will see the same image at a time.

If lenses are perpendicular to your eyes – each eye will see different image – in this case 3D sensation is possible.

Choosing the right lenses.

One side of lenticular sheet is covered with regular lenticules. All these lenticules have to have the same width and depth and have to be perfectly parallel to each other. These parameters determine material properties and quality. The other side of lens is smooth, this side will be printed and/or laminated on. Resolution of a lens means frequency of lenticules. Frequency is described in lines per inch (LPI). There are several types of lens of resolution starting from 10 LPI to 200 LPI.

Next parameter is convexity of a lenticula. The more convex the lens, the wider the angle of viewing. Lens with wide viewing angle are better for motion, the narrow lens are better for 3D. Lenses for 3D are thicker than lens for animation. The lower the resolution, the thicker the lens. Thicker lenses are about 4mm (10-20 LPI), the thinnest lenses are about 0,2mm (200 LPI). It is very important to determine the distance between image and viewer. This is a short table with these dependencies.