Print Floor is a floor graphics solution supplied by Soyang Europe
Wonder Walls and Fantastic Floors
If there are two sectors that have experienced significant growth in recent years, it is wall and floor graphics. Both markets bucked wider trends during the pandemic as graphics were installed beneath our feet to guide us safely around supermarkets and people brightened up their homes with images that reminded them of the outdoors while locked inside.
These trends have continued over the past few years as we moved out of the pandemic and into brighter times. Add in the increased use of applications like these as a cost-effective way of marketing to consumers and their popularity only seems set to grow.
With this in mind, SignLink picks out some of the more interesting wall and floor graphics from recent weeks and months, highlighting the technologies and materials companies used to create all manner of impactful graphics.
Increasing Demand
One brand synonymous with this sector is Drytac, which supplies a wide range of materials to clients around the world to support them with wall, floor, and even ceiling graphics. Kieran Blacknall, academy manager at Drytac, says a number of markets within these areas have stood out in recent months in terms of the volume and spread of work available.
“One area in which we continue to see a high level of demand is the retail sector,” Blacknall says, adding: “This is because there is a constant need for regularly updated graphics to help support new product launches, seasonal sales, and other in-store events. This provides our customers with a constant stream of work.
“We also see plenty of work coming from hospitality markets. There is a good variety of work from within this wider sector, ranging from projects in hotels to restaurants and cafes. The added advantage of working with customers in these markets is that there are lots of chains, meaning more locations to produce work for, and the opportunity for repeat work with customers.”
Picking out the markets in which you are likely to receive more work is just one part of the larger equation. Wide-format printers and sign-makers should also consider wider trends shaping the habits of both customers and consumers and ensure they can deliver this type of service to their clients.
Blacknall signals sustainability as a core trend impacting not just wall and floor graphics but a whole host of other markets in the wider industry. Drytac has responded to such trends and demands with the launch of several PVC-free products, one of which comes in the form of Polar PET 170, which saw its popularity spike in 2023 as more clients moved to working with planet-friendly materials.
Polar PET 170 is a scuff- and tear-resistant polyester film for short-term indoor applications where the printed graphics remain visible and vibrant, such as floor graphics. It also has a number of slip ratings and certifications, while the film has a textured, matte finish that Blacknall says makes it perfect for directional notices, retail promotions, POS advertising, and decals.
Also available from Drytac is the collection of SpotOn films, which Blacknall says are suitable for short-term point of sale projects in both retail and hospitality settings. In addition, Drytac offers the ReTac range of polymeric removable vinyl which allows you to create displays that target specific products and areas.
Looking at some of these products in practice, Blacknall picks out a number of examples. First, Ontario-based printing and signage specialist Riverside Print & Signs used ReTac Smooth 150 polymeric PVC film to produce colourful wall graphics for Great Pretenders’ new space in New York City.
All the graphics, which included castle-style wall designs complete with fire-breathing dragons and other mythical beasts, were printed in-house on a Mimaki JV100-160. Graphics were applied to standard flat walls, as well as in and around arch doorways to provide a fully immersive effect for visitors to Great Pretenders, which designs and manufactures dress-up, toys, jewellery, and accessories for children.
Closer to home, print provider Minuteman Press Bath used ReTac Textures Canvas film to produce a wallcovering for a new wardrobe experience in Bath. The ‘Georgrobe’ invited local residents and visitors to view a display of satirical prints about the fashions of the Georgian period, as well as offering them the chance to dress up in historic costumes, wigs, and hats for an authentic experience of life in a bygone era.
Minuteman Press Bath used Drytac’s ReTac Textures Canvas film to produce a wallcovering for a special wardrobe experience
Minuteman Press Bath was tasked with printing a large, Bath-inspired wall mural to provide the backdrop for the seasonal event. The company printed the design onto Drytac ReTac Textures Canvas, purchased from Antalis, using its HP Latex 700W.
Explore Opportunities
Another leading supplier in this sector is Soyang Europe, which, like Drytac, has a range of solutions on offer for producing both floor and wall graphics. Managing director Mark Mashiter agrees with Blacknall at Drytac that there are certain markets across various industries in which there are plenty of opportunities for wide-format print companies and sign-makers to access all manner of work.
“From what we have seen from our customers in recent weeks and months, there is a good level of demand in areas such as retail, hospitality, exhibitions, and educational settings,” Mashiter says, adding: “You can also go further by exploring opportunities in other areas including sports arenas or stadiums and even council buildings. It is all about talking to your customers and discovering how you can help them with this kind of work.”
Mashiter goes on to say that in order to deliver high-quality results within the wall and floor graphics markets, you need to be working with high-quality products. With this, he draws attention to some of the solutions on offer from Soyang Europe.
