Printed Window Shade Technical Specifications
This technical specification document provides detailed information for architects, designers, specifiers, and trade professionals planning custom printed shade installations. Use these specifications for project planning, architectural drawings, and commercial bid documents.
All specifications represent standard products. Custom configurations are available for projects requiring dimensions, materials, or features outside standard parameters. Contact our commercial team for custom specifications and CSI-format documentation.
Size Specifications
Available dimensions for custom printed shades
Width Range
Minimum 12 inches, Maximum 144 inches (12 feet) per shade. Wider openings require multiple shades with shared headrail or individual units.
Height Range
Minimum 12 inches, Maximum 120 inches (10 feet) standard. Extended drops to 144 inches available on request.
Minimum Mount Depth
Inside mount: 1.5 inches standard, 2.5 inches with valance, 3 inches motorized. Outside mount: No depth requirement.
Manufacturing Tolerance
Width and height: +/- 1/8 inch. This is industry standard for precision-manufactured custom shades.
Roller Tube Specifications
Aluminum roller tube sizing based on shade width
1.25" Tube (32mm)
For shades up to 64 inches wide. Material: Extruded 6063-T5 aluminum. Wall thickness: 0.050 inches.
1.5" Tube (38mm)
For shades 64-97 inches wide. Most common size. Material: Extruded 6063-T5 aluminum. Wall thickness: 0.062 inches. Weight: 0.266 lb/linear foot.
2.0" Tube (50mm)
For shades 97-121 inches wide. Material: Extruded 6063-T5 aluminum. Wall thickness: 0.070 inches.
2.5" Tube (63mm)
For shades 121-145 inches wide. Material: Extruded 6063-T5 aluminum. Wall thickness: 0.080 inches.
Fabric Specifications
Blackout Fabrics
Composition: Fiberglass or polyester core with PVC coating and opaque backing. Openness: 0%. Light transmission: 0%. UV blockage: 100%. Fire rating: NFPA 701 Method 1 and 2 compliant. GREENGUARD Gold certified options available. Weight: 14-16 oz per square yard.
Light-Filtering Fabrics
Composition: Fiberglass or polyester core with PVC coating. Openness: 1-5%. Light transmission: 5-15%. UV blockage: 85-95%. Fire rating: NFPA 701 Method 1 and 2 compliant. GREENGUARD Gold certified options available. Weight: 12-14 oz per square yard.
Solar Screen Fabrics
Composition: Fiberglass or polyester core with PVC coating. Openness: 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, or 14% depending on selection. UV blockage: 86-99%. Solar heat rejection: Up to 78%. Fire rating: NFPA 701 compliant. GREENGUARD Gold certified. Weight: 9-12 oz per square yard.
Eco-Friendly PVC-Free Options
Composition: 100% recyclable polyester with TPO or acrylic coating. Free from PVC, phthalates, formaldehyde, and flame retardants. GREENGUARD Gold certified. Cradle to Cradle certified options available. LEED contributing product.
Hardware Specifications
Mounting Brackets
Material: 14-gauge powder-coated steel. Finishes: White, black, brushed nickel, bronze. Universal design accommodates inside or outside mount. Weight capacity: 25 lbs per bracket (use additional center support for heavy shades).
Bottom Rail/Hembar
Material: Extruded aluminum with fabric wrap or exposed finish. Dimensions: 1.5 inches height x 0.5 inches depth. Weight: 0.20 lb per linear foot. Finishes: White, black, brushed nickel, bronze, or fabric-wrapped to match shade.
Control Mechanisms
Chain drive: #10 metal beaded chain with clutch mechanism. Nylon sprocket and glass-filled nylon clutch housing. Cordless: Spring-assisted brake system rated for 10,000+ cycles. Motorized: See motorization specifications.
Print Specifications
Resolution
Dye-sublimation printing: 150 DPI minimum required, 300 DPI recommended. Maximum effective resolution 1440 DPI. UV printing: 300 DPI minimum required, up to 2400 DPI capable.
Color
CMYK process color with 4-color printing. Pantone spot color matching available on request. Color profiles: Adobe RGB or sRGB input accepted, converted to printer color space. Digital proof provided before production.
File Formats
Accepted formats: PDF (preferred), TIFF, PNG, JPG, EPS, AI. Maximum file size: 500 MB. Bleed: 1 inch recommended on all sides for full-coverage prints. Vector files scale infinitely; raster files must meet DPI requirements at print size.
Specification FAQs
Yes. We provide CSI 3-part specifications in MasterFormat for commercial projects. Section 12 24 00 - Window Shades covers our products. Contact our commercial team for specification documents in Word or PDF format.
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Understanding Technical Specifications
Technical specifications help you compare products objectively and ensure compatibility with your requirements. Understanding what each specification means enables informed decision-making.
Light Control Specifications
Light control ratings indicate how much light passes through a shade fabric. Blackout fabrics block virtually all light—rated at 0% light transmission—essential for bedrooms, home theaters, and light-sensitive applications. Light-filtering fabrics allow diffused light while providing privacy, typically rated between 2-10% transmission. Sheer fabrics preserve views while reducing glare, often exceeding 20% transmission.
Note that "blackout" is not absolute—even blackout fabrics may allow some light at edges or through needle holes from fabrication. For maximum light control, specify fabrics with fabric-wrapped edges and consider light gap solutions for perimeter light leakage. Our team can recommend configurations for demanding light control applications.
Fabric Weight and Opacity
Fabric weight affects drape, durability, and light control. Heavier fabrics (12-16 oz/sq yard) hang smoothly with minimal curl, resist wind disturbance, and generally provide better light control. Lighter fabrics (4-8 oz/sq yard) roll more compactly, work with smaller roller tubes, and cost less but may flutter in drafts.
Opacity relates to but differs from light transmission. An opaque fabric blocks view through but may still allow light. Semi-opaque fabrics provide privacy during daytime but may reveal silhouettes when backlit at night. Understanding this distinction helps specify appropriate fabrics for privacy-sensitive applications.
Dimensional Tolerances
Manufacturing tolerances define acceptable variation from specified dimensions. Our standard tolerance is ±1/8" on width and ±1/4" on height for most products. Tighter tolerances are available for precision applications but increase production time and cost.
For installations requiring multiple shades of identical apparent width—such as a row of windows—specify "matched widths" and we will produce all shades to the same actual dimension rather than independent measurements. This approach ensures visual consistency that standard tolerances might not achieve.
Explore More Resources
Find more guides, specifications, and downloadable resources for printed window shades.