Film for lightbox panels
For almost all lightboxes, backlit film is the right answer. Acetate and clear polyester are for special cases, such as a box with its own diffuser.
Why diffusion decides it.
Inside most lightboxes are rows of LEDs or tubes. Without something to spread that light, you would see each source through the image as a bright spot or stripe. Backlit film has a translucent layer built in to do that job. Clear films do not, which leaves the box to do the work.
| Film | What it does with light | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Backlit | Spreads the glow evenly | Your box has no separate diffuser, or you are not sure |
| Acetate | Passes light with little spreading | The panel has an opal or diffusing sheet behind it, or you want the light source to show |
| Optically clear polyester | Very clear, with little haze | The print is layered with glass or acrylic in a high-quality display |
Questions about your box
- How deep is it, and where are the lights? Shallow boxes with widely spaced LEDs are the most likely to show hot spots.
- What colour is the light? Warm and cool sources change how the image looks, particularly skin tones and whites.
- How does the film fit? Check whether it slides in, clips in or sits between two sheets, and whether it needs to be stiff.
- What is the visible area? Measure the sheet size and the window separately. The frame hides a strip all round, so text needs a safe margin.
- Who has the old panel? An existing print is the best guide. Measure it, and note which side faces outwards.
Test a strip in the actual box
Nothing replaces this. Print a slice of the image, including the darkest and palest parts, and put it in the box in the dark and in daylight. A lit print can look completely different from the same file on a monitor. Our backlit film printing page explains how artwork differs for lit work.
Prices compared
| Size | Backlit | Acetate | Optically clear polyester |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | £26 | £26 | £37 |
| A1 | £39 | £39 | £55 |
| A0 | £65 | £65 | £80 |
| 30in x 20in | £33 | £33 | £42 |
| 40in x 30in | £59 | £59 | £63 |
| 60in x 40in | £99 | £99 | £126 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
If the size of your box is not listed, send us the measurements. For the wider picture, see lightbox graphics or illuminated graphic displays.
Colour with light behind it.
Your questions.
Why does my lightbox show dark bands or bright spots?
Usually the lights are too close to the film or too widely spaced. A denser or more diffusing material can help, but sometimes the box itself is the limit.
Can I use a normal poster in a lightbox?
Light will show through, but it will look dull and uneven, and the fibres of the paper may be visible. A film made for the purpose works much better.
Do I need to change my artwork for backlit film?
Often, yes. Lit prints usually need denser colour than paper. Send us the file and tell us about the box.