In today’s competitive marketplace, standing out from the crowd is essential.
With so many products vying for consumer attention, packaging has become much more than just a way to protect items during transport.
It’s now a powerful tool for creating a memorable brand experience.
Enter custom boxes and bespoke packaging—the custom-tailored approach that can transform the desirability of a product.
But why do these personalised touches matter so much?
1. First Impressions Matter
It’s often said that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and this holds especially true for product packaging.
When a customer encounters a product for the first time, the packaging is the first thing they see.
Well-designed bespoke packaging, whether luxurious or quirky, can immediately capture attention and spark curiosity. It signals that a product is special, worth taking a closer look at, and perhaps even worth picking up & purchasing.
Custom packaging and bespoke boxes convey care, attention to detail, and quality—all factors that consumers associate with premium products.
A sleek, well-crafted custom-made box makes the product feel more valuable before it’s even opened.
2. Reflects Brand Identity
Bespoke packaging provides a canvas for a brand to tell its story.
Whether the brand is fun and whimsical or sleek and sophisticated, packaging can embody those qualities.
From the choice of materials to the colours, typography, and even the way the box opens, everything about custom boxes can reflect what a brand stands for.
This strengthens brand recognition and builds emotional connections with consumers.
For example, eco-conscious brands often use sustainable packaging materials to align with their values, which resonates with environmentally-aware consumers.
Meanwhile, a luxury brand might use bespoke boxes with premium finishes, like gold foil or embossing, to reinforce a sense of exclusivity.
3. Enhances the Unboxing Experience
The “unboxing” experience has become an integral part of consumer culture, especially in the age of social media.
People now share their unboxing moments online, creating free publicity for brands.
Bespoke packaging enhances this experience by adding an element of surprise or luxury, making customers feel like they’re receiving something special.
Imagine receiving a package in a beautifully designed custom box with a personalised note or hidden compartments.
It’s those thoughtful little touches that make people feel valued, and that feeling increases the likelihood of repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
4. Builds a Sense of Anticipation
Custom packaging can elevate the anticipation of what’s inside. Rather than a plain, generic box, bespoke packaging adds an extra layer of excitement. Whether it’s the unique design, the quality of the materials, or an unexpected feature like magnetic closures or velvet linings, customers are more likely to savor the moment of opening.
This sense of anticipation also helps set the product apart from competitors. A creatively designed package can even make people hesitate before throwing it away, encouraging reuse or retention as a keepsake.
This further extends the life of the brand experience, keeping the product top of mind.
5. Practicality Meets Aesthetics
Bespoke packaging isn’t just about looks—it can also be functional.
For example, if a product is fragile or oddly shaped, a custom-designed box can offer better protection during shipping. Similarly, brands can design packaging that ensures the product is easy to store, open, or carry.
This marriage of practicality and aesthetics elevates the entire product experience.
Consumers appreciate it when packaging is well-thought-out, both in terms of functionality and beauty.
It also sends a message: the brand doesn’t cut corners, and that can increase the perceived quality of the product inside.
6. Boosts Perceived Value
The right packaging can make an affordable product feel more high-end. When a customer sees a beautifully designed, high-quality bespoke box, they often assume that the product inside is of equal quality.
This perceived value can influence a buyer’s willingness to pay more for the product. Custom packaging suggests exclusivity, craftsmanship, and care, all of which contribute to a higher perceived value.
This is especially important for gift items. People are more likely to choose products that come in attractive packaging because they know presentation matters to the recipient.
Bespoke boxes transform an ordinary product into a premium gift.
7. Sets You Apart from Competitors
In crowded industries, differentiation is key.
Bespoke packaging helps a product stand out from the sea of similar offerings.
Whether it’s through bold colours, innovative materials, or unique shapes, custom packaging gives a product its own identity on the shelf.
For e-commerce businesses, this is even more critical. When a product arrives in custom packaging, it creates a memorable experience that sets a brand apart from the generic boxes many competitors use.
This distinctiveness can be the difference between a one-time purchase and long-term brand loyalty.
8. Sustainability and Consumer Appeal
Increasingly, consumers are making purchasing decisions based on sustainability.
Bespoke packaging allows brands to cater to this demand by using eco-friendly materials, reducing excess packaging, and incorporating biodegradable or recyclable options.
When packaging aligns with consumers’ ethical concerns, it boosts the brand’s reputation and desirability.
Packaging that’s thoughtfully designed with minimal environmental impact can become a selling point in itself, attracting a growing segment of eco-conscious buyers.
