Office Wall Branding (Video)

Having installed and managed a fair few office wallpaper projects over the years, I thought I'd share a few tips that may just save a bit of time...

The Things That Nobody Tells You When Designing Office Wallpaper!

When designing office wallpaper there are a few things you may not be told until its too late! These helpful tips may save you from installation problems, reprints or at least a bit of studio time.  Hopefully you'll be working with a printer that does its own installation, and therefore they can offer you advice at the design stage, before anything goes to print. If not, these 5 points will be critical to make sure there are no surprises in store when it comes to the wallpaper installation. When you've had the office walls surveyed, checked for specialist paints, unsuitable wallpaper surfaces and lumps and bumps smoothed over, you're ready to submit those visuals into final artwork.

#5 Tips to Help You Design Great Office Wallpaper

#1 Use a generous safe area

That's the area around each of the 4 edges.  Wallpaper hanging isn't always millimetre precise installation and walls can vary in shape and size, particularly in older buildings.  We like to keep text and important parts of images about 250mm away from the edge.  This may change with smaller walls, and if you need to get closer it is possible, but would probably need to be highlighted to your installer.

#2 How Much Bleed?

We typically use 25mm bleed on all 4 edges, but its important the installers themselves know this, otherwise they'll be guessing where to start the install.  If its a wall which includes windows or irregular shape, discuss with your installers how much bleed they would like to work with. If your printer isn't doing the installation themselves, your project manager should be able to help. Bleed is important on wallcoverings as walls notoriously have a lot of variation along their lengths.

#3 Look at the wall from all angles

Take multiple views of the wall into account.  There's nothing worse than finding an obstruction in front of that important text.  This might mean visiting the office to check for yourself, however a good survey should take care of this.  Ask the printer to include multiple views in the survey pictures.  Very often it means you'll amend position of text, eyes etc on the final design.

#4 Look out for inappropriately positioned pipes

Be aware of light switches, conduit, pipes and anything else sticking out of the wall.  A badly placed piece of plumbing could be very embarrassing! The position and size should be marked in your survey notes, but keep well clear, the wallpaper may go on with adjustment, so use that safe area around these areas too.

 #5 Check the Image Quality

Ask the printer to check that the image quality is suitable for a wallpaper.  Whilst your vectors will be fine, its essential you check that there is no quality loss in images as the image is enlarged. Understandably it is difficult to see how your images will stand up to such brutal enlargement from your computer screen.  Any blurriness or pixilation is sure to show once its up on the wall.  A good first test is to blow up to 100% of print size (200% if designed at half size).  This will begin to show any loss of quality, its simple but its sure to give you a good indication of how your graphic will look.

Working With Designers to Create Stunning Wallpaper

We work with designers to create the highest quality office wallpaper and wall coverings.  This is aided by our AGFA workflow which allows us to match brand colours across all our presses, from Heidelberg and Indigo to our Large Format presses. If you would like to take advantage of our site survey, please don't hesitate to get in touch 01270 625207.  Or email our installation manager jamieb@jprint.co.uk - Jamie will help and offer advice on your office wallpaper projects.

Johnsons provide a comprehensive office branding service. Working with designers or creating ideas in-house, our experience will help you through from idea to installation.

Kindertons Use Core Values to Enhance Office Space

We worked alongside Kindertons designers to create stunning bespoke wallcoverings across various walls within their offices. Many of the walls included panelling, windows and even a projector screen, so we wrked closely with the designers to ensure the end result worked beautifully.

Accurate Brand Colour Matching

We use the most up to date pre-press technology to ensure colour matching. Our processes can match colours accurately using our 6 colour flatbed and roll to roll wide format printing presses by AGFA.

Our experience in producing successful office branding projects is essential. And Kindertons took advantage of our free site survey to discuss ideas and achieve a successful office branding project.

Projector Screen Included with the Wallpaper

In the training room, the best wall to include the core values was the same wall the projector was used. Here we included a space within the substrate to project images. This needed to be an exact position, so measuring up beforehand was crucial.

Some of the simpler walls included graphics on stairways and in corridors. Here it was important that the wall design wrapped around the corner to ensure longevity.

Protective Covering on all Office Wallpapers

All our wall coverings are laminated with a protective film which gives the wallpaper a durability that domestic wallpaper does not have. This keeps the wall graphic fresh and protects from the usual bumps and scrapes a busy office will have. The coating can also be cleaned down with water and mild detergents without affecting the graphic.

Creating One Way Vision Windows with Contra Vision

One way vision windows are a simple, cost effective solution using Contra Vision window film. We are specialists in fitting one-way window film across a variety of project types, large or small.  We'll help you choose the right window film to suit your requirements, give qualified advice, and offer the very highest print quality and installation standards. Contra Vision has many different uses.  It's ability to produce stunning graphics on one side and near invisibility on the other always impresses our customers.  Whether you're looking to give privacy to an office whilst still giving visibility from within, or require graphic space without affecting incoming light, our Contra Vision experts can help. This simple fitting was carried out for a temporary office environment that required privacy.  A  self adhesive vinyl graphic would have blocked light and eliminated the view.  And with costs very similar for print and installation, Contra Vision was the obvious choice.  

How Does Contra Vision Work?

