Rapid Prototype Blog

Archive for August, 2011

Here I will go more in depth on this topic. If you were looking for vacancies, you can visit the 3d artist jobs section on 3dleaks.com. 3d animators, 3d modelers, texture artists all of them call themself 3d artists but you may ask, why so many divisions? Why making so many professions from one activity? Is it not possible for a person to model, texture and then animate to achieve an integral goal which is a movie or cartoon? The answer is simple, it is possible and in some companies there are people that are working on animated sequences from the beginning to the end. They are called generalist 3d artists, the can do all the necessary activities on a decent level. But in the majority of cases especially in big production companies the situation is different, due to high competition the standard for 3d animation and 3d modeling is so high that very few persons can reach this standard while spending most of their time doing only one activity like  texturing, 3d animation or 3d modeling.

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I will go on and list what talents, knowledge and skills are required for each activity:

For 3d modeling is required:
Knowledge of 3d modeling tools and techniques.

Which include:
Polygonal 3d Modeling tools and techniques 3d model Tools: extrude, split, bevel, create, merge, delete, collapse polygons, edges or vertices.
3d modeling Methods: Box modeling method, edge or polygon extrude modeling method, polygon creation method. Element spliting methods together with edge and ring loop concepts.

Nurbs 3d modeling tools and techniques
Spline 3d modeling tools and techniques

The ability to give the required form to the 3d model.
This skill requires:

The feel for proportions
Sculpting talent and understading the 3d space
Anatomical knowledge for character 3d modeling
Patience and ability to accept critque

For 3d animation is required:
Knowledge of 3d animation tools and techiques
Acting talent and the ability to show character emotions through his movements.
A good feel of motion and mass, basic knowledge of physics to show realism in animations.
Knowledge of traditional animation principles to make the animations more interesting and appealing

Texturing requires:
Excelent Painting and drawing skills
Understanding of UV mapping and unwraping

More 3d Modeling Jobs Articles

A preferred embodiment provides, for example, a system and method of integrating fluid media dispensing technology such as direct-write (DW) technologies with rapid prototyping (RP) technologies such as stereolithography (SL) to provide increased micro-fabrication and micro-stereolithography.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides, for example, a system and method for Rapid Prototyping High Density Circuit (RPHDC) manufacturing of solderless connectors and pilot devices with terminal geometries that are compatible with DW mechanisms and reduce contact resistance where the electrical system is encapsulated within structural members and manual electrical connections are eliminated in favor of automated DW traces. A preferred embodiment further provides, for example, a method of rapid prototyping comprising: fabricating a part layer using stereolithography and depositing thermally curable media onto the part layer using a fluid dispensing apparatus.

1. A method of rapid prototyping a part, the method comprising: fabricating a first part layer in a stereolithography apparatus; registering the first part layer on adirect-write apparatus; depositing a first trace of direct-write compatible media onto the first part layer; curing the first trace of direct-write compatible media deposited on the first part layer; registering the first part layer on thestereolithography apparatus; and fabricating a second part layer on top of the first part layer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising curing the first part layer, prior to depositing the direct-write compatible media.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising creating an electrical interconnect.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising building three-dimensional (3D) circuits.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein fabricating a second part layer includes encapsulating the direct-write compatible media.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: registering the second part layer on the direct-write apparatus; depositing a second trace of direct-write compatible media onto the second part layer such that the second trace and the first traceare operatively connected; curing the second trace of direct-write compatible media; registering the second part layer in the rapid prototyping apparatus; and fabricating a third part layer on top of the second part layer.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting one or more pilot devices into the part.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of curing is accomplished with a device selected from the group consisting of: a ultraviolet light source, a particle bombarder, a chemical sprayer, a radiation impinger, an ink jet, an oven, a fan, apump, a curing device, a drying device that incorporates convection, conduction and/or radiation heat transfer and any combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the direct-write compatible media is selected from the group consisting of: inks, conductive inks, curable inks, curable media, conductive fluids, electronic inks, conductors, insulators, semi-conductivematerials, magnetic materials, spin materials, piezoelectric materials, opto-electronic, thermoelectric materials, radio frequency materials, ultraviolet curable resins, controlled reaction materials, precursor fluids, metal-organic liquids, solutions,suspensions, sol-gels, nanoparticles, colloidal fluids, thermoplastics, extrudable materials, thermosets, 2-part epoxy materials and any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the part layer is fabricated by a material selected from the group consisting of: a stereolithography resin, a radically polymerizable organic compound, a cationically polymerizable organic compound, apolyether, a polyol compound, an elastomer particle, a curable ink, a photopolymer resin, a photopolymer powdered material, a hydrogel and any combination therefore.

