What is Second Surface printing?

 It is A quick and easy way to add visual dimension to printed projects is to separate your design and print the background image on the second surface (back side) of a clear piece of substrate and then print the “foreground” graphic on the first surface (top surface). To print the background image on the second surface, flip the background graphic image to appear “backwards.” When printing the background image, reverse the ink layering order to have color inks (CMYK) print first, then the white inks print second. This can be done all in one printing pass. Once the back surface is printed, flip the substrate over and print the “foreground” graphic on the first surface. This technique will create an impressive 3D look, making the first surface graphic appear as if it is almost “floating” over top of the second surface background image.




Advantages of Second Surface Printing:

Second surface printing has many benefits and the main advantage is the clear material substrate acts as a barrier and protects the image from wear and tear. Whether the application is a window graphic, floor decal, or overlay membrane graphic, the printing is typically done on the backside of a clear material (2nd surface) so that the ink is not exposed to the elements. This extra layer of protection can add years of life without the cost of an additional laminate.

Second Surface Printing Can Be Applied to Materials:

Rigid clear materials like acrylic, PETG, or polycarbonate that are printed second surface printing tend to have a higher end look to them as opposed to 1st surface graphics. Second surface printing is common throughout the POP display industry for making headers and endcap displays because they make the display itself look expensive and attractive. This is partially because it adds a level of depth and gloss that can’t be duplicated otherwise. The one who looks might notice the thick rigid substrate material because they are actively looking through it as opposed to 1st surface graphics.

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