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Custom Window Perforated Print Film
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This finished size requires paneling. A fixed 1″ overlap is used. The calculator automatically selects a panel orientation and media width, which can be overridden.
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Product Details
Product Details
Turn windows into eye-catching advertising space with Printara Custom Window Perforated Film, professionally printed on genuine 3M Scotchcal 8170-P50 Perforated Window Graphic Film. This premium 4 mil cast vinyl features a 50/50 perforation pattern that allows custom graphics to be viewed from outside while maintaining visibility through the window from inside.
Designed for storefront window graphics, commercial vehicle windows, business advertising, and promotional displays, 3M 8170 combines professional print quality with a removable adhesive and a specialized perforated construction. Its white printable surface with a black reverse side helps create colorful exterior-facing graphics while improving the ability to see outward.
Upload your artwork, company logo, promotional message, or custom design to create professional perforated window graphics. Whether you're branding a storefront, advertising on a commercial vehicle, or promoting a seasonal sale, Printara makes it easy to turn compatible glass surfaces into custom advertising.
Why Choose 3M Perforated Window Film?
- 50/50 Perforation Pattern: Features 50% open area to balance the visibility of exterior graphics with the ability to see through the window from inside.
- White Printable Surface: Provides a bright background for custom artwork, full-color graphics, logos, and promotional advertising.
- Black Reverse Side: Helps reduce the visual distraction of the printed graphic when looking outward through the film.
- 4 Mil Cast Vinyl: Premium cast construction designed for compatible flat and simple-curved window applications.
- Removable Adhesive: Pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for removal using appropriate techniques and under approved conditions.
- Professional Print Quality: Designed for digitally printed architectural and vehicle window graphics.
- Commercial Advertising Applications: Ideal for storefront branding, promotional window displays, and commercial vehicle graphics.
- Gloss Finish: A high-gloss printable surface helps produce vibrant, professional-looking graphics.
What Can Custom Window Perforated Film Be Used For?
3M Scotchcal 8170-P50 is designed for custom window graphics that combine printed advertising with see-through perforations. Its construction makes it suitable for selected commercial, architectural, and vehicle window applications.
- Storefront Window Graphics: Create full-color advertising, business logos, promotional graphics, and custom branding for retail storefront windows.
- Commercial Vehicle Windows: Produce perforated graphics for approved van, truck, and fleet vehicle windows while maintaining some outward visibility.
- Rear Window Graphics: Add custom branding, logos, and advertising to compatible vehicle rear windows where permitted by local regulations and manufacturer installation guidelines.
- Retail Promotions: Advertise seasonal sales, new products, special events, and promotional offers directly on storefront glass.
- Office & Commercial Windows: Create decorative branding and advertising on approved interior or exterior-facing glass surfaces.
- Transit & Fleet Advertising: Produce printed window graphics for approved buses, commercial transportation, and fleet advertising applications.
- Custom Business Window Decals: Create personalized perforated graphics featuring company branding, photography, promotional messages, and decorative designs.
Application Note: Perforated film reduces incoming light and visibility through glass. It is not suitable for every window application. Do not apply to windows with wipers, defroster or heating elements, or incompatible scratch-resistant or anti-reflective coatings. Vehicle window graphics must comply with applicable visibility and traffic regulations.
Professional Custom Printing by Printara
Printara provides professional large-format window graphic printing for wrap shops, sign companies, businesses, graphic designers, and independent installers. Upload your artwork, business logo, promotional message, or custom design and have it printed on genuine 3M Scotchcal 8170-P50 Perforated Film.
Unlike standard opaque window decals, perforated window film uses small openings throughout the material to balance graphic visibility and outward viewing. The white printable face displays your design from the exterior, while the black reverse side helps create a see-through effect when viewed from the darker side of the window.
Choose from available printing options, including standard 6-color printing and 11-color Ultra Sharp HD Printing for projects requiring enhanced image detail, rich colors, and smooth gradients.
Want sharper details and more vibrant prints? Discover the benefits of our 11-Color Ultra Sharp HD Printing technology and learn which printing option is right for your project.
How Does 50/50 Perforated Window Film Work?
3M Scotchcal 8170-P50 features a 50% printable surface and 50% open area. The printable portion displays your artwork, while the perforations allow light to pass through the material.
When applied to compatible glass, the film creates an exterior-facing graphic while helping people inside see through the window. The result depends on lighting conditions, interior and exterior brightness, print coverage, and installation location.
During daylight hours, graphics are generally more noticeable from outside when exterior lighting is brighter than the interior. At night, brightly lit interiors can reduce the one-way viewing effect. Perforated window film should not be considered privacy film or a guarantee of unobstructed visibility.