The present invention relates to the general field of rapid prototyping (RP), and methods and systems of dispensing fluid media such as direct-write (DW) technologies.

Polyjet® Technology: Bringing Advanced

3D Printing, 3D Printers and Rapid Prototyping to Even the Smallest Office environment.

Innovators, designers, engineers and scientists no longer have to work for major companies in order to access the kind of technology that allows for quick and easy production of high-quality 3-dimensional models and parts.

Thanks to the Eden™ line of 3-D printers based on Objet Geometries’ advanced PolyJet® Technology, it is now possible to create ultra-precise yet cost-effective models, nearly instantly, from the convenience of any office environment. Since 1998, Objet has established itself as a leading provider of rapid prototyping solutions, accommodating the needs of even small firms and offices because of the company’s products’ ease-of-use and cost-effective design.

Two key benefits of PolyJet technology are its advanced capabilities and the simple, clean operation it allows. Objet’s Polyjet Technology uses non-contact photopolymer materials that are cured instantly via UV and that are both safer and easier to work with than any other materials currently on the market. Additionally, Polyjet Technology’s water-jet removal system ensures all support materials are cleaned from the machine, between each use. These factors combine to provide a system that is safe, user-friendly, durable – and ideal for countless, varied applications.

Objet’s PolyJet Technology can significantly reduce time to market for new products, creating excellent ROI potential. Each 3-dimensional prototype is ready to be physically handled, examined and assessed as soon as it comes out of a Polyjet-based 3D printer from Objet. Ultra-thin 16-micron layers of non-touch resin are jetted onto the build tray and each layer is cured instantly with ultraviolet light. These processes ensure a high-quality, smoothly surfaced and accurate 3-D model that can be immediately touched, as there is no need for an after-production curing process.

For more information about 3D Printing www.2objet.com

T: +972 8 931 4314

F: +972 8 931 4315

E-mail: info@2objet.com

Hiring a web design firm to redesign your business website is a big decision. You want to be sure that the company is a good fit for you and can accommodate your needs in a manner that best suits you.

Below are four things to consider when hiring a web designer or web design firm:

1. Budget: Many business owners might consider website expenses an area where they can skimp. I strongly urge against this. A website is a crucial part of your brand image. Without a website that accurately portrays your brand message, you’re providing clients with a perception of your brand that isn’t correct. This can have severe consequences for the success of your business.

When looking to hire a website designer, you want to be sure that you are getting the best website possible. This doesn’t mean that the most expensive web design firm web design firm is the way to go. That’s why you have to research all of your options.

Business owners who spring for the cheapest website design firm with the hopes that the firm will give them a satisfactory product is by no means the right mindset to have. A low-budget firm that provides generic template designs cannot possibly create a website that is in line with your brand image.

Your brand is special and different from your competition, right? If you hire a design firm that provides you with a generic web design interface, you’re not expressing to your audience that you’re special. Rather, you’re showing prospects that you provide a generic and average service. You won’t stand apart from the competition, and you won’t see the business success you desire.

A successful website is customized, easy to navigate, and effective in driving prospects and customers to take action. A web design company that can provide you with a website that embodies all three of these characteristics is exactly what you want. But not every design company knows how to do this—which is why the successful ones tend to be on the higher price range. They have a skill that is difficult to find in other firms.

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If you’re not ready to spend a large sum of money on your website just yet, then hold off a bit longer until you have the budget to get your website done right the very first time. I’ve seen many business owners go through several ineffective website designs before hiring the right firm to get the job completed exactly to their liking. These business owners have wasted thousands of dollars by choosing a design company that was low budget.

2. Location: Would you rather your web designer be located within driving distance, or does it matter to you where they’re located? That’s definitely a question you want to ask yourself. This tidbit of information will help you narrow your search. We’ve worked with several design firms in the past. Some were located across the country, others in our city. We don’t mind working with design firms across the country. If they’re the perfect fit for us or our clients, then we’ll use them. We won’t force a fit with a company in our city if we’re not crazy about them.