Bespoke Packaging is More Than Just a Box
In an era where consumers are overwhelmed with choices, custom boxes and bespoke packaging provide a way to make a lasting impression.
By reflecting a brand’s identity, enhancing the unboxing experience, and building perceived value, custom packaging can turn an ordinary product into something desirable and memorable.
Whether it’s boosting sales, fostering brand loyalty, or simply making a statement, investing in bespoke packaging is an investment in the success of the product.
From cardboard custom boxes for packaging vitamin and health supplements to jewellery and pizza style boxes, here at QPS we design, print and produce bespoke boxes for a wide range of industries.
If your business is reviewing bespoke packaging options, get in touch to find out how custom boxes, cardboard sleeves or other sustainable packaging options can help your products stand out.
For an on-trend footwear brand, a pop-up shop offers a unique, high-impact way to engage directly with customers and create buzz around your products.
It allows you to showcase your latest cool designs in a curated, experiential environment that matches the energy and identity of your brand.
Pop-ups are all about excitement, drawing in both loyal customers and curious shoppers while giving you the chance to create a memorable installation experience that goes beyond just selling shoes.
You can tell your brand story, introduce limited editions, and foster a sense of exclusivity and urgency that drives demand.
Why Hosting Your Pop-Up in a Department Store Makes Sense
Setting up your pop-up shop installation within a proven and busy department store offers even more advantages.
Department stores already attract high foot traffic, and they’re a hub for shoppers who are actively looking to discover new products.
Your footwear brand will benefit from immediate visibility and access to a diverse customer base, helping you reach new audiences who may not have come across your brand before.
Additionally, being in a reputable and established store adds credibility to your brand.
Department stores are often seen as trusted shopping destinations, and aligning your pop-up with a well-known retailer can enhance your brand’s image and position you as a high-quality, fashionable option.
This strategic placement also makes it easier to gauge interest in your products, test new designs, and gather customer feedback in a real-world setting, all while creating a buzz with your pop-up shop installation that drives brand growth and sales.
At QPS Print, we work alongside footwear brands to create clever yet functional pop-up shop shoe installations.
We have full design and manufacturing in-house along with a design team to help iron out any artwork wrinkles.
We have proven to be an integral part of the design team in assisting with the total production of the pop-up store idea from concept to completion.
We produce the pop-up shoe display stands for each individual store meaning each can be bespoke to the shop, and ship them out across the UK.
Alternatively, we can personally deliver them directly to the store and fit the point of sale units together ensuring the simplest of setups for your staff.
When your brand really has to shine in the store, get in touch at info@qpsprint.co.uk or 01782 413789.
At QPS Print, we design and produce Quality Improvement display boards and visual systems for effective healthcare reporting.
Depending on the required statistics, we can help create the artwork, print, trim to size and ship directly to the required department.
If the Trust is looking to report quick wins, problems to solve or monitor results following action, our Quality or Continuous Improvement project boards can relay the most valuable information quickly and with clarity.
For more info or to discuss, please email info@qpsprint.co.uk or call 01782 413789.
As NHS Trusts are tasked with developing new QI strategies and processes, it is important to be able to measure outcomes effectively and uniformly across departments.
If you’re still using Post-it notes and bits of paper, our Improvement boards are exactly what your Quality Improvement Academy or Department needs.
Dry-Wipe & Magnetic Quality Improvement Boards
Our Continuous Improvement boards can be dry-wipe coated making data additions simple to update and amend.
We also provide magnetic Improvement boards that use counters or overlays that can be pushed around and positioned to communicate changes and information quickly and visually.
The boards can be supplied either ready to hang on a ward’s wall or we can add castors to enable them to be moved around and used wherever required. Our custom whiteboards on wheels are an effective way to relocate vital information across numerous departments.
As we can individually design and manufacture every board, each hospital ward can add unique data, logos, or information specific to their department.
Depending on the information, we can adapt Pareto charts to reflect the activity more accurately while, for some reports, flow diagrams or process mapping can be more effective.
Our magnetic Quality Improvement display boards work well alongside data from scatter plot graphs.
Custom Designed Healthcare Display Solutions
Your information must be shown most effectively and, working alongside your Quality Improvement Managers and Leads, we will ensure your project display boards are relevant, include clear messaging, and most importantly, are simple to use.
As with most of the public sector, NHS Trusts are expected to show their areas of improvement and challenges. The Quality Improvement display boards relate this data in a concise and easy-to-understand form.