Material Specifications
| Manufacturer | 3M |
| Product | Scotchcal 8170-P50 |
| Film Type | Perforated Cast PVC Vinyl |
| Perforation Pattern | 50/50 (50% Open Area) |
| Printable Surface | White |
| Reverse Side | Black |
| Base Finish | High Gloss |
| Film Thickness | 4 Mil (Without Adhesive) |
| Adhesive | Pressure-Sensitive, Removable |
| Adhesive Color | Clear |
| Application Surfaces | Compatible Flat & Simple-Curved Glass |
| Application Method | Dry Installation |
| Minimum Application Temperature | 40°F (4°C) |
View Complete 3M 8170 Media Specifications →
Lamination & Finish Options
Printara offers a Gloss finish for custom printed 3M Scotchcal 8170 perforated window graphics.
- Gloss: A clear, high-shine finish that enhances printed color depth while maintaining a smooth exterior appearance. A compatible optically clear protective laminate can also help protect the printed graphics.
Lamination Note: 3M identifies 8914 Optically Clear Overlaminate and 8518 Gloss Overlaminate as recommended graphic protection options for specified 8170 constructions. Because perforated film contains openings, laminate selection can affect visibility, clarity, moisture performance, and finished-graphic warranty eligibility. Confirm the selected construction for the intended window application.
Installation & Window Compatibility
3M Scotchcal 8170 is designed for professional installation on approved window surfaces. Proper glass preparation and application are important for appearance, adhesion, and long-term performance.
- Thoroughly clean and dry the glass before installation.
- Apply to compatible flat and simple-curved window surfaces.
- Use dry application techniques according to 3M recommendations.
- Avoid glass with incompatible coatings, built-in heating elements, or defrosting wires.
- Do not install on windows where windshield wipers will contact the film.
- Verify local vehicle window graphic and visibility regulations.
- Confirm the selected laminate and application method are appropriate for the intended window.
Printing & File Preparation Guides
Need help preparing your artwork or understanding how your custom print is calculated? Scroll down to our Guides section below for step-by-step instructions on:
- How to set up your print file for production.
- How to create contour cut lines for custom-cut graphics.
- How square footage is calculated for printing and pricing.
Estimating a project? Use our Printara Project Cost Calculator to estimate material requirements and costs for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is custom perforated window film?
Custom perforated window film is a printable vinyl material with small openings throughout the surface. Printara uses 3M Scotchcal 8170-P50, featuring a 50/50 perforation pattern. It allows colorful graphics to be displayed from outside while providing the ability to see through the window from inside under suitable lighting conditions.
Can 3M 8170 perforated film be used on vehicle windows?
Yes, for approved vehicle window applications. 3M 8170 is designed for compatible flat and simple-curved glass surfaces, making it suitable for certain commercial vehicle and fleet window graphics. However, it must not be applied over wipers, defroster elements, or incompatible glass coatings. Local visibility regulations also apply.
Can you see through perforated window film at night?
Visibility depends on the lighting conditions inside and outside. During the day, a brighter exterior helps the printed graphics stand out while allowing people inside to look outward. At night, interior lighting can make the inside more visible from outside and reduce the one-way viewing effect. Perforated film is not guaranteed privacy film.
How long does 3M perforated window film last?
The service life of a finished 3M Scotchcal 8170 window graphic depends on the printed construction, protective laminate, installation, environmental exposure, and maintenance. Manufacturer durability and warranty coverage vary by the approved graphic construction and application. Review current 3M documentation for the specific installation rather than assuming a universal lifespan.
Additional Manufacturer Resources
For official material specifications, perforation details, approved substrates, and installation recommendations, visit the Official 3M Scotchcal 8170 Product Page .
3M Scotchcal 8170-P50 is designed for approved perforated window graphic applications. Visibility, durability, removability, and warranty eligibility depend on the window substrate, printing process, protective laminate, installation, and environmental conditions. Perforated graphics must comply with applicable vehicle window and visibility laws. Always review current 3M technical documentation before installation.
Wholesale Pricing Available
Wholesale Pricing Available
For print shops and installers
Wholesale pricing for your next big project
Order custom prints and other Printara products at wholesale pricing. If you are not yet a wholesale customer, apply below to get started.
Apply for wholesaleCustom print discounts
Your discount is based on the total square footage of custom prints in your order. The highest tier reached applies.
| Custom print order size | Discount |
|---|---|
| 100–299 sq ft | 3% off |
| 300–499 sq ft | 5% off |
| 500–999 sq ft | 7% off |
| 1,000–1,499 sq ft | 9% off |
| 1,500 sq ft or more | 12% off |
10% off other products
Wholesale customers receive 10% off all other products. Services, including graphic design and installation, are excluded.
Ready to apply?
Submit the wholesale application to request access to wholesale pricing.
