Custom Laminated Film Target

OVERVIEW

Flexible patterned films can be laminated to rigid substrates, offering a cost-effective alternative to large chrome or emulsion plates—though with reduced quality and precision. Lamination is also a practical substitute for "black on white" patterns when conventional materials are limited by size.

For transparent targets, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) is used. For reflective targets, a white, silver, or other coloured backing is applied to either side of the film before lamination to provide rigidity and contrast.

LAMINATED BASE MATERIAL

We can laminate to virtually any glass type and thickness, as well as other rigid substrates such as metal or plastic sheeting.

LAMINATED FILM MATERIAL

All films are imaged onto Agfa Idealine HPF (High Resolution Plotter Film), a 0.18 mm polyester substrate coated with photographic emulsion. These films are produced and inspected under controlled conditions to ensure dimensional stability. For best results, use at 21 °C and 50% relative humidity.

Choose “Monochromatic” for solid black, high optical density images. For greyscale imaging, select “Greytone.”

COATING

Anti-Glare Coating: A semi-permanent matte finish that reduces reflection and adds surface protection. Water-washable and removable with acetone. May distort edge clarity under high magnification. See the SPECIFICATIONS tab for details.

White Opaque Coating: Inkjet-applied polymer layer (front or back) enhances contrast. Other colours available upon request. See the SPECIFICATIONS tab for more details.

White Translucent Coating: Single-layer polymer coating applied by inkjet, producing a translucent finish when backlit. Transmission varies by coating density. See the SPECIFICATIONS tab for guidance.

PRINTING OPTIONS

UV-cured ink can be printed directly onto the glass for additional data or identification:

QR Codes or Similar: Static or serialised codes in any format, including Type 1, Type 2, and Micro QR.

Serial Numbers: Customisable font and size, printed directly on glass.

Logos: Company names or logos for identification or branding purposes.

COATING SIDE

Inkjet coatings are applied over the surface of the flexible film, with common colours including white and silver. Other colours are available on request.

The film consists of a 0.17 mm polyester base with a silver halide emulsion layer containing the image. Two coating configurations are available:

Coating Over Pattern Side: The coating is applied directly over the emulsion. The film is then laminated pattern-side down onto the glass. This protects the delicate emulsion and keeps the pattern and colour layer on the same focal plane. However, the pattern is viewed through the polyester base, which may contain imperfections. This is the preferred method.

Coating Over Polyester Side: The coating is applied to the opposite side of the film, leaving the emulsion exposed on top. This places the pattern closest to the viewer and avoids looking through the polyester, but increases the risk of mechanical damage and separates the pattern and colour layer onto different focal planes.

RESOLUTIONS

Monochromatic films are available in four imaging grades, with higher grades offering greater resolution and more accurate line widths. Greytone images are defined by LPI (lines per inch); higher LPI yields finer dithering and smoother gradients. See the SPECIFICATIONS tab for full details.

4k dpi: LOW Resolution. Suitable for general applications such as screen or tab printing. Limited definition below 0.2 mm; designs with arcs may appear pixelated.

10k dpi: Enhanced resolution with less pixelation. Supports features down to 0.1 mm. Below 0.08 mm requires pre-approval.

Grade 1: Supports features ≥50 µm. Not recommended for fine detail or curved geometry. Below 40 µm only on best-effort basis.

Grade 2: Suitable down to 25 µm with reduced pixelation. Pre-approval required for smaller features.

Grade 3: Balanced option supporting features to 12 µm. Minor distortions may persist in complex geometry.

Grade 4: PREMIER Resolution. Features as small as 5 µm achievable depending on design. Minimal distortion; ideal for high-precision imaging. Avoid polarity mixing for sub-10 µm features.

CAD FORMAT

Use engineering-grade vector formats (e.g., Gerber, GDSII, DXF, CIF) for high-resolution production. Formats such as CorelDraw, PDF, PostScript, SVG, BMP, and TIFF lack required precision and are not supported for Class 3 or 4. A drafting service is available on request.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Typical lead time is one week from receipt of all required files and order information. A checkplot is issued for approval. No production begins until approval is confirmed. For high-resolution or large orders, please confirm premium service availability.

POLARITY Available as Clearfield (positive) or Darkfield (negative). In positive polarity, features are emulsion on a clear background. In negative polarity, features are clear and the background is emulsion. Include reference text for orientation. Indicate if the pattern should appear right-reading or wrong-reading when viewed on screen.

INSPECTION

All masks are inspected internally for CD (Critical Dimension) size and uniformity. High-magnification images are captured using Nikon MM40 (900×) and OGP ZIP 300 (400×) systems, archived with production data. Additional documentation may be needed for compliance in sectors such as medical or automotive.

Standard: Full inspection, no documentation.

Certificate of Conformance: Printed statement confirming compliance.

Certificate of Measurement: Includes verification of up to 10 user-defined dimensions. A CAD file must define these positions. Additional dimensions available on request.

CHECKPLOT

A high-resolution PDF checkplot is issued before production. It provides a layout overview to verify feature placement, polarity, and alignment. It is not intended for dimensional verification.

For dimensional accuracy, use our CAD checkplot viewer. This tool provides vector-based inspection capabilities, including zoom, layer toggling, and comparison of submitted and interpreted data.

Production will not commence until checkplot approval is received. Ensure polarity, reading direction, and any reference markers are confirmed during your review.

More details are available on our Checkplot Information Page.

YOUR DRAWING NUMBER

Include your drawing or file reference number with your order to ensure correct file matching.

NOTES

Use this section to provide special instructions or order-specific requirements.

Refer to the TECHNICAL, DOWNLOAD, and FAQ sections for further information. For assistance, contact us by email or LIVE SUPPORT.