If your Quality Improvement strategy could benefit from a visual management solution to help create effective buy-in across departments and from all colleagues, let us know at info@qpsprint.co.uk or 01782 413789.
We also provide exhibition media to help with QI and QSIR presentations, brochures, and window, wall and floor graphics.
For information on healthcare signage, this guide covers hospital wayfinding and directional signage.
If your place of work is already open or is looking to reopen, your first priority is to keep both staff and customers safe.
With the 2m distancing rule uniformly being seen as an effective way of helping stop the spread of coronavirus, social distancing stickers and floor markings are the practical solution to keeping people flowing safely through your workplace.
There are different ways to create effective social distancing floor stickers and markings.
Self-adhesive tapes
The lowest cost option is by using a warning tape or similar. Usually at 48 or 75mm wide, these tapes are normally used for packaging but are sticky enough to be securely adhered to the floor.
The tapes are low cost and readily available but they are not designed for floor use, not anti-slip, and their flooring durability and longevity is unknown.
For very short term use, they’ll help create zones and 2m markings but after you’ve worked out where you need people to go to keep them safe, you’ll need to look at better options.
Floor graphics
There are various options for social distancing floor stickers depending on where they are to be used and what purpose they need to fulfill.
Short term / low foot traffic
Most standard self-adhesive vinyls will stay in place for three months or more when used on an even floor. Monomeric vinyls are the most cost effective option and coupled with a monomeric flooring overlaminate, they can be easily placed down and used for social distance markings.
Monomeric refers to the make-up of the vinyl and defines it’s durability and usefulness. Most monomerics will have a lifespan of at least three months on the floor and are recommended for lower traffic areas.
Longer term / high foot traffic
If the area is expected to have a higher footfall, a polymeric vinyl is advised. Polymerics are more durable plus being conformable they will adhere within flooring tile gaps etc.
Bear in mind though, that the customer or employee is not walking on the vinyl itself – the vinyl is stuck to the floor. Feet walk on the flooring overlaminate which is placed over the top of the vinyl protecting it and creating the anti-slip surface.
It’s this overlaminate that has the texture and anti-slip rating. For commercial use, any flooring product needs to have at least an R11 rating.
Some overlaminates also have anti-bacterial properties.
Although their effectiveness is not known against the virus, as part of a thorough cleaning regime, these properties must help with keeping surfaces clean.
Easy apply graphics
Floor graphics can also be constructed as one or two part systems – again, this is down to expected footfall volume plus the duration it needs to be in place.
Two part systems are as described above. The print is on the vinyl and it’s protected by the overlaminate. As long as its a matched system – monomeric to monomeric or polymeric to polymeric – they are the most durable options where clarity of the message is paramount.
One part systems will have similar R ratings for anti-slip and with a self adhesive backing, they are applied in the same way.
The only difference is that the image is printed directly onto the face of the film so it possibly may not have the durability of a two-part product.
However most manufacturers will give them similar guarantees of lifespan as a comparable two part system and with them being usually more cost effective, they are certainly worth looking at for social distancing floor stickers.
Different adhesives can also make the installation simpler.
Manufacturers apply removable or permanent glues depending on the final application and most two part systems will have the choice of either depending on low-high traffic and use.
Some products also have air-release adhesive technology. This allows any trapped air to be squeezed out when laying the vinyl to the floor and stops any bubbles forming beneath the product.
More importantly it means that staff can fit the graphics instead of having to find an installer to complete the social distancing markings.
Carpet vinyl floor stickers
The above floor graphic options are primarily for use on tiled or smooth floors. For carpeted areas, it’s the same principle but using a specialised carpet vinyl. The adhesive on the back of these products is designed to hold onto the weave of the carpet and stay in place when repeatedly walked on.
A standard vinyl, even with permanent adhesive, will not grip a carpet for any effective length of time. They will start to lift at the corners and come away as they can’t grab onto enough of the fabric to remain in-situ.
Printed floor mats and floor coverings
Entrance floor mats can direct customers effectively at their first point of contact with your premises. With a strong message, they can create the right mindset to help people realise how the store now operates and to keep everyone safe.
Floor coverings can be individually printed to create a total floor layout including directional information.
Social distancing wall graphics
Signage remains the same as pre Covid-19 from the substrates used – foam PVC, Correx, DiBond – to how they are fixed and maintained.
