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 look and feel?

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

  • What size are you looking for ?

We offer the Acrylic backlit in sizes up to 90 x 60”. The backlit fabric can go much larger. In fact, we just did one at 9 x 9 feet. Also, the acrylic is much heavier and needs to ship complete. On the other hand, we can ship the Backlit Fabric in parts or assembled, which saves you money on shipping.

  • Can you swap out the media?

Another key point to discuss is that you can change the fabric at any time, which is a significant advantage. However, this isn’t possible with acrylic.

  • Is there a lower-priced product that looks like acrylic and lets you swap out the print ?

If clients want to swap out a print in something that looks like acrylic, we always point them to the Ultra slim LED snap frame.

A Real Project: Backlit Fabric for a Design Firm

The client in this situation was adamant that they wanted backlit fabric.

Since they were a design firm, they checked every possible feature closely during the ordering process.

  • How thick are the frames exactly?        2.0 inches, which is very thin for this application.

How Long Do the LEDs Last?

She worried about longevity, which is understandable when you invest in a project with an online vendor. So 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 it needs replacing. On average, LED bulbs last 10 times as long as compact fluorescent bulbs. They also last 133 times longer than typical incandescent bulbs. As a result, LEDs dramatically reduce maintenance costs. They also lower long-term operating costs compared to traditional incandescent and fluorescent tubes.

LED lifespan scenarios:

  • 4 hours/day: 34-year lifespan (50,000 hours)
  • 8 hours/day: 17-year lifespan (50,000 hours)
  • 24 hours/day: 6-year lifespan (50,000 hours)

 

Are the Panels Backlit or Side-Lit?

This was another insightful question she asked. We offer a unique backlit solution that gives superior results because it eliminates shadows and hot spots. We place our LED lights directly behind the fabric for the best possible outcome. In contrast, side-mounted LEDs are a less expensive, lower-quality alternative.

 

6 piece backlit project c;loseup

Does It Work by Battery?

Consumers and corporate clients often ask if a battery can meet their needs. The simple answer is no, because the battery would have to be the size of the space shuttle.

 

Can One Remote Run All Six Light Boxes?

She asked if a single remote could run all six light boxes she ordered. The answer is yes. We can hardwire all the boxes so the electrician only needs to plug them into the wall. You can also have a remote and dimmer for each one.

 

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.”

Planning the Installation

The information above covers some of the technical details customers want to know. This client wanted to resolve most issues that came up after payment, during production. In our experience, the electrician usually takes the lead and handles 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 Ordered Size?

Working with designers takes careful attention to every detail of a project. Even small differences could cause problems, and that worried me a little. The solution was simple. 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 happens with every order of backlit prints, because the ordered size refers to the final dimensions, not the print size. You lose only 1/2 inch in the process.

Conclusion

Each backlit project is unique. We provide custom sizes, so we don’t list prices online. We take a hands-on approach when we discuss backlit projects and advise you on the best solution. Additionally, we follow up via email for every project to ensure client satisfaction. For your project click here