LCD-Anzeigen are widely used across various industries and consumer applications. To enhance their performance and visual clarity in different environments, manufacturers often apply specific surface treatments. Anti-glare, anti-reflection, and anti-fingerprint are three common surface treatments of the LCD to reduce visual interference and achieve better visual effects. These treatments not only improve readability but also extend the usability of displays in challenging lighting or usage conditions.

Understanding the Glass Surface Treatments: AG, AR, AF

Each type of surface treatment offers unique benefits based on its physical properties and intended use. AG (Anti-Glare) coating, AR (Anti-Reflection) coating, and AF (Anti-Fingerprint) coating serve different functions to enhance the user experience with LCD panels.

AG (Anti-Glare) Coating

What is Anti-Glare Coating?

AG coating makes the reflective surface of the LCD become a matte surface and changes the surface roughness by the method of chemical etching or spraying coat, to achieve a matte effect.

How AG Coating Reduces Glare and Diffuses Light

When the external light reflects onto the surface, diffuse reflection occurs, as to reduce the reflection of light. This means that instead of seeing sharp reflections or glare from ambient light sources, users experience a softened image with improved visibility.

Benefits and Limitations of AG Coating in LCDs

The main benefit is enhanced readability under bright conditions, especially outdoors. However, AG coatings may slightly reduce contrast due to their diffusive nature. Still, they offer a practical solution for displays used in environments where direct lighting cannot be controlled.

AR (Anti-Reflection) Coating

What is Anti-Reflection Coating?

AR coating reduces the reflectivity of glass and increases the transmissivity by optical coating technology.

Mechanism Behind Reflection Reduction in AR Coatings

It can increase the transmissivity of the glass to more than 99% at most and control reflectivity to less than 1%. This is achieved through multiple thin layers applied to the glass that interfere with incoming light waves, effectively canceling out reflections.

Advantages and Considerations of AR Coated Glass

AR coatings significantly improve display clarity by allowing more light from the screen to pass through while minimizing unwanted reflections. By improving the glass transmission, the image of the display screen will be presented more clearly, and we can enjoy a more comfortable vision. However, these coatings can be more expensive and delicate compared to other treatments.

AF (Anti-Fingerprint) Coating

What is Anti-Fingerprint Coating?

AF coating is a layer of nano-materials on the surface of the glass by imitation of the lotus leaf effect. The nano-coating provides hydrophobic properties that repel moisture and oils.

How AF Coatings Repel Oils and Smudges

The surface has strong hydrophobicity, and can resist oil stains and fingerprint residuals. This makes it easier to maintain cleanliness on touch screens without frequent wiping.

Durability and Maintenance Aspects of AF Surfaces

AF coatings are designed for frequent interaction. It is smooth and comfortable to touch. While durable under normal use conditions, excessive abrasion may wear down their effectiveness over time.

How to Quickly Identify AG/AR/AF Glass?

Understanding how to recognize each type helps verify product features during installation or maintenance.

Visual and Tactile Clues for Identifying Each Type

Identifying AG Glass by Texture and Light Diffusion

Put a piece of glass under a daylight lamp, then view the lamp from the glass. If the light is dispersed, it’s an AG surface; and if that is clearly visible, it’s not.

Recognizing AR Glass Through Color Tint and Clarity

Put a piece of ordinary glass and AR glass in front of the computer respectively. The image through AR glass shows more clear than through ordinary glass.

Detecting AF Glass by Smoothness and Smudge Resistance

Drops of water on the glass surface, if the water can roll freely, this is the AF surface. Use a grease pen drawing lines on the surface of the glass, it is hard to mark on the surface with anti-finger coating.

AG Glass

Common Applications of AG Treated Displays

Anti-glare glasses are commonly used for outdoor LCD display or display under strong light. Such as advertising screens, ATMs, POS cash registers, medical B-ultrasound displays, e-book readers, subway ticket checkers, etc. These applications benefit from reduced glare for better user interaction regardless of ambient lighting.

AR Glass

Use Cases Where Reflection Control is Critical

Anti-reflection glass is widely used in HD displays, photo frames, mobile phones, and cameras of various instruments, front and rear windscreens of cars, the solar photovoltaic industry, etc. In these cases where image fidelity or sunlight readability matters most—such as automotive dashboards or professional monitors—AR coatings are essential.

AF Glass

Scenarios Requiring Fingerprint Resistance

Anti-fingerprint coating can apply to all touch screens and only need to be on the front side of the glass (non-tin side). Smartphones, tablets, kiosks in public places—all benefit from AF coatings that maintain screen cleanliness even after repeated touches.

Application Tips

To reduce visual interference and achieve better visual effects in different scenarios. The terminal design usually chooses a combination of multi-coating surface treatments of the LCD. On the surface of AG, we can also add on an AR coating or apply other combinations like AG + AF, AR + AF, and AG + AR + AF.

These layered combinations allow designers to optimize displays for both environmental challenges (like sunlight) and user interaction (touch sensitivity).

buy the best LCD display from Kadi Display : contact us to send your inquiry

Kadi Anzeige offers customized solutions integrating TFT-LCD modules with touch panels (CTP), backlights tailored for brightness levels up to 2500nits for outdoor visibility needs. We made the Cover Glass as your request. LOGO/Color/Shape/Thickness Their factory supports full customization including pinout design modifications (Customize FPC and Cable) or interface types like LVDS/MIPI/HDMI/VGA/USB-A (Customize interface). For high-performance displays with advanced coatings like anti-glare or anti-fingerprint options already integrated (10.1″ TFT LCD Touch Screen Anti-glare With 850nits, 12.3 inch1920 *720 TFT LCD with Capacitive Touch Screen AF Treatment)—reach out today for consultation tailored to your project needs.