Hisense Branded Press Event
Large-format printing is a versatile tool used by businesses across a wide range of industries. Its ability to produce durable, vibrant graphics on a variety of substrates at any size makes it an essential tool for commanding attention and elevating brand visibility for effective storytelling to a broad audience. From trade show displays to billboards, banners, and interactive installations, large-format print projects play a pivotal role in transforming spaces and events into unforgettable experiences, where creativity and strategy merge seamlessly to help a brand come alive in larger-than-life dimensions.
DCC recently had the opportunity to print and install large-format graphics for an NBA-themed product showcase for Hisense USA at a press event in New York City managed by Impact XM for the industry’s top tech media outlets. DCC helped to transform what started out as a blank slate, into a fully branded and interactive backdrop for Hisense. Seasoned print professional and DCC Executive Vice President of Sales, Kevin Finn explores the creative and technical processes that a project of this scale requires.
Q: How was DCC awarded the opportunity to work on this project and how do you go about estimating a project of this scale?
A: DCC had the opportunity to work with Impact XM on a project for Hisense last year that went really well, so when they reached out to us this year we knew we wanted to be a part of this project and help bring their vision to life. We had to approach this project a little differently because we needed to size the client’s graphics to the event space based on graphic renderings, so we had to have our installation team involved from the estimation stage. Our installer, Steve Higgins was able to survey the space to determine the exact print sizes for all of the graphics and estimate the installation time.
Q: How did you make the client’s vision come to life?
A: A project of this scale requires a lot of attention to detail, communication, and collaboration. The client had designed all of the elements and provided us with renderings, but our team needed to work closely with their designers to determine the exact print sizes and make recommendations for different substrates to meet the needs of each installation. We were able to provide them with templates, almost like die-lines, to adjust each graphic to the appropriate sizing to accommodate the space. We also did substrate pull tests to test the adhesive bonds and help determine the right materials to use. There were over 100 graphics with various applications to columns, floors, walls, windows, ceilings, and more, so we had to approach each one individually, but also look at the project as a whole to ensure overall impact, consistency, and cohesiveness.
Q: What was the print process and turnaround time for this project?
A: The printing process was actually the easy part after all of the specifications were set. We printed on the Durst 350 on various substrates such as 6mm Sintra board for signage, Drytac Polar Smooth vinyl for wall graphics, General Formulations 212 Traffic Graffic® with 109 laminate for floor graphics, and 3M™ IJ8150 Scotchcal™ Clear View Graphic Films. We printed, quality-checked, and delivered all graphics within a week and then our team installed everything in 3 days and uninstalled everything in a day.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges of printing a project of this scale?
A: With a project of this scale, coordination and organization are crucial to guarantee a successful installation. Our print production team labeled all of the graphics so that our installation team would know what goes where. Some of the graphics were so large that they needed to be tiled, so it was important that everything be prepared and printed perfectly so that they would install seamlessly. The event was held in an old bank and it can be challenging to hang graphics in older buildings. We had to take into consideration that the walls and floors may not be level, and we needed to acquire scaffolding to install ceiling and window graphics. In the end, though, this project really showcased the scope of what DCC can do and the client was happy with how everything turned out so it was a success!
Q: What do you think is the future for large-format and how do you see DCC growing?
A: We are seeing a return to and a growing market for large-scale events and trade shows, which had ceased during the pandemic. We are also seeing a lot of innovation and advancements in technology impacting the industry. Because of that, the creative capacities are endless, and printers who have broad capabilities and fast turnaround times will be able to succeed and grow with large-format print. At DCC, this is our wheelhouse and where we excel. We can bring any vision to life.
Do you have a large-scale idea for a print project that you would like to see come to life?
