The Flip effect replaces one entire image with another, or turns specific visual elements on and off.
The action occurs within the angular zone governed by the lenticular lens design -approx. 48 degrees of arc. A 2-Image Flip effect provides up to 24 degrees of arc “on” time per image, whilst a 3-Image Flip effect provides 16 angular degrees per image. 4-6 Image Flip effects are sometimes possible, but the “on” time per image becomes increasingly shorter, and each image perhaps less distinct.
The Flip effect is most commonly used to demonstrate different states of the same theme:
- Old and New
- Before and After
- With and Without
- Season 1 and Season 2
- Day and Night
- Cause and Effect
- Colour 1 and Colour 2
- Language 1 and Language 2
Design tips
No. of Images to Use
- 2-Flip L/R
- 3-Flip L/R
- 4-Flip L/R
- 5-Flip L/R
- 6-Flip L/R
- 2-Flip Top/Bot
- 3-Flip Top/Bot
- 4-Flip Top/Bot
- 5-Flip Top/Bot
- 6-Flip Top/Bot
Flipping elements should:
- be similar in shape, size, and position
- be similar in colour & tone (i.e. avoid high contrast)
- have the same or a similar background or use a similar colour palette
- be confined to the middle 2/3's of the print (particularly for posters)
- definitely not be positioned over a white, a pastel or plain colour background
- not appear over a very dark background
- generally avoid text changing in the same location
For best results:
- hand-held pieces should preferentially flip top/bottom
- use "busy" detailed, colourful or patterned backgrounds
- consign copious text & information to the regular backside print
- avoid white as it will be contaminated by colour in the other image/s
- avoid white due to ghosting through it from the other image/s
- avoid white as it can be contaminated by slight colour misregistration
- avoid small italic text and diagonal lines due to "staircasing" by the lens
- avoid small, fine text and lines as parts can break up under the lens
- avoid Serif font styles as the narrow strokes and ticks can disappear
Artwork setup
Offset Printing
Inkjet Poster
File colour mode:
Colour: CMYK
B&W: Gray
RGB
File colour profile:
Colour: U.S Web Coated (SWOP) v2
B&W: Dot Gain 20%
Adobe RGB (1998)
File colour channels:
Colour: CMYK only
B&W: Gray
RGB only
File resolution:
300 ppi
200-300 ppi
File type:
TIFF, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, PDF
TIFF, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, PDF
Image safe area:
3 mm inside trims
10 mm inside trims
Document bleed:
3 mm beyond trims
10 mm beyond trims
Custom shape:
Knife layer or file
Knife layer or file
Rich black (small area):
C 40 M 0 Y 0 K 100
Rich black (large area):
C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100
Max. total ink coverage
Colour: 300%
B&W: 100%
Fonts:
Outlined or embedded
Min. size 12 pt (75 LPI)
Min. size 10 pt (100 LPI)
Outlined or embedded
InDesign File
- One image design per page. Outline fonts. Package (including a high resolution PDF version) & supply Zipped.
- Backside print design on the last page (where applicable).
Illustrator File
- One image design per page. Outline fonts. Include a high resolution PDF version) & supply Zipped.
- Backside print design to be supplied on the last page (where applicable) or as a separate Illustrator file or high resolution PDF.
- Supply Zipped.
Photoshop File
- Clearly label layers.
- Elements which change/flip should not be flattened with underlying layers.
- Rasterize text or include fonts.
- Backside print design to be supplied as a separate high resolution PDF, Indesign, or Illustrator file.
- Supply Zipped.
