Community buildings are used by everyone. On a single weekday a village hall might host a toddler group in the morning, a lunch club at noon and a dance class in the evening. Churches welcome visitors and tourists alongside their congregations. Printed displays in these places are often paid for by fundraising or a small grant, so they need to last, and they usually need to be installed and looked after by volunteers.
What gets printed
- Parish and village history panels, often with archive photographs
- Visitor interpretation in churches and chapels
- Noticeboard headers, welcome signs and room names
- Murals created with local schools or community art groups
- Memorial and anniversary displays
Getting more years from a small budget
When a display has to justify a fundraising effort, it makes sense to protect it. Landor Liquid Lamination adds a protective layer that improves durability and lightfastness. Its Colourjet coating guards the print against water, chemicals and abrasion and contains UV inhibitors to help prevent premature fading. That matters in halls with big south-facing windows, in church porches, and anywhere chairs and tables are stacked against walls.
A coated print can also be framed without glass, which removes reflections from stained-glass windows and avoids the risk of breakage in a busy hall. Our guide to framing without glass explains the approach.
Walls you are not allowed to damage
Many churches and older halls are listed or subject to faculty or similar permission processes, and fixing anything to historic plaster can be off limits. Phototex printable self-adhesive fabric removes in one piece without damaging the surface, and it can be repositioned and reused. It has no edge curl or peeling, and because it is easy to fit, volunteers can install it without specialist installers. It is recommended for interiors only.
Even so, historic surfaces vary enormously. Lime plaster, limewash and old paint finishes may not behave like modern emulsion. Always try a small piece in an inconspicuous spot first, and check with whoever is responsible for the building’s fabric before applying anything to a protected wall.
Safety and compliance
Halls used by children’s groups or as polling stations sometimes come with specific requirements for wall coverings. We do not make fire-rating or child-safety claims for our products. If the building’s insurer, diocese or trustees need that information, check with the media manufacturer and your own safety adviser.
Practical points for volunteers
- If you are working with a local printer, ask whether they can coat the panels before delivery.
- Scanned archive photographs reproduce well, but keep the originals safely stored rather than on display.
- Clean coated prints gently; see cleaning coated prints.
Planning a display for your church, hall or community centre? Give us a ring on 01252 624 411 and we will help you work out a sensible approach, or leave a message on our contact page.