3. Previous Designs: Always view both the firm’s testimonials and portfolio. Just looking at a design company’s portfolio isn’t going to tell you what it’s like to work with them. They could produce an excellent product but cause their clients massive headaches and stress. You want a firm that is easy to work with and provides you with the best product possible.

Testimonials will tell you the experience past clients had with the company, and a portfolio will show you the types of websites and designs they produce.

If you don’t see testimonials or a portfolio on a designer’s site, this could be a red flag. You shouldn’t have to ask a firm to send you images of their past designs—these items should be easy to find on their website.

Some things to look for in a company’s previous designs include . . .

Ease of navigation through the site.
Effectiveness in encouraging site visitors to take action.
Visual aesthetics.
Static HTML pages that contain optimized web copy and images that can be crawled by search engines. When an entire site is flash-based, it cannot be crawled by search engine spiders and robots.

4. Your Gut Feeling: Always trust your gut feeling. If a company rubs you the wrong way—even if you can’t pinpoint what’s causing the bad feeling—don’t go with them. You want to feel completely comfortable with and confident in the firm you choose. If you’re uncertain about anything, address your concerns with the company. And if you’re still unsure about working with them, hold off and look for other firms that might suit your needs.

Discover simple marketing strategies to attract and convert prospects. My bimonthly ezine, Sumer’s Secrets is packed with tips on how to improve your web copy, promote your website, and market your brand.  Sign up and receive a FREE report on creating web copy that will increase sales and site traffic.

Market your development using Architectural Models

Paper plans are ok but if you want to create a huge impression Architectural Models are the answer. This way you can show people exactly how your buildings, developments, or planned projects of the future will look, once they have been completed.  Use Architectural Models and they’ll be exact miniatures of the buildings that you plan to construct.  Consult professional creators of Architectural Models and they can produce any scale that you desire. Models can be made for marketing purposes or they could help you to secure planning permission in the future. Need the finest quality Architectural Models?  Experienced model makes can help.

Use Architectural Models to present an interior in a positive light

They’ve seen the outside of the building and it looks highly impressive but what’s going on indoors?  Let them see by supplying them with detailed Architectural Models of the interiors of your planned buildings.  Ask the model makers to construct buildings that come with a removable roof, removable floors and other workable features. People like to get hands-on with projects in the design process and the Architectural Models are ideal for this purpose.  Let the people in charge of planning permission look inside the Architectural Models to get a full understanding of the level work that will be involved. Use the models to market your proposed development and secure the planning permission that you require.

How can I bring my Architectural Models to life?

Why not ask the model makers to install lights within the buildings? Make them interactive.  Have a series of buttons on the base that people can press if they like.  Get people interested in the Architectural Models.  Help them to fully understand the true capabilities of your proposed building works. Experienced model makers can bring your Architectural Models to life and they’ll make great marketing tools.  Scale models can be produced that show how a building will be constructed, whilst others will show the finished construction.  Lights can be used in the Architectural Models just for effect or they can be used as part of your sales pitch. Whatever the requirements; model makers can provide your perfect solution.

Find More Architectural Model Makers Articles

If you’ve heard of CAD before but weren’t to sure what it referred to, it’s an acronym for Computer Aided Design. You can design three-dimensional images using a wide variety of computer based tools right on the screen of your computer. Architects, design professionals and engineers utilize this technology for 3D CAD modeling.

Industrial Designing

Many of the mechanical and electronic products that you operate have been designed with the benefit of CAD. It provides a cost-effective method for manufacturers to develop a prototype from conceptual drawings, as the 3D model would perfectly translate the finest details of illustrations. Industrial and mechanical engineers rely on CAD to manipulate and test their ideas thoroughly before progressing to the manufacturing stage of product development. The models can be measured for performance at varying stress levels without expending enormous amounts of money to constantly research, re-design and build different versions of the product. Great accuracy and precision is ensured in both the model and the final product. 3D CAD guarantees that products are designed manufactured and hit the retail market in much shorter time than before.

Architectural Creations

2D drawings can easily miss minute details that are crucial to capture the fluid silhouettes and dimensions of modern buildings. Some of the most elaborate architectural masterpieces, such as the spectacular Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and the billowing Burj-Al-Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, relied on CAD to maintain the artistic integrity of the architects who designed them. Complex and innovative designs are possible with 3D CAD modeling that produce a true representation of the architect’s vision. Clients can better evaluate and assess the feasibility of the project before agreeing to commit resources especially if they are able to view a small-scale version of the proposed building.

