With the rise of digital printing technology and the widespread availability of low-cost stock imagery, the market for decorative fluorescent and LED light covers has expanded significantly.
The following discussion covers key considerations in decorative overhead light panels, including image quality, panel materials, and custom sizing options.
IMAGE QUALITY AND LIGHT TRANSMISSION
An image has several properties to consider when purchasing a decorative light diffuser.
Fluorescent Gallery decorative designs are originals developed to keep the lighting appropriate and artful. Our decorative images are original photographs of real decorative glass, iron, and marble. We then use these photographs to piece together artful designs without impacting light quality. Where appropriate, we use shading to make the design more realistic. All products are available in an unlimited number of sizes.
Fluorescent Gallery sky ceiling images and sky murals are our original photographs of sky, clouds, trees, and foliage. The camera is positioned from below; therefore, the print orientation resembles looking up. Many are so high-resolution that the image can expand to cover a large room.
Purchased stock images – Many stunning designs are available that produce dramatic results when backlit but reduce adequate illumination.
PRINT MEDIUM
Various print media is used to create decorative light covers, sky ceiling panels, etc.
PREMIUM QUALITY: FLUORESCENT GALLERY FLAT ACRYLIC FOR LIGHTING
When a light panel is to span an opening without sagging, allow good light, and not turn yellow, quality acrylic sheets are the best choice. Therefore, after an intensive search, we selected acrylic products specifically designed for lighting applications.
We offer only premium acrylic sheets in unlimited sizes for our decorative prints in three thicknesses: .060”, .080”, and .125” – see Acrylic Panel Options. All three thicknesses offer a slight matte finish for excellent ink adhesion, no shine, and softer light.
Advantages
- Designed for optimum light transmission, maximum bulb diffusion, and no reaction to UV, they effectively hide the bulbs and lie flat in fixtures.
- They offer excellent light transmission while effectively diffusing the bulbs in the fixture and reducing glare.
- They will not become brittle or turn yellow over time.
- Designed specifically for lighting, these materials, with their slight matte finish, produce good adhesion for the ink from a digital press. The result is a panel that appears to have the ink embedded rather than printed on it.
- They are stiffer panels that lie flat in the fixture and can span large openings with minimal center sag.
- Even plain unprinted acrylic provides an attractive look.
Disadvantages
- Its packaging must be very secure to transport it safely. This safe packaging does result in higher shipping costs.
LOW-END QUALITY: DECORATIVE FILM INSERTS
Decorative insets are translucent white film printed using a roll-to-roll digital printer.
Advantages
- Using purchased stock designs, decorative film vendors can produce inserts in volume, in limited sizes, and at a lower cost.
- Easy to trim using scissors or a razor blade.
- Commonly rolled up in a tube and shipped inexpensively.
Disadvantages
- Fixture sizes other than standard, will require much of the image to be cut off.
- The film must lay inside the fixture on top of an existing acrylic light cover. If that panel has any texture or color, it will interfere with the design visual.
- Magnetic attachments are usually needed to mount the film on the outside of the fixture.
PRODUCING PANELS FOR CUSTOM-SIZE FIXTURES AND FRAMES
The Fluorescent Gallery Method of Custom Sizing
Since our images are original artwork, our experts can graphically modify them, maintaining balance in detail without distortion. The customized image is printed onto the panel and cut to the specified size. The panel(s) are then custom-packed and shipped to you ready for installation.
In comparison, decorative film and other flexible plastic products are printed at standard sizes and require trimming of the actual artwork in order to fit. This method often compromises the visual integrity of the image.
Custom Size Examples by Fluorescent Gallery
Our Tuscan Iron design, shown below, illustrates how we carefully preserve the integrity of the original 2’x4’ image for each unique aspect ratio.
How Not to Modify Artwork for Custom Sizes
As these images illustrate, cropping or stretching the original artwork produces unacceptable results.
SUMMARY
Since 2007, Fluorescent Gallery has specialized in transforming overhead lighting into works of art. Our premium light panels are designed to elevate interior spaces with a refined, decorative look that lasts for years.
