The first step in designing for lenticular print is to choose an effect. There are really only two types of lenticular effects: animation and 3D. Zoom, flip and morph all fall under the animation category. Once you have chosen the effect that will work best with your piece, the real fun begins.
For more details on these types of lenticular effects and how best to utilize them, visit the EFFECTS section of this site.
Designing for Animation
(morph, zoom, flip)
Creating the electronic art for a lenticular animation and preparing it for print is a lot like assembling the old flip books we all made back in grade school. Each separate art layer represents the flip pages that will produce the illusion of motion.
The lenticules for animation effects may run vertically or horizontally. However, you will see better results-meaning cleaner action and far less chances of ghosting-when the lenticules are in the horizontal direction. For larger, more stationary pieces such as a poster or P.O.P. display, the vertical direction should be used since it requires the viewer to move rather than the piece.
Here are a few things to keep in mind during the assembly stages:
Using hi-resolution images-at least 300dpi-is a MUST.
Colored or textured backgrounds provide reference (especially for 3D lenticular) and can deter ghosting often found in animated presentations. White backgrounds are least effective when attempting to minimize ghosting.
The illusion of depth can be added to an image by using type that has a beveled or extruded look or even applying a drop shadow. Also, applying a stroke-border outline to type helps control the appearance of color leaks that result from the magnification of the image by the lenticular lens.
Designing for 3D Lenticular
The lenticules for 3D always run vertically in order to accommodate binocular disparity (the principle that your right eye and left eye view a scene from slightly different angles.) Adding depth files to your 3D art will give your images a rounded look that mirrors the way your eyes view the environment, thereby making the effect seem more realistic. Though depth files are not required, they will lessen the flat appearance of each 3D layer.
*The lenticular samples shown above include those from businesses that are not sponsors of, or associated with, this website. The inclusion of a picture of a business' product or lenticular application does not constitute an endorsement of this website or of any business associated with this website.
