A free-weights area is not a gentle environment for a printed wall. Kettlebells get rested against it, people lean on it between sets, and the cleaning team goes over every surface at the end of the day. Leisure centres add changing-room humidity and poolside condensation, while stadiums and arenas put graphics outside in all weathers. Print in these venues has to be planned for wear from the start.
Typical graphics in sport and leisure
- Motivational murals and brand walls in gym studios
- Class timetables, equipment instructions and wayfinding
- Club history walls, honours boards and team photography
- Sponsor panels, pitch-side boards and external building graphics
- Reception and café area décor in leisure centres
What a coating contributes
Colourjet is a solvent coating that protects printed artwork from water, chemicals and abrasion, with integrated UV inhibitors to help prevent premature fading. Applied as part of Landor Liquid Lamination, it adds a protective layer that makes a print more durable and better able to handle harsh environments. For a gym, that means graphics are better placed to cope with scuffs from equipment, splashes from water bottles and routine wiping.
The same coating works on prints from pigment, latex, UV and eco-solvent printers, so a sign maker can protect pitch-side boards and studio murals from the same supply. Outdoor stadium graphics benefit from the UV protection; see our notes on indoor versus outdoor use before specifying.
Cleaning products and hygiene
Gyms often use strong sanitising sprays on and around equipment, and those sprays drift onto nearby walls. Coat a sample of the actual print and try the venue’s own cleaning products on it before committing to a full installation. Solvent coatings do not suit every substrate or ink, so the test should use the same media and printer as the final job. Our sample testing guide explains a simple method.
We do not make hygiene, antimicrobial, anti-slip or fire-rating claims for our coatings. If a venue needs any of those, check the requirements with the media manufacturer and the operator’s own health and safety or estates adviser.
Changing studio themes
Boutique gyms and franchise studios update their look as programmes and branding change. For dry indoor areas such as studios, receptions and corridors, Phototex printable self-adhesive fabric removes in one piece without damaging the wall and can be repositioned and reused. It does not curl at the edges or peel, and site staff can fit it without specialist installers. Keep it to interiors, and away from changing rooms and pool halls where water is constant.
Planning tips
- Consider a lower-sheen finish where bright studio lighting could cause glare on a high-gloss surface.
- Make sure prints are fully dry before coating, particularly heavy-ink murals.
- Place the most-touched information, such as timetables, where it can be replaced easily.
Fitting out a gym or refreshing a leisure centre? Ring 01252 624 411 to talk through media and coating options, or send us the details through our contact page.