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Beginners Guide To Glow In The Dark Graphics

by cole

When it comes to graphics in the dark you have 3 options to choose from, glow in the dark (phosphorescent) printing, fluorescent printing, and reflective printing.

All three of these have their benefits and drawbacks, so the choice ultimately comes down to your environment and specific needs. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at glow in the dark ink and substrates, fluorescent ink and substrates, and reflective printing to help you determine which type is better for your needs.

Glow in the Dark Printing

Phosphorescent, also referred to as Glow in the Dark or Luminescent Powders are pigments that absorb light and slowly emit a glow over time. The glow is best seen in darkness or under black-light conditions. Depending on the pigment and pigment load in the ink, the glow may last a few minutes or several hours. This comes in UV-curable and solvent-based ink series.

There are also glow in the dark substrates that can be overprinted with regular (the glow in the dark property would be reversed out print).

Advantages of Glow In The Dark Printing:

  • Ease Of Application: This does not require blacklight to be seen in the dark.
  • Substrate Employment: This can be used on most substrates.

Disadvantages of Glow in The Dark Printing:

  • Versatility: Has a slight green or blue tint to the areas of the design when the ink is inactive (in the light). 
  • Duration: Powder glow color & duration are not indefinite.

Fluorescent Printing

Fluorescent or neon-printed inks contain pigments that absorb ultraviolet light which then reflects back out. We use these inks heavily for daytime applications and even formulate our own colors to extend the color gamut. They also happen to light up in the dark under black light. If the desired result is for these colors to light up even more in the dark we add an optical brightener to the color process.

You can also overprint on a fluorescent material instead of utilizing fluorescent inks.

Advantages of Fluorescent Ink:

  • Substrate Employment: This can be used on most substrates.
  • Versatility: Holds the same color when inactive (in the light) and active (dark).

Disadvantages of Fluorescent Ink:

  • Ease of Application: Relies on blacklight to activate the color.

Reflective Printing

Reflective printing enhances visibility by reflecting light, making the printed design appear brighter and more noticeable when illuminated by headlights, flashlights, or other light sources. This type of printing is commonly used for safety applications, such as signage, vehicle markings, and equipment that needs to be visible in situations where lighting might be limited. Learn more about substrate options here.

Advantages of Reflective Printing:

  • Ease of Application: Highly visible, tested, trusted, and proven by governments, military, and corporations seeking to improve safety.
  • Substrate Employment: Can be ink or base substrate.
  • Color Versatility: Custom colors

Disadvantages of Reflective Printing:

  • Versatility: Requires light pointing at it.
  • Application Usage: Mostly used for safety applications.

Final Thoughts

All these methods for lighting up graphics in the dark have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If there is no way to add blacklight to your environment and color variations in the light are not a concern, glow in the dark printing may be the best option. If you need your colors to look the same in the dark and light, fluorescent printing just may be the ticket. If you’re looking to increase safety, reflective printing may best illuminate warnings and hazards. Ultimately, these approaches all offer an effective solution for providing eye-catching visibility of your graphics in the dark.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Glow in the dark graphics are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your glow in the dark graphic issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

Which Is Better: Static Clings vs Light Adhesive Clings?

by cole

When it comes to decorating windows and other surfaces with a cling there are two main options to choose from, adhesive clings and static clings.

A “cling” refers to (typically a temporary, vinyl) decal material that adheres to a surface using alternative methods of attraction.

Both types of clings have their benefits and drawbacks, so the choice ultimately comes down to your environment and specific needs. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at adhesive clings and static clings to help you determine which type is better for your needs.

Static Clings

Static clings are a highly plasticized (typically vinyl) soft pliable film that attracts to a surface using cohesive force. Unlike the name suggests, static clings don’t actually use static electricity. They are ideal for temporary solutions and are easy to remove, leaving no residue or damage to the surface. Static clings are also very affordable, making them a popular choice for temporary promotions, sales, or events.

