Wide-Format Applications: Widespread Impact

There has been no escaping the wide-format print boom in recent years, with those working in this sector benefitting from a sharp increase in demand for this type of work. Couple this with the advancement of digital print technologies, and the scope for what is possible with wide-format has been significantly increased.

In years gone by, talk of wide-format print may have drawn minds to simple posters, billboards, and banners. Fast-forward to the current day and innovation in this market has expanded to the point where companies are working with their clients on all manner of clever projects and applications.

Here, we pay tribute to some of the most recent work in the wide-format print market that has got people talking about pushing the boundaries of the sector even further.

Print at the Palace

First up is Moss, which, previously known as MacroArt, specialises in branded environments, delivering a range of graphics and signage applications. In one of its most recent projects, the company linked up with several iconic brands to transform the historic Blenheim Palace with a series of printed pieces.

The project focused on the Icons of British Fashion exhibition, which ran until June 30th at Blenheim Palace, taking visitors on a journey through decades of British fashion, with input from brands such as Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, and Barbour.

Moss helped bring the site to life with a selection of banners, displays, graphics, and even dye-sublimated carpets. However, the main challenge was Blenheim Palace’s listed building status, meaning all installations had to be done without fixing anything to the structure.

Moss used aluminium frames to mount two large banners at the main entrance, while a large freestanding wall was stabilised by 200kg of ballast to prevent any contact with the palace's original walls and to allow 30 pictures to be hung. Staff also carefully installed temporary vinyl coverings around priceless antique cabinets to ensure no damage was done to the artifacts.

“At Moss, we strive not only to create visually stunning displays but also to respect and preserve the integrity of the historical venues we work with,” Moss Group account director Mike Hamling says, adding: “This particular job meant we had to push the boundaries of what is possible with temporary installations. I’m very proud of what we’ve produced for this amazing exhibition and to further strengthen our relationship with Blenheim Palace.”

Kate Ballenger, keeper of palace and collections at Blenheim, was also complimentary about the project. She says: “Once again we are delighted with the work the team at Moss has delivered for this iconic exhibition. The impact of their work is clear for all to see, and the combination of service, quality, and support make them our first choice for any graphics work and signage.”

Dance ‘til you Drop

Sticking with the great indoors, there has been a rise in demand for more personalised and bespoke wide-format print. One example of this is how Canadian printing and lamination solutions provider Lamin-8 created a unique and personalised dancefloor for a customer’s wedding.

The piece measured 20ft x 20ft and featured a black and white design, complete with the first initials of the bride and groom, along with their now-family name, the Archers. Other aspects of the design include a lined border around the edge of the dancefloor and a large graphic in the centre.

With the application being subject to heavy footfall throughout the evening of the wedding, the main challenge for Lamin-8 was to ensure the design stood up to this wear and tear. As such, it elected to work with Drytac SpotOn Floor 200, a monomeric PVC film that does not require any lamination. It also features a number of slip rating certifications, meaning the finished piece was not a hazard to party-goers!

Lamin-8 printed all graphics for the application in-house using its HP Scitex FB500 flatbed printer and installed the piece on-site for the customer.

“For this project, we chose to work with SpotOn Floor 200 as we know that it is great for short term applications,” Lamin-8 president Michael Isaacs says, adding: “We had used this product before in an airport and were well aware of its qualities.

“Our client was taken aback by the quality and performance of the product. Another key feature was the removal; this was a quick process that required little effort and did not leave any adhesive behind on the floor.”

Preserving History

Time to head outdoors now with Embrace Building Wraps, which is known across the UK market for its specialist production of eye-catching building wraps. During one of its latest projects, Embrace produced a wrap for Admiralty Arch, one of the most iconic landmarks in London.

Working with developer Ruben Brothers and the main contractor Knight Build, Embrace was able to create a visual solution preserving the aesthetic and historical integrity of Admiralty Arch while the works are in progress. The inside of the building is being converted into a luxury hotel, though the famous façade will remain the same.

As is common for Embrace with these types of applications, the design of the wrap was to replicate the original facade of the building. The printed wrap featured a 2,945sq m one-to-one CGI image and was installed on scaffolding erected at the site. The wrap will remain on the scaffold for approximately 18 months, until the completion of the renovation works.

The digitally printed wrap, covering an area of approximately 155m wide and 19m high, is made up of five separate offset frames and five printed wraps to accommodate the concave arch. The section on the loading gantry above the three arches is set forward 2.5m from the main wrap and this structure has been clad in plywood and dressed in printed graphics using a mix of a spirit flex frame at the top and two-thirds down the columns. The lower parts are wrapped in hard-wearing printed ACP panels.

Greg Forster, managing director at Embrace, comments: “This project was a huge challenge for us, but we love challenges, and we always find a way to deliver an outstanding visual outcome.

“The size of the project, the shape of the building, the quality of the artwork, and the installation were all very demanding, but we are very proud of the result. We have created a realistic and seamless CGI image of the building that blends in with the surroundings and respects the site's heritage.”

With so much innovation in this sector, we could quite easily fill an entire issue of SignLink with stories and images of wide-format print applications. As customers continue to ask more of their print partners, and wide-format print companies become more inventive, it is safe to say that we can look forward to even more innovation with these applications.

Keep an eye on the ‘Applications’ section of the printed magazine and brand-new website for more examples of recent projects in the sign industry.