Color correcting LED light sources can trim the blue/green spectrum, creating more pleasant skin tones and a warmer, more inviting atmosphere. The coating technicians at Special FX Lighting have instrumentation that can measure the light source the customer is using and correct the kelvin temperature to the range desired. We can warm any kelvin temperature to the specified temperature.
Color correction can go the other way as well. We can increase color temperature by adding a blue filter to the light source. That filtration reduces lumens more than warming light sources, so additional fixtures may need to be added to the project in order to get the amount of light required.
We can filter one light source to match another light source. For example, if more than one manufacturer's lighting fixture is specified on a job and both are advertised to be the same color temperature, there can still be a visual difference in the rendered light. So we homogenize the atmosphere using filters.
We also can add color correction to neutral density. This not only corrects the color but also reduces lumens.
Modern LED lighting trends to the bluer end of the color spectrum. Recent studies have looked at the impacts of artificial blue light on health and the environment. It negatively affects circadian rhythm in humans, plant growth, migration, predation, and reproduction and communication among animals and insects.
Dark Sky Lighting
Light pollution is becoming an increasing concern as cities light their communities after dark. Dark Sky Lighting ordinances are written to reduce the impact of artificial illumination of ecosystems, human well-being, and our ability to view the night sky. Ways to mitigate artificial illumination include shielding direct light downward and filtering that adjust kelvin temperatures and reduce brightness while preserving safety. Special FX Lighting works directly with manufacturers and distributors to provide filters that meet the differing dark sky ordinances in all areas worldwide.
FadeNot is the name of the liquid color coating that Special FX Lighting began developing a liquid color coating called Fade-Not® in the 1980s and has continuously improved over the years. This coating can be formulated to match any theatrical gel color or combination of colors. It’s called FadeNot because the colorant used is organic pigment which remains stable up to 225ºF sustained operating temperature. In most instances it can be used on any LED light source that, when filtered, remains within the boundaries of the operating temperature.
FadeNot coating can be applied to any plastic or glass substrate. It is most commonly used in the lighting industry but can also be specified for certain scientific applications. FX can supply a finished product, or apply the coating to the customer’s substrate. We can work with linear strips up to 96” long and 2” wide. We can color coat flat material up to 24” square. We can also apply FadeNot coating to cylinders, globes and other shapes. We cut our in stock substrates to the size specified by the customer. We have a deep list of substrate suppliers and can almost always source out the material needed for your project.
We stock 20 mil and 30 mil thick polycarbonate, and 1.75mm thick borofloat glass.
Designers can mock up their project using theatrical gel, then call out size, quantity and color of each type of filter needed. We supply any size order, from several color filters to thousands. Our invoice minimum is a reasonable $200 and we have a generous sample policy. Lead time averages two - four weeks depending on the substrate needed and in house order loading.
Special FX Lighting offers a long life dry location glass color filter that can be used on floodlights up to 400W, and most LED fixtures. We can supply the filter on our substrate or color coat your supplied substrate. Specify Dry Location FadeNot glass color filter in the dimension and color needed.
Glass is a harder surface than most polymers, therefore if the color filter will be used in a wet location we recommend using our bonded product. We color coat one surface of the glass, then lay a clear piece of glass on top, and seal the edges with urethane to make the coated surface weatherproof. Specify Wet Location FadeNot glass color filter in the dimension and color needed.
Designers will often specify dichroic color filters. Most times, Special FX Lighting’s color filters can be successfully used in their place. Dichroic color filters were invented for very high heat applications. They are expensive to manufacture. Many dichroic chambers have been shuttered due to falling sales. Special FX Lighting has a complete sample library of dichroic colors manufactured by Rosco, LEE, High End, Abrisa, and several offshore dichroic color filter manufacturers. If your project has retrofitted your high temperature lighting fixtures with LED, we can easily match the dichroic color pallet with our FadeNot Glass or Polycarbonate product. If you are unsure what product to specify our friendly customer service team will give you guidance. We do have a generous sample policy, don’t hesitate to ask.
Devon color filters are not longer being offered by Gray Glass. Special FX has the complete color sample library of the Devon filters and we can match any of their colors on our glass or plastic substrates. Devon glass is art glass. The glass is not tempered so in order to use the color, it was stripped and bound to allow expansion and contraction of the glass as it heated and cooled. Some designers will specify their color filters to be stripped and bound if they are replacing Devon color. This is not necessary with the Special FX color filters.
Poly Sleeves
Special FX offers polycarbonate safety sleeves in color for linear fluorescent or linear LED fixtures.
Traditional safety sleeves are usually 1.5 inches shorter than the specified length in order to fit the linear fluorescent tubes. When a 48” lamp is called out, the actual lamp is 46.5”, this allows for the tube to plug into the fixture.
Linear LED fixtures are the true 48” length.
Using traditional safety sleeves on linear LED fixtures works well on 48” linear fixtures when the fixtures are in a run. Even though you may be losing 1.5” per fixture, you don’t have to make that up until the end. The safety sleeves can be field cut for this. Lengths shorter than 48” can be trimmed to the true size from the 46.5” sleeve
Special FX can slit the color filter lengthwise so the sleeve can snap over the fixture. This is an easy way to add color or color correction to cove lighting.
