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The BlackLED Difference
Why should a lighting designer choose a BlackLED fixture instead of another less expensive UV LED fixture?
Because for premium black light artwork, the BlackLED fixture will look better.
Inexpensive LED fixtures use inexpensive LED�s, which for UV fixtures means long wavelength 395-405 nm LED emitters, which can be packaged in inexpensive epoxy plastic cases. Shorter UV wavelengths are absorbed by plastic cases, so short wavelength LED emitters must be packaged in metal, with glass windows or lenses which do not absorb the UV light, but are more costly.
So why use short wavelength UV light? Because just as different colors, or wavelengths, of visible light appear different to the eye, different wavelengths, or colors, of UV light react differently with UV paints and pigments.
Virtually all UV wavelengths look good when illuminating �Day Glow� pigments, which look virtually the same color under white light as under ultraviolet. But when using true flourescent or �invisible� UV pigments, which are close to a neutral white under normal light, the difference in UV wavelengths is critically important.
When illuminated with 405-395 nm UV light, which is typical for inexpensive UV LED fixtures, some flourescent pigments appear weak or grayish, especially the red, orange, and yellow shades. Inexpensive LED fixtures with this output range are best suited only for illuminating �Day-Glow� artwork.
When illuminated with 375 nm UV light, the range of flourescent pigments begins to appear closer to the intended colors, but the red and orange still appear slightly pastel. UV fixtures with 375 nm LED�s can be used when the artwork does not require saturated reds and oranges.
When illuminated with 365nm UV light, the full range of flourescent pigments now appears bright and saturated, with each color clear and distinct. For displaying artwork which uses the full spectrum of flourescent pigments, 365 nm UV output is essential
For premium results with premium artwork, specify PPS BlackLED fixtures
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