Teleprompter Mirror FAQ

Teleprompter Mirror FAQ

How does a teleprompter mirror work?
A teleprompter mirror is a semi-transparent film of aluminum deposited on an acrylic substrate. The allows a percentage of the light to pass though while reflecting the remainder. The mirror is mounted at a 45 degree angle, and the LCD monitor underneath projects the text onto the surface of the mirror for the speaker to read. The
What is the difference between a two way mirror and a teleprompter mirror?
They are similar: the coating on a teleprompter mirror is thinner, allowing more light to pass through. In other words, it's more transparent and less opaque than a standard two way mirror, which is intended for security, not viewability.
How can I make my own teleprompter?
We have a guide at maketeleprompter.htm which guides you step-by-step through building it.
Where can I buy a teleprompter that is already assembled and ready to go?
telepromptermirrors.com sells high quality teleprompters which come with our mirror already installed. We have heard a lot of good things about their products.
Where can I find free teleprompter software?
telepromptermirrors.com and Movieclip.biz have free software for your project.
Can I paint the back to increase the reflection?
Yes, you can paint any part of the uncoated side with paint that is designed for smooth surfaces such as glass or plastic, which you can find at Lowe's or Home Depot. Make sure there is still an area in the center for the camera to shoot through. The best colors to use are black (blends in with unpainted area the best), or silver for higher reflectivity. White can also be used to increase the reflectivity. Practice on a sample piece first to make sure you're getting the desired effect.
How fast can I get the mirror?
If you live in the United States, we can ship it overnight via USPS or FedEx. Your shipping options appear after you add items to your shopping cart and check out. International deliveries are shipped via USPS Global Priority Mail and arrive in 1-2 weeks. International Express Mail takes about 4 days.
What glue should I use with acrylic?
We recommend epoxy for a permanent bond. From our experiences, many other glues don't provide a good long-term bond. We sell tan colored opaque epoxy on our main product page. Do not permanently glue the mirrors to anything of value. Instead, frame them and then mount the frame around or next to the object. If you are gluing the mirror directly to an object, be sure and only glue around the edges or in back of covered areas. Glue can show through the semi transparent mirror under some lighting conditions, and can attack the mirror coating if applied to the coated side. We recommend that you buy a sample piece from us to practice on before gluing your more expensive mirror.
Which is better, glass or acrylic?
Acrylic is easier to cut to fit your project, and you can drill holes in it. The coating on the glass is a higher quality and glass does not scratch as easily. Acrylic is much safer than glass, if you are concerned about liability.
How strong are your mirrors?
Glass mirrors are extremely fragile. If you need a mirror that won't break, our 1/4" thick acrylic mirrors are easily able to withstand high velocity impacts from blunt objects. We have tried to shatter them with hammers and found that the most damage we could do was break off small chips.
What's the largest size you can cut?
A full sheet of acrylic is 48"x96". It is quite floppy in that size, so the maximum recommended sizes are:
1/8" thick acrylic: 24"x24"
1/4" thick acrylic: 36"x48"
The sheets of glass are 35 3/8" x 52 7/8"
What are the technical specifications of the acrylic mirrors?

