Guest authored by Sean Frederick, Director of Digital Media at Reece Supply Company.
Retail window space is valuable real estate. It provides an opportunity to capture the attention of customers passing by, promote products and services, and communicate important messages before someone even steps through the door.
But what about the customers already inside?
Push-pull window graphics allow businesses to make use of both sides of a window, displaying one message to people outside and another to those inside. Whether it’s a simple “Push” and “Pull” instruction on a door, promotional messaging, seasonal retail campaigns, or branded graphics, double-sided applications help maximize the impact of available window space.
At Reece Supply Company, we work with print service providers looking for practical ways to produce high-quality graphics that meet their customers’ needs. When it comes to double-sided window graphics, there is more than one way to achieve the desired result.
The right approach depends on the printing equipment available, whether white ink is an option, the desired opacity, and how the finished graphic will be installed and removed.
Here are three ways to create effective push-pull window graphics.
1. Five-Layer Printing on Optically Clear Film
One method of producing double-sided window graphics is to print both designs directly onto a single optically clear film using a five-layer printing process.
This approach uses a specific sequence of ink layers to create two independently visible graphics on the same piece of material.
The typical five-layer construction consists of:
- Reverse-printed CMYK artwork
- White ink
- Black ink
- White ink
- Forward-facing CMYK artwork
The white ink layers provide a base for the printed colors, while the black layer separates the two designs and helps prevent the image on one side from showing through to the other.
The result is a double-sided graphic that can display different messages depending on which side of the window the viewer is standing.
One of the biggest advantages of this method is that the entire graphic is produced on a single film. There is no need to laminate two separate printed materials together, helping simplify the finished construction. This can be particularly advantageous for smaller jobs, where using a single film can help streamline production and reduce material handling.
However, this method does require printing equipment capable of handling white ink and multiple ink layers. Proper file preparation, print registration, and opacity are also important to achieving a professional result.
For print providers with the necessary equipment, five-layer printing can be an efficient way to produce high-quality, double-sided window graphics.
Drytac Solution: ViziPrint Impress Clear and SpotOn SynTac Clear are clear films suitable for window graphics. Their clear construction makes them options for producing layered graphics where the required ink configuration is supported.
2. Reverse-Printed Clear Film Paired with a Block-Out Film
Not every print provider has access to white ink printing, and fortunately, it is not always necessary to create double-sided window graphics.
An alternative approach is to combine a reverse-printed clear film with a white block-out film.
With this method, the first design is reverse printed onto a clear film so that it can be viewed correctly through the glass. A second design is printed normally onto a white block-out film, which is then paired with the clear graphic to create a double-sided display.
The block-out layer separates the two printed images, preventing the artwork on one side from interfering with the other.
This construction provides several advantages.
First, it eliminates the need for white ink, making double-sided window graphics accessible to print providers using more conventional CMYK printing equipment.
Second, the block-out material provides an opaque background that helps maintain the visibility and impact of both designs.
Finally, it offers flexibility when producing graphics with different artwork on each side, particularly for retail promotions, door graphics, and branded window displays.
The important consideration with this approach is alignment. Because two separately printed materials are being combined, accurate registration and careful installation are essential to achieving a clean, professional finish.
Drytac Solution: SpotOn SynTac Clear Gloss can be paired with Polar Blockout UV or Polar Blockout to create double-sided window graphics without the need for white ink. The clear film allows the reverse-printed design to be viewed through the glass, while the block-out film provides the opacity needed to separate the two graphics.
3. Double-Sided Synthetic Film Paired with a Mounting Adhesive
A third approach is to print directly onto both sides of an opaque synthetic film and then use a double-sided mounting adhesive to attach the finished graphic to the window.
Unlike the first two methods, this approach does not rely on printing onto a clear film.
Instead, the graphic is produced on a white printable synthetic substrate, with artwork printed independently on each side. A clear mounting adhesive is then applied to one side of the finished print, allowing it to be installed onto glass.
This method can be particularly useful for print providers looking to create double-sided displays without white ink or complex multilayer printing.
It also provides greater flexibility in how the graphics are produced. Depending on the media and printing equipment, the two sides can feature completely different artwork, allowing retailers to communicate separate messages to customers inside and outside the store.
One important consideration is opacity. The synthetic film needs to provide sufficient block-out to prevent the image on one side from showing through to the other, particularly in brightly lit retail environments.
The film should also offer good dimensional stability and lay-flat performance to support accurate double-sided printing and a professional finished appearance.
Selecting the appropriate mounting adhesive is equally important. Factors such as installation method, intended application duration, and removal requirements should all be considered.
Drytac Solution: PrintDuo is a 10 mil (250 µ) adhesive-free, double-sided printable synthetic film offering exceptional lay-flat performance and 99.9% opacity. Its construction allows different graphics to be printed on each side without show-through.
PrintDuo can be paired with Drytac’s double-sided mounting adhesives, including SpotOn Duo, WindowTac, and ReTac Duo, providing different mounting options depending on the installation and removal requirements.
Choosing the Right Approach for Your Window Graphics
There is no single best method for producing push-pull window graphics. Each construction offers advantages depending on the equipment available, the intended application, and the customer’s requirements.
Five-layer printing on optically clear film offers a single-film solution for print providers with white ink capabilities.
Pairing a reverse-printed clear film with a block-out film provides an alternative for producing opaque, double-sided graphics without white ink.
Printing onto a double-sided synthetic film and adding a mounting adhesive offers another option, particularly when opacity, lay-flat performance, and straightforward production are priorities.
Regardless of the method, it is important to consider the complete graphic construction, including print compatibility, opacity, adhesive selection, installation conditions, and expected removal.
At Reece Supply Company, we encourage customers to think beyond the printed image and consider how the finished graphic will perform in its intended environment.
After all, the goal is not simply to produce a graphic that looks good on both sides. It is to create a practical, professional solution that works for the customer from production through installation.
With the right materials and approach, a single window can become two valuable opportunities to communicate.
About Reece Supply Company
Celebrating 90 years in business in 2026, Reece Supply Company is a family-owned wholesale supplier to the sign manufacturing, digital printing, and screen printing industries. Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1936, the company has grown to serve customers across ten U.S. locations, with third- and fourth-generation family members continuing its legacy of service and commitment to its mission: “Your Success is Our Business.”
For further information, visit www.reecesupply.com.
