#1 Surface: The most exterior (or most trafficked) surface of the panel.
#2 Surface: The most interior (or lest trafficked) surface of the panel. In the case of a Dual Pane IG unit the most interior would be the #4 surface but installation purposes can be designated #2 Surface.
Install Surface: Surface film is applied to. Usually #2, to keep touching to a minimum.
Viewer Surface: Surface viewer is standing in front of to ‘see’ the image. If Both surfaces then “Readability Surface” needs to be confirmed. Usually #1 for commercial spaces and conference rooms. Sometimes you find installation and readability to be opposite of conventional practice: For example, printed white boards would be applied to #1 surface of conference room (lobby side) and printed grids or boxes would be facing the #2 surface (conference room). This would keep dry-erase markers touching glass and not film. While it is true the film is on the most travelled surface, it would be touched less than the writing side.
Readability Surface: Surface reader is standing in front of to effectively ‘read’ the language or wording. Because glass can be seen from both sides, as can imagery, then readability surface is usually the most public side of the glass.
Mechanical Cut Down: Machine cuts film to perfect dimensions of measurements provided. This requires client to be fully responsible for providing best measurements and requesting specific bleed to specific direction. Most film companies opt to use film handler or shop table to cut down film. Mechanical cut down fee can work well as a pass through price (as an additional line item) to end users whom provided their own measurements.
Reference Arrows: Direction of install or production from reference point. Important to notate when installing film on a multi-tiered wall of glass panels. In some designs, starting in the middle eases marrying art.
MeasurementsProvide 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 increments of exact panel size by Width inches and then Height inches. An additional inch in Width and Height is automatically calculated by HDClear to account for bleed.
Shingling: The installation practice of using the to-be-installed Graphic’s bleed to help align with already installed piece.
Alpha Point/Edge/Panel: First point, edge, and/or panel to be installed. From this, all tiling expands. In some cases it is smarter for the first piece of film to be the center panel. Tiling expand in both directions minimizes image walk during installation.
Reference points: 3 dots in elbow pattern, 4 dots in ‘T’ pattern or 5 dots in cross pattern Dots are less noticeable than lines if forced to remain on viewable surface. Will be printed small in best camouflage color usually black. For precutting, installing, centering and/or leveling of graphic pieces. Place 1” blue tape into print before cutting so installers can still level if necessary. Grease pencil needs to be tested before use to ensure it can be cleaned away.
Dead Centre Point: Glass panels with holes placed for mounting hardware. The dot will be printed dead center of each listed hole based on measurements provided.
Pre-Cut Edge(s) – PCE: Client to cut with shop table, film handler or in the field prior to installation. Sometimes referred to as set edge or factory edge for installers.
Wet-Cut Edge(s) – WCE: Installers cut away excess when film is installed to ensure tightest fit. One inch of bleed (upon request) is standard. DO NOT use to place or measure from, because bleed will shift entire project 1 inch in the wrong direction.
2-Line Reference: Parallel 4 reference points to draw two imaginary lines 20” above and 20” below graphic’s equator Can be adjusted based on site notes or client request. Usually horizontal but can be provided vertically.
Crosshair: 4 reference points to draw imaginary crosshair over image. Round cut film or other odd shapes find this format to be useful. Bleed likely be one direction so that three of the references points can be used for measuring, setting or leveling. Client will indicate 1 Wet-Cut Edge.
4-Corner Perfect Ref: Reference point printed on each corner of panels to just outside measurements provided. Either 4 way Bleed or No-Bleed.
4-Corner Single: As above except reference point on edge bleed will be 1” greater than requested measurements.
Edge Bleed: Client to indicate 3 Pre-Cut edges and 1 Wet-Cut Edge.