Photographer, Aaron Goulding, recently unveiled an incredible shot in his La Jolla gallery, face mounted on TruLife Acrylic. He has eagerly reported that “people are going nuts for it!” The crystal clear quality of the photo on TruLife Acrylic is fascinating gallery-goers.

 

 

We can’t help but be pleased with how many photographers enjoy using TruLife Acrylic.

 

 

Of course, we recognize that testimonials are great for spreading the word and helping people make their printing format purchasing decisions.

 

 

But we also need to remind ourselves that not everyone is aware how TruLife Acrylic can make a huge difference when printing and presenting your artwork.

 

 

So we’re taking this opportunity to get back to the basics and answer some questions that often arise when discussing how printing on TruLife Acrylic is the best option to showcase your work.

 

 

What Is TruLife Acrylic?

 

TruLife Acrylic is a revolutionary single-sided, anti-reflective, abrasion resistant, anti-static, UV blocking acrylic developed specifically for printing and face/second surface mounting. It delivers the highest-resolution viewing experience possible, to reflect an artist’s vision, and nothing else. It presents the photograph as it was meant to be viewed, by capturing details with lifelike colors, incredible depth, and clarity without distracting reflections.

 

 

Great, but how does it do that?

 

We’re glad you asked! Magnetron sputtering. That’s how.

 

 

What Is Magnetron Sputtering?

 

Magnetron Sputtering is part of the highly innovative process at Tru Vue®.  This process begins with acrylic being loaded onto the manufacturing line by robot, where it’s washed and inspected. The acrylic then enters a vacuum chamber and moves through various pressure zones to achieve the precise formulation of gasses needed for the magnetron sputtering coating process to occur.

 

 

Once at a high vacuum, the magnetron sputtering begins, magnetized cathode targets apply controlled layers of highly energized metal oxides onto the acrylic, which bond at an atomic level. These layers vary in thickness and metal type, each slowing the incoming light at different rates. Using Tru Vue’s proprietary composition, the layers are strategically ordered, working together to create interference that cancels out over 99% of reflected light.

 

 

The anti-reflective coating is unbelievably thin – 500 times thinner than a single strand of human hair, and when the finished product is out of our hands and playing host to your image, you’ll wonder if there’s anything covering it at all.

 

 

So, the next time someone asks you: Why print on TruLife Acrylic? You can say: Magnetron sputtering.

 

 

Aren’t you glad you asked?

 

 

Interesting side note: Our sputter-coating equipment spans more than a football field in length. Here is a video from Tru Vue showing the magnetron sputtering process. Tru Vue is the company that produces the innovative TruLife Acrylic. https://youtu.be/K69496EZ7BM

 

 

Why Is UV Protection Important?

 

Why is UV protection a consideration when it comes to artwork? It helps prevent photos from fading. Indoor and outdoor UV light rays contribute to color loss. These effects are both cumulative and irreversible. You can’t reverse light damage.

 

 

Knowing what you can do to minimize this type of damage before it happens is crucial.

 

 

It’s important to note that all acrylic has UV-filtering properties. However, TruLife Acrylic provides 99% UV protection, versus standard acrylics, which offer up to 66% UV protection (for a 3.om thick product).

 

 

Anti-glare vs. Anti-reflection

 

Both improve or optimize the presentation potential of your photograph, but they go about it differently. Anti-glare acrylic is an acrylic with a matte finish. Anti-glare products diffuse reflected light, but can create some image distortion or loss of sharp details.

 

 

TruLife Acrylic has an anti-reflective coating which is designed to minimize reflections.  This thin film coating disrupts the energy contained in light waves causing them to flow out of sync. The disrupted wave pattern virtually eliminates all reflection from the acrylic surface, resulting in a crisp image and true-to-life colors.

 

 

The TruLife Acrylic anti-reflective coating was designed to perform best in a museum gallery setting for hanging wall art. Therefore, TruLife Acrylic features are optimized when viewed at a 90-degree angle.

 

 

Why Does Anti-static Matter?

 

Anti-static properties reduce the need for cleaning, as the product does not attract dust or lint. On the rare occasion you do have to clean it, it cleans like glass, which means no special acrylic cleaner is needed. The coating is bonded to the acrylic and does not wipe away with cleaning.

 

 

Independent tests show that our coated high-performance glazing products are up to 2000 times more anti-static than regular acrylic.

 

 

In Summary: Why TruLife Acrylic?

 

Magnetron sputtering (it’s fun to say).

 

 

But really, it’s because TruLife Acrylic has a unique solution. It’s durable and from a presentation perspective, it optimizes the pop, color, and vibrancy of your work.

 

 

Questions?

 

Now that we’ve answered the question: “Why acrylic printing….and specifically why TruLife Acrylic”—a testimonial or two may be needed.

 

 

Please check out our Featured Photographers to check out all the nice things they have to say about TruLife Acrylic, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter so we can deliver recent blog posts, along with any TruLife product and program updates, right to your inbox.