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How to Print Lenticular Images

Lenticular printing technology employs a lenticular lens to produce images that shift or move depending on the angle from which it's viewed. Early examples of lenticular printing include Cracker Jack prizes featuring flip animation like winking eyes. Large-format presses use oversize lenses to print large lenticular lithographs, such as Tracer's 50-by-80 inch Spider-Man lenticular poster. Lenticular film also produce morphing and 3-D effects. Printed lenticular images appear on everything from magazine covers to DVD cases to mouse pads.

Things You'll Need

  • Printing press
  • Lenticular film or sheets
  • Lenticular lens
  • UV inks
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the image so that it matches the lenticular lens. The end image usually begins as many images that you slice up into strips and blend together to create a singular image. Size the strips so they conform to both the lenticular lens and the press's or printer's resolution.

    • 2

      Print the laterally reversed image onto the smooth reverse side of a lenticular film or sheet. First, use UV printing to apply the process colors. Second, apply UV opaque white to the entire film or sheet. Last, apply a protective UV gloss coating to the entire film or sheet.

    • 3

      Review the printed sheet and confirm that the optical illusion works. Each lens on the lenticular film or sheet should magnify a portion of the image beneath it. Turn the lenticular lenses vertically to appreciate the 3-D effect.

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