It's true that Photodon's most commonly used capability is the custom production of screen protectors and privacy filters. But did you know that our specialties extend beyond that?
Photodon offers so many more services and products than the screen protectors and privacy filters we are known for. Just a few of these capabilities include producing monitor hoods and laptop stands, using our multiple lasers to cut and even etch screen protectors, and installing customers' screen protectors on their devices in our clean room. Watch our capabilities video to see some of our talents and abilities.
You can also keep reading to learn more about what Photodon can do.
Polyethylene terephthalate is a high-performance polyester material known by its abbreviation of PET. Among many other qualities, PET material boasts strength, stability, low moisture absorption, retention of physical properties, and the ability to withstand sterilization.
We get lots of questions about our different screen protector materials and which one to order. We strive to have a lot of information on our main protective material page, but with so much information all in one place, it's hard to absorb it all! So let's address a question that is asked almost daily:
Screen protectors first and foremost protect screens from irreversible damage such as scratches, dings, and harsh cleaning chemicals. You can also use them to help protect your health, increase privacy, and reduce glare. Most importantly, preserving your screen clarity makes your device useable for more years, saving you money and helping the environment.
The very first screen protectors in the early 2000s were transparent and glossy. Manufactures have, over the years, added features to increase the usefulness of these screen savers. The first was to create an anti-glare material, and they did this by etching the outer surface. While this made an anti-glare, it also resulted in pixeling (distortion of the screen image). These early versions of anti-glare were not suitable for close-up viewing of text or for color-critical applications.
This image shows the basic structure of a screen protector. Anti-shock material would have an additional layer on top of the base layer.
Technology has since improved and advanced to correct pixeling and has gone on to solve many other problems. Manufacturers now offer clear, anti-glare, anti-microbial, blue-light cut, privacy, shock-absorbing, hard-coated scratch-resistant, ultra-thin flexible materials, and many other specialty materials. Most screen protectors are used on flat screens and adhere to the screen with silicone resin. The new ultra-thin products usually have a higher adhesion and can bend and adhere to curved surfaces such as phones that wrap around OLED screens and large curved monitors.
When purchasing a screen protector, it would seem like a simple, straightforward decision, and it can be if you want general screen protection. But for those who have a unique application or need to purchase for a product that you or your company are manufacturing, you need to get the best screen protector that meets specific standards or requirements. For instance, will the device be used indoors or outdoors, be used on an office monitor, a drawing tablet, a vehicle in-dash vehicle in-dash, or a public kiosk? Each of these devices have special considerations.
1. What is the main reason(s) you are looking to cover your device screen?
a. Extending the life of your device
Most screen protectors cover the screen to keep it looking new. However, cheap screen protectors may not have the clarity you need. A higher-quality screen protector with other features may better fit your needs.
b. Reducing screen surface glare
Glare reduction is accomplished on a screen protector by two methods: etching or, most recently, by applying nanoparticles evenly over the outer surface. This newer method creates a much better image than the anti-glare materials of years ago, significantly reducing past pixeling issues.
If it is most important to maintain image quality, reading text, or working with color-critical applications such as Photoshop or prepress work, you are best served by considering a light anti-glare or no anti-glare (glossy) screen protector. Medium to heavy anti-glare screen protectors will gray out in sunlight when viewing from the side. In addition, for some color-critical applications, consider purchasing a monitor hood to reduce ambient light on the screen. A monitor hood puts nothing between you and the screen image and takes some of the overhead and side light off the screen. Photodon makes monitor hoods for almost any monitor for both office and industrial applications.
c. Protecting from excessive cleaning or harsh cleaning chemicals
These can degrade the screen when cleaning repeatedly, especially with chemicals such as bleach or alcohol.
Using the wrong cleaner on a screen can permanently damage the anti-glare and other coatings of your device.
d. Reducing fingerprinting
Fingerprints on a touchscreen such as in a vehicle can be incredibly annoying; using a light anti-glare screen protector will help with this issue. Avoid higher anti-glare in vehicles as they tend to gray out when viewing from an angle. Oleophobic coatings allow the removal of fingerprints more easily by utilizing a microfiber cloth.
e. Eliminating most germs and microbes
Anti-Microbial
If you have concerns about germs and microbes on your touchscreen, especially on a shared device, an anti-microbial screen protector may be the product for you. The top layer contains zinc, and microbes cannot live on surfaces that contain zinc.
f. Protecting eyes and help with sleep patterns
Blue Light Cut
Help regulate your sleep patterns. Blue light from the screen can disrupt your body's natural production of melatonin.
Reduce eye stress; reducing blue light reduces eye stress related to long hours of screen viewing.
Screen protectors that block the Ultraviolet spectrum act more like filters because they filter out most UV and the highest end of the blue light spectrum. Filters work in both directions so that a blue light cut material will protect both the display from direct sun and the user from any UV and higher end blue light.
g. Protecting information on the screen
Privacy Filters
Privacy filters reduce visibility of information on your screen from side viewing, while keeping the information on the screen visible to the user. They also protect digital gear from damage and glare, as well as reduce UV and blue light.
There are three versions of privacy filters:
–Two-way, which provides privacy from the left and right (or top and bottom depending on the orientation of your screen), with fully backed adhesion. This type is recommended for one installation only.
