Here’s an innovative idea for putting ink on glass. This avoids using a plastic substrate to adhere to the glass. But not nearly as easy and convenient to use.
In the end, Speedball’s nontoxic water-soluble inks, though not endorsed for window applications by the manufacturer, held up well while being a more environmentally responsible choice than vinyl for the same job. Graphics applied to windows in this way are easily removed with a common scraper to get ready for new image application.
3 Comments
As you mention this is water soluble, is this on the inside or outside of the glass? I am assuming the inside, as rain might be a problem. Another issue with water soluble would be window cleaning solutions.
Why wouldn’t you just use 1-shot enamels instead of vinyl? That is what we used to do back in the old days.
Thanks!
Actually, I’m not sure. I didn’t see this in real life, just this article online.
You are correct, typically paperless posters are installed on the inside of the window. This protects it from weather, but also from people who might destroy it after hours. Much of the vinyl (Polyvinyl chloride) is also installed this way for the same reasons. The problem is Polyvinyl chloride off-gasses and it’s toxic, so placed inside of a building, it forces everyone to breath it. The toxic remains often go into a landfill after it has fulfilled its use (or worse are incinerated creating dioxins.)
In eating areas or for a temporary event we can deliver out message quickly – taking no more time to print this on a window then to print it on paper – making this a better solution than vinyl. It’s water-based and not an enamel because like PVC, enamels can be also full of nasty things. These paperless posters, once fully dried, with careful washing have stayed up for years in some cases – much longer than intended.
– They’re non-toxic, water-based
– Low in material waste
– Easy to install
– Allows light to pass though
– Easy to remove
– Inexpensive
– Visually looks nice
I’ve designed and installed many projects now and they all were successful.
Full article here: http://www.livingprinciples.org/paperless-posters/
Hope this helps, sorry I just noticed the article and comments today.
Cheers.
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