Alpharetta, Ga.-based Octo Lights has built a flourishing business covering fluorescent lights, providing the welcome addition of colorful graphics to hospitals, office buildings, schools, dental offices and homes.

The finished prints add a whimsical or calming effect that eases the glare the fluorescents are known for, while still illuminating the room. “They still allow the light to come through, and everyone needs that,” says Octo Lights’ Bryan Fly. For the past five years, Fly has relied on LexJet 8 Mil Absolute™ Backlit film to get the job done. “It works great,” he says. “It prints well and the color shows up great.”

The U.S. Air Force, a significant customer for Octo Lights, approached Fly and asked for fire-rating specs for the finished graphics for its business and recruiting offices. The on-going business with the government agency was dependent on the fire-rating, so Fly reached out to LexJet to help out.

That set the wheels in motion to get LexJet 8 Mil Absolute™ Backlit Class A Fire Rated, in accordance with ASTM E 84-16, in February 2017. “Once we got the Air Force that data, they said, ‘perfect!’ and could start ordering from us again,” Fly says.

Fly, who says the majority of Octo Lights’ business is processed through its online ecommerce site, has seen interest pique over the new fire rating. “It’s definitely necessary for schools and hospitals to have it,” he says.

Octo Lights offers three standard sizes (or customized sizes), and they’re simple to install. Just pop out the acrylic light cover and slide the printed and pre-cut Absolute Backlit into place — no adhesive required.

“We tested other backlit products, but this one, with its white back coating, helps the colors really pop and reduces the light … but not too much,” Fly says. And the new Class A fire rating offers some extra peace of mind, too.