Advantages of Static Clings:

  1. Installation Ease: Unlike other types of window graphics, static clings do not require any special tools or skills to apply. They are attached to a clean, dry glass surface by simply peeling them off the backing paper and pressing into place, or using a wet spray or application fluid to provide a clear, no-bubble installation.  These are generally twice as thick as low-tack adhesive clings, which provide a durable and clean look.
  2. Reusability: Static clings can be removed, stored, and re-used multiple times (if cleaned and maintained properly). This not only alleviates the cost and purchasing task of reorders, but reduces unnecessary waste in our landfills.
  3. Affordability: Static clings are the budget-friendly choice for programs with frequent graphic changes as no professional installation is required, and they are less expensive than low-tack adhesive products.

Disadvantages of Static Clings:

  1. Limited Durability: Debris may build up on the static cling or on the surface it is being applied to, which can affect its ability to adhere.
  2. Not Ideal for Extreme Climates: Static clings may droop or fail in colder temperatures (under 32°F) and in high-humidity environments.
  3. Lifespan: The clinging ability may decrease over time, particularly if the static cling is not used for a long period. The plasticizers can migrate causing the material to lose its stickiness.
  4. Ink Variability: The type of ink used when printing will impact the sticking ability, so it’s important to consider this when choosing graphics. Techniques to avoid problems include: choking in the art to leave a (no ink) border for optimum attraction to glass, reverse printing, or using an alternate static cling material.
  5. Surface Variability: Static clings can only bond to surface types with a similarly bonded attraction, this is typically only glass.

Low Tack Adhesive Clings

Low-tack adhesive clings are a type of window cling that uses a light adhesive to attach to a surface. The adhesive is designed to be non-permanent, making it easy to remove and reposition the cling without leaving any residue or damage to the surface. Low tack clings offer a semi-permanent solution, as they will stay in place but can be easily removed when desired.

Advantages of Low Tack Adhesive Clings:

  1. Durability: Low-tack adhesives have a better bond than a static cling to all smooth surfaces it can be applied to.
  2. Ideal for Extreme Climates: Can withstand more variable environmental conditions based on adhesive specifications.
  3. Print Variability: These are much easier to finish, print, and die-cut. This provides a wider range of production processes available for printing and die-cutting, expanding opportunities for cost efficiencies.
  4. Surface Variability: Low Tack Adhesive clings are more versatile when adhering to various surfaces.

Disadvantages of Low Tack Adhesive Clings:

  1. Reusability: Low Tack adhesives generally cannot be reused once removed.
  2. Installation Ease: More difficult to handle due to typically thinner gauge material, which can lead to the cling sticking to itself if an edge flops over while installing.

Advantages of Low Tack and Static Clings:

  1. Temporary Solution: Low Tack and Static clings are designed for temporary use, making them ideal for short-term promotions, sales, or events. They can be easily removed and do not leave any residue or damage to the surface, which makes them a great choice for temporary window graphics.
  2. No Professional Install Needed: Unlike other types of window graphics, clings do not require any special tools or skills to apply.
  3. Versatile: Modernistic offers screen or digital print, roll-fed or sheet-feed static clings of any size or shape.
  4. Affordable: Window clings are a cost-effective option as they do not require professional installation and are generally less expensive than low-tack adhesives. This also makes them a budget-friendly choice when needing frequent graphic changes.
  5. Safe for Glass: Static clings are safe for glass surfaces, as they do not leave any residue or damage to the surface.
  6. Energy Efficient: Depending on the size, window clings can help improve the energy efficiency of your store by blocking out harmful UV rays and reducing heat loss. This can result in lower energy bills and a more comfortable indoor environment.