Stylographics used Print Floor from Soyang Europe to produce wall graphics for a retail window display for Marc Jacobs
First is Alumigraphics, a solution suitable for use in outdoor floor graphics applications. This product is made from aluminium which, according to Mashiter, makes it better for the environment as it can be recycled easily. If you add in that it does not contain any PVC, this further improves its planet-friendly credentials.
“You can print directly onto AlumiGraphics using digital printing hardware running with solvent, eco-solvent, UV, and latex ink,” Soyang Europe says, adding: “The Smooth versions can also be screen printed, which adds to its dexterity. There’s no need to over laminate which makes for a faster turnaround and cuts production costs. The foil is highly durable even without lamination and offers an expected outdoor life of between six months to two years.
O Factoid: Available from Soyang Europe, Alumigraphics is an outdoor floor graphics solutions made from aluminium O
“It’s not just printed applications either. AlumiGraphics can be cut to shape using most printer/cutters and plotters, along with good old-fashioned guillotines or simple scissors, expanding its application repertoire.”
Alongside Alumigraphics are Print Floor and G-floor, which, as their names may suggest, are also popular solutions for floor graphics work. One example of the former in use is when Watford-based large-format print and specialist fabrication company Stylographics used Print Floor to produce a retail window display for global fashion brand Marc Jacobs.
While this was technically billed as a window display, graphics were printed for the solid wall sections around the glass window, giving something of an all-over effect for the fashion brand. The design featured a bold black and white pattern stretching around the entire window frame, with Stylographics printing all graphics in-house on its Durst P10 250HS UV inkjet printer.
Looking more at wall graphics, Soyang Europe works with DECAL, the first manufacturer to combine an AC Resin UV Adhesive Technology from BASF, together with high-grade PVC film to create a series of printing films. According to Soyang Europe, this coating method creates many advantages for the final products such as giving a higher tack system and excellent durability with a high resistance to water. This in turn provides high levels of adhesion under humid conditions or on moist surfaces, such as in bathrooms and kitchens.
“The market for wall and floor graphics is likely to continue to grow as material manufacturers continue to make technological advances and the materials available increasingly become printable on mainstream sign-making hardware, making it possible to add a very profitable revenue stream without major investment,” Soyang Europe says.
Shopping for Success
Also referencing recent trends and demand is Antalis. Claire White, specification consultant for visual communications at Antalis, says retail is one area that wide-format printers and sign-makers should pay attention to, given the increasing use of vinyl graphics within this segment.
“It allows brands and retailers to create and easily update interior decoration, POS, and signage at relatively low cost,” White says, adding: “Vinyl is typically easy to cut and print and offers a long-lasting professional finish to many applications without the need for additional fixings such as stretch graphic or poster frames. There are also several PVC-free and recyclable options available for those looking for a more sustainable solution.”
Riverside Print & Signs used ReTac Smooth 150 polymeric PVC film to produce wall graphics for a costume shop in New York City
Building on this, White goes on to outline the products that companies working in a retail environment should consider. First, she highlights self-cling vinyl, describing it as an excellent way to install short-term, removable, repositionable, and reusable graphics in the store environment.
“It can be applied by staff rather than professional fitters, in turn reducing carbon footprint through travel, wastage, and cost. It is also 100% recyclable at end of life,” White comments, continuing: “Self-adhesive vinyl and paper offer an easy way to update interiors, highlight promotions, cater for seasonal changes, and create interest across all areas of the store environment. With many different options available, specification of the right material for each application is key to success.”
Self-adhesive vinyl and paper offer an easy way to update interiors, highlight promotions, cater for seasonal changes, and create interest across all areas of the store environment”
So, what does Antalis have on offer? In terms of self-cling vinyl there is Coala Magic Cling, which, available in clear and white options, is a PVC-free, statically charged film suitable for use on glazing and most flat surfaces for up to three months without the need for adhesive or tape.
Also from Antalis is Coala Paper Stick, a PVC-free alternative to traditional PVC vinyl that can be used in wall graphics jobs. Made from FSC-certified paper and a water-based acrylic adhesive, materials in this range cover most short-term indoor wall applications.
In addition, Antalis has Coala PP Stick, which White says is ideal for indoor and outdoor sign and display graphics applied to smooth surfaces. The Coala PP Stick range is available in white gloss and matte finishes and comes with water-based adhesive in a choice of removable, permanent, and high tack.
There is certainly no shortage of options when it comes to picking out materials to use in wall and floor graphics jobs. Speak with your suppliers for advice on which products are best suited to each application and this can help you produce high-quality, eye-catching work like some of the examples featured here.
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