Design of Graphics. Instruction Bulletin 2.1 Release C, Effective August 2008 See Bulletin Change Summary and end of Bulletin.

Transcription

1 Design of Graphics Instruction Bulletin 2.1 Release C, Effective August 2008 See Bulletin Change Summary and end of Bulletin Color Matching 3M Scotchcal and 3M Controltac Graphic Films 3M Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Film General Procedure Important Note! FIGURE 1 Color Matching Color matching is a method for ensuring that multiple pieces of the same film and color have a consistent appearance across the entire graphic. The reflective properties of some films can make the color shift as the light hits it if this is not done. Scotchcal and Controltac films do not generally require matching. However, a customer may require that the following graphics be color matched: butted stripping, letters or emblems fabricated from multiple pieces. Use material from a single roll or lot to maximize color uniformity. Then follow the General Procedure, below. When using Scotchlite reflective films should always be color matched when using multiple panels, especially adjacent pieces, to ensure uniform day color and night reflective appearance. Film should also be matched for color and reflective brilliance at splices within the rolls. Even identical product lots of reflective film need to be visually checked for color matching in adjacent panels. Reflective film 680CM-10 and 680CRCM-10 are available already color matched. Recommendations in this Bulletin show how to minimize the effects of within-lot and crossweb variations. Close color matching of large multi-panel graphics is difficult on retroreflective materials due to production lot variability for both day and night color and processing variabilities when using transparent process inks. 1. All panels must be matched for day color and night reflective appearance. Use a reflector spot lamp held directly in front of the face and view the film at a distance of at least 50 feet (15 m). Be sure that the film is at nearly right angles to the light source. However, do not position the film exactly perpendicular to the light source, as specular glare from the film surface may result in errors in matching. 2. After panels have been matched, be sure that they are not mixed during application. If one panel of a set is ruined, match a new panel for day color and night reflective appearance. It may be economical to set aside all damaged sets and match the good panels into complete sets at the end of the run. If the signs are to be clear coated, the odd sets should be clear coated before matching. 3. In general, translucent films and reflective film from a roll can be matched as shown in FIGURE 1. The dark line represents one edge of the film or film. Notice that the matching edges are always rotated to meet each other. Panels 1 and 2 are a matched set. Panels 1, 2, and 3 are matched, etc. By following this method you can match as many panels from a roll as are required for any size sign. Contact for information and assistance. Instruction Bulletin 2.1-1

2 Product-Specific Notes Film Series Colors Fluorescent Films , 405, 406, 407, 413, SE 404, 405, 406, 407, 413, 414 To assure uniform appearance for the entire graphic life, make each graphic from a single roll or production run, particularly where splicing is required. Film Series Colors Metallic Films , 203, 211, 216, 217, 220, 221, 227, 228, 229, 237, 239, , 131, 201, 206, 208, 209, 211, 216, 217, 218, 227, 229, 231, , 121 Dusted Crystal Films SE 314 These films have metallic flakes that orient themselves during manufacture, causing the film to appear lighter or darker in color depending on the viewing angle. Fabricate multiple panel graphics so the printing on the liner is in the same direction for each panel. Film Series Colors Translucent Films 3630 All colors 230 All colors Frosted Crystal Films 7725SE 323, 324, 326, 327, 331 All Reflective Films CR R All colors Whenever two or more panels of the same color translucent film, frosted crystal film or reflective films are seamed together as a continuous band of color, match them to assure uniform daytime color. Also match reflective and translucent films for uniform nighttime appearance. Important Note! For identical color matching of reflective films, use film from a single roll for each complete graphic. 3M Controltac Graphic Film Series 180 3M Controltac Graphic Film with Comply Adhesive Series 180C 3M Controltac Graphic Film with Comply v2 Adhesive Series 180Cv2 3M Scotchlite Flexible Reflective Graphic Film Series 680 3M Scotchlite Removable Graphic Film with Comply Adhesive Series 680CR 3M Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Film M Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Film 5100R 3M Scotchcal ElectroCut Graphic Film Series M Scotchcal ElectroCut Graphic Film Series 7725SE 3M Scotchcal Special Effects Graphic Film Series 210 3M Scotchcal Translucent Graphic Film Series 230 Layout Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Film The nighttime appearance of the graphic determines the design layout. The following techniques provide consistency in both day and night viewing. Instruction Bulletin 2.1-2

3 Totally Reflectorized Graphics Partially Reflectorized Graphics Large areas of color present the greatest target value at long range. Your goal is a colorful, easy to see graphic that attracts attention at long range, 24 hours a day. This type of graphic is designed by following these rules: 1. For letters and major copy, use white or gold color Scotchlite reflective film. 2. Use darker colors for the reflective background blue, green, or red to provide sufficient contrast to make the copy highly legible. 3. Outline the design with a border of white or gold color. A border visually ties the units together, with the appearance of more dimension and size. Use the technique for Totally Reflectorized Graphics. The daytime appearance will take care of itself. General Rules and Tips See FIGURE 2. Spotlight Important Areas Use Simple Copy Different Color in Each Plane Use Opaque Colors for Contrast To emphasize primary copy, use colors of high reflective brilliance. Colors with similar reflective brilliance compete for viewer attention. To feature a heading or trademark, use a color with greater brilliance than the rest of the layout. For maximum legibility, use copy as large as possible in only one or two colors, which prevents color clashes and blurring. A simple san serif type style is a good choice for both daytime and nightime viewing. For sharp color definition and to increase the illusion of three dimensions, use a different color in each plane. Use opaque colors for maximum contrast and emphasis, and to bring out detail in a graphic image. Create opaque color using black film or printed color. Use opaque printed borders or shading around letters for maximum readability. The combined width of the borders should at least one-third the stroke of the letter. FIGURE 2 Text Color Combinations Use this table to select color combinations that provide the best contrast. Always do a test layout before committing to a color combination. Good: This is the best combination, providing maximum contrast. Fair: Contrast can be enhanced by carefully considering the relative areas of the colors. Low: These combinations provide low contrast NR: These combinations provide little or no contrast and so are not recommended for use together. Background Color Reflective Copy White Yellow Red Gold Green Blue Orange White NR Low Fair Good Low Gold Low NR Fair Good Low Yellow Low NR Fair Fair Low Red Good Fair NR Low NR Green Good Fair Low NR NR Blue Good Fair Low NR NR Orange Low NR NR NR NR Instruction Bulletin 2.1-3

