Picture Perf

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of ‘Picture Perf’ the best analogy is the printing process where tiny dots are printed onto a sheet of paper to form an image or text.  ‘Picture Perf’ uses perforations instead of dots to formulate an image. Picture Perf can be manufactured using different size perforations to add depth and shading to the image.

To date the majority of our customers have specified their Picture Perf images with round perforations, however, round perforation can be easily exchanged for square, hexagonal and many other shapes, even custom made shapes. The possibilities are endless. Our favorite example of other perforation types is the DGJ +NAU’s bank building for Raiffeisen. The Portraits are made using triangular perforations which make up the images of the three faces.

Openness and light are the key characteristics of DGJ+NAU’s bank building for Raiffeisen; photos: Jan Bitter (Graepels was not involved on this project, it is a reference point for the possibilities using triangular perforations.)

Recently Graepels manufactured a stunning portrait for a Pharmaceutical company in Picture Perf. Due to clients permission pending we cannot reference images however, we can discuss the project.

The portraits image was made up of exactly 8,837 square perforations, with 22% open area. Three perforated aluminium sheets were formed together to create the full Portrait. The perforated sheets were punched in 3mm Aluminium which insured lightness and allowed for ease of installation.

The advantages of the Square Perforations’ ‘geometry’ means that the squares cover more area than round perforations meaning that they are cost effective solution when necessary, yet they are still aesthetically pleasing in their own right.  Other perforation shapes can also be used in ‘Picture Perf’ such a hexagonal perforations, oval, triangular and we can also produce bespoke solutions.

The portrait used three varying diameters to give shading and depth to the image. The larger square perforations were used on his tie and jacket and to give shading to the left side of his face. The outer perimeter of the panels have a 50mm blank margin, while the inside sheets are cut through the perforations and align exactly.

Other ‘Picture Perf’ examples of famous icons can be seen below, these are all fabricated by Graepels.  The image below of Marlin Monroe is fabricated by perforating round perforations into aluminium sheets. Smaller perforations are used to add detail and depth, while the un-perforated areas provide contrast.

For more information click on ‘Picture Perf’ or enquiry here alternatively click for further information on perforated metal.