Jewelry prototyping and Jewelry Fashions

Jewellery designers who fashion accessories with the benefit of 3D CAD can bring beautiful and creative concepts to life. They can re-define curves and lines to produce novel creations that stun and surprise you with their imaginativeness. Working with precious stones and expensive metals like platinum, gold and silver, jewellers have little room for error. They have to ensure that designs can actually be manufactured and the stones can be properly set to add lustre and sparkle to the final creation. CAD has been instrumental in providing this assurance.

Benefits of 3D CAD Design

The quality of designs has improved tremendously with the use of 3D CAD. The process is flexible and permits a design professional or engineer to change and redefine material easily and cost effectively. The prototypes can then be rapidly created and will be an accurate reflection of the image onscreen. The expenses involved in making a model are significantly reduced and this technology also eliminates any redundancy in production. The extensive use of paper is curtailed as the whole design and development process shifts to electronic mode.

3D CAD modeling is an indispensable part of modern manufacturing, construction and design. From architecture to engineering, 3D CAD is integral to precise, accurate and state-of-the-art achievements.

For more information regarding 3D Printers please visit Objet Geometries site – http://www.objet.com

Printing reality on objet 3d printing systems www.objet.com

More 3d Cad Printer Articles

So you have decided to be your own contractor to save money, yet you wonder if you will be able to be your own interior decorator. Be careful that you don’t only consider the exterior when picking a house plan. You need to think about the style of the interior when picking a house plan. The 3d videos on www.houseplancentral.com can really help you to visualize the interior style of your house before you buy a house plan. The duties of the interior decorator are to pick the colors of your house, the furniture and lighting fixtures and tie all these factors together.

This can be a bit overwhelming to think about doing all these yourself. I recommend finding a lot of pictures of the type of colors and room format you want, then put all the pictures together and put the ones that could all tie into together in one pile. Take this pile and go to a paint store and ask the person helping you if the colors would blend. They will be glad to help you match your colors. The next thing I would do would be to go on-line and look at several different websites that have pictures of furnished rooms to help you decide on the style you want in your house. You can decide if you want a modern, tuscan, contemporary, classic and others. Once you pick out the type you like start making a budget for how much you have to spend on furnishing your home. You can go a bit crazy trying to furnish your house, and actually spend a lot more money than you need to, so it is very important that you already have some money set aside for the exact purpose of decorating the inside of your house.

Once you have a budget made, start with the paint then check your pictures to find your style and make sure they match, and then take the style you pick and start looking for your furniture. Again you are welcome to use the people at the stores to help you. If you still have money left in your budget after the furniture, start looking for art, frames and lamps. These little accessories can add a lot to your making your home unique. You can find these at stores like Target, Hobby Lobby, etc. Having the internet has changed a lot of things, I found houseplancentral.com to be very helpful even after picking out my house plan because most of the plans have images of what the house could look like on the inside. You can take these images and virtual tour and get an even better idea of what you want.

Related 3d House Blueprints Articles

Tapping into the growth means working at space-age speed, making prototypes of connectors or other wiring harness parts with a computer-guided rapid prototype machine that lays down thin layers of plastic or rubber over numerous passes, like an ink-jet printer producing a photo.

Automakers aren’t quite ready to start making Jetson-type flying bubbles, but they are cramming today’s vehicles with electric motors to power wheels, sensors to deploy airbags and entertainment devices to allow adults to survive a cross-country trip with children.

Connecting the electronic gadgets are as many as 2 1/2 miles of electrical wiring that, along with 600 plastic connectors and as many as 2,000 wire terminals, all weighing as much as 132 pounds – much of it coming from Delphi Packard Electric’s Customer Technical Center in Champion.

”Demand will grow like crazy as we go to electric motors. That will drive the need for more connectors and wiring from Delphi. We want to be a part of that growth,” Chris Burns, director of global innovation for Delphi Corp.’s Electrical/Electronic Architecture division, said last week.

So do Delphi Packard’s hourly production workers. Tom Krolopp, shop chairman of International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America Local 717, said the tech center provides more work for his 665 members, who make plastic connectors, metal terminals and electrical cable used to assemble wiring harnesses.

”Look at the projects for all-electric cars. They need a lot of wiring and plastics,” he said.

