Building Wraps and Graphic integrated exterior architecture.
A few significant trends have occurred that are increasing the role of graphics and vinyl at the architectural level.
Vinyl Innovation and Competition: Over the years we witnessed how vinyl has improved. Vinyl for exterior use seemed to have advanced the most. Along with intense price pressure and competition. New advances include utilizing multiple layers and translucent effects. The big challenge is ensuring longevity.
Architectural Innovation: Architects are growing more comfortable with specifying graphics for large scale building projects or as a complement to large glass curtain wall façades.
Embedded Graphic and Dye Sublimation for vinyl: We have seen how technology has advanced the way we print and apply vinyl. With other industries having a great impact on how technology advanced in the print industry.
Dye sublimated fabric has been a staple of the tradeshow and event industry the last 10 years and has since crossed over to building wraps and façades.
Laminates and powder coated graphics on metal are a big industry in Japan as an alternative to wood and are now well entrenched in the sign industry.
Opportunities:
With large format printing becoming commodified— particularly for opaque direct to vinyl prints—sign fabricators have been turning to architectural solutions that require higher level preparation and installation skills, including parking garages, banner wraps and other structures that require quality installation. There is enormous potential for companies that can improve on product durability for direct to vinyl and substrate solutions to overcome building owners’ concerns of product failure.
Challenges:
Distrust of long-term durability is a key issue. Many fabricators distrust multi-year warranties since they see them easily voided by specific conditions. There are also difficulties educating the architectural community of the most recent innovations, a necessity since most major architectural graphic projects originate with design professionals. For glass façades, there has been a commodification of simpler processes as more print companies look for opportunities.
Contact us to find out more about our vinyl, fabrics and aluminium composite boards.
If you need advise regarding what products to use you can also contact us and we will gladly assist you.
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