One of the most striking features of large format printing is that it allows you to produce innovative solutions that make your message pop. In this post, we take a look at how to create tridimensional effects with large format printing to impress your audience and grow your sales.

The Difference Between 2D and 3D

Before we take a look at the different strategies you can use to create tridimensional effects with large format printing, let’s take a quick look at the terms 2D and 3D.

• 2D means bidimensional and refers to flat things that have only two dimensions: length and width. As we’ll see below, there are some visual tricks you can use to give a tridimensional appearance to a 2D graphic.
• 3D, or tridimensional, refers to objects that have the two dimensions of 2D (length and width), plus width. Any object you can hold in your hand is a 3D object.

2D elements like billboards or posters are what people are used to seeing in marketing — that’s why tridimensional signage delivers such a powerful effect.

Optical Illusions

The simplest way to obtain a 3D effect is by using optical illusions that create the perception of depth.

This way, your graphic is still 2D but gives the impression of being tridimensional.

There are three main visual tricks you can use to give a 3D sensation:

• Shades under letters/ objects
• Use of diagonal lines that suggest volume
• A combination of the above

While this strategy may not seem as stunning as the ones you’ll find below, execution is everything. With the right design, an ingenious optical illusion can be as effective as more elaborate 3D solutions.

Fabric Architecture

If what you want is to combine 2D graphics with elements that are actually 3D, then fabric architecture is the best alternative.

The term “fabric architecture” refers to the practice of mounting fabrics on solid structures to create tri-dimensional shapes.

Since printing on fabrics is extremely easy with digital large format printing, the combination of these two techniques opens up many exciting possibilities to create tridimensional effects.

Take, for example, one of our most recent projects, located in the Wynwood district of Miami.

Here, structures in the shape of triangular prisms protrude from the surface of the building wrap, creating a unique effect that is perfect for one of the most trendy zones of the Magic City.

Dimensional Lettering

Dimensional lettering is used to display the name of a brand using tridimensional characters against a wall or another flat surface.

When you use digital large format printing, dimensional lettering can be as thin as gatorboard or as thick as your imagination dictates it.

The right lighting can take dimensional lettering to a whole new level, as shown in the photos that illustrate this section.

We created this sign as the visual centerpiece of a 2019 hospitality industry event and, as you can see, the effect is nothing short of breathtaking.

Giant 3D Letters or Numbers

Here we have 3D signage taken to its extreme.

Instead of being mounted on a wall, giant 3D letters stand by themselves on the floor. They are an imposing presence that challenges some of the most basic assumptions about visual advertising.

This type of sign invites your audience to not only read your message but to interact with it. People can touch the letters, stand by them, and take selfies with them.

In fact, cities around the world are using giant letters to encourage tourists to take selfies as mementos of their visit.

Obviously, the use of this type of solution isn’t limited to letters. You can also use other elements like numbers, for example.

That’s what the Lakers did in the project pictured here, whose aim was to celebrate Kobe Bryant by displaying the legendary number 24 using big, golden tridimensional numbers.

CR&A Custom: Excellence in Large Format Printing

Are you ready to take your business to new heights? At CR&A Custom we are a large format printing company known for our innovative visual solutions and our commitment to quality.

Contact us today by email (info@cracustom.com), telephone (213-749-4440), social media (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn), or through the live chat on our home page.

By CR&A Custom Inc March 23, 2022