Printing the great wall of Emirates
Challenge: The process of expansion and refurbishment never stops at Auckland International Airport, fuelled by NZ’s consistent ranking in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Countries list. While the rebuilding goes on, the airport has to present a calm, on-brand face to passengers. This usually means the use of temporary walls, which are made attractive with printed graphics and photo murals.
Solution: When Emirates needed to expand their premium lounge at Auckland International Airport, they gave Soar Print the job of printing and installing photo murals on a temporary wall.
The ‘Great Wall of Emirates’, 27 metres long and 3 metres high, was wallpapered with a laminated vinyl photo mural printed at Soar’s plant in New North Road. The process included application of a matte laminate, to ensure a sleek and sophisticated result.
While Soar’s large format digital presses can print widths of 1600mm and 2500mm, and lengths that are limited only by the substrate roll, the mural was produced in sections that could be easily handled. Installations of this size can be tricky because each piece has to be carefully applied without stretch to ensure accurate image match up.
“After measuring up with the architect, we had four days to print and install the mural. But before we could start printing, the artwork files had to be approved and sent to us by Emirates head office in the UAE. It was a nail biter!”
Richard Davy, large format print specialist at Soar Print