4 Notes on Color Combinations Orange is a versatile color. It is strong in day light and very bright at nighttime. Deep screen printed colors, lightened with toner, can be brought toward the medium color range. White reflective film, when printed with 3M Scotchlite Transparent Screen Printing Ink Series 2900 or 3M Screen Printing UV Ink Series 9800, is comparable in brilliance to the corresponding colored film. Deep colors (blue, green, red) almost always require a white (light) reflective border or background for letters or stripes to strengthen their nighttime legibility. Letters or stripes of light colors (white, yellow, gold) do not need dark borders except to enhance or improve daytime appearance. When using brown and black, add a white (light) colored border for daytime contrast and target value at night. Remember, too, that black film reflects white at night. How to Make a Miniature Graphic Cut-Out Letters Letter Spacing Warranty and Limited Remedy After completing a pencil layout, it is a good idea to make a reflectorized miniature. A true-scale miniature can be produced by screen printing with the inks to be used; or by using cut-outs of reflective film. View the miniature with a flashlight in a dark room. Any obvious faults can be corrected at this stage. You will also find that a miniature is a useful sales tool. For the most efficient use of film, nest letters for cutting. Position adjacent letters in the legend as close together as possible. Cut all letters in a single legend from the same panel or from matched panels. Due to the high reflectivity of reflective film, letters overglow (appear larger in size) when viewed at night. If the lettering or the lines of copy are too close together, they will blur. These rules produce maximum readability under all conditions: 1. Use open spacing of 1-1/2 to 2 strokes between the straight elements of lettering smaller than 12 inches (30 cm) high. 2. Use a minimum of 1/2 the height of the tallest letter for spacing between two lines of copy. 3. Secondary copy less than 4 inches (10 cm) high becomes illegible in light colors or orange. 4. Use a light reflectorized background if there is dark colored copy less than 9 inches (23 cm) high. In general, graphics must be large and bold or the background must be light reflectorized when using dark colors. 5. When designing graphics with a reflectorized film, create a way to view the design under nighttime conditions to make sure the graphics are effective and legible. The information contained and techniques described herein are believed to be reliable, but 3M makes no warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. 3M shall not be liable for any loss or damages, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, in any way related to the techniques or information described herein. Instruction Bulletin 2.1-4

5 3M Related Literature Before starting any job, be sure you have the most current Product and Instruction Bulletins. The information in 3M Product and Instruction Bulletins is subject to change. Current Bulletins are available at 3Mgraphics.com. The techniques described in these Bulletins are required when applying a 3M warranted graphic, but are also practical recommendations when using promotional materials for non-warranted graphics. Additional Bulletins may be needed as indicated in the 3M Related Literature section of other 3M components you use. Bulletin types: PB = Product Bulletin; PB- = Product & Instruction Bulletin; = Instruction Bulletin Subject Type Bulletin No. 3M Controltac Graphic Film Series 180 and Film with Comply Adhesive PB 180/180C Sries 180C, 180Cv2 3M Scotchcal Translucent Graphic Film Series 210 PB 210 3M Scotchcal Translucent Graphic Film Series 230 PB 230 3M Scotchlite Flexible Reflective Graphic Film Series 680 and Removable PB 680/680CR Film with Comply Adhesive 680CR 3M Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Film 5000 PB M Scotchlite Reflective Graphic Film 5100R PB 5100R 3M Scotchcal Translucent Graphic Film Series 7725 PB M Scotchcal Special Effects Graphic Film Series 7725SE PB 7725SE 3M Scotchlite Translucent Ink Series Screen printing with ink series line color - Screen printing with ink series color 3M Screen Printing UV Ink Series Screen printing with UV ink series line color - Screen printing with UV ink series color 3M Graphics Center Warranty Brochure PB PB go to Warranties Bulletin Change Summary General update throughout the Bulletin. Product Specific Notes on page 2 were expanded for clarity. Removed products that are obsolete: films 3480, Replaced film 690CM-10 with 680CRCM-10. Replaced ink series 4400 and 9700UV with ink series 2900 and 9800, respectively. Included color combination ratings for yellow film. No techniques were changed in this Bulletin. Commercial Graphics Division 3M Center, Building E-04 PO Box St. Paul, MN USA General Info Technical Info Fax M Canada P.O. Box 5757 London, Ontario Canada N6A 4T Fax M México, S.A. de C.V Av. Santa Fe No. 55 Col. Santa Fe, Del. Alvaro Obregón México, D.F Fax M Puerto Rico, Inc. Puerto Rico Industrial Park P.O. Box 100 Carolina, PR Fax M All rights reserved. Instruction Bulletin 2.1-5