If graphics need to be applied to brickwork either internally or outside, special self-adhesive vinyls are available that conform into the bricks’ uneven surface and stays in place where a standard vinyl would lift and come away.
For information on how we can adapt social distancing floor graphics to suit museums and leisure facilities as they reopen, we have a posts on hospital safety signage (https://qpsprint.co.uk/hospital-signs-and-wayfinding-solutions/ ) and museum way marking solutions. ( https://qpsprint.co.uk/innovative-museum-signage-wayfinding/ )
First and foremost, it is the message on the social distancing floor stickers and markings that is crucially important.
Staff and customers must be kept safe in the premises with simple, easy to understand design being used to get the required message across.
We can help to enforce this message using the correct level of impact along with finding the right products to ensure your social distance markings work both effectively and cost efficiently.
Get in touch with our exhibition ideas team on 01782 413789 or info@qpsprint.co.uk
Working alongside you, we’ll find the best way to inject a bit more impact into your next stand and show.
We help to brand businesses and organisations with creative design and print so why not let us continue the theme and brand the workwear that your staff and colleagues wear.
At QPS we not only offer a huge range of general workwear and PPE from Polo shirts and hoodies to formal shirts and hi viz vests, we also offer a number of elite high street brands that can be personalised with your company logo.
The latest Berghaus RG Alpha jacket branded with your logo will no doubt create the right impression with your customers and set you aside from the competition.
Sectors such as outdoor and leisure, corporate, hospitality, industrial and many more are all catered for in our QPS clothing and branding range.
QPS Premium Outdoor
QPS premium range includes brands such as The North Face, Berghaus, Rab, Patagonia, Columbia to name just a few. We have access to a huge range of styles and sizes to help ensure that we can deliver to the largest of organisations.
QPS Premium Outdoor is great for the Outdoor based staff however these well known brand named products are fitting for any management team.
Take a look through the QPS Premium catalogue to see the vast amount of products on offer.
QPS Workwear
QPS Workwear covers a wide range of standard items such as polo & T shirts, hoodies & sweatshirts, fleeces & jackets and much more. We work with brands such as Russell, Regatta, ProRTX for general work and leisure wear through to brands such as Premier for hospitality and AWDis for children’s garments.
If you need any type of uniform from factory floor to groundwork to office based QPS can deliver.
QPS Service
Quality of product are always a given here at QPS, we only choose to work with reputable, renown brands so that we can guarantee quality.
All of the branding that we can add to your garment including embroidery, transfer and screen print work is carried out in house. This gives us the ability to improve standards of quality every step of the way and also assists in providing a speedy efficient service.
For any items that will be personalised with branding we offer a proofing service so that you get a realistic impression of what your logo with look like when positioned onto the garment. We also have an expert team on hand to advise art work formats that we require to produce the branding.
We not only have the ability to distribute your garments to multiple destinations or in bulk we can also pack and label each item specifically. This means that once you take delivery, each pack will be labelled to for the specific team member.
Call or email QPS today to see what we could do for your brand image through personalised corporate workwear.
Talk to us on 01782 413789 or email info@qpsprint.co.uk
Sustainable (& Eye-Catching) Wooden Prints
Clients often come to us looking for a substrate that smacks of sophistication and sustainability.
We didn’t have to think too hard to come up with wood as the solution.
Have a look around some of the inspirational retail spaces on the high street.
It may come as no surprise that many of these campaigns use untreated wood and timber to build bulkheads, wall sections and fixtures.
Wood makes for an ideal point of sale media. It lends an air of style and charm that cardboard, white plastic or metal just can’t compete with.
Entire wooden walls constructed as cubes to show off shoes and sweatshirts, large fitted racks from floor to ceiling holding jeans and jackets.
Wood as a POS material makes almost unlimited imaginative and innovative ideas come alive.
But what when the wood itself needs branding with store or brand info?
You won’t get any vinyl to stick to an uneven section of timber, and adding plastic shelf strips just won’t have the same appeal.
Thankfully, we’ve developed ways of printing to the wood directly by using our flatbed printers. This technique creates the deep vibrant colours you’d expect whilst still retaining the clear and easy-to-read text that’s needed in the store.
It’s one thing to print your prices and products on wood, but we also had to make sure your customers could read them!
The print technique allows the grain and feel of the wood to still show through, the texture of the timber retained below the printed message.
Our printers can also layer a special UV gloss varnish to enhance selected parts of the print.
This UV varnish makes for a truly unique visual impact.
