By Melissa Donovan
Gradient effects, especially for graphics destined for windows, can be eye catching as well as complementary to the environment’s surroundings. While pre-made gradient films have always been offered, printed gradients—either white ink or CMYK—are growing in use. Customization and branding are a priority and printed gradients address both. Of course, there is still room for pre-made gradient films. These are preferred when speed, consistency, and lower production costs are higher in importance.
The November issue of Digital Output discusses this in more detail and a webinar ties into the same topic. Both the digital version of the November edition and the webinar are available on digitaloutput.net.
While there are many vendors that offer clear films well suited for printing gradients as well as those who supply pre-made gradient options, the vendors participating in our November article shared information about their product lines here.
Above: Example of a printed window film from Lintec.
General Formulations (GF)
GF offers products for both pre-made and printable. For pre-made options, GF 790, 790AE, and 791 are solid etched privacy films. These films provide the frosted, etched glass appearance that works well for privacy applications where a custom look isn’t required and a clean, consistent finish is the goal. GF 790AE Print-N-Privacy includes an air egress liner for easy, bubble-free application on larger glass surfaces.
For printed gradient applications, GF 255 OptiMark is the primary recommendation. OptiMark is an optically clear film well suited for customized and branded environments in conference rooms, on office glass, and for decorative window applications where print clarity and a professional look matter. GF 207 Clear Static Cling is another option for decorative glass displays where a non-adhesive solution is preferred.
Lintec of America, Inc.
Lintec currently offers a limited selection of pre-made gradient films. In the past, it offered a broader range, but the market has increasingly moved toward optically clear printable films that allow customers to create their own gradients, frost effects, patterns, and custom designs. This approach gives designers and printers much greater flexibility while allowing them to produce the specific look and quantity required for each project.
Natura Media USA
Natura Media’s primary focus is printable wide format media rather than a broad range of pre-made decorative gradient films.
It offers a variety of clear window graphic media designed for different digital printing technologies. For example, USO860SR is an optically clear PET film designed for UV inkjet printing. The film features a scratch-resistant coating, which enhances durability and helps improve handling and installation. This makes USO860SR well suited for applications where long-term performance and a scratch-free, durable surface are important.
The film has also been tested on major UV and UVgel printing platforms and demonstrated excellent gradient printing performance.
One of the key advantages of a printable clear film such as USO860SR is its versatility. Customers can use the same media to produce white gradients, colored gradients, decals, and other custom window graphics. This allows them to consolidate multiple applications onto a single printable media platform rather than relying on a different pre-made film for each specific design or application.
In addition, the combination of optical clarity, scratch resistance, printability, and application versatility makes USO860SR a strong option for customers looking for a printable alternative to pre-made gradient films.
Nov2026, Digital Output