Contra Vision uses natural light to perform its trick on the eye.  Holes in the Contra Vision quickly turn glazing into one way vision windows.  The back of the film is usually black and in most cases is fitted to the outside of the windows.  This allows the eye to see "through" the graphic from the inside but will only see the graphic from the outside.  Contra Vision is supplied in many formats including 30%, 40% and 50% of hole versus substrate.  This allows more or less light through, but also affects the image opacity. The most commonly used film is the 40%, and Contra Vision have recently introduced a 40% HD version which has smaller perforations and gives the graphic unequalled print opacity.  Our Sign & Display manager, Jamie Brelsford, will happily talk you through the options.

So There Are Different Kinds of Contra Vision?

There isn't one kind suits all.  A 30% may be more effective than a 50% in some circumstances where the graphic is of most importance.  Though there are films that give solutions to different problems. For instance, this project for a major pharmaceutical company was produced using clear Contra Vision.  And whilst production time is increased, cost of installation was dramatically reduced. [caption id="attachment_989" align="alignleft" width="300"] View from walkways[/caption] Creating one way vision windows usually means applying the window film to the glass from the outside.  In this case the walkways were too high to access cost effectively so we used clear Contra Vision.  Here we printed the graphic in reverse, backed it up with white ink, then printed a flood coat of black. This enabled us to adhere to the inside of the walkways rather than the outside. The result allowed vision through the graphic from the walkways but a very visible graphic from below.

Help and Advice from Johnsons Printers

Johnsons print and install for a range of small and large projects.  Whatever the size of your project, from a small retail window to a complete building wrap, you will receive the very best quality AGFA quality print.  You will be fully supported before and throughout production, and we ensure a safe and professional installation. Give the team a call or leave a message below, and our sign & display team will offer guidance and advice with your project.

Creating window graphics can often open up the many options of window film available.  Your window graphic might be printed and cut to shape or bound by building regulations.  There's a comprehensive range to choose from, and we can help find the best solution for your project.

Window Graphics - Choosing the best window film?

There is a huge range of printed window films available and we hope we can help you choose the most appropriate for you.  We've listed a few solutions below.  You can click through to get more details or give us a call and we can advise or send samples.

Printed Frosted window film

A nice way of adding images to windows, giving privacy without losing the light.  Very often gives a beautifully backlit image and can be seen both sides of the glass. Read more...

One Way Vision Windows

Contra Vision offers privacy, branding and advertising opportunities, to one side of the glass.  Often used for advertising on windows and building wraps rather than a solid vinyl because it doesn't impede visibility from the inside. Read more...

Building regulation window vinyls

Most building regulation window vinyls are simple dots.  This doesn't have to be the case, take a look at some of the more decorative ways to conform with building regulation window manifestations. Read more...

Plotted window graphics

Plotted window vinyl stickers are text or logo's that are cut to shape.  Its a cost effective way to create signage or marketing messages.  Relatively easy to self install and can be printed or plotted from coloured vinyl. Read more...

Easy to Install & Remove window stickers

If you're installing yourself, this is very often the chosen substrate.  It's repositionable and doesn't leave any residue on the windows.   Read More...

Window Clings

Again, easy to remove and easy to apply to windows.  Often used in short term marketing displays or smaller graphic areas such as vehicle windows. Read more...  

Frosted window manifestations

Frosted windows are often used to add privacy or conform with building regulations.  They can perform practical and decorative uses especially when printed.   Read more...

Johnsons offer Event Signs, Directional and Temporary Signs with a selection of different boards and substrates.  Some have the simple advantage of being cheaper, but which substrate is the most practical for your event?

Printed Event Signs - Cut to shape

We print signage for many festivals and events throughout the year.  But its good to know exactly how you would like your signs.  Our flatbed printers print full colour and cut to the size you require including holes for cable ties or other fixings if required. We also cut your signs to any shape you require, including arrows or simply with radius corners.  Give the team a call to discuss this if providing artwork.

Installing Event Signs

We can make all our signage suitable for self-installation.  Whether you use existing structures and posts or its a quick to install, free standing frame, we can give you the best solutions. We also have a team of fitters to help you when required.  We have high access equipment for those difficult to access signs, and podium towers where needed.  All our fitters have relevant health and safety certification.

Selecting the right Board

Most event signage we supply is printed with single use in mind.  However, if you are organising an event which will be repeated, you may want to reuse your signs wherever possible.  There are three main temporary sign solutions.

Correx or Foamex Board?

Correx is a corrugated, fluted board, available in 4mm and 6mm thicknesses. Subsequently it is mainly used on estate agents boards and is regularly used as a short term, temporary sign.  It's advantage over other boards is the low cost and is the lightest of the substrates.

Foamex Boards

Foamex is a trade name for a rigid PVC board, available in a range of thicknesses including 3mm and 5mm.  The thickness of the Foamex board is very often dependent on the size of the sign.  This is the most ideal substrate if your attempting to re-use your event signage.

PVC Banner & PVC Mesh

PVC banner material and PVC Mesh is very often used as event signage, and is a good solution where large signage is required.  A very cost effective way of promoting events.  The PVC Mesh allows air to flow through the graphic causing less stress on the supporting structure.  Mesh can add a little more durability to graphics when positioned in windy areas and conditions. Dibond Signs Dibond is a trade name of an aluminium composite board.  It is the strongest of the boards listed here.  Used more as permanent signage as it weighs more than the others and it carries more of a premium cost.  If reusing the signage again, there's a much better chance of the Dibond sign outlasting the other boards, especially if laminated.