Sekisui's Designs in glass

Sekisui have been working with glass lamination specialists t4 Design Ltd of Mansfield, Notts on a process that enables the encapsulation of a ‘photographic' image within the layers of a laminated glass panel.

The concept of applying photographic images to glass is not new, but in the past this has been achieved by application of a film to one of the external surfaces of the panel, or by silk screening. The major drawback of these approaches is that the graphic image is left exposed on an external face and is at risk from accidental damage from abrasion or deliberate acts of vandalism.

Working with Sekisui S-Lec Europe, t4 Design have developed a proprietary digital printing process (D.P.I.) that enables them to ‘capture' an image between the interlayer and the glass which remains stable during the manufacturing process - despite the heat and pressure that is inherent in the production of laminated glass. The end result is a dimensionally and UV stable decorative glass panel that will withstand accidental or deliberate attempts to mar the image.