Museums and galleries ask a lot of printed graphics. Interpretation panels need to stay readable for the length of an exhibition, reproductions of objects need to stay true in colour, and large introductory walls need to look immaculate on opening night and on the last day. Visitors lean on panels, children touch them and cleaners wipe them. At the same time, exhibition designers often want graphics that can be removed cleanly when the show moves on.
Graphics we are typically asked about
- Interpretation and caption panels
- Large-scale photographic or illustrated walls
- Reproductions of artworks, maps and documents for handling or display
- Timelines and title walls for temporary exhibitions
- Touring exhibition graphics that need to be packed and reinstalled
Protecting printed surfaces
Colourjet is a solvent coating that helps printed graphics resist water, chemicals and abrasion, and its integrated UV inhibitors help protect against premature fading. For gallery work, that means panels and reproductions are better able to handle touching and routine cleaning, and colours stay closer to the original for longer under display lighting. Landor Liquid Lamination is used on prints from pigment fine art, latex, UV and eco-solvent printers.
Many institutions have their own requirements for materials used near collections. We do not make conservation or archival claims for our coatings, so if a graphic will sit inside a display case or close to objects, check with your conservation team first and test a sample.
Temporary walls without the redecoration
Temporary exhibitions often mean painting walls, applying graphics and then repainting at the end. Phototex printable self-adhesive fabric offers another way. It can be applied straight to the wall, repositioned while you align text, and removed in one piece at the end of the run without surface damage. It does not suffer from edge curl or peeling, and in-house technicians can install it without specialist installers. For touring shows, the same graphic can be reused at the next venue.
Practical points for exhibition teams
- Choose finishes with display lighting in mind; glossy surfaces can cause glare on text panels.
- Test coatings with the cleaning products your front-of-house staff use.
- Try removable graphics on a hidden area of the actual wall finish before installation day.
Our guides cover application and care in more detail.
If you are planning an exhibition and want to discuss graphics, our team is happy to help. Phone 01252 624 411 or email info@landoruk.com.