Since the auto supplier’s exit last October after four grueling years in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Delphi Packard is counting on its patent-producing corp of engineers at Champion and five other tech centers worldwide to keep it in the forefront of an auto industry that’s moving away from strictly oil-based fuel to hybrid or total electrical power.

”We can turn ideas into parts you can hold in your hand in hours,” said Jerry Rinehart, supervisor of the rapid prototyping and CT scanning department.

It means developing thinner, lighter wiring, allowing automakers to fit harnesses into smaller vehicles, boosting fuel efficiency while still stocking them with navigational systems, computer ports and other electronic content that customers are demanding.

The division became one of 28 finalists worldwide for the prestigious 2010 PACE award for its environmentally friendly ultra-thin wiring wrapped in halogen-free coating that makes it recyclable, thus keeping it out of landfills.

The 0.13 millimeter-squared, or 26 gage, wire is the thinnest that can still be plugged by hand into connectors. Thinner wires require a special machine that Delphi Packard also has developed to make the connection.

About 200 engineers, technicians and other workers at the center on Research Parkway N.W. are welcoming the challenges.

”We’re tireless here in trying to stay in the forefront of technology. We want to become the technology leader” in automotive electrical and electronic architecture, Senior Project Engineer Bob McFall said as he showed off the center’s process lab, a factory-like setting where engineers run through a complete manufacturing process, from cutting electrical cable to length to producing the final harness as fast as a 1 1/2 days.

”We don’t have the traditional lead time; that’s what drove Delphi to invest in this area,” Burns said.

The lab also gives Delphi tools worldwide to develop cutting-edge wiring and sensor systems for future hybrid gasoline-electric and all-electric vehicles.

Delphi engineers have been working alongside their Chinese counterparts in Champion on prototypes of 10 wiring sets for an all-electric vehicle for CODA Automotive of Santa Monica, Calif.

The sedan, which will be built in China for sale in California later this year, is projected to have a range of 90 to 120 miles. Delphi will supply key electronic and high-voltage parts, along with a multiservice antenna.

With its six technology centers -Champion and the Wuppertal, Germany, center are the largest – Delphi can offer customers global cooperation for engineering-intensive projects, Delphi spokeswoman Rachelle Valdez said.

Some of the ideas the tech center is studying verge on the Jetson-like future. Burns said engineers are looking at ways to charge an electric vehicle’s batteries wirelessly.

”There could be a mat in a restaurant parking lot where the vehicle could be charged while the people were eating in the restaurant. The cost would be added to their bill,” he said.

A conventional approach would be to take surfaces and ideas from aerodynamicists, convert them into either rapid prototype parts or scale models of the sort of parts that you see on the race cars, and then put on a very large scale wind tunnel model and test them in a wind tunnel. In our case, our system involves taking those shapes and instead of making model parts we actually essentially mesh them and create an extremely sophisticated computer simulation, consisting of hundreds of billions of cells in a CFD model and essentially flowing digital wind, if you like, over this model in a variety of different simulations in a variety of different conditions.

Find More Prototype Vehicles Articles

Plastic injection molding is an industry that is ever evolving since the day it started its operation. The reasons are obvious. The demands for plastic products are growing at a very rapid pace and indeed, today we need them in almost sphere of our lives. Plastic is durable, lightweight and unlike metals resistant to corrosion and wear and tear. There are many different methods used in the manufacture of plastics. Among all these manufacturing processes, plastic injection molding is most popular. There are numerous manufacturers dealing in this type of plastic manufacturing process. Hence, it becomes very difficult for a user to decide on the best.

In this article you would get an overview of a quality service provider for greater reliability. The most important thing that a vendor should have is offer customized services- this is very necessary in today’s scenario where industries specific products are the need of the hour. All good custom injection molder specialize in tight tolerance of engineering-grade resin polymers.

They should have capabilities that range from prototype tooling and material sampling to single-/multi-cavity productions for getting you wide-ranging results. Moreover, it should have a wide variety of tools like dryers, granulators, water/oil temperature controllers, robotic spruce pickers, part pickers and presses that come in a wide range from 30 to 700 tons with barrel capacities of 1.9 to 14 oz., that allow for high-precision reproduction. Make sure that the operating room is clean and is equipped with proper drying systems that have moisture analysis readings to assure dry material for the best results.

Also a proper Plastic Injection Molding unit should have sampling and approval process for the stringent quality control. To get assured quality and reliability, it is necessary that the plastic injection molding products not only presents a great look, but should also fulfill all the mechanical requirements. Moreover, cost effectiveness is something that is desirable; otherwise the whole effort goes waste.

