Why do displays need protection from UV light?

Q: Why do displays need protection from UV light?

Without UV protection, displays will lose brilliance and quality of image , and the material itself will degrade, which may even result in yellowing over time. Using a polarizer film in the display stack is the most common solution to blocking out the worst of the UV light, but it has a relatively low aging performance – particularly at temperatures above 95 °C (203 °F). However, here at tesa, we have produced an optically clear adhesive (OCA) that combines adhesive strength with added UV resistance , enabling customers to create ambitious, long-lasting displays, designed to withstand the elements.

Hand tapping a tablet screen indoors, focusing on the interaction between finger and device display.

Light-blocking tapes: Effective light shielding in photosensitive applications

Black lowercase letter "i" centered inside two concentric black circles on a white background, symbolizing information. (This text has been generated by AI)

Quick overview

Light-blocking tapes are designed to protect materials and products from UV and visible light exposure, helping maintain the integrity and performance of photosensitive components.
They provide effective light shielding, optical light sealing, high peel strength, shear resistance, and reliable performance in demanding environmental conditions.
The tapes are used in electronics, automotive, aerospace, and printing applications where light exposure needs to be minimized.
Typical uses include display manufacturing, OLED display protection, photosensitive material shielding, and light management for LCD and OLED screens.

TES5620_AUT_EV_CAR_031_02_Camera_02_comp

Our assortment of light-blocking tapes helps you protect materials and products from UV or visible rays. They are used in many sectors to maintain the integrity and performance of both components and finished products.

As well as excellent optical light sealing, our light-blocking tapes feature very high peel strength and shear resistance. They perform well in demanding environmental conditions and offer excellent repulsion resistance properties. Our tapes provide effective light shielding and blocking for consumer electronics, protecting key photosensitive material during manufacturing and assembly processes. In automotive and aerospace industries, they offer optical light sealing and insulation in applications where light exposure needs to be minimized, such as around OLED cockpit displays. Additionally, light-blocking tapes are used in flexographic printing to prevent light from affecting the printing plates, ensuring high-quality reproduction.

Light-blocking

Strong bonding

Repulsion resistant

Very reliable

Products

Find the right light-blocking solution today

Explore our comprehensive assortment of light-blocking tapes tailored for various applications. From automotive display solutions and optical light sealing to photosensitive material protection and display manufacturing tapes, our precision-engineered tapes offer reliable performance and protection. Use our product finder to quickly focus on your requirements and discover the ideal light blocking tape for your specific needs. With us, you will find the right tape for your light-sensitive application.

document icon with bulleted list and folded corner on white background, representing text or notes tesa (This text has been generated by AI)

Light-blocking solutions for photosensitive industrail applications

Best for: Light-blocking tapes are designed for applications where UV and visible light must be controlled to protect sensitive materials and components. They help maintain the performance and longevity of displays, electronics, printed materials, and other light-sensitive products.

Why they perform

Effective light shielding and blocking
Strong bonding performance
High peel strength and shear resistance
Reliable in demanding environmental conditions
Excellent repulsion resistance
Support precise light management

Typical applications

Protection of photosensitive materials
OLED cockpit display applications
Display manufacturing processes
Light management for LCD and OLED screens
Flexographic printing plate protection

Performance takeaway: Light-blocking tapes provide reliable UV and visible light protection while supporting the performance and durability of sensitive industrial and electronic components.

Get in touch with us

We’re here to help! Whether you have questions, feedback, or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to assist you and ensure you get the support you need.

Get in touch

Applications

Keep your HMIs and displays clear and bright

From smartphone screens to car dashboards, a bright and efficient display with rich colors depends on advanced, highly transparent lamination adhesives. Together with our customers, our experts here at tesa have helped develop reliable and efficient production processes for the next generation of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI). Whether you are dealing with large, curved and head-up displays, or smart surfaces, our specially engineered display tapes allow you to create the designs and shapes of future HMIs.

Optically clear adhesive tapes with UV blocking features
Our high-transparency tesa® optically clear adhesive (OCA) solutions meet the automotive sector’s demand for low-haze adhesives that resist light, humidity, and temperature. For example, tesa® 88910 OCA  provides exceptional UV blocking performance with a thickness of just 250µm. This OCA effectively protects all layers in the automotive display stack from harmful UV radiation, extending the longevity of sensitive automotive display components.

Covering tapes for precise light management
Additionally, our covering tapes protect tech products such as phones, notebooks, and watches like a second skin and offer precision light management. The PET film and polyimide tapes offer an ultra thin yet strong and reliable bonding force, low gloss level, solvent resistance, and effective light blocking for LCD and OLED screens. For example, tesa® Bond&Detach 706xx is a double-sided mounting tape series in black which offers effective light blocking in displays and mobile phone applications. Using it, components can be mounted permanently but also easily removed by stretching the adhesive, should they need to be repaired or recycled. 

A man and a woman are sitting at a round table, engaged in discussion. The woman holds a tablet, showing it to the man, who gestures with his hand. Papers and tesa tape are on the table. They are in a modern office setting with large windows. (This text has been generated by AI)

Still in the dark about which tape is right for your application?

Call us or send us a message to collaborate with our team of experts. As one of the world’s leading adhesive tape manufacturers, we are here to provide you with personalized solutions and expert advice tailored to your individual requirements. Let us work together to find the right light blocking tape for your application.

Thank you for your message.

We will contact you as soon as possible.

Something went wrong. Please try again later.

Without UV protection, displays will lose brilliance and quality of image, and the material itself will degrade, which may even result in yellowing over time. Using a polarizer film in the display stack is the most common solution to blocking out the worst of the UV light, but it has a relatively low aging performance – particularly at temperatures above 95 °C (203 °F). However, here at tesa, we have produced an optically clear adhesive (OCA) that combines adhesive strength with added UV resistance, enabling customers to create ambitious, long-lasting displays, designed to withstand the elements.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Last updated on 26 Aug 2026