At Ken Allen Studios we have been testing light panels and transparencies for inkjet printers over the last year and are excited about the combination of materials that are now available. We wanted to share some of our findings with the community for those interested in lightbox solutions.
First is the print material, Epson DisplayTrans. Until now there was no transparency material for inkjet printers that could come close to rivaling DuraTrans. With Epsons new material we are achieving rich blacks and saturation; and while Duratrans™ tends to fade quickly we are hoping that Epsons new material along with pigment inks will be much more lightfast.
Next are the new ultra-thin LED light panels. The LED technology provides even illumination across the panel with no hot spots and emits practically no heat while lasting much longer then older fluorescent light boxes.
Another benefit of the LED panels is that they are thin enough (1/4") that we are able to use high quality wood and metal frames instead of the bulky, snap-together frames used with other light boxes. In this example we worked with our custom framer to create a custom solid wood frame for the finished piece which allows room for an AC power cord.
Finally, we face-mounted the transparencies to PlexiGlas for a beautiful glowing presentation. These panels can also be displayed without a frame for a more pronounced effect. The light panel not only illuminates the transparency but also creates a nice wash effect on the wall which the piece is displayed.
Any feedback on this process or the materials used is greatly appreciated.
Best,
Patrick Allen
www.KenAllenStudios.comwww.PatrickAllenPhotography.com