As it gets more competitive and difficult to stand out, its these innovative elements that catch a shopper’s eye.
Think about the underlying message behind using wood – sustainability, eco-responsibility and the sense of the natural. Could your next promotion benefit from using wood as the primary substrate?
Wooden Panels Making Their Move With Interior Design
Not only has the retail environment seen the benefits of prints on wood panels. Through requests from architects and interior designers, it’s clearly becoming more popular in a wider range of structural applications.
Office refurbs to museums through to galleries, leisure and recreation facilities, printed wood panelling is becoming a stylish and imaginative choice for wall art and decor.
After printing the wall art, the panels can be routed and trimmed to whatever template or pattern is required.
From circular prints on wood panels emblazoned with inspirational messages through to colourful corporate logos designed and intricately cut to shape, wood fits in perfectly if your company is looking to move away from its use of plastic signage.
Unlike other print suppliers, at QPS Print we also have a full screenprint department running alongside the digital team.
If your wooden items are needed in volume – clothes and apparel tags – we can move production over to screenprint and use spot colours to save time and cost.
Screenprinting also adds the major benefit of being able to print directly to curved or irregular shaped pieces.
Looking for more than just the same old standard print options? Wanting to keep updated with recycled print options?
Talk to us on 01782 413789 or email info@qpsprint.co.uk
Not sure as to whether your exhibition stand needs a refresh this season? Our 11 part guide will tell you whether it’s just an update or a complete overhaul that’s needed.
1. Graphics Outdated
Ask yourself, when was the last time you exhibited? Have styles changed? Like all design work, certain elements can look dated as trends evolve.
Exhibiting is about catching the eye of the visitor and grabbing their attention in the five or so seconds as they meander past. If your stand looks out of fashion or worse, badly designed, you’re losing potential customers before you even get a chance to show them your product.
Taking the time to update your image is a sure-fire way to reinvigorate not only your exhibition presence but also your employees working the stand. If you can inject some fresh energy, your team will inherit that buzz too.
Also, if it uses Comic Sans font, be honest, it’s probably time to go.
2. Message Changed?
Has your offer changed since your last exhibition? Maybe it’s a new product or concept that you’re demonstrating. Does your exhibition stand still reflect the new ideas or is it predefined by the last campaign?
A lot of exhibitors fail because their stand is not aligned with the message their team is promoting. As people, we remember things visually at least as much as the messages we are told. By ensuring that the words your team use are mirrored by the branding of the stand, there is double the chance of a potential customer walking away with your company top of mind.
You’ve already decided to exhibit – make sure you give yourself all the opportunities to make your message stick.
3. Magnetic / Velcro Strips Missing
It’s a sensible idea to check the stand over before the show. Is everything present and correct? Nothing lost whilst in storage? Everything slotting together the same as the last time it was used?
If it’s a pop-up style stand, it may use either magnetic or velcro strips. Take the time to check they are all still in place and fixed securely. They can have a habit of becoming loose over time as they are only stuck in place with an adhesive back. Make sure they are all there and don’t find out when stood scratching chins in the exhibition hall. If some are missing, they can usually be replaced. If damaged, check its repairable and give yourself plenty of time should panels need reproducing.
4. System Not Sitting Level
When you’re going through the magnetic or velcro strips, make room in your premises to build the full system. It’s the perfect time to reacquaint yourself and your team with the stand and think of it as a dry run before you assemble it for real. Check that all the bars and rods are still included and everything couples together simply and without having to force. If it doesn’t sit level, find out why and make sure you can get it straight before packing it all back up. It may be that rod A has been used with bar B and not C – check it all as per the instructions. If you’re missing the instructions, now is the time to get back in touch with the company who manufactured it for you.
5. Legs / Frame Bent
Maybe the reason why it’s not all sitting level is down to something that’s been damaged. The systems are usually made from aluminium so excess force can bend the bars. It’s important to erect them and put them away methodically and with due care. This is especially true if your company is looking to reuse the stand. If any part of the frame has been bent, spare parts may be available from the manufacturer. Give yourself plenty of time to arrange for replacements before the show just in case it needs more than just a new three-foot-long rod.
6. Case damaged
Not a serious issue once the stand is up but a potential pitfall once it’s being stored away. If the case or bags are damaged, they’ve already been bumped or banged. This means they’ve come under attack once, don’t let it happen again especially if the cases are now seriously compromised. This could well be the reason why the legs or frame has been bent and you don’t want it recurring.
