or a similar website and purchase one.

In fact, any digital picture you have can be put on a shade.

Any design of your choice can be digitally imprinted on a shade.

 

Solar Shades

Beards-Cosden Company, Ltd. supplies high-quality solar window shades that have been custom-printed with digital photos, company logos and advertising graphics.

The benefits of this are two-fold:

1. Solar shades cut down heat and UV glare by up to 95%. This saves the company or resident on utility costs by reducing solar heat penetration. In addition, it prevents interior items from fading due to harmful ultra-violet exposure, while allowing employees, customers or residents to work, shop and live comfortably and without annoying glare.

2. Advertising graphics or logos can be printed onto our shade fabrics for a more upscale look than a poster or painted window. Another option is to use custom printed shades to enhance the interior of the establishment with scenery or themed graphics.

Solar shades provide UV blockage - the combination of coating and weave pattern provides varying degrees of sun control. The tighter weaves block more light and are better for privacy, while more open weaves allow more light in, still providing protection from harmful UV rays.

Heat: Saves the homeowner or establishment on utility costs by reducing solar heat penetration. Air conditioning loads are reduced by more than 23% with solar shades.

Glare: Customers and employees can work and shop without annoying glare. Homeowners watch television without distraction from glare.

Fading: Solar shades prevent interior items from fading due to harmful ultraviolet exposure.

Fabrics

What kind of fabrics do you offer? We carry a large inventory from the most popular manufacturers of shade fabrics to reduce lead times.

What is the difference between view-through and opaque (blackout)? View-through shades allow offer excellent solar protection while allowing light to filter into the interior and allowing limited view-through to the exterior (daylight hours). Depending on openness factor up to 99% of harmful UV rays can be blocked while still allowing limited view through capabilities... Privacy shades are opaque, and allow no view through capability. There are varying degrees of weight and backing, allowing for translucency (light filtering) or complete blackout for room darkening.

What kind of solar protection is provided by solar shades? View through solar shades provide UV blockage of up to 99%. The combination of the coating and the weave pattern provides varying degrees of sun control.  For instance, the tighter weaves block more light and are better for privacy, while the more open weaves allow a lot of light in, while still providing protection from harmful UV light and heat.

What is the maximum size for a custom printed shade? Shade size is limited to available fabric size and image resolution. Our shade fabrics come in varying roll widths up to 98”, however larger shades are made by railroading fabric, with a weld or seam to make the desired size. Image resolution is also a factor in shade size limitation.

What colors of fabrics are available? Our fabrics come in a variety of standard colors; however printed shades typically require us to use white. Some solid colored logos can be printed on light greys or beige colors, however detailed images with complex color cannot be printed on colored fabric.

Images

What kinds of images are available for custom printed shades? Clients provide their own unique images.

Can I have my own photo printed on a shade? As long as image resolution is adequate we can print your favorite vacation photo, pet, or loved one on our shades.

Can I have shades made in a solid custom color to match my room colors? Unique interior designs often require custom colors rather than standard color shade fabrics. We are typically able to match colors that are provided by designer specifications.

Can I have shades made to compliment or match a specific pattern? Complimentary patterns can be created by our fabric designers; however existing patterns are subject to copyright protection.

Can company logos or advertising graphics be printed on shades? Yes.

Can I have a famous cartoon character or sports team logo printed on a shade? Copyright laws prevent us from printing unlicensed images and designs.

Where else can I find cool images for shades? Check the World Wide Web for thousands of fee-based images.

Can images be printed on both sides? Certain images can be printed on either side, or image on one side with solid color on the other.

Can one image or panorama be sectioned into several shades? Depending on image and shade size, one image can be sectioned, or tiled over several shades.

File Preparation

What is the preferred file type for submitting images? Acceptable file formats for photos are .tiff and .jpeg.

What is the preferred file type for submitting text or logos? Acceptable file formats for text or logos are .eps or Adobe Illustrator^® files.

What is the minimum resolution for image files? Minimum resolution for photos depends on final shade size. Typically we recommend a minimum of 300 dpi at 9x12, however depending on the image and final shade size there are acceptable variations. We are always happy to preview the file resolution to determine its adequacy.

How should I send my files? Files may be emailed to nick@porterpreston.com. Files larger than 5MB should be copied to CD and mailed to Porter Preston Beards-Cosden care of Nick.

Are fabric proofs available? Fabric proofs are recommended for critical color matching or uncertainty about enlarged image quality. Fabric proofs are available at 20-25% of full size or 1-2 square foot sections at 100% size. The price ranges from $50 - $100 each.