Disadvantages of Low Tack and Static Clings:

  1. Life Span: Window clings are intended as a short-term solution for window graphics. If you require a more permanent solution, it may be best to consider alternatives to clings.
  2. Durability: Window clings use temporary adhesive, which makes them less durable compared to permanent window graphics, as they are meant for short-term use and can be easily removed.
  3. Accuracy: Window clings are not necessarily meant to be installed professionally, which can result in a more variable outcome as the final appearance may depend on an individual’s installation skills and techniques.
*These window graphics were professionally installed due to the need for accuracy and durability

Final Thoughts

Both static clings and low-tack adhesive clings have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you need a temporary solution that is easy to apply and remove, static clings may be the best option. If you need a semi-permanent solution that is also easy to remove and reposition, low-tack adhesive clings may be the best option. Ultimately, both types of clings offer affordable and effective solutions for your window graphics needs.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Window clings are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your window cling issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

10 Tips To Save Money When Buying Fleet Graphics

by cole

Fleet graphics are inherently one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising, passively driving your message home to millions while you transfer goods.

64% of US drivers notice vehicle graphics
– Nielsen Out of Home Advertising Study 2019
One Truck With Fleet Graphics generates an average of 30,000-70,000 impressions per day (10-14 million per year)
– “Measuring the Value of Vehicle Wraps” by ARD Ventures
Vehicle marketing results in a 97% message recall, compared to a 19% retention for stationary signage
– RYP & Becker Group
Out-of-home advertising generates nearly 4x more online activations per ad dollar than TV, radio, and print
– Nielsen March 2017 OOH Online Activation Survey

Memorable fleet graphics have great potential to increase engagement and revenues. Modernistic can provide cost-effective solutions for your next project – further increasing ROI to your bottom line. With fifty years’ experience printing, cutting, and installing major brand vehicle wraps, we’ve developed the following 10 tips to save money on mobile media programs.

1. Online Ordering

Ordering your fleet graphics from an online portal saves you time and keeps the buying process simple and organized. You can track orders and even let franchisees purchase the fleet graphics they need. Check out our easy-to-use online print ordering system here.

2. Know Your Fleet Graphic Coverage Options!

There are a lot of different graphic coverage options available to fit your budget and advertising goals. With the right graphic, it’s possible to achieve high-quality results that meet your unique business needs. Below is a quick guide.

Spot Graphics / Decals

Spot graphics includes simple logos and/or cut lettering to help customers recognize your business.

Partial Wraps

A partial wrap typically covers at least 1/3 of your vehicle makes your company stand out and enhances brand awareness.

Full Wrap

Full wraps allow you to create bold new looks to communicate your brand’s story and capture the attention of your potential customers.

Reflective Accents

Reflective accents are strategically placed to highlight parts of your vehicle visible both day and night.

Full Reflective Wrap

A full reflective wrap provides a dramatic appearance and better visibility no matter what time of day.

3. Utilize The OEM Vehicle Color

Expenses can be minimized by ordering vehicles in the color you plan to use for your fleet graphics and then adding eye-catching graphics! Dialog between fleet graphics managers and vehicle purchasers often miss this no-brainer idea.

4. Make Your ROI Count By Standing Out

Sometimes you gotta go big or go home! A unique fleet graphic will promote more brand awareness than a simple one. A slight upgrade to design and coverage may dramatically enhance that eye-popping effect. Take time to determine how the desired outcome will best be achieved within the scope of your budget.

5. Die-Cut Only

A common misconception in fleet graphics is that they must be printed products. This is not the only option! If the material comes in the desired color, we can simply die-cut it to your desired shape. Another great way to save money is to utilize laminates. For example, we applied anti-graffiti laminate on city buses that were constantly being tagged [spray paint]. Once installed, graffitied buses simply go through the bus washing station for removal – saving thousands in repainting costs.

6. Choose The Right Fleet Graphic Material

There are thousands of fleet graphic materials, film types that you can get lost in. We examine the application and the expected service life of your graphics to properly determine what substrate and process should be utilized. The risk of selecting the wrong material is not only a loss of time and money but could damage your brand’s reputation. When you’re talking about the essence of a company’s brand, the performance of a material is of the utmost importance.

