{"id":3539,"date":"2018-08-30T14:58:45","date_gmt":"2018-08-30T18:58:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.photodon.com\/blog\/?p=3539"},"modified":"2023-11-16T14:33:57","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T19:33:57","slug":"how-are-privacy-filters-made-and-how-do-they-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.photodon.com\/blog\/how-are-privacy-filters-made-and-how-do-they-function\/","title":{"rendered":"How are Privacy Filters Made and How do They Function?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Privacy filters, also known as privacy screens, are like a set of vertical blinds for your computer monitor or any device with a screen, but on a nanoscale. Most modern-day filters are only the thickness of a common business card — .012\u201d (.3 mm). Unlike vertical blinds, the louvers are permanently set in the full open (on edge) position.<\/p>\n

There are approximately 42 louvers in the 12-pt. letter \u201ca\u201d shown below. This makes for about 715 of these louvers per inch (25.4mm) and equates to thousands of mini-louvers per typical screen. The thickness of a dollar bill (.0043\u201d) is approximately the same thickness as 2 louvers in the images below.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\"300x<\/a>
Looking at white paper through a privacy filter at approximately 300x<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Close<\/a>
Looking at a 12pt letter \u201ca\u201d through a privacy filter at approximately 150x<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Standard privacy filters for laptops or computer monitors are 2-way, blocking the view from left and right.\u00a0Four-way privacy filters are made with a second layer of privacy louvers at 90\u00b0 from the vertical louvers.\u00a0 4-way privacy filters are normally used on tablets and phones. The added layer of louvers makes the filter a little thicker and it also decreases the light transmittance which needs to be compensated by increased screen brightness.<\/p>\n

\"Curved<\/a>
Privacy filter on the top half of a curved screen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maximum clarity is achieved when the filter is tight against the screen. There are 2 types of privacy filters:\u00a0 in the first kind, the back (screen side) of the filter is coated with a silicone which provides adhesion to the screen, like a common phone screen protector.\u00a0 In the second kind, it adheres with double-sided adhesive strips to hold the privacy filter in place from the edges.\u00a0 Each has its advantages.<\/p>\n

The silicone adhesion provides maximum clarity and makes for a nice clean installation, but the installation can be trickier — especially if not installed in a clean dust-free area. Dust can get between the filter and the screen, creating bubbles that need to be dealt with. Once in place, it can be easily removed but is not meant to be removed and reinstalled regularly.<\/p>\n

The non-adhesive privacy filter is sent with adhesive strips which are made of thin clear materials and are easy to apply along the edges of the filter. These filters can be removed as much as a person may like and you do not have to worry about dust or air bubble issues during installation.<\/p>\n

\"Adhesive<\/p>\n

\"Non<\/p>\n

Privacy filters vary by manufacturer but are made of several layers of PET plastic materials. They normally have a hard coating and an anti-glare coating on the outer surface and the louvers are embedded in a clear PET layer. In addition, the filter is protected by a removable protective liner on both sides.\u00a0 The rear #1 liner is disposed of before application, and the front #2 liner is removed after installation.<\/p>\n

Benefits of using a privacy filter on your screen include:<\/p>\n