Lens Material Options For Graphics Display Light Boxes
Q. What types of light box lenses are available?
A. Many customers are content to order default lens materials for their lightboxes, but often it’s important to know what’s available and what the differences are, whether you’re a TV studio looking for no-glare, or a casino needing a lens material that can go seamless over 20 feet, or a retail business who needs a long-term durable outdoor product. Review these common lightbox lens materials to determine which is best for your project:
- ACRYLIC (aka Plexi-glas or plexiglass). This is the most common lens material used for lightboxes, because it is scratch and shatter-resistant, economical, available in most common display sizes and thicknesses, and it is also available in both clear and diffused white colors. Acrylic performs well both indoors and out, and is also available in a special glare-resitant (aka “no-glare”) variety for special applications.
- POLYCARBONATE (aka Lexan®). This is the new high-tech “acrylic” in that it looks similar to acrylic and is also available in clear and diffused colors. The differences are that polycarbonate has a much higher shatter- and scratch-resistance, and is also available in sizes much larger than any acrylics.
- STYRENE. This plastic is only useful for economy-grade or short-term light box applications, due to its inferior UV-, scratch- and shatter-resistance. It is very economical, and doesn’t retain its stiffness over distance as well as the other plastics.
- TEMPERED GLASS. Some public-access applications may require tempered glass due to its very high shatter-resistance. Tempered glass also yields an elegant, classic feel; although it is the heaviest and most expensive lens alternative.
- PETG. Some smaller indoor lightboxes feature this inexpensive, scratch-resistant yet flexible plastic alternative, for cost savings and longer UV life over styrene.