One Way Vision Calculator: Shop Windows

What is one way vision?

One way vision is a film with regular perforations, a white printable face and a black back. From outside you see the print; from inside you still see out between the holes. It is used as advertising space on shop windows, office glass and vehicle windows. This page opens the tool with one way vision and two 130 × 220 cm shop windows: the result is 4.8 metres of perforated film and 4.8 metres of laminate from a 137 cm roll.

Method

A 2.5 cm trim allowance is added to every edge of every pane: a 130 × 220 cm pane is cut at 135 × 225 cm.
The print direction is kept: with one way vision panes are not rotated on the roll (rotation is off by default).
If the cut width fits the roll, the pane comes out in one piece; if not, it is split into vertical strips.
Pieces are placed along the roll, a 5% waste allowance is added and the length is rounded up to 0.1 metre.
Laminate is calculated at the same width and length as the film.

In the example the 135 cm cut width fits the 137 cm roll; two panes one after another take 4.5 m, or 4.8 m with the waste allowance. The same panes do not fit a 127 or 106 cm roll and are applied with seams; the comparison table shows the length rising to 7.1–9.5 metres on those widths.

Wide shop windows and the seam method

Three 200 × 250 cm shop windows fit no one way vision roll in one piece. On a 137 cm roll each pane is covered with two strips of 137 + 68 cm and 13.4 metres are needed in total. The seam method is chosen in the form: with a butt joint the strips meet edge to edge without overlap; with an overlap they cover each other by 0.3 cm. Choose your installer’s method; the print file should also be prepared for the seam position.

Vehicle windows

The vehicle side window example calculates two 120 × 60 cm panes: 1.4 metres from a 137 cm roll. A 127 cm roll gives the same length with less film, so the tool recommends 127 cm. On vehicles apply it only to the rear window and the windows behind the driver; for a full vehicle calculation use the vehicle wrap tool.

Source: roll widths from the Asta Reklam one way vision product page and stock list; trim allowance, waste and seam method from the docs/13 research, to be confirmed. The result is a preliminary estimate; measure the panes before ordering.

Last updated: 20 October 2026 · Full tool page

How does it work?

From glass size to film order in four steps.

Choose the film typeSolar control, frosted, one way vision, decorative or safety film; roll widths and laminate follow the type.
Enter the panesType the width, height and quantity of the visible glass, or start from one of the examples.
Review the layoutPanes are placed along the roll; wide panes are split into strips. You get a layout, a cutting plan and a roll comparison.
Add to cart, request a quoteAdd the length and material list to the cart; our branch replies with price and stock.

Frequently asked questions

How much one way vision do two shop windows need?

Two 130 × 220 cm shop windows (5.72 m²) need 4.8 metres of one way vision from a 137 cm roll, plus the same length of laminate. This includes a 2.5 cm trim allowance on every edge and a 5% waste allowance.

Which roll widths does one way vision come in?

Stock comes in 106, 127, 137 and 152 cm widths, in 50 metre rolls. The tool calculates the width you select and shows the other widths in the comparison table.

How are seams made on a wide shop window?

A pane wider than the roll is split into vertical strips. Strips can be butt-jointed or overlapped; both methods can be selected in the tool. A butt joint uses no overlap; with an overlap the strips cover each other by 0.3 cm.

Is laminate necessary?

Outdoors and on vehicles, yes. An optically clear laminate keeps dirt and water out of the holes, keeps the view clear in rain and protects the print from UV light. If you switch the laminate off, the tool shows a warning.

Does one way vision hide the inside at night?

No. The effect works when it is brighter outside than inside. At night, with the lights on inside, the interior can be seen from outside; where privacy matters consider blinds or frosted film.

Related products

One-Way Vision Film (Perforated Film)
One-way vision is a type of film used on glass surfaces to let people see out comfortably from the inside while preventing people from seeing in from the outside. Commonly known as "perforated film", it is often preferred especially on shop windows, office glass and vehicle windows.
Ultra Clear Printing Film
Ultra clear printing film is a highly transparent polyester printing film. Applied to glass and shop windows it is almost invisible, while the print looks sharp and vivid. Its silicon dioxide-based adhesive allows removal without marks and reapplication.
Frosted Glass Decor Films
Frosted glass film is a PVC film that gives glass a frosted (sandblasted) look and privacy. The digitally printable polymer PVC type is 80 micron thick and is used on office, shop, restaurant and home glass.
Decorative Glass Films
Decorative glass film is a self-adhesive film, applied wet, that gives glass pattern and privacy. Venezia glass films can be plotter-cut or digitally printed and are used on office, lobby, restaurant and hospital glass.