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Imagine a billboard that looks ordinary during the day, and after dark it shines for up to 10 hours without the use of electricity. This is how photoluminescent printing works: an elegant creation during the day, a clear, phosphorescent message at night. In this guide, we explain how the glow in the dark effect works, how to use it in promotional materials and outdoor campaigns, and how to create an outfit and make sure the effect lasts.

Table of contents

1. How to design an outfit that is visible during the day and glows after dark?
2. Where does glow-in-the-dark printing work best?
3. How does photoluminescent printing work in outdoor advertising?
4. Glow in the dark durability
5. Costs of the glow in the dark campaign
6. Process of ordering photoluminescent prints at InnovaPrint

How to design an outfit that is visible during the day and glows after dark?

Glow-in-the-dark printing is based on phosphorescent pigments that store light and give it back in the form of glow in the dark for hours. Therefore, designing such a creation requires taking into account several factors, including the properties of the paint itself. Keep in mind that the pigment shines best on a light background. Any intense color or dark foundation significantly weakens the effect. This is the first and one of the most important aspects to consider in projects that are intended to glow in the dark.

The outfit should have two levels: day and night. In the layer seen during the day, we place the base graphic, and key elements such as a slogan, logo, symbol or graphic element that is to attract the recipient’s attention should be planned in the night layer. Thanks to this, a new message will appear after dark, which will build a surprise effect.

To improve performance, you’ll need to consider how long your ad is exposed to light, the optimal size of the glowing elements, and the contrast between the day and night layers. The design should be legible in both versions, but only the combination of “day-night” layers will create the final WOW effect, which will determine the success of the campaign.

Where does glow-in-the-dark printing work best? Inspirations and applications

Glow-in-the-dark printing works well where traditional advertising can lose visibility. It will allow it to be distinguished in places with underlit or limited light, e.g. on billboards, citylights, bus shelters, murals and other outdoor advertising formats. In practice, this means that it is possible to make the message more attractive even after dark without the need to use additional lighting installations, obtain permits for illumination and incur energy costs.

Outdoors, a layer of glow in the dark is often used to build a second narrative through an additional slogan that is revealed only after dark, typography outlines, prices, pictograms or other motifs that build the atmosphere. Photoluminescent printing is also great for ambient activities. Such projects are eagerly used during festivals, city events, in the gaming and cultural industries. It works equally well in clubs, bars, galleries or concert halls, where glowing advertising materials, stands, rollups naturally distinguish the message.

How does photoluminescent printing work in outdoor advertising?

Photoluminescent printing uses the phenomenon of absorption and subsequent emission of light energy. Phosphorising prints take in natural or artificial light and then give it back gradually over several hours. The glow time in the dark depends on the quality of the pigment contained in the printing ink, its concentration and the type of primer used.

In practice, this means that the advertisement “charges” with light during the day, and after dark it begins to give off energy in the form of intense lighting. The available colors are green, blue or red in the selected one. Green-yellow pigments shine the most, and their visibility does not require perfect darkness, limited ambient lighting is sufficient.

The intensity of the light also depends on the thickness of the print layer, the size of the luminous elements, the type of light scattering and the exposure time. The longer the exposure of the advertisement to daylight or artificial light, the longer it shines after dark. That is why it is so important to properly plan the place where the advertising medium will be displayed.

Glow in the dark durability

The intensity and duration of the glow are influenced not only by the pigment, but also by the conditions in which the glow-in-the-dark print is exposed. The printing inks used by InnovaPrint are characterized by high UV stability, which means that they do not lose their luminosity quickly after prolonged exposure to the sun. Thanks to this, they can provide lighting for up to 8-10 hours. The variability of weather conditions does not cause rapid degradation of the pigments contained in paints. In the outdoors, this is crucial, because cheaper commercial paints (often used in decorations) fade and deactivate under the influence of UV radiation. Importantly, prints or phosphorescent print refinements can reach full “charge” after just a few minutes of exposure to strong light. However, when assessing durability, you should pay attention to, for example, the time of year in which the campaign is planned. A shorter day means a shorter exposure time, and intense cloudiness can limit the full “charge” of the pigment.

Under typical outdoor conditions, the glow effect gradually weakens, but remains functional for many months, which is fully sufficient for outdoor campaigns. However, it should be remembered that the effect can also be influenced by factors such as: the level of dirt on the surface (dust, dust, proximity to the road), or the use of inappropriate cleaning agents.

Costs of the glow in the dark campaign

Glow in the dark campaigns may have a higher unit cost than standard campaigns, but at the same time they allow you to reduce the costs of the entire implementation. This is due to the lack of the need for backlighting, electrical installations, additional permits, etc. This is an argument that prevails in many projects in favor of implementing glow-in-the-dark solutions. Organic reach in social media is an additional value, as luminous realizations are eagerly photographed and shared, which strengthens the effectiveness of the campaign. The most important advantage is night visibility, thanks to which the advertisement works longer during the day and is better remembered. Another benefit is that it stands out from other advertising media. The simplicity and ecological aspect of this type of undertaking is also important.

Photoluminescent printing opens up space for unconventional ideas and solutions that cannot be obtained with standard prints. Finally, it is worth emphasizing that this type of projects are perceived as innovative and attract the attention of the audience. By using the glowing effect, a brand can become an innovator on the market, stand out from the competition and build the image of a company that reaches for modern technologies in visual communication.

Contact us to discuss your project and see how glow in the dark technology can make your brand stand out. We will prepare a quote and advise on designing a creation that will impress the recipients.

Write to us and start your shining realization!