How long does window film last?

Frosted film lasts 10 years or more. Printed film with UV laminate lasts 5 to 10 years outdoors. Seasonal film without laminate typically lasts 1 to 3 years.

Can window film be removed without damaging the glass?

Yes. Professionally installed film can be removed without leaving residue or damage on the glass. We use heat and specialist tools to remove the film cleanly.

What does window signage cost for a shop?

A simple logo in film costs from NOK 2,000. Full-coverage printed window film costs from NOK 500 per square metre. Frosted film with cut-outs costs from NOK 800 per square metre. All prices excl. VAT.

Can I get seasonal film that is swapped out regularly?

Yes. We supply campaign film that is easy to change out. Many retail chains order new window film for seasonal campaigns 2 to 4 times a year.

Does window film let in daylight?

Frosted film lets in around 70 to 80 % of daylight. Perforated film lets in around 30 to 50 %. Full-coverage printed film blocks most of the light, but is usually only applied to part of the window.

Window Signage: Film and Decor for Shop Windows

Your shop window is the best advertising space you have

Every window facing the street is an advertising spot you are already paying for through your rent. Window signage means you actually use that space. With the right film you can display your logo, opening hours, campaigns or create privacy for office windows, without losing daylight.

Show Off supplies window signage for shops, offices and commercial buildings across Norway. We design, produce and install from our workshop in Sandnes.

What is window signage?

Window signage is the use of film, decor or text on glass surfaces to communicate a message, build a brand or create privacy. The film adheres directly to the glass and can cover the entire window or just part of it.

The technology has developed a great deal in recent years. Today there are films that are perforated (so you can see out but nobody can see in), frosted (resembling real etched glass), full-coverage with photo-quality print, and transparent with a thin colour film. The choice depends on what you need: advertising, privacy, solar shading or pure aesthetics.

Types of window film

Frosted film (etched glass effect)

Frosted film gives glass a matt, sandblasted appearance similar to etched glass. It is popular for offices and meeting rooms where you need privacy without blocking light. The film lets through around 70 to 80 % of daylight.

You can combine frosted film with cut-out areas of clear glass. This lets you have your company logo as a "clear" element against a frosted background, or the other way around. This technique is widely used in open-plan offices and clinics.

Frosted film lasts 10 years or more and does not yellow over time.

Printed film with logo and graphics

Printed film is the most common solution for shop facades. We print directly onto white or transparent film using UV-cured ink, giving sharp colours and good durability. The film is laminated with a matt or gloss protective layer that extends outdoor lifespan to 5 to 10 years.

Shops use printed film for logos, opening hours, product images and campaign banners. The advantage is that you can cover large surfaces with photo-quality graphics at a lower cost than traditional illuminated signs.

Perforated film (one-way vision)

Perforated film is full of tiny holes. From the outside you see a large image or advertising message. From the inside you look out through the holes, much like looking through an insect screen. This type of film is widely used on buses and trams, but works just as well on shop windows.

Perforated film reduces daylight transmission by around 50 to 70 %, so it suits windows where you are not dependent on full daylight. Many businesses apply it to street-facing windows while keeping the remaining shop windows clear.

Full-coverage film

Full-coverage film covers the entire glass with an opaque layer. It is used when you want to block all visibility, for example during a refit, in storage areas or on windows facing a back yard. You can print images, patterns or solid colours on the film.

Solar film and UV film

Solar film is not primarily advertising, but deserves a mention here because many businesses combine it with decorative film. Solar film reduces heat gain, cuts UV radiation (which fades goods in display windows) and can give a mirrored or tinted appearance from outside. Some shops apply solar film to the upper part of a window and advertising film to the lower part.

Uses for window signage

Shop window and branding

The most obvious application. Your logo in film on the entrance door, opening hours on the side window, campaign images on the display window. Good window signage makes a shop recognisable and draws foot traffic in. Combined with a facade sign it creates a coherent overall look.

Office window and privacy

Open-plan offices with glass walls look great but offer zero privacy. Frosted film on the lower half of the glass solves the problem without sacrificing daylight. Many choose to incorporate their company logo or a pattern into the film to reinforce the brand internally.

Seasonal campaigns and temporary decor

Window film does not have to be permanent. Many retail chains change film 2 to 4 times a year for Black Friday, Christmas sales, summer campaigns and similar events. Temporary film uses a weaker adhesive that makes it easy to remove without residue.

Vehicle windows

Window film on vehicles is a discipline of its own. Perforated film on rear and side windows turns a company vehicle into a moving advertising surface. Read more about vehicle wrapping and vehicle graphics.

What does window signage cost?

The price depends on film type, size and whether it is simple text or full-colour print. Here is an overview of typical prices:

Type	From price	Typical range
Simple logo/text in cut vinyl	NOK 2,000	NOK 2,000 - 5,000
Full-coverage printed window film	NOK 500/m²	NOK 500 - 1,200/m²
Frosted film with cut-outs	NOK 800/m²	NOK 800 - 1,500/m²
Perforated film (one-way vision)	NOK 700/m²	NOK 700 - 1,400/m²
Seasonal campaign film (temporary)	NOK 400/m²	NOK 400 - 900/m²

All prices excl. VAT. Installation is additional at NOK 300 to 600 per square metre, depending on window height and accessibility. For an average shop facade with 3 to 5 windows the total cost typically falls between NOK 8,000 and NOK 25,000.

Installing window film

Professional installation vs. DIY

Are you applying film to large surfaces? Use a professional installer. Window film requires a completely clean surface, the right amount of installation fluid and experience in laying the film without air bubbles. Large sheets are difficult to handle alone, and one mistake means the film has to be discarded.

For simple items like small logos or door signs in pre-cut film, you can do it yourself. We ship pre-cut film with installation instructions.

Durability and maintenance

Frosted film: 10 to 15 years. Requires no special maintenance. Clean with ordinary glass cleaner.
Printed film with UV laminate: 5 to 10 years. Colours fade gradually towards the end of its lifespan.
Perforated film: 3 to 5 years. The holes collect dust over time, which reduces visibility from inside.
Seasonal film (unlaminated): 1 to 3 years. Designed to be replaced.

Film tolerates washing with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Avoid abrasive cleaners and pressure washers aimed directly at film edges.

Tips for effective window signage

Think about distance. People walking past see the window from 2 to 5 metres away. Text smaller than 5 cm is unreadable at that distance. Keep the message large and simple.

Less is more. A window covered in text and images communicates nothing. Choose one main message per window surface. Logo on one window and campaign on another beats a single window trying to say everything at once.

Contrast. White film on clear glass is hard to see in daylight. Use dark colours for text and logo, or use a frosted background with clear cut-outs for better legibility.

Placement. The most important windows are those facing pedestrian traffic. Windows facing a car park need larger text because people view them from a vehicle.

Update regularly. Window film carrying last year's campaign creates an outdated impression. Plan at least two updates a year: one for spring/summer and one for autumn/winter.

Window signage as part of a coherent brand identity

Window film works best when it connects with the rest of your visual identity. When your facade sign, window film, vehicle wrapping and stickers all use the same colours, fonts and graphic elements, you build recognition that compounds over time.

Show Off delivers all these services from one place. That means one designer works across your entire identity, and everything matches from day one.

Get a quote for window signage

We start by measuring your window surfaces, either on site or based on measurements you send us. We then create a visualisation showing how the film will look on your windows. You approve the design before we go into production.

Call Jan Tore on 919 22 332 or send an email to jt@showoff.no. You will receive a quote within 24 hours.