Product Overview
VynEL™ is an electroluminescent panel product manufactured exclusively for Ellumiglow. It produces a uniform, edge-to-edge glow across its entire surface area when driven by a compatible AC inverter — the same phosphor electroluminescence technology as EL wire, produced in a flexible sheet format.
VynEL™ panels are designed specifically for fabric integration. The panel construction includes a heat-activated adhesive backing that bonds permanently to fabric, rigid substrates, and thermoplastic materials under standard iron or heat press conditions. No sewing is required for installation; no adhesive application is required beyond the built-in heat-bond layer.
VynEL™ is compatible with standard EL wire inverter systems — panels can be driven from the same inverter as EL wire using a standard EL wire connector (EZ Snap or barrel type). Multiple panels can be wired in parallel from a single inverter subject to total current capacity.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panel thickness | 0.3–0.5mm | Varies by variant; standard is 0.4mm |
| Drive voltage | 80–110V AC | Produced by EL inverter from DC source |
| Drive frequency | 400–2,000 Hz | Higher frequency = brighter, shorter lifespan |
| Power consumption | 0.5–2W per 100cm² | Depends on frequency and variant |
| Operating temperature | -20°C to +60°C | -4°F to 140°F |
| Storage temperature | -30°C to +70°C | Do not store in direct sunlight |
| Rated lifespan | 2,000–5,000 hours | To 50% initial brightness; frequency-dependent |
| Moisture resistance | Splash-resistant (unsealed) | Not rated for submersion; seal cut edges for outdoor use |
| Minimum bend radius | ~50mm (2 inches) | Can follow gentle curves; not designed for tight bends |
| Heat bond temperature | 150–165°C (300–330°F) | Standard cotton iron setting or heat press |
| Heat bond pressure | 30–60 psi (heat press) / firm iron pressure | 30 seconds minimum dwell time per area |
| Flammability rating | Self-extinguishing | Will not sustain flame when ignition source is removed |
| RoHS compliance | Compliant | No restricted hazardous substances |
Available Variants
VynEL™ is available in multiple panel variants with different output characteristics. All variants use the same heat-bond backing and EL connector system.
| Variant | Glow Color | Brightness (relative) | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| VynEL™ Blue-Green | Cyan / blue-green | Highest (native phosphor) | General use, wearables, architectural accents |
| VynEL™ White | Cool white / daylight | High | Backlit signage, architectural panels, photo/video use |
| VynEL™ Green | Saturated green | High | Costume builds, stage elements, safety/emergency accent |
| VynEL™ Blue | Medium blue | Medium-high | Wearables, costume elements, themed installations |
| VynEL™ Pink/Magenta | Pink / warm magenta | Medium | Fashion, costume, themed retail |
| VynEL™ Orange | Warm orange | Medium | Theatrical elements, themed builds, holiday |
Contact us to confirm current variant availability and for color samples for design specification purposes. Color appearance varies under different drive frequencies and ambient light conditions — samples are strongly recommended before committing to a large-quantity specification.
Power Requirements
VynEL™ panels are driven by standard AC EL inverters. No special inverter is required — any Ellumiglow inverter compatible with standard EL wire will also drive VynEL™ panels. Multiple panels can be paralleled from a single inverter subject to total current capacity.
Estimating Power Consumption
VynEL™ power consumption is area-based, not length-based like EL wire. Use this formula:
Total power (W) = Panel area (cm²) × Power density (W/cm²)
Where: Power density ≈ 0.005–0.02 W/cm² depending on frequency and variant
Conservative design estimate: 0.01 W/cm² at standard consumer inverter frequencies
Example Power Calculations
| Panel size | Area (cm²) | Est. power draw | USB bank runtime (10,000mAh at 5V) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10cm × 10cm (4" × 4") | 100 | ~1W | ~40 hours |
| 20cm × 20cm (8" × 8") | 400 | ~4W | ~10 hours |
| 30cm × 30cm (12" × 12") | 900 | ~9W | ~4.5 hours |
| Multiple panels total 400cm² | 400 | ~4W | ~10 hours |
For precise power calculations for your specification, use our EL Power Calculator or contact us with your panel dimensions and runtime requirement.
