Leeds-based Imageco linked up with footwear brand Dr. Martens to create a range of indoor and outdoor graphics for its new test and learn concept store in London.

Leeds-based wide-format printing and signage specialist Imageco recently used Drytac SpotOn SynTac and ViziPrint Deco + to produce a range of striking POS and window graphics for world-famous footwear brand Dr. Martens at its new test and learn concept store on Carnaby Street in London. All of the graphics were printed using Imageco’s HP Latex 800W printer, with its eco-friendly water-based inks.

Imageco was introduced to Dr. Martens by Syn Retail, a local design agency and existing client of Imageco that works with a host of global brands across retail and activations. Syn Retail had been working with Dr. Martens for some time, so when the shoe brand was seeking to create a new test and learn store, Syn Retail recommended Imageco to produce the graphics.

Imageco, which holds the key ISO 14001 environmental standard, leapt at the chance to work with Dr. Martens on the sustainable brief. Armed with its deep knowledge of eco-friendly print solutions, Imageco identified two Drytac products as the best solutions for the project.

SpotOn SynTac, a PVC-free polypropylene wall graphic media, was used to produce exterior graphics for the front of the store to cover up work during its refurbishment. As SpotOn SynTac does not require any lamination and is easy to both apply and remove after use, it was ideal for the short-term graphics.

Imageco also selected ViziPrint Deco +, a high-quality clear window film, for the production of interior graphics for the store windows. ViziPrint Deco + delivered a high-quality print and allowed natural light to pass through into the store, while the product also met the strict sustainable criteria for the job.

On the usability of the Drytac solutions, Imageco Managing Director Nathan Swinson-Bullough says:

“We have been working with Drytac products for some time now. Following the success of this project – and in particular the quality of the final prints and how easy we found the media to work with – this amount of use is about to be elevated,”

Imageco deployed its HP Latex 800W printer, supplied by Perfect Colours, to produce all the graphics for the project. This, Nathan said, allowed the company to deliver an even more sustainable service to Dr. Martens. Imageco was one of the first UK customers to install the HP Latex 800W printer, back in January 2021. The printer offers a suite of features including the whitest white ink that does not yellow over time, enabling print businesses to produce neater outlines and add more contrast.

The HP Latex 800W can print at speeds of up to 36 m2/hr (388 ft2/hr) and delivers vivid colours and finer image details. It also operates using water-based inks delivered in HP Eco Cartons, made from cardboard material, reducing the amount of plastic used by 80%.

“HP Latex inks are water-based, which means they met the job criteria really well. The fact that the ink is also vegan fitted in perfectly with Dr. Martens’ range of vegan boot products,” Nathan said. “Add in that the inks also deliver the sharp quality needed for short run POS and internal graphics, and are GOLD GUARD certified and free of VOCs, they proved to be the perfect solution.

“Dr. Martens loved the work and were really appreciative of our efforts. The company is leading by example in how the future of more sustainable retail should look.”

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Steward Safety Supplies used Drytac Polar Premium Air White Gloss and Drytac Weathershield Matte UV to create the professional mobile fish and chip van.

Norfolk-based signs service provider Steward Safety Supplies combined Drytac Polar Premium Air White Gloss print media and Drytac Weathershield Matte UV laminate to produce a set of bold and impactful vehicle graphics for long-term customer French’s Fish Shop of Wells-next-the-Sea.

Local to Steward Safety Supplies’ facility in Fakenham, French’s Fish Shop has been a client of the signage specialist for more than 10 years, partnering for projects such as menu boards and adverts.

After securing a new contract for a local holiday park, French’s Fish Shop purchased a van to cater for customers at the location. French’s Fish Shop approached the team at Steward Safety Supplies to produce graphics to match the traditional branding at its shop.

Steward Safety Supplies quickly identified two solutions from Drytac that would allow it to deliver an on-brand, high-quality solution. The sign-maker selected Drytac Polar Premium Air White Gloss combined with Drytac Weathershield Matte UV, supplied by UK reseller Perfect Colours,for the project. The graphics, which were installed in March 2022, were designed using CorelDraw software, before being printed on an HP Latex 310 printer.

“We printed the van graphics in sections and applied it like wallpaper, neatly trimming around all the fixtures and fittings on the van,” Steward Safety Supplies’ Sign Department Manager Ben Steward said. “The white lettering was then cut and applied on top.”

“We also made some menu A-boards to place outside the van and used some left-over media to cover the tabletop used for the accompanying sauces and cutlery, adding even more value for money. Those additional touches are what makes us who we are.”

“The customer was so impressed with the transformation of their plain white vehicle into this classy fish and chip van. As its planned location is a high-end seaside holiday park, the ‘less is more’, clean cut, on-brand professional look was exactly what they wanted.”

