 In the early eighties consumer multi-lens cameras were introduced. The negatives produced from such cameras where sent away to be processed into lenticular prints. The first system to appear was the four-lens Nimslo camera and processing center developed by Alan Lo and Jerry Nims. Nimslo first mass-produced the fine-line lenticular material required for their process at Rexham in North Carolina.
In the late 80's, personal computers became commonplace in the graphic arts industry with the advent of adequate speed, memory and software. This moved the lenticular creation process rapidly from the proprietary in-house photomechanical domain into the hands of many creative and proficient computer artists with a general understanding of the process.
This combined with readily available lenticular sheets created a renewed interest in the product as an effective advertising tool. For the first time, any ambitious printer that desired to print lenticular now had the means. The market for reverse printed lenticular sheet just about doubled every year in the next five years.
Today, lenticular lens material has come a long way. There are specific lens designs for animation, 3D and large formats. Combine the new lens technology with greater imaging and print resolutions, and the results are truly amazing. Lenticular printing is seeing a rebirth again, with numerous applications, fueling a hundred-year-old industry that continues to captivate, develop and grow.
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