Installation Specifications
Heat Bond Installation (Fabric and Soft Substrates)
VynEL™ heat bonds to most natural and synthetic fabrics. Installation is the same process as iron-on interfacing:
- Prepare substrate. The fabric should be clean, dry, and pre-pressed flat. Pile fabrics (velvet, terry) require a velvet board or press cloth to protect pile during bonding.
- Position panel. Place panel adhesive-side down on fabric. Verify orientation — the connector lead exits from the edge of the panel, and placement must account for the lead routing to the inverter.
- Apply heat and pressure. Iron at 150–165°C (cotton setting) or heat press at 150°C / 30–60 psi. Dwell time: 30 seconds minimum per area. Lift and press to cover full panel area — do not drag the iron.
- Cool before handling. Allow 60 seconds minimum before repositioning. Do not peel the panel while warm — adhesive requires cooling to fully set.
- Test bond strength. Gently flex the bonded area. Panel should show no lifting or delamination. Rebond any lifting areas before proceeding to connection.
Rigid Substrate Installation
VynEL™ bonds to thermoplastic (ABS, acrylic, Kydex), foam (EVA, craft foam), and similar rigid substrates using the same heat-bond process, typically with a heat press rather than an iron. For rigid substrates that may char at 150°C, use heat-resistant tape or contact cement as an alternative bonding method.
Connector Installation
VynEL™ panels include a factory-terminated lead wire with a standard EZ Snap connector compatible with all Ellumiglow EL wire inverters. No soldering is required for standard installation. For multiple-panel parallel wiring, use EL wire Y-splitter cables (available separately) or contact us for a custom parallel harness.
Cutting and Custom Shaping
VynEL™ panels can be cut to custom shapes using standard scissors, rotary cutters, or die cutting equipment. No special tooling is required. Cutting severs the internal electrode circuits, which means:
- Cuts made parallel to the electrode direction may leave sections of the panel without electrical connection — the panel will have dark areas where electrodes are severed.
- Cuts made perpendicular to the electrode direction (shortening the panel along its length) do not disconnect electrodes and the cut section glows fully.
- Custom shapes that remove material from the panel interior (holes, cutouts) will leave dark areas at the cutout regardless of direction.
For complex custom shapes, contact us before cutting to confirm cut direction relative to electrode orientation in your specific panel. We can provide electrode orientation diagrams for specification panels.
Edge sealing: Cut edges expose the inner conductor layer and should be sealed with silicone sealant or EL wire edge sealant to prevent moisture ingress. This is required for any outdoor, marine, or high-humidity application.
Specification Applications
Panel armor, glowing costume elements, hero suit chest pieces. Cold light operation means no heat on performers. Camera-safe glow with no LED hotspots.
Wall-mounted EL panel installations, reception desk accents, backlit signage panels, elevator cab accent elements. Low power, thin profile, no heat buildup.
Runway garments, fashion week installations, wearable tech prototypes. Direct fabric integration via heat bond means no bulky mounting hardware.
Event backdrop elements, interactive art installations, temporary architectural light features. Custom sizes and shapes available for large-scale production.
Ordering and Lead Times
VynEL™ is available in stock panel sizes for immediate shipment and in custom sizes for production orders. Lead times and minimums:
| Order type | Lead time | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock panel sizes | Ships in 1–2 business days | 1 panel | Standard sizes; see product page for current availability |
| Custom cut panels | 5–7 weeks | Varies by size | Custom shapes and dimensions; contact for quote |
| Production quantity (25+ panels) | 5-7 Weeks | 100+ Panels Please Contact Us | Volume pricing available; custom packaging options |
| Design consultation | Within 2 business days | No minimum | Send project brief to our team |
For production orders, theatrical specifications, or large-format architectural applications, contact us with your specification requirements. We can provide sample panels for design approval before production quantity commitment.
Start a VynEL™ Project
Have a specific application in mind? Our team can review your design, confirm panel sizing, and help you specify the right variant and power system for your project.