Steward Safety Supplies only began using Drytac products in January this year, but such has been the success of its use of Polar Premium Air and Drytac Weathershield Matte that this combination has now become the pairing of choice for 95% of the company’s work.

“The ease of application due to the air escape technology, the forgivingness of the polymeric when fitting to more awkward places, the quality of the matte finish, and how magically – no matter how hard you need to apply it – it doesn’t show a scratch; we just love it,” Ben concludes.

Drytac collaborated with Ricoh to overhaul the look of the facility to provide an inspirational and thought-provoking experience for customers.

Drytac recently partnered with Ricoh to revamp the Ricoh Customer Experience Centre in Telford, UK. The major transformation project saw the two businesses work closely together to overhaul the look of the facility.

The Ricoh Customer Experience Centre allows visitors to explore the latest innovations in Ricoh’s printing solutions and speak with experts about how they can utilise this technology to grow their business. The venue also serves as a proof of concept and test centre for software workflows and digital front ends, ensuring visitors are getting the most out of their Ricoh machines.

Drytac and Ricoh collaborated to bring a fresh look to the facility, with the aim of offering customers an even more inspirational and stimulating experience during their visits, allowing them to go away with a whole range of new application and business ideas.

The two companies have been working together for several years and have established a close relationship, with Drytac listed as a supplier on the Ricoh eshop. This understanding allowed Ricoh and Drytac to jointly develop ideas and produce graphics that would truly highlight the power of Ricoh printing technology and Drytac’s self-adhesive solutions.

The revamped facility in Shropshire features a host of bright and eye-catching graphics, all of which were printed on Drytac material using a Ricoh Pro L5160 at the Drytac Academy in Bristol.

More than 40 new graphics applications were installed throughout the Customer Experience Centre, the largest of which measured more than 11.5m wide. When printing the graphics, Drytac utilised three of its core products: ReTac Smooth 150, ReTac Textures Canvas and ReTac Texture Linen.

The ReTac products were quickly identified as the perfect solution for the project as they are ‘permanently peelable’ and will not damage the surface when it is time to remove or update the graphics, even years after application.

The graphics took just one week to install, with the end result being a revamped facility that offers Ricoh customers the inspiration and motivation to expand into exciting new areas and develop their businesses.

On the project, Simon Isaacs, National Director Ricoh Graphic Communications group, at Ricoh UK comments: “We’re delighted to announce that our newly revamped Customer Experience Centre is now open to visitors. Due to the restrictions posed by Covid – and the subsequent reopening of facilities for in-person visits – we felt now was a fantastic opportunity to update and improve the centre.

“Our objective for the new space is to provide print organisations with a fresh look at our purpose and technology, inspire their innovative thinking and generate collaborations for future business growth.”

On working with Drytac, Simon Isaacs adds: “We’ve worked with Drytac for many years and have always found their solutions to be of the highest quality.”

Shaun Holdom, Global Product Manager at Drytac, concludes: “This was an exciting project for us to work on. Combining Ricoh print technology with our proven adhesive science solutions has enabled us to create a vibrant new look for the Ricoh facility.”

The Barnsley-based sign-maker used Drytac Polar Street FX to produce eye-catching outdoor wall graphics for nearby Mexican restaurant ICO.

Barnsley-based family-run sign-making business Turner Signs used Drytac Polar Street FX outdoor PVC-free aluminium print media, supplied by Signmaster Systems, to create striking exterior wall graphics for new local Mexican restaurant ICO.

ICO recently opened its doors at a unique location in the city of Wakefield, with the restaurant based underground in a former bank vault.

Having worked with Turner Signs on several print and signage projects for its other restaurants, ICO once again approached the sign-maker to help raise awareness of its new location and promote its food to the people of Wakefield.

ICO tasked Turner Signs with filling an unusual brick wall space with its Mexican-inspired artwork, but with the additional challenge for the installation to have an authentic Mexican style.

Turner Signs first considered printed aluminium composite board for the job, but after seeing Drytac Polar Street FX on the Drytac Instagram page, it quickly became clear that the Drytac media would be a much better fit for the appearance that ICO desired.

Turner Signs, a long-term user of Drytac products across a wide range of jobs, used its Mimaki CJV-150 to print the unique design onto Drytac Polar Street FX, before applying this to the wall space.

“The customer was absolutely blown away with the final result,” Turner Signs Director Curt Turner said. “We have been working with Drytac media for about four years and know how flexible their products are for jobs like this.

Drytac Polar Street FX is a PVC-free, aluminium media suitable for outdoor floor and wall graphics, without the need for lamination. Boasting several slip-ratings, Polar Street FX has been specifically developed for rough ground or wall surfaces such as brick, concrete, asphalt, or any other low energy surfaces.

Coated on one side with a clear, high tack adhesive, Drytac Polar Street FX is compatible with latex, UV and eco solvent printing.