The Lenticular Lens

Lenticular lenses are the best way to combine two or more images to create a more dynamic visual effect. Interlaced images may look like a jumble at first, until the lenticular lens gives the image the visually deceptive and appealing effects that have made lenticular images desirable as promotional items since their inception. The short version is that a lenticular lens distorts normal images and changes their appearance depending on the angle in which they are viewed from, but there is much more to the item.

In order to create the desired effect of bringing an image to life requires the implementation of a certain process. First the multiple images are cut into strips and interlaced together. The plastic lenticular lens which is comprised of protruding tubes called lenticules is then placed on top of the interlaced image below. In order to give the graphic a clean effect, the lenticular lens must be appropriately placed on top of the image. The effect is each lenticule on the lenticular lens acting as a magnifying glass that changes the appearance of the underlying image based on the angle of view.

How Lenticular Lenses Work

Good lenticular printing accurately gives the illusion of a 3d effect, morph effect, zoom effect, flip image, full animation effect, or a combination of two or more. The technology used to create lenticular lenses is sometimes used for improving human vision as well. The advancements in technology have made lenticular lenses effective for advertising in numerous ways. Lenticular postcards, Lenticular movie posters, and lenticular cups make lenticular advertising at the cutting edge of promotional items.

Lenticular lenses must be carefully manufactured using columns of lenticules to fit the interlaced image perfectly. The frequency of the lenticules is called lines-per-inch or LPI and varies from 10 to 200. Good lenticular printing companies know exactly which LPI to use based on the project and determine the quality of the finished product. Different thicknesses of lenticular lenses as well as LPI create optimized viewing angles and better visual effects for lenticular art. Make sure your lenticular printing company realizes all of the inerrancies involved with lenticular art in order to receive the best quality lenticular product.