Creating One Way Vision Windows with Contra Vision
One way vision windows are a simple, cost effective solution using Contra Vision window film. We are specialists in fitting one-way window film across a variety of project types, large or small. We’ll help you choose the right window film to suit your requirements, give qualified advice, and offer the very highest print quality and installation standards.
Contra Vision has many different uses. It’s ability to produce stunning graphics on one side and near invisibility on the other always impresses our customers. Whether you’re looking to give privacy to an office whilst still giving visibility from within, or require graphic space without affecting incoming light, our Contra Vision experts can help.
This simple fitting was carried out for a temporary office environment that required privacy. A self adhesive vinyl graphic would have blocked light and eliminated the view. And with costs very similar for print and installation, Contra Vision was the obvious choice.
How Does Contra Vision Work?
Contra Vision uses natural light to perform its trick on the eye. Holes in the Contra Vision quickly turn glazing into one way vision windows. The back of the film is usually black and in most cases is fitted to the outside of the windows. This allows the eye to see “through” the graphic from the inside but will only see the graphic from the outside. Contra Vision is supplied in many formats including 30%, 40% and 50% of hole versus substrate. This allows more or less light through, but also affects the image opacity.
The most commonly used film is the 40%, and Contra Vision have recently introduced a 40% HD version which has smaller perforations and gives the graphic unequalled print opacity. Our Sign & Display manager, Jamie Brelsford, will happily talk you through the options.
So There Are Different Kinds of Contra Vision?
There isn’t one kind suits all. A 30% may be more effective than a 50% in some circumstances where the graphic is of most importance. Though there are films that give solutions to different problems.
For instance, this project for a major pharmaceutical company was produced using clear Contra Vision. And whilst production time is increased, cost of installation was dramatically reduced.
View from walkways
Creating one way vision windows usually means applying the window film to the glass from the outside. In this case the walkways were too high to access cost effectively so we used clear Contra Vision. Here we printed the graphic in reverse, backed it up with white ink, then printed a flood coat of black. This enabled us to adhere to the inside of the walkways rather than the outside.
The result allowed vision through the graphic from the walkways but a very visible graphic from below.
Help and Advice from Johnsons Printers
Johnsons print and install for a range of small and large projects. Whatever the size of your project, from a small retail window to a complete building wrap, you will receive the very best quality AGFA quality print. You will be fully supported before and throughout production, and we ensure a safe and professional installation.
Give the team a call or leave a message below, and our sign & display team will offer guidance and advice with your project.
Related Information
Wallpapers for offices - Workplace Branding UK
Office wallpapers and workplace branding by Johnsons. Our experience in creating exceptional office and workplace branding enables you to create the office environment you want. We'll take care of everything from start to finish and make your ideas work from print through to installation and beyond.
Your office branding project may be large or small, but the attention to its quality and detail will be prevalent throughout our production and installation processes.
Get in touch for a free site survey and consultation where you can discuss your ideas. Speak to project manager Jamie Brelsford on 01270 625207 or email sales@jprint.co.uk
Our Office Branding Services Include:
- Print and sampling
- Site Surveys
- Bespoke wallpapers
- Dry wipe and Magnetic wall coverings
- Office Wall Vinyls
- Printed Window graphics
- Floor Graphics
- Directional Signage
- Office accessories
- Comprehensive Installation Services
- Risk Assessment and Method Statements
We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality print and finishing together with innovative and practical solutions. The office branding projects we deliver, vary in size. But each one is managed and installed with the same attention to detail...
From Design to Installation
We work with companies and organisations of all sizes, including some of the largest design agencies to create fantastic wall art, wallpapers, signage and accessories. This may start with an initial site survey to discuss ideas, measure-up and check all installation possibilities.
If you need ideas, we can show you examples of past jobs or we can create visuals to show you how your office could look. We can also show you samples of the different substrates available from window vinyl films, acrylics or printed fabrics.
When your artwork is ready for production, we'll ensure accurate colour matching and the highest possible quality print and production, ready for installation and fitting.
Installation of Office Vinyls and Wallpaper
If you need help with a small vinyl or the largest wallpaper graphics, our installation team have the experience to create professional office spaces. And where required, we will produce a risk assessment and method statement for the project, no matter how big or small the job is.
We'll work with you to ensure a swift and safe installation. If that means working when you're closed we will, anything to make it easier for you and your workplace.
All office branding needs care and attention during the installation and we pride ourselves in creating a professional service in a swift and safe manner.
FAQ's Contra Vision - One Way Vision Window Film
Your Questions Answered
We get many questions regarding the suitability and fitting of Contra Vision, so we asked our Sign & Display manager, Jamie Brelsford, to answer a few of the frequently asked questions we get on One Way Vision window film...Can it be applied to the inside of windows?
"Yes. Contra Vision produce a clear window film which allows us to print your images and text in reverse so it can be seen correctly on the other side of the glass. We then back this colour print up with white ink to give the graphic good opacity. We then back this up further by printing black to attain the full one way vision performance." "
We usually apply clear Contra Vision when windows are inaccessible or are not possible to reach from the outside. Whilst graphic opacity is better, it can sometimes be a very cost effective way of applying the film, particularly when access equipment is required in a busy environment. This example at Astra Zeneca shows how Clear Contra Vision allowed us to apply the graphic from the inside, saving the disruption to the workplace and reducing costs."
Is Contra Vision easy to apply yourself?
"Yes, it's relatively easy to apply small areas of window film yourself, such as A2/A1 poster sizes. However, we recommend larger areas may require our fitters to survey and install. We can usually advise in the first instance from photographs if you have any concerns. And you can always contact me jamieb@jprint.co.uk if you would like to discuss this in more detail."How Does One Way Window Film Work?
