Backlit Fabric deep dive

Unlike most of our custom prints, Backlit prints are more sophisticated and technical. It is essential to discuss specific options before starting the project.

Some things we ask are

  • Do you want the backlit to have an acrylic or fabric feel and look.

The acrylic is shiny and vibrant, while the backlit fabric offers a more organic feel, with deep, rich colors woven into it.

  • What size are you looking for ?

The Acrylic backlit can be offered up to 90- 60 ” The backlit fabric can go much larger, we just did one 9-9 feet. As well the acrylic is much heaver and needs to ship complete. The Backlit Fabric can be shipped in parts or assembled, saving you money on Shipping .

  • Can the media be swaped out ?

Another key point to discuss is the flexibility of changing the fabric at any time, which is a significant advantage. However, this isn’t possible with acrylic.

  • Are there any other prodcuts what can be done at a lower price point, look like acrylic and be swaped out ?

We always tell the client that if they want to sawp out something that looks like acrylic they should look at the Ultra slim Led snap frame

The client in this situation was adamant they wanted backit fabric.

Since they were a design firm they were paranoid about every feature possible during the ordering procedure

  • How thick were the frames etactly ?        2.0 inches which is very thin with this application

She was understandably concerned about longevity, especially when investing in a project with an online vendor. We confirmed the following:

  • Longevity LEDs have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours compared to 1,500 hours for incandescent bulbs. An LED light will last close to 6 years (constant use) before needing replacement. On average, LED bulbs last 10 times as long as compact fluorescent bulbs, and 133 times longer than typical incandescent bulbs. Long lifespan of LEDs will dramatically reduce maintenance costs and lower long-term operating costs compared to traditional incandescent and fluorescent tubes.

LED lifespan scenarios:

  • 50,000 hours powered 4 hours/day = 34 year lifespan
  • 50,000 hours powered 8 hours/day = 17 year lifespan
  • 50,000 hours powered 24 hours/day = 6 year lifespan

 

Another insightful question she asked was whether the panels were backlit or sidelit.

We offer a unique backlit solution that ensures superior results by eliminating shadows and hot spots. Our LED lights are strategically placed directly behind the fabric, guaranteeing optimal outcomes. In contrast, side-mounted LEDs are a less expensive, lower-quality alternative.

 

6 piece backlit project c;loseup

Does it work by battery ?

A common question from both consumers and corporate clients is whether the battery can meet their needs. The straightforward answer is no; the battery would have to be the size of the space shuttle.

Can all six light boxes being ordered be operated with a single remote? 

Great question. The answer is yes. We can hardwire all the boxes so that the electrician only needs to plug them into the wall. You can as well have a remote and dimmer for each

 

6 piece backlit project from distance

Going deep into the technical – an actual email from the client 

“And we have calculated the watts and voltage per frame as per 6 watts & 24 volts per sq. ft of the frame, does the below look correct? The reason for asking about watts and voltage is because we will need to get an electrician in to do wiring for us and it would be helpful for him to know how much our gallery wall will use watts, volts etc. I hope that makes sense.”

54’’ x 31.5’’ uses 71 watts & 283 volts

24’’ x 31.5’’ uses 31.5 watts & 126 volts

38.25’’ x 21.0625’’ uses 33 watts & 133 volts

2 x 21’’ x 39’’ uses 34 watts & 136 volts

38.25’’ x 31.5’’ uses 20 watts & 200 volts

My reply 

“Includes one large 320 watts, 24V hard wire power supply that is 15” X 3” X 2” and should be placed close to the light boxes. Each light box has 6’ of 18/2 wire that will connect to the power supply. The total wattage of 6 light boxes is 210 watts @ 24V.”

The information above addresses some of the technical details customers seek. This particular client was keen to resolve most issues that arose post-payment during production. Based on previous experiences, the electrician typically took the lead and executed the project on-site. However, given her tight deadline, she needed to be as precise as possible for her own installation.

Will the final product match the exact size of the images ordered?

Collaborating with designers requires careful attention to every detail of a project. I was slightly worried that even small discrepancies could cause dissatisfaction. The solution was straightforward: the final size would match her order, but the image would be slightly smaller to fit the thin frame. As a result, the images would lose half an inch on each side. This occurs with every order of backlit prints. The ordered size refers to the final dimensions, not the print side. Only 1/2 inch is lost in the process.

Conclusion

Each backlit project is unique.We provide custom sizes, which is why prices are not listed online. We adopt a hands-on approach when discussing backlit projects, advising on the optimal solution. Additionally, we follow up via email for every project to ensure client satisfaction. For your project click here