Your stand may be shipped in by courier and pass through a number of depots during its journey. Give it a fighting chance to get to its final destination in good order. You don’t want to check everything before the show and then allow it to be damaged in transit.
7. More Shows Planned?
Is this year the start of a bigger exhibiting plan?
With every industry becoming more competitive and getting your brand out there more important than ever, many companies are choosing to exhibit at a wider number of shows. With the increase in social media and online advertising, exhibitions and trade shows are becoming one of the only places you can talk face to face with potential customers to find out their opinions and issues.
If you’re stepping up your game, an exhibition stand that’s more durable will be needed. One of the economy stands is fine when a company is only active at one exhibition per year. If you’ve made the decision to be involved in more, a heavier duty stand will show a better return on investment.
8. Changing From Pop-Ups To Shell Systems Or Vice Versa?
Company exhibition requirements can often change. An exhibition hall will have an area for stands and sections prepared for shell schemes. If you have previously used a pop-up system on the hall floor and are now moving to a shell scheme, check any existing stands will fit in. Create a scale mock-up on paper to ensure it’s not too overbearing within the space. It may be too tall or wide and look out of place.
The same preparation is necessary if you’re moving from a shell scheme. The panels that fitted within the scheme probably won’t work within the hall as you will have no existing structure to fix them to.
9. Lightweight options needed – exhibiting further afield?
Not all your potential customers might be based in the UK and the best show for your products may not even be in Birmingham or London. To get your company in front of the right customer fit to really move the needle, the show you need to connect with might be across the globe. If you’re shipping your stand internationally, transit weight is a big consideration. There are also new options in fabrics that could mean your team can take the stand with them in their luggage.
10. More people on the stand
One stand may work well for a couple of people manning the show but if you’re anticipating a good turnout, will it work with 5 or more team members? The more people on means the more potential customers they can deal with. With this, they’ll need more room to manoeuvre and interact. Think about the presentation flow – how ideally do you want to guide the customer through the story of your stand and product? More people also means more brochure holders, areas to talk and seats to take notes and discuss things further. Has your current stand got the space?
11. More Modern System – Modular, Arches, Totems, Display Cases, Flooring & and Demonstration Tables
Finally, exhibition stand design changes frequently with new formats and construction techniques becoming available every year. If you really want to stay ahead of the crowd and turn the heads of potential customers, look at the growing range of bespoke modular stands, arches, seating pods and more. There are also options for bespoke designs and images laid along the base of the stand to create visual impact and extra wow factor! This patterned vinyl flooring can be exactly what’s needed to make your space a real show-stopper!
Unsure as to how to make the most of your exhibition budget? Feel like you’re just going through the motions when getting ready for the show?
Get in touch with our exhibition ideas team on 01782 413789 or info@qpsprint.co.uk
Working alongside you, we’ll find the best way to inject a bit more impact into your next stand and show.
Digital Wallcoverings That Get Your Brand Noticed – A QPS Guide To Digital Wallpapers
Digitally printed wall coverings are rapidly becoming the primary way retail and leisure premises markets their message across internal walls.
Here at QPS we’ve completed many fit-outs that demanded unique brand messaging printed large scale across the walls.
With all this experience in completing digital wall mural projects both on time and on budget, I thought it might be a good idea to delve deep into the wallpapers we use and why we use them.
Different Options In Digital Wallcoverings
The three main alternatives we use are:
- Paste the paper
- Paste the wall
- Self-adhesive
The common element of these three types is the face layer. They all use a similar PVC layer that helps the ink key and keeps the print scuff and water-resistant.
They are also all available in both smooth and textured face finishes. With a wall mural where everything is about the message, we recommend a smooth finish. Where a more ‘wallpaper’ type design and feel is needed, we’d opt for a textured look.
Paste the paper wallcoverings
Traditional ‘off the shelf’ wallpapers have always used the paste the paper method. Using a paste table and covering single wall drops of paper each time, paste would be applied to the back and the paper left to ‘book’ for a while. This ‘booking’ helps the paste bond and absorb fully into the wallpaper. This technique is still used for the paste the paper digital wallcoverings.
The paste the paper variations have a paper liner on the reverse of the media (the same as traditional wallpapers) hence why they are installed in the same way.
They are usually the lowest price point for a digital wallpaper and are recommended for lower traffic areas or short term promotions.