Disclaimer: Our data is based on information we believe to be reliable. It is offered in good faith, but without guarantee, because conditions and methods of use are beyond our control. We recommend that our customers determine the suitability of our materials before using them in situations involving risk.
What are the technical specifications of the glass mirrors?
Please see our glass mirror tech specs page
Is it possible that the mirror will break in the mail?
It's rare for our acrylic mirrors to break in the mail. They are packaged with a custom boxes and strong, flexible packaging materials to ensure that they are well-protected. Large mirrors are insured against breakage. Glass mirrors break fairly often, but they are fully insured. If your glass mirror arrives broken, we will ship you another one at no cost to you.
Do you offer combined shipping discounts?
Yes, they are automatically computed when you use our online shopping cart. Further discounts are available if you plan to buy 5 or more of the same size of mirror.
Is there any difference in quality between 1/8" and 1/4" acrylic?
The main difference is in how rigid the material is. If you are using a size that is above 18"x18", 1/4" is better. Otherwise, 1/8" is better optically because you are filming through less material.
What is the best tool to use to cut the acrylic mirrors?
For large pieces, the best tool is a table saw with a fine-toothed, no-melt blade. For smaller pieces, use a band or scroll saw. If you are on a budget, a Dremel tool with the optional woodworking circular saw attachment works. Jigsaws also work, though less well because you need to hold it down hard to keep it in place. Routers, when properly used, can cut our mirrors as well. Do not remove the protective lamination from the mirror before cutting it. Please wear appropriate protective gear, such as goggles when working with our products. Do not operate a saw without the blade guard. For further information, please see our guide on how to cut them.
After cutting, remove lamination from both sides.
What is the best tool to use to cut the glass mirrors?
You can cut the glass using the standard score-and-break method. We recommend you have someone with experience do this, because it's very easy to make mistakes.
Can the mirrors be used outside?
The glass mirrors are waterproof, and the acrylic mirror coating is not waterproof. If you use the acrylic mirrors outside, seal the edges with silicon sealant to keep moisture out and protect the mirror coating. Do not get the silicon sealant on the mirror coating. You'll want it to be well-protected from the elements to prolong the life of the mirror.
What should I use to clean the surface of the mirror?
For dust and lose debris, use canned air (computer duster). For smudges, fingerprints, and stains you can use Novus spray and cleaning wipes, which are specially designed to clean acrylic.
Use canned air to remove dust
How should I use the sample you send me if it's not big enough?
It's helpful to cut a hole in a large piece of cardboard, and place the sample over the hole. This will allow you to test the lighting with just a small piece.
Does it matter which side is facing outwards?
In most installations, the coated side is closer to the speaker, and the uncoated side is closer to the camcorder.
How do I figure out which side is the coated side?
Hold an object such as your fingernail against the mirror. If there is a gap between the object and its reflection, it is the uncoated side. If there is no gap between the object and its reflection, it is the coated side.
COATED SIDE - no gap between finger and reflection

UNCOATED SIDE - gap between finger and reflection
What is the best way to clean the mirror?
For glass mirrors, you do not have to worry too much. Simply use standard lens cleaner (50% alcohol solution). Glass cleaner without ammonia is usually fine to use.
Acrylic scratches fairly easily! Cleaning of dust should be done with compressed air (computer duster) to avoid leaving streaks. To clean oil or fingerprints, use Novus 1 cleaner and Novus Polish Mates. Novus 1 can heal light scuffs and scratches, and adds a protective coating to prevent future damage. Please see our website if you are interested in ordering Novus products. Do not use Windex or other corrosive agents on your mirror. Do not soak in water. Do not use Novus on the coated side unless it is necessary to clean oily residue.
What is the appropriate way to handle acrylic mirrors?
Do not store acrylic mirrors at an angle, or they will bend over time. The coated side is sensitive to water, but the uncoated side isn’t. Avoid leaving the coated side exposed to high humidity or outdoor conditions. The coated side has a protective transparent coating on it which protects it from scratching. Try to avoid having to clean the coated side, because it’s possible the cleaning solution will leave residue and the wipes will leave scuff marks. The uncoated side is fine to clean repeatedly, as long as you are using special plastic cleaner such as Novus 1 and Polish Mates.
Clean using Novus 1 & Polish Mates
Do you have any tips for using them with camcorders?
After the mirror coating is applied on the clear acrylic at the factory, the clear finish is sprayed over the aluminized coating, forming a lattice structure. Even though this lattice structure is small, a good camera with an auto focus may try to focus on it. When this happens, the picture is similar to looking through a screen-door. To avoid this, position the camera as close as you can to the mirror (at most 1-2 inches), but not against the mirror so the auto focus will tune-in on the images coming through the mirror rather then on the mirror itself.
How much do the acrylic mirrors weigh?
1/8" Thick - 11.3 oz per sq foot (320g)
1/4" Thick - 22.6 oz per sq foot (640g)
What chemicals have an effect on the acrylic mirrors?
Like all plastic materials, the mirrored acrylic will react when exposed to many chemicals. Below is a partial list
of chemicals known to react with acrylic mirrors, exposure to them should be avoided. Factors such as fabrication stresses, exposure to loads or changing temperatures and the method of application can all influence the possible reaction. In all cases, care should be taken with dry chemicals or solvents used near the mirrored acrylic.
KNOWN CHEMICALS THAT ATTACK MIRRORED ACRYLIC:
BENZENE ETHYL ALCOHOL
LACQUER THINNERS KETONES
ESTERS METHYL ALCOHOL
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE ETHERS
TOLUENE

Our Other Companies: Two Way Mirrors - Hidden Television - First Surface Mirrors