When it comes to first surface, Kieran Blacknall, operations manager at Drytac says: “These graphics often offer a greater visual impact as they are not behind glass. This means they do not face issues such as glare from sunlight that can make some window graphics placed behind glass harder to see and the text trickier to read.” The main issue with first surface can be an obvious one, which is exposure to weather as the graphics can be exposed constantly to the elements and face potential damage. First surface can also come with a lot of considerations regarding zoning sign allowances, which can vary from location to location. In October 2024, The Bradford Civic Society raised concerns over a window vinyl that was potentially installed without the right planning permission due to the location being a Conservation area dating back to the 1870s. The graphics were installed on a Betfred shop on Market Street which led to an investigation by the local council. “Turning to second surface projects, unlike first surface pieces, they are protected behind the glass, meaning they can be displayed all year round without installers having to worry about damage from the weather,” says Blacknall. “There is also the additional benefit of compliance with zoning rules; graphics installed inside stores are exempt from zoning allowances, allowing shops to maximise their window presence without falling foul of regulations.” Drytac has acknowledged that the downside of second surface graphics is the fact they are behind glass, meaning they are not as clear. However, the company points out that many advancements have been made in materials and techniques to overcome these challenges. Blacknall says: “Printing the artwork mirrored on a clear film, such as SpotOn Clear, Polar Premium Clear, or ReTac Clear PET, allows the graphic to be viewed clearly from outside the building. Pairing this with an opaque product like Polar Blockout or Polar Blockout UV enhances image clarity, minimises transparency, and enables the creation of double-sided window graphics. These solutions are ideal for applications such as push-pull signage, offering an effective option for bi-directional advertising campaigns.” A recent launch by Drytac, Polar Frost Air, which was released globally in February, has demonstrated the innovations and new properties available in window graphics. The solution was used earlier in the year by Nettl at Digiprint Bath and Chippenham for a set of first surface graphics on a new pasta shop in Bristol. Nettl used the product due to its two-sided PE coated release liner which has bubble-free technology designed for decorative glass applications. Ben Gregory, director of Nettl at Digiprint, says: “We selected Polar Frost Air for the excellent ease of install, but also because it can be printed easily with our HP Latex printers. It was important that the view was obscured but still looked high quality with a classic feel.” “The customer was impressed with the quality and speed that we could produce and install this branding project. They have already placed orders for new graphics once open, as well as both internal signs and graphics, as a result of this initial project.” On top of this project, Nettl at Digiprint used Polar Premium Air self-adhesive vinyl to create a set of graphics for shopping centre, Milsom Place, in Bath. ▲Nettl at Digiprint used Polar Premium Air selfadhesive vinyl for an application at Milsom Place in Bath WINDOW GRAPHICS | DAVID OSGAR ▼Dorotape’s latest product, Glass Apeel, is a PVCfree window film available in four different versions Workplace and government regulations state that sufficient markings legally need to be present on glazing that could pose a health and safety hazard if not properly highlighted. Regulations specify at which height glass safety markings should be placed, in order to be seen at different heights and angles Factoid 61 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 260 - August / September 2025
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