Local Long Beach business Pacific Remediation has turned their Sprinter van into a mobile billboard with perforated window film graphic wraps applied to the windows on the van.
Perforated window film is an excellent way to advertise on your vehicle, while at the same time adding privacy and protection against the sun.
What Is Perforated Window Film?
Perforated window film, or “Window Perf”, is very similar to the vehicle wrap vinyl that you see on the bodies of cars and trucks. This material has just been perforated – that is small holes have been made throughout the material. This perforation allows the full graphic image that is printed on one side to be seen, and still allows viewing through the window from the other side. Drivers prefer this because their view remains unobstructed, unlike with decals or lettering.
Perforated window film (often called “window perf” or one-way vision vinyl) is a printable, adhesive-backed vinyl featuring thousands of tiny, evenly spaced holes. It allows high-resolution graphics to be displayed on the outside while maintaining clear visibility from the inside, providing privacy and solar shading. Reputable manufacturers of perforated window film include 3M, Oracal and Avery Dennison
Key Features and Benefits:
- One-Way Visibility: The human eye focuses on the printed graphic outside rather than the small holes, making the vinyl appear solid from a distance while allowing those inside to see through it.
- Advertising & Branding: Commonly used for storefront, office, and vehicle windows to turn glass into promotional space without blocking natural light.
- Privacy and Shade: Provides daytime privacy (people outside cannot see in) and reduces glare/heat from sunlight.
Perforation Ratios:
- 50/50: 50% vinyl, 50% holes; best for detailed graphics and high visibility.
- 60/40 & 70/30: Higher vinyl-to-hole ratio; best for brighter, more vivid, detailed, or vibrant printing.
Common Uses For Perforated Window Film:
- Retail Storefronts: Showcasing promotions or logos while allowing natural light in.
- Vehicle Wraps: Advertising on rear or side windows.
- Office Privacy: Branding, privacy, or reducing glare in conference rooms
- Application: Applied to the outside of glass surfaces, typically on retail storefronts, vehicles (cars, vans), and office windows.
Pros and Cons of Perforated Window Film:
Pros of Perforated Window Film:
- One-Way Visibility: During the day, people outside see the graphic, while those inside can see out clearly.
- Advertising & Branding: Turns windows into high-impact, full-color advertising space, ideal for storefronts and vehicles.
- Privacy & Glare Control: Provides privacy for offices or homes and reduces glare from bright, direct sunlight.
- Light Transmission: Unlike solid vinyl, the holes allow natural light into the building.
- Durable & Weather Resistant: Designed to withstand exterior conditions for 1-3 years.Heat Reduction: Offers solar control by blocking UV ray
Cons of Perforated Window Film:
- Reduced Visibility at Night: If the interior is lit, the “one-way” effect flips, making it easy to see inside from outside.
- Dirt/Water Retention: Small holes can trap water, dirt, and dust, particularly on vehicles, making it hard to see through, especially in the rain.
- Cost: Pricier than simple window decals or standard signage.
- Removal Issues: Can leave behind adhesive residue or be challenging to remove if not done carefully.
- Lower Resolution Graphics: Because of the holes, the printed graphics are less detailed than solid, non-transparent vinyl.
Key Considerations for Perforated Window Film:
- Lamination: Adding a protective laminate, such as Optically Clear Laminate, prevents water from filling the holes and enhances longevity.
- Perforation Patterns: Common patterns are 50/50 (higher interior visibility) or 70/30 (more vibrant designs).
- Window Perf is easily removable from glass surfaces, and it is recommended that windows that have received a Window Perf application remain closed throughout the life of the application. Rolling down or opening windows can cause the vinyl to start to lift.
For all Window Perf applications on vehicles, we always use an “optically clear” over-laminate applied to the printed sides of the material. This laminate serves three purposes:
1. The optically clear laminate protects the prints at the time of installation, and against minor scratches.
2. The optically clear laminate protects the prints against fading caused by the sun.
3. The optically clear laminate provides a smooth surface over the perforations. Without the laminate, rain water would build up in the tiny holes and cause both visual interference as well as damage to the material.
Interested in adding a Window Perf billboard to your vehicle? Give us a call at 562-424-4353 to get your project started today!
