Backlighting

Backlighting

Backlighting FAQ

 

Q) What is the purpose of backlighting?

A) The backlighting of transparency graphics can create an unparalleled visual impact — an impact that may stay with the viewer for weeks if not months. The backlighting of white or colored translucent panels, with or without a pattern, can create a dramatic visual effect especially if there is very little light in the space coming from other sources. This type of visual effect is generally used to create a certain mood or ambiance.

Q) Where can backlighting be used?

A) Backlighting can be used very effectively in homes, retail stores, trade show exhibits, museums, airport terminals, hotels, bars, and restaurants.

Q) What light sources are generally used for backlighting?

A) Backlighting can be achieved with a variety of fluorescent light bulbs: T2 lamps (2/8in diameter), T4 lamps (4/8in diameter), T5 lamps (5/8in diameter), T8 lamps (8/8in diameter), and T12 lamps (12/8in diameter). Other light sources that can be effectively used for backlighting are LEDs and xenon festoon light bulbs.

Q) Would it be useful to be able to dim backlighting fixtures?

A) This feature might be especially useful if the backlighting fixtures are intended to backlight translucent panels to create a certain mood or effect.

Q) Which backlighting fixtures are dimmable?

A) The Xenon Low Voltage Light Strip is dimmable. Fluorescent side-mount fixtures that use T8 lamps can be dimmed but only if they are equipped with relatively expensive dimmable electronic ballasts and are controlled by a special fluorescent dimmer.

Q) What type of backlighting products do you have?

A) We have 4 general types of backlighting products. They are low profile linkable fluorescent fixtures, side-mount fluorescent fixtures, light boxes, and the Xenon Low Voltage Light Strip.

Q) What are the relative sizes of these 4 backlighting products?

A) The low profile linkable fluorescent fixtures vary in length from 12 inches to 59 inches and vary in depth from 1-3/8 inches to 1-3/4 inches. The side-mount fluorescent fixtures vary in length from 18 inches to 48 inches and are only 1-7/8 inches thick. The light boxes vary in thickness from 1.1 inches to 1.6 inches. The Xenon Low Voltage Light Strip is only 7/8in wide and 1.0in high.

Q) How many fluorescent light fixtures should I use and how far apart should I place them to avoid lighting "hot spots"?

A) Since the overall size and the relative transparency of backlit panels vary widely the only way to know this for certain is to experiment.  You will have to test your situation to be sure of the answer to this question. What we can tell you is that the uniformity of the illumination of a backlit panel can be enhanced by taking one or more of the following steps:
A) paint the "cavity" behind the translucent material a matte white (to help scatter the light);
B) try to "hide" the light sources around the edges of the light box and provide an opaque shield, if possible, so that light cannot travel directly from the light fixtures through the translucent panel; and
C) if the light fixtures need to be placed directly behind the translucent panel to light it adequately, you may want to add a plastic diffuser (we suggest a type of plastic called "smooth white acrylic") between the light fixtures and the translucent panel.

Compare Backlighting Products

FIXTURE IMAGE
FIXTURE NAME	Backlighting Light Boxes	Backlighting Microfluorescent Light Fixtures (13 fixture types)	Backlighting Side-Mount Fixtures	Backlighting Xenon Light Strip
FIXTURE MODEL #	5 Models	Varies with fixture type	PSM-RS	PNDSC
Lengths	4 Lengths	Varies from 9.5in to 59.0in over 13 different fixture types	4 Lengths	Custom lengths available
Light Source	Fluorescent or cold cathode lamps	T4 T5 T5HO	T8 or T12 Fluorescent lamps	Xenon festoon lamps
Linkable	No	Yes	No	No
Dimmable	No	No	No	Yes
Pricing	Starts at $55.00 Buy this Item	Starts at $21.90 All Microfluorescent Fixtures	Starts at $39.90 Buy this Item	About $27.50/ft Buy this Item