View our latest fit at Columbia UK offices:
https://youtu.be/OSvcWgxy9GI
Paste the wall wallpapers
The next grade up is the more premium offering and ‘paste the wall’ wallpapers can be used anywhere a stronger and more durable wallpaper is needed.
Gyms, retail, hospitality and other commercial settings all require a more hardwearing product and the fabric reverse of a paste the wall wallpaper ensures it’ll last and last. This fabric back is often called ‘non-woven’. If your message is going into higher traffic areas, make sure your wallpaper has this non-woven backing. Unlike the paper backed versions, a non-woven product is difficult to tear and a commercial decorator will feel right at home in handling it.
As the name suggests, ready mixed paste is applied to the wall one panel width at a time. Paste the wall wall coverings have become more popular over recent years and the adhesive can now be purchased from stores like B&Q.
Self-Adhesive wall coverings
The last media alternative we use when fitting wall graphics is a self adhesive wallpaper.
With our experience in handling self-adhesive vinyl, we apply this knowledge to the self-adhesive wallcoverings however, we do know that a decorator would much rather use a paste-able product.
With a self adhesive wallpaper we can work with overlaps if needed and they are also available with a ‘blockout’ opaque backing.
This blockout layer stops any wall blemishes or existing graphics underneath showing through.
The main downside of a self-adhesive version is that the adhesive type can’t be changed to suit the finish of wall.
We’ve completed wallpaper installs across new walls fresh with plaster, pre-painted emulsion walls, and walls with rough sections.
Each of these walls needed a different paste adhesive – emulsion and fresh plaster needs a self-seal paste, a rougher wall needs something a little ‘heavier’ in consistency to keep the panels in place.
By using the right product with the right paste, we can make sure the wallpaper (and your branding) stays in place and looking good for longer.
It’s this know-how that means we can get the job done the first time every-time.
To discuss retail, leisure or hospitality digital wallpapers, get in touch with the team at 01782 413789 or by email at info@qpsprint.co.uk
Waterslide decals or transfers are the most effective way of applying high definition graphics to three-dimensional substrates.
They are:
- Full colour and highly detailed
- Simple to apply
- Customisable in size and shape
- Can easily be made scratch-resistant
- Easily conformable to contoured substrate
Here at QPS, we’ve taken the same principles of waterslide decals often used for pottery and models and added our own expertise to make them much, much larger.
What Are Waterslide Decals?
Waterslide decals are full-colour graphic images initially printed on a backing sheet and then transferred onto a carrier by the use of water.
From this carrier, the image is placed onto the product and allowed to dry. Once dried, the carrier is removed leaving the graphic permanently fixed.
They allow for the decoration of complex three-dimensional objects to be produced simply and consistently.
How Are They Produced?
Most suppliers of waterslide transfers create their images on sheets designed for small format inkjet or dry toner machines.
This print technology limits the size to around A3.
Fine for models but not for bigger projects and items.
At QPS we use the same techniques as with the smaller decals, but by having both in-house large format digital print plus a screenprinting department, we can utilise the unique attributes within each department.
The large format digital printers first create the vibrant and highly detailed image.
The definition and clarity possible with these machines mean a larger graphic doesn’t have to be a trade-off in quality.
From bright eye-catching artwork to small point text, most custom requirements are achievable and our production team has the knowledge to make the most from your artwork files when producing waterslide decals.
After the image has been printed, we then apply our tried and tested screenprint solution over the top.
This solution acts as the carrier for the image – more of this in the application information below.
QPS Print’s Large Format Waterslide Decals
The big difference with other waterslide decal producers and ourselves is that we can produce transfers up to 800 x 600mm in one panel.
That’s a surface area approximately 4 times bigger than A3!
If 800 x 600mm is not enough, we can even tile up multiple panels to create even larger graphics.
Considering the durability of waterslide transfers, a much greater print size opens up a wide range of product uses across many different industries.
Who Uses Waterslide Transfers?
We’ve supplied them to a multitude of business sectors from amusement arcades and theme parks through to high street retail and engineering companies.
We know through our discussions with product specifiers that they could be of benefit to many more industries.
Many just weren’t aware that the technology is available to manufacture at the size we can.
How Are Custom Waterslide Decals Applied?
After the image has been printed and the screenprint solution applied, the large format transfers are applied in the same way as their smaller counterparts.
The whole transfer is submerged in water and the image is ‘slid’ off the printed sheet along with the screenprint solution carrier.
The carrier, complete with image, is then placed in position on the final substrate and is left to self-cure.
Once dry, the carrier is simply removed to leave just the printed graphic in place.
