Century City Salon Brief and Site Conditions
The brief came from a salon in Century City, Cape Town, where the front glazing faced passing foot traffic, parked cars and strong daylight through the day. The owner wanted a cleaner street presence, more privacy for clients in the styling chairs, and a finish that still allowed natural light to come in. In a salon, that matters because the room must feel open and usable while also hiding busy treatment areas from the pavement.
We measured the glazed sections on site, checked the sightlines from inside and mapped the panel sizes before any print work started. The main constraint was balance: enough print coverage to give privacy and graphics, but enough open area in the film so the team inside could still see out comfortably. The glass also had to stay easy to clean and hold up to daily use, heat from the west-facing side and the usual Cape Town dust and coastal moisture.
- Location: Century City, Cape Town
- Application: shopfront glazing for a salon
- Purpose: privacy, daylight and branding
- Constraint: keep outward visibility while reducing direct views in
Film Spec and Print Setup
The solution was printed perforated one way vision film made for glass and smooth vehicle windows. The film uses a perforation pattern that lets light and visibility pass from the inside side while carrying a full colour printed face on the outside. For this type of work, the ratio of printed face to open area is selected to suit the viewing distance and privacy requirement. A tighter perforation gives stronger image density, while a more open pattern improves inward visibility. The right balance depends on whether the glass sits on a street front, a reception area or a vehicle window.
For this salon, we set the graphics up for clear reading at pavement distance and chose a layout that worked across the panel widths without awkward joins. The artwork was checked in colour proofing before print so the tones would hold on the final film. Where needed, the film was laminated to protect the printed face from abrasion, cleaning and UV wear. Lamination also helps in high-touch areas where windows are wiped often.
- Perforated one way vision film for glass faces
- Outside print with inside visibility through the perforations
- Artwork prepared for shopfront viewing distance
- Lamination used where extra surface protection is needed
What We Supplied and How It Was Applied
We handled the job from measuring through to installation. That included site measuring, artwork setup, wide format printing, film lamination, surface preparation and glass installation. The panels were cleaned properly before application because even fine dust can show through on glass and affect adhesion. We also checked the window edges and seal lines so the film could sit flat and finish neat against the frame.
Installation was planned around the salon’s trading hours to avoid interrupting clients. The film was applied in sections, squeegeed down carefully and trimmed cleanly at the edges. On large glass areas, the fit must be exact or the pattern can look uneven from the street. Our team also made sure the inside view stayed practical for staff, with no film placed where it would interfere with day to day visibility behind the reception and styling areas.
- Site measuring and panel mapping
- Artwork setup and colour proofing
- Wide format printing and lamination
- Glass preparation and final fitting
Project Timeline in Weeks
The full project ran over two weeks from first measure to final handover. Week one covered the site visit, measurements, artwork adjustments and proof approval. Once the panel layout was confirmed, the film went into print and the laminated sheets were prepared for cutting. Week two covered final prep, installation and a walk-through with the salon team to check visibility, finish and panel alignment.
The pace suited the site because it allowed enough time for the graphics to be checked properly without dragging the job out. In a busy retail area like Century City, that matters. The client wanted the front of the business to look better quickly, but not at the expense of the finish.
- Week 1: measuring, artwork and proofing
- Week 2: print, laminate, install and sign-off
- Final check: alignment, edge finish and visibility
Results Seen From the Pavement and Inside
The finished glazing gave the salon a cleaner street look and better privacy for clients waiting or being treated near the front. From outside, the printed film turned the plain glass into a clear brand surface that could be read from the walkway and passing traffic. From inside, the room stayed bright and usable, which is the main reason this type of film works so well in service spaces.
The salon team also got a practical benefit during daily operation. The windows no longer felt too open at street level, yet they still had the daylight that helps a small business keep the room lively. Because the film was prepared for the glass size on site, the final result looked tidy and intentional rather than patched in. That sort of finish matters when clients are coming in for a cut, colour or treatment and the front of house sets the tone.
- More privacy at street level
- Better outward branding
- Natural light kept inside
- Tidy finish suited to a professional salon
What We’d Repeat On A Similar Job
If we were doing the same kind of salon project again, we would follow the same approach: measure carefully, set the artwork to the actual glass sizes, and test the viewing balance before print. Printed perforated film works best when the open area and print density are matched to the site. On a busy Cape Town street, that means thinking about direct sun, the angle of pedestrians and how the windows look in morning and afternoon light.
For vehicle work, the same film principle can be used on rear and side windows, but the driver’s view must remain legal. Current road traffic rules should always be checked before fitting film to a vehicle, since legal requirements can change and differ by window position. For shopfronts, we would still recommend good surface prep, proper lamination where needed and clean edge finishing so the installation holds up through regular cleaning and busy foot traffic.
- Use site-specific measurements, not generic panel sizes
- Match perforation to viewing distance and privacy needs
- Confirm vehicle window legality before fitting
- Prepare glass properly for long-lasting adhesion
Key facts
| Project | Century City Salon |
|---|---|
| Location | Century City, Cape Town |
| Product | Printed perforated one way vision film |
| Application | Shopfront glazing |
| Key services | Site measuring, artwork setup, wide format printing, film lamination, glass installation |
| Timeline | 2 weeks from measure to handover |