In order to achieve this, a Plastic Machining firm should select the appropriate material that offers reliable service as well as is cost effective. So, where would you find a reliable plastic machining expert? Well, the answer is simple. Go online for the best tight tolerance machining. The internet is a great source that gives you access to some of the best manufacturers dealing in plastic injection molding online. Through the internet you can also find the most advanced service providers that offer CNC plastic machining services at great prices for best deals.

This video shows Crescent Industries services and capabilites for providing a single source solution for our customers plastics components using high performance thermoplastics in a variety of molding services. Crescent Industries is ISO 13485:2003 and ISO 9001:2008 registered. Crescent offers product design & development, new mold builds SPI class 101-105, and contract manufacturing services. Our medical molding division, Crescent Medical Plastics is dedicated to manufacturing medical devices.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Lenticular: A funny word indeed, strange & unfamiliar to most people.

A lenticular is a series of images (minimum of two) that are combined or interlaced into one final file and then printed on a plastic lens. The lens has tiny tactile ridges that refract light in such a way as to create motion or depth effects when the lenticular is turned.

How does a lenticular differ from a hologram?

Lenticulars are currently much more common in the medium of print advertising. But many customers, when searching for a lenticular printer, will use the more familiar term “hologram”. Unfortunately, this is a misnomer. A hologram is typically monochromatic and created with laser light reflected onto an emulsion. The finished product needs to be properly lit to achieve the ideal effect.

On the other hand, lenticular printing reproduces full color, photographic-quality images in a range of effects from morphs to animations to 3D Depth.

So what effects are available?

1. Flip: Perhaps the most basic (and popular) effect, this lens flips from one image to the next with a quick turn of the wrist.Flip lenticulars are also typically the most affordable as the set-up includes only 2 images.

2. Animation: This effect offers up to 12 frames of animation. All frames should be designed with continuity & fluidity. For example, 12 frames consisting of completely different designs would not reproduce accurately.

3. 3D Depth: This effect is the equivalent of creating real 3D Depth on a card without the use of 3D glasses. This is currently very popular with the recent influx of 3D films.

4. Zoom: Zoom images leap out at your audience in stunning 3D.

5. Morph: This effect offers a more detailed flip, where one image literally transforms into the next.

Where have I seen lenticular printing?

Chances are you’ve seen lenticulars hundreds or even thousands of times. Many gift cards use a “flip” or “3D Depth” effect. Visit any major retailer and scan the DVD section, you’ll see a good percentage of these are produced with lenticular covers. Many film releases are now promoted with large lenticular posters and lobby displays. The Guinness Book of World Records® certified a 98-feet long by 13-feet tall lenticular mural in the Mandalay Bay Casino to be the largest lenticular piece ever.

How expensive is lenticular printing?

New advances in technology have brought down the prices of lenticulars tremendously. Most manufacturers, until recently, offered minimum quantity orders of 2500 pieces starting at around – each. Minimum quantities and pricing has dropped significantly over the past decade. Lenticulars are now full color offset or digitally printed in quantities starting as low as 250 pieces. In addition, pricing has dropped to as low as.18 each on larger quantity orders of lenticular business cards.

What other advances have been made?

Years ago, lenticulars were on much thicker lenses and the clarity was substandard. Printers advised against using much text on the lenticular side, as most likely it wouldn’t reproduce accurately. Contact info was generally printed on the reverse side, if required. Today, with new technological advances, the clarity of lenticulars has improved greatly. Text reproduces more accurately and image sequences are clearer. In addition, today’s lenses are thinner and not so awkward or bulky (so they’ll fit better in your wallet).

How long do lenticulars typically take to produce?

Most manufacturers advertise a minimum of 3 weeks to produce professional, offset printed lenticulars. The set-up and interlacing is time-consuming & labor-intensive and typically a full gang run has to be filled before your lenticulars can be produced.

Lenticulars are available in a variety of sizes, from 3D business cards to 3D postcards to full size posters.

Are they worth the price?

Professional marketers are constantly looking for new ways to stand apart from the plain, the mundane and the boring. Nondescript, one-color business cards & flyers are quickly going the way of the Dodo bird. From foils to plastics to metals, printing is moving into the 21st century. Making 3D lenticular printing a part of your overall marketing plan is surely a savvy decision.

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