Few places test printed graphics like a busy concourse. Thousands of people pass each day, wheeled cases clip the lower edge of every wall, and cleaning crews work through the night. Graphics in stations, airports, bus interchanges and ferry terminals need to look fresh for the whole of a campaign or contract, often with little chance to get at them once installed.
Where protection matters most
The areas that suffer are usually predictable. Low-level panels take knocks from luggage and buggies. Walls by ticket machines, seating and cafés get touched, leaned on and splashed. Graphics near entrances catch wind-blown rain and grit, and anything opposite large glazing faces long hours of daylight. Those are the places to prioritise when deciding what to coat.
Landor Liquid Lamination adds a protective layer to the print that improves durability and lightfastness. The Colourjet coating protects against water, chemicals and abrasion, and its integrated UV inhibitors help prevent premature fading. Coated graphics are therefore better able to cope with scuffs and frequent wiping than uncoated ink.
Typical transport applications
- Large-format advertising and sponsored wall wraps
- Destination imagery and local heritage walls in waiting areas
- Hoardings around refurbishment works
- Retail unit graphics within terminals
- Décor panels in lounges and staff areas
Regulations: what we can and cannot say
Transport operators and rail and aviation authorities often set strict fire performance and materials standards for interiors, and rolling stock has its own requirements again. We do not make fire-rating or certification claims for our coatings or for Phototex. Before specifying anything for a station, terminal or vehicle interior, confirm the requirements with the operator, the media manufacturer and your fire safety or estates adviser. Coating a print does not change the need to meet those standards.
Short campaigns and overnight changes
Advertising sites change hands regularly and installations often happen during short closures. For indoor walls, Phototex self-adhesive woven fabric can be applied and repositioned without specialist installers, and it removes in one piece without damaging the surface underneath. It is intended for interiors only, so keep it away from open platforms and external walls.
For outdoor or semi-exposed positions, use media designed for exterior use and protect it with a coating. Our outdoor signage page covers the considerations in more detail.
Before a large order
Solvent coatings do not suit every substrate or ink, and transport cleaning teams often use industrial products. Coat a sample of the production media and test it with the products actually used on site. On a large tender, that small step avoids expensive surprises. The sample testing guide sets out how to go about it.
Working on graphics for a station, airport or other transport site? Our team can talk through media, coating and installation choices on 01252 624 411, or you can reach us via the contact form.