7. Efficient Design

As is true in any marketing program, efficient foundational design can reduce the total cost of a project. In the example below, partial graphics are utilized on a white trailer, however, it gives the appearance of a full wrap. This not only reduced costs for the client but by utilizing creative art, their brand awareness intensified and resulted in improved ROI.

8. Think Outside The Box

Let’s face it; this is an overused business cliché. But the principles it stands for – approaching problems in innovative ways, conceptualizing problems differently, and understanding your position in relation to any particular situation – is our goal with every project.

Don’t overlook approaching a fleet graphics project with a unique idea. Below is an example of a creative solution, printing on banner material for a large scale, durable portable storage container fleet graphic campaign.

9. Design With Safety In Mind!

50% of traffic deaths happen at night – National Safety Council
Visibility decreases by 95% at night – U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

Creating a culture of safety with your fleet graphics is more than reducing hazards; doing so can also increase morale and productivity, and decrease insurance premiums for your business. We have helped hundreds of fleets implement this by manufacturing and installing reflective graphics, keeping drivers safe and their brand at the top of mind, no matter the hour. For reflective best practices, we highly recommend reading the U.S. Department of Justice’s Study on Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity.

10. Curveball! Custom Paint Masking

There are times when a printed/cut fleet graphic isn’t the most practical solution. Custom paint masking can improve your bottom line if you have a paint process, need extreme durability, deploy a high quantity of vehicles, or utilize a complex painting assembly. Here’s a great example of how we helped save a motorcyle brand millions of dollars through our custom paint masking.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Fleet Graphics are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your fleet graphics issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

Top 3 Ways to Cut Down Shipping Costs on Your Print/Converting Project

by shawn

At Modernistic, we often get asked by our customers “how are you able to cut our shipping times down by so much?” That is why I want to go over the top 3 ways you can cut down shipping costs on your print/converting project. This is more important than ever now as the supply chain gets more bottlenecked and more unreliable. Let’s jump right into it.

1. Design

The first way is also the first step in the process. Design! We design our products to ship efficiently, that way you start with a healthy foundation right from the start. Just like in a house, if you start with a healthy foundation the rest will be set up for success. A lot of shipping costs can be reduced by engineering the design with shipping in mind.


For example, a large fashion retail brand came to us with this huge fixed-box display. The first thing we noticed is that it could be easily redesigned in a couple minutes to be more efficient. This affected how it broke down, was able to ship flat, etc. It cut the shipping cost by 50%, saving thousands of dollars, just through a couple simple steps. *We would love to share a picture of this project but due to proprietary designs and our customer’s wish for privacy, we are unable to share this project.*

2. Efficient Kitting

The second way to reduce shipping costs is efficient kitting. I can’t stress enough how often we see extremely inefficient kitting setups. We always use precise and lean kitting techniques because we know they are proven to help reduce costs.


Another example, one of the tools we utilize is a custom box maker. This helps us maximize the purpose of every inch of space in a kit. Whether we are shipping to one location or 1,000 we are able to quickly create custom kits to exact specifications so every inch is utilized. Eliminating any extra space, size, and weight. It also indirectly makes the contents more secure because of
everything more tight.

3. Location, Location, Location!

The third way to reduce shipping cost is location. Having a neutral location is extremely helpful in reducing ship time and cost. Our location in the midwest situates us perfectly to keep fast, affordable, and reliable shipping lanes for anywhere in the US. This can make or break a project budget and can’t be overlooked.


These are just a couple examples of how small, efficient steps can affect so much of the overall project cost. It even affects sustainability, you are using less fuel, less box inventory/waste, and less bubble or microfoam. (Side note: if you are still using bubble wrap, you should look into switching to sustainable packaging material). This is just the start of how we are able to reduce cost, minimize waste and maximize value, quality, and speed.


Let us know if you have any questions or want help on your next project by contacting us.