Start your wholesale application
California P65 Warning
California P65 Warning
Guides
How to set up your print file
How to set up your print file
File size and artwork dimensions
- Maximum file size: 1 GB.
- Artwork width: Make your artwork at least 0.5″ narrower than the media you select. For example, artwork printed on 60″ media should be no wider than 59.5″.
- Artwork size: Set up your file at the size you want it printed whenever possible. Smaller-scale files are accepted too. If you send a smaller file, tell us the final print size and scale in your order comments.
- Raster image resolution: Make sure your image has enough resolution for its final print size. Enlarging a low-resolution image can make it look blurry or pixelated.
Color
For standard artwork: We recommend sending RGB artwork with the sRGB IEC61966-2.1 color profile embedded. This gives our print software a consistent reference when converting colors for the selected printer and material.
For artwork using Printara Colors: Use the LAB values shown for the color. In Illustrator, create a LAB-defined spot-color swatch and keep it as a spot color in your vector file and production PDF. Preserving the spot-color definition is the preferred way to carry the Printara color target into production.
Prepare your artwork
- Images: Use an image resolution that suits the final print size. Low-resolution images may look blurry or pixelated.
- Fonts and placed images: In vector files, convert fonts to outlines, curves, or paths. Embed any images placed in your file.
- Artboard: Crop the artboard closely around your full design. Any blank space inside the artboard may be included in the printed output.
Accepted file types
We accept PDF, PSD/PSB, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, AI, EPS, and SVG files. To preserve Printara LAB spot colors, submit vector artwork or a PDF with spot colors retained. For raster artwork, submit a Lab-mode PSD, PSB, or TIFF.
Before you submit
Please send files that are ready to print. If your file is smaller than the intended print size, include the final size and scale in your order comments.
Printara may decline files that do not meet these guidelines. We do not review or correct every submitted file, so please check your artwork before sending it.
Need help with your artwork?
Our design team can help prepare or create your artwork. Submit a custom graphic design request.
How to set up contour cut lines
How to set up contour cut lines
- File should be supplied in AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF format with vector contour lines.
-
IMPORTANT: Contour lines must be assigned as a Spot Color named 'CutContour'.
To assign a spot color using Adobe Illustrator:
- Open the Swatches Palette. If the Swatches Palette is not readily visible, you may need to open it by selecting Swatches from the Windows menu.
- Click the 3 horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the Palette, and select New Swatch. This opens the New Swatch dialog.
- Enter CutContour as the name of the new swatch. This needs to be spelled exactly as shown here.
- Select Spot Color from the Color Type drop-down menu, and use the slider bars to create a color. The color is not important since it will not be printed.
- Click OK to close the dialogs.
- Select your cut paths and assign your new swatch color to those paths.
Note: You may use any vector-based drawing program you want. These instructions are specific to Adobe Illustrator. Most drawing programs will follow a similar process. If you have trouble, see the Help Files in your drawing program.
- Contour lines and print image must be supplied in the same file.
- Contour files must be at least 2" less than width of print media.
- Opacity of CutContour lines MUST be at 100%.
- DO NOT hide the CutContour layer or turn off the option to print.
Taking these steps allows us to seamlessly assign your CutContour lines. If followed correctly, the CutContour lines will NOT print. Failure to follow guidelines may result in delayed processing time.
PNG file types with transparent backgrounds are acceptable, but not recommended. Please be aware that PNG files work in a RGB colorspace, and WILL be converted to CMYK when sent to print. We are not responsible for any inaccuracy or color shift that occurs as a result of the conversion.
How square footage is calculated
How square footage is calculated
How Print Square Footage Is Calculated
Our products are priced by the amount of print media required to produce your project. Because your artwork is printed from a roll, the square footage used may be different from the finished square footage of your graphic.
Square Footage Is Based on the Media Used
Your print is produced from a fixed-width roll of media. This means your order is calculated using the amount of media required to produce the print — not just the finished area of the graphic itself.
36″ × 72″ Graphic Example
A 36″ wide graphic is produced on 48″ wide media. Even though the finished graphic is only 36″ wide, the full 48″ width of media is used for the 72″ print length.
Graphic
Projects That Require Panels
If your project is too wide to print in one piece, the calculator can divide it into overlapping panels.
Panels include a fixed 1″ overlap. The calculator determines the media width, orientation, number of panels, and total material required.
Already Know Your Square Footage?
Use the Square Footage tab instead of entering finished dimensions.
Enter the square footage you need and select the desired media width. The calculator will show the approximate length of material that square footage represents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my calculated square footage larger than my graphic?
Do I need to select the correct media width myself?
Can my artwork be rotated to use less material?
How much smaller should my artwork be than the media?
What happens if my artwork cannot fit on one piece of media?
No Manual Math Required
Enter your finished dimensions on the product page and the calculator will determine the media required for your print.