Lightbox · Backlit
UV Print for Lightboxes & Backlit Displays
UV direct print on glass or acrylic for lightboxes — backlit, colours glow more intensely; in daylight the image looks precise and premium. For kiosks, convenience stores, hospitality and events. From 1 piece, shipped within 48h.
Specifications
- Print method
- UV direct print (5-colour)
- Materials
- Glass (4–10 mm), acrylic
- Print options
- Translucent for backlighting, or white underlay
- Max print size
- 3.20 × 2 metres
- Guarantee
- 5 years
- Minimum order
- 1 piece
- Lead time
- Shipped within 48h of file approval
Use Cases
Kiosk, Späti & retail signage
Backlit UV prints on glass or acrylic for kiosks, convenience stores and shop entrances — glowing at night, premium by day.
Lightboxes for hospitality & retail
Custom lightbox inserts from UV-printed glass or acrylic for restaurants, bars, hotels and retail.
Art installations with light effect
Backlit glass prints for exhibitions — light amplifies colours and depth (e.g. @re_joseph microscopy prints on glass).
Trade shows & showrooms
Printed glass or acrylic panels for trade show stands and showrooms — from slim-line to large format.
The material in detail
UV printing for backlit applications is a different discipline: the ink must be calibrated for transmitted light rather than reflected light — colours that look vivid on an opaque substrate wash out in a lightbox without proper density adjustment. Glastrix prints specifically for backlit glass and acrylic panels, tuning colour and density so the image reads correctly when illuminated from behind. A memorable example: a test print for photographer Joseph Regan, microscopic cell photography designed to be backlit, was described as "stunning, with that extra pop." Backlit UV print is used in: reception area lightboxes, trade show displays, restaurant menu boards, architectural feature walls with concealed LED strips, and retail window displays requiring consistent luminosity across large panel areas. From 1 panel, white-label, 48h from Berlin.
Calculate your price instantly:
Open cost calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
What makes backlit printing different from regular UV printing?
Backlit printing requires different colour calibration. Light transmitted through the panel reads differently than reflected light — colours need density and hue adjustment so the image looks correct when illuminated. Glastrix handles this calibration as standard on all backlit orders.
How does UV backlit printing differ from backlit vinyl graphics?
Backlit vinyl stretches over a frame and can show tension lines, wrinkling, or colour banding at joins. UV direct print on glass or acrylic is rigid, frameless, and eliminates these artefacts. UV ink colour density is also calibrated specifically for the light source — something vinyl cannot readily achieve.
What materials work best for backlit printing?
Clear glass and clear acrylic are the primary substrates. Frosted acrylic diffuses the light source for a more even glow, but at the cost of some detail. The choice depends on whether you want to see the light source (clear) or just the evenly lit image (frosted).
Can Glastrix print for an existing lightbox?
Yes. Provide the lightbox dimensions and light source type (LED colour temperature matters) when requesting a quote — Glastrix will calibrate the print and confirm the panel fits your housing.
What is the maximum size for a backlit print?
Up to 3.20 × 2 metres — seamless, no joints — the same maximum as all Glastrix UV printing. Large-format backlit wall installations and window displays are possible. Be sure to consider the weight of the glass in your framing project.
Do you build the lightboxes?
No, we can print the glass to specification for an existing lightbox, or we can refer you to our partner, holyframes.de
We print your product and ship it to your customer — invisibly.
B2B FulfilmentFrom the Studio
Real Projects
How this material has been used in real client work.
On Instagram
@glastrix Print for @re_joseph — microscopy photography of intestinal cells. Specifically made to be backlit, which gave it that extra pop.
View on Instagram ↗As a creative myself I love working with Eric at Glastrix as he thinks just like a creative and he is always looking for the best solutions and ideas for the artwork. Eric is super nice and fast when he works and I can only recommend anybody who would like to print on creative surfaces, to go to Glastrix. I already have my next project planned at Glastrix!
Amazing place to print on any flat surface. The guy who runs it is super nice and attentive and happy to help and advise you. Great for photographers, painters and almost any visual artist.
Amazing place to print on any flat surface. The guy who runs it is super nice and attentive and happy to help and advise you. Great for photographers, painters and almost any visual artist.
Glastrix in the Media
RBB Fernsehen
As seen on RBB
Short film about the Glastrix studio in Berlin-Kreuzberg — UV printing process, materials, and the people behind it. Produced by Yvonne App for RBB Fernsehen, Berlin's public broadcaster.
Watch on Vimeo →YouTube
Behind the UV printing process
Short film from the Glastrix studio showing the UV printing process and materials in practice. Filmed at the Berlin-Kreuzberg studio. Published April 2021.
Watch on YouTube →Architonic — Architecture & Design
Featured on Architonic
Glastrix was featured on Architonic in October 2021 — the leading international platform for architecture and design. Editorial by Gerrit Terstiege on art printing on glass.
View article →