–Two-way, which provides privacy from the left and right (or top and bottom depending on the orientation of your screen), adhered with adhesive tabs. This type is easier to apply and can be installed and removed many times.
–Four-way, which provide privacy from both sides, the top, and the bottom. These have fully backed adhesion and are best used on tablets, phones, and kiosks. This type is recommended for one installation only.
Does the environment require a special purpose screen protector material?
a. Harsh environment
If using your device in environments such as an auto shop with diagnostic equipment or for fieldwork, you may want a higher scratch or shock resistance screen protector for your touchscreen. Anti-shock protectors give you an added level of protection by adding an extra layer of shock-absorbing material laminated to the primary layer. In addition, these anti-scratch screen protectors have a special hard coating applied to the top surface. Shops and manufacturing facilities using a human-machine interface (HMI) are examples of environments where these film types are helpful.
b. Public transportation
If you do a lot of traveling on public transportation, a privacy filter may be an excellent choice to keep information on your screen private to only you.
c. Busy open office environments and any business that needs to adhere to HIPAA
If you work in a medical, financial, or government setting, privacy filters will also be the best choice to keep information private.
d. Church
Churches often have big screen TVs and have found that glare is an issue. Anti-glare protectors prove to be the best for better visibility.
e. Restaurant or other public place
If multiple users are using an ordering system such as in restaurants or stores, chances are there are germs and microbes on the screen. Our anti-microbial film reduces germs and microbes by 99%. Hopefully, the screens are being cleaned regularly, which is another reason a protector would benefit in this situation.
If you want a quick answer as to what type of material to purchase from the Photodon website, click this link to our material type questionnaire.
We are happy to help you with any question you may have. If needed, please contact us at 847-377-1185, M-F 9:00am – 5:00pm EST, or email us at [email protected].
Now that the coronavirus has arrived, electronic devices are being cleaned regularly, especially ones used in medical facilities. To ensure these devices are cleaned properly, hospital-grade type disinfectants are being used directly on expensive digital screens which, if not protected, can cause damage to the screen. Our screen protectors hold up to harsh chemicals and can save your device screen’s life. Below you’ll see what we did to prove this.
The Test – HSC and MXHScreen Protectors and Anti-Bacterial Cleaning Solutions:
Our Photodon lab technicians created a bleach test to see how our HSC and MXH screen protector materials would hold up to being regularly cleaned with hospital-grade Clorox Bleach Germicidal Wipes.
We used a standard office monitor and wiped down the screens two times daily with the bleach wipes for a period of 30 days. The results were clear: the screen protectors' clarity and protection were not compromised, which means the screen itself was not either!
Features and Specifications of Photodon’s HSC and MXH Screen Protectors:
Our screen protectors can be part of your company’s cost-reduction program by avoiding the need to replace expensive screens, whether it be for medical equipment screens that can be damaged by regular and necessary cleaning requirements especially at this time, to manufacturing-type devices, laptops, monitors, TVs, or any other device screen.
Our HSC and MXH Materials:
Are resistant to yellowing, even when cleaned with harsh chemicals
Are touchscreen-compatible
Are an affordable solution
Are great protection for your screen and offer different finishes. HSC is a clear, glass-like option, where MXH offers an anti-glare, matte finish
Protect your devices from scratches and blunt force impact
Withstand daily wipe-downs with hospital-grade disinfectants, including bleach wipes
Can be custom-cut for any device (up to 40.5” tall)
Are easily removable with no residue left on the screen
Come with installation kits and detailed instructions for an easier installation
Photodon’s Advice:
Replace the screen protector – not the screen.
While we have not tested our other materials, we believe that our other screen protector material types would respond the same way if tested with the bleach wipes. Should chemicals degrade the PET material over time, it can be inexpensively replaced, while the same cannot be said of replacing the actual device screen.
The Bottom Line:
Touchscreen use is increasing in medical-type environments from patients using equipment to check in and check out, to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and other staff. It pleases us to know that we can provide a high-quality, affordable option for protecting these heavily used and expensive devices. We specialize in custom solutions, and we offer 11 screen protector materials and 3 privacy filter materials. We have quick turn-around times and will work with you to get you what you need when you need it!
You can contact us at 847-377-1185, M-F 9:00a.m – 5:00pm EST, or email us at [email protected].
If you're reading this blog post, chances are you already know what an optical comparator is. Until we heard from a customer at Modern Manufacturing & Engineering, WE didn't know. But we were soon schooled in the optical comparator universe.
For those who DON'T know what an optical comparator is, here is a Wikipedia explanation:
Whether you use a drawing tablet for work or for play, the stylus may cause damage to your screen. Photodon carries several popular screen protectors for drawing tablets, which not only help protect your investment but can enhance your drawing experience. In fact, we've had many customers tell us that they love their tablet even more with one of Photodon's screen protectors installed.
While so much depends on personal preference and drawing habits, here is some information based on customer feedback we've received to help determine which screen protector material might work best for you.
Today’s screen protectors have many features beyond just protecting your screen from scratches and impact damage. You can buy a screen protector for just about any device with a screen, from MP3 players to large-screen TVs. And you can only find these specialty screen protectors at Photodon.