Benefits And Advantages of Waterslide Transfers
Once the carrier has been removed, the printed image is incredibly thin in depth.
In reality, it is only one layer of ink so it can follow any contour or shape as closely as if it was a second skin.
This cannot be replicated by applying vinyl graphics or by printing directly. If the end product has any 3D shape, direct printing is impossible to effectively print.
When applying waterslide decals, no heat is needed. Products which are sensitive to temperature or delicate are no issue.
In fact, the small amount of water needed to float the transfer onto the substrate is so minimal, waterslide decals could be the most effective option for many products that struggle with more traditional forms of graphics application.
If the product will be handled after printing, we recommend the use of a clear lacquer to seal in the image.
This clear lacquer (plus the print itself) is still so incredibly thin – the lacquer adds durability only.
Once applied, the image has zero chance of being scratched or picked at.
Large format waterslide decals and transfers are just one of the specialised print options we have developed at QPS.
If you’d like to find out more, have a look around our blog, project pages or talk to us at info@qpsprint.co.uk or 01782 413789.
Step with me around the curtain whilst we take you behind the scenes at QPS…
It’s not our style to go on and on about the kit we have. We’d prefer to show you whilst explain some of the reasons (and benefits to you) why we run it.
This post looks at UV flatbed printing and our 3 workhorses – the Fuji Acuity flatbeds.
Our Fuji Acuity UV flatbed printers handle all the image files that need to be printed on rigid substrates before being routed and trimmed for signs and displays.
Whilst we have rollfed printers here at QPS Print, the flatbed lends itself as you’d expect to flat boards and sheet media.
Our Fuji Acuity’s also have rollfed adaptors meaning roll media up to 2.2m wide can be printed using the same cost-effective yet super durable inks that we use to print onto the flat substrates.
They are in their element printing board and after board with incredible accuracy and with superb colour consistency.
Flatbed print tech has been around for a while now and has grown to be a perfect addition to the print manufacturers arsenal.
Being able to print directly onto sheets instead of the previous requirement of having onto print self-adhesive vinyl then apply to the board has enabled us to achieve much lower costs and massively increase throughput.
Our Arizona can handle sheet sizes up to 1250mm wide and 2500mm in length. It’ll also print onto flexible substrates like roller banner media, poster papers and thinner PVCs.
Eco-conscious as ever here at QPS, the Acuity’s use LED technology instead of the old style bulbs.
This enables the startup time to be virtually instant – no warming up of the bulbs is needed. It also means that the bulbs can turn on and off when it reaches parts of the substrate that doesn’t need curing.
Fast, incredibly accurate and energy efficient too! Is there anything these machines can’t do?
It’ll print onto pretty much any substrate that we can feed it. From MDF to acrylics, foam PVC to aluminium composite.
Depending on your requirement and if it needs print, the Acuitys are up to the job.
Correx estate agent signs? No problem.
Dibond sheets for flat signs? Quickly turned around and it’ll produce exactly what’s needed.
Ours also have the white ink and varnish options. If you need your print to be on clear media, without printing white on the reverse, the design can look wishy-washy and dull.
By being able to print white prior to the full-colour image, the Acuity’s give a much greater depth and clarity to the overall design.
UV Flatbed Printing For FSDUs
As well as the external signs for a business, we also print and supply the internal point of sale for many local and national companies.
The Fujis make creating free-standing display units about as efficient as possible.
The print software (and our experienced team) will produce the artwork to fit the boards – corrugated cardboard or something more innovative like the new Dispa board, Xanita or Reboard – and run the sheets needed.
From there we move the printed boards over to the CNC router. The cut paths are followed and trimmed away manufacturing the final product.
We then either put them together before shipping or send them out securely flat packed on a pallet. Job done.
The main advantage of having both pieces of equipment under one roof is in the time saving of moving the material from one machine to the other.
No need to print then send out to be cut, routed and finished.
We can have a turnaround in hours, not days.
This post should have given you an insight into our Fuji Acuity flatbed UV printers. As you can see, they come in might handy within our workflow.
Whether you’re looking for UV flatbed printing near Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire or you’re from further afield within the UK and beyond, we’ve got all the facilities in-house to get you up and running.
There are many reasons you need to be dealing directly with a print partner rather than through print brokers and agents. Our post here explains why.
Need to know more or have a specific requirement for UV printing? Get in touch with the team at 01782 413789 or by email at info@qpsprint.co.uk