What is glow paper?
Glow paper is coated printer paper that stores light and glows green in the dark. By day it looks greenish yellow. On the laser paper, the coating is based on strontium aluminate, a material that absorbs light and slowly releases it again. You print the paper in your own printer and then cut it to size or stick it on.
Which glow paper suits your printer?
Choose glow paper by your printer type: the inkjet type and the laser type are not interchangeable.
| Type | Pack | Paper | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inkjet | 5 × DIN A4 or 2 × DIN A3 | 350 g/m², approx. 0.4 mm | as sturdy as card; let the ink dry well |
| Laser A4 | 2 × DIN A4 | 80 g/m², approx. 0.2 mm | also for copiers; toner fixes instantly |
| Laser A3 | 2 × DIN A3 | 150 g/m², approx. 0.1 mm | glossy; for posters and large designs |
Why not swap them? Ink does not dry on the sealed surface of the laser paper and smudges. For DIN A3, your printer must be able to feed that format.
How to print on glow paper
You get good results with plenty of empty space in the design and your printer's highest quality setting. The steps:
- Create your design and plan for plenty of unprinted space.
- Load the paper correctly: on the inkjet paper and the A3 laser paper, the side with the slight green tint is the print side.
- For these two types, select the paper type “photo paper” or equivalent, the print mode “photo print” and the highest quality setting in the printer driver. With an inkjet printer, a slow print also helps the ink soak in.
- Let inkjet prints dry well.
- Cut to size or stick on, then charge with daylight or lamplight.
How long does glow paper glow?
All types glow for up to 4 hours after a full charge, in complete darkness. The glow is strongest in the first few minutes. The longer and brighter the light it receives beforehand, the longer it glows. You can charge it with sunlight or artificial light, as often as you like. Read more about the basics under Afterglow explained.
Why does the print not glow?
Printed areas do not glow – only the empty areas do. In the dark, your print appears as a dark cut-out. So plan your design to keep the important parts free: a printed background with lettering left blank gives glowing letters in the dark.
Good to know
- Afterglow is an orientation and effect aid, not lighting. It becomes visible in real darkness.
- The A4 laser paper is intended for indoor use. Outdoors, glow in the dark paint or glow spray with a clear coat is more suitable.
- The A4 laser paper has not been tested to a standard, for example for escape and rescue route plans. If you need plans that comply with a standard, please ask us first.
- Self-adhesive instead of paper: glow film. Drawing with light instead of printing: glow boards.