"One way vision film works by using perforations within the substrate. The back of the film is black, obscuring the graphic, and therefore the eye will see through the holes." You can see a good example here on Contra Visions webpage explaining how their window film works, together with a video.Are There Different Kinds of One Way Vision Window Film?
"Yes, though most suppliers will only offer a 40% version which may not be the best solution for your windows. It's actually only Contra Vision (the inventors of the stuff) who offer a full range of films to suit every project. It's one of the main reasons we changed to Contra Vision enabling us to offer one way window graphics which are suitable for every situation. These might include night time or backlit solutions, higher density graphics or short term graphic applications."Does the Window Film come off easily when the time comes to remove them?
"This is something I'm asked a lot and another reason we moved over to Contra Vision. The cheaper versions of one way window film are a nightmare to remove, particularly when they've become completely permanent after a short time. It tends to come off in shards and inevitably leaves pieces and residue on the glass. Contra Vision produce a Performance range which comes off quickly and easily. The time saved in removal is remarkable and could greatly improve appearance and labour costs when the time comes for removal of the graphic."Does One Way Vision Film have a Fire Rating?
"Yes, but make sure you ask for the Performance range which carries fire rating." (All the Performance window films have a Class 0 Building regs and Class 1 BS476 pt7). "When fire rating is imperative, its always worth asking your printer to ensure a cheaper window film is not being used."Can it be cleaned?
"Yes, but a certain amount of common sense is needed. For instance, jet washing and aggressive detergents are not going to be ideal ways to treat your graphics. Manual cleaning with soap and water would be fine. Where there is a risk or the use of automatic cleaning, we can laminate your Contra Vision, though this is usually only necessary on vehicle graphics. Note also that your window film shouldn't be cleaned within the first few days of installation, this is to allow adhesives to strengthen their bond."We've got anti-scratch coating on our windows - is it OK to install the film on these?
"No, windows with an additional coating may be damaged when the film is removed. If you're unsure, we can try out patches on your windows before production, just to make sure."What is Contra Vision HD?
"This is the new product launched by Contra Vision recently. We've been able to print this and we're very impressed. Its only available as a 40% version but using more and smaller holes. Whilst there isn't any difference viewing through the glass, the quality of the printed graphic is amazing and we've started to recommend this to our clients as a premium alternative. It does cost a little more than the standard 40% but where the image quality is paramount, its definitely worth it." Let us know if you have any more questions regarding wall and window films. You can contact us on 01270 625207 or leave a message below. Jamie is always available to discuss the best solutions for your window or wall graphics, no matter how big or small your project is. Please get in touch for more information and advice.Dry Wipe Walls - Magnet Receptive
[caption id="attachment_656" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Dry wipe and magnetic wall covering.[/caption]
Sometimes, even the largest whiteboard just isn't big enough. When you need an entire wall to be your "Ideas Wall" or your "Working Wall" we have the perfect solution. We can produce a full whiteboard wall, add graphics and detail and even make it magnet receptive. Not only that, our office fitting team install UK wide.
We print directly to ferrous substrates offering a relatively strong base to receive magnets. We can then laminate with dry wipe film to create a completely bespoke wall which can be written on with dry wipe marker pens and wiped easily. (We do have a solution to help clean off permanent marker!) In fact its the very same film we use for all our branded whiteboards.
Measuring For Installation
[caption id="attachment_659" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Installation of dry wipe walls[/caption]
When measuring up the for the magnetic dry wipe wall, make sure you take a photograph and send it over to us. We can work around most things, so your wall doesn't need to be completely square and can include light switches or any kind of ceiling ducts.
Its relatively simple but we're here to make things easier. We can visit you free of charge to measure and check walls where required. Call Jamie Brelsford on 01270 625207 to discuss in more detail, or send measurements over to sales@jprint.co.uk
Full Office Branding Services
We also print bespoke wallpapers and wall coverings. More importantly we also manage each office branding project from start to finish. That includes visiting to measure and check that wall surfaces are suitable. We may also be able to offer suggestions and options when it comes to the kind of messages you are presenting in the office space. Working with design agencies across the UK, we give a professionally printed and managed installation service. Creating signage and branding solutions to both large and small projects, we manage each job from site survey to installation. See more office branding information here.
Signage Installation in Soho, using vinyl graphics
When Goldsmith Vintage Clothing wanted to make a splash at their shop front on Charing Cross Road in Soho, we were delighted to help.
This wasn't a typical sign installation given the size of the graphics. So a jigsaw of sections were created to break it down into more manageable vinyl graphics. Our graphics were applied by our fitter within a few days and were produced by plotting window graphics and external wall graphics from a conformable vinyl. This allowed us to cover the shop front entirely in sections to give the effect of a full makeover.
The design we were presented with at the outset of this project offered a few challenges. Not least as this busy shop is situated in a busy area of Charing Cross Road. But also because the surfaces weren't entirely flat and we had to find a way of presenting the giant G logo's across the entire shop fronts.
The resulting look of the shop is a stunning and eye catching head turner, which certainly gives the shop an even bigger presence on Charing Cross Road.
Goldsmith have three vintage clothing shops across London, Neal Street in the West End, Portobello Road in Notting Hill and this one in Soho. Each one selling a great mix of vintage clothes and we were delighted to help market the shop on Charing Cross Road aided by their wonderfully friendly staff. We look forward to our next challenge! See the Goldsmith website for more details https://goldsmithvintage.com/