What did the job entail?

The centre is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and, as part of the latest phase of the works, North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) contacted Phil Crow, the official Lincolnshire photographer for the British Cycling National Road Championships, to ask if they could use some of his images to deck out the new virtual cycling studio.

Crow designed the walls and once the mock-ups were approved, Double Red Print - which had previously worked on projects with Crow - then proofed and printed the images onto digital wall coverings, which were cut to fit the dimensions of the studio. A two-man team from Allen Signs, which acquired Double Red Print last year, then installed the graphics.

How was it produced?

39 sections, each measuring 2,700x850mm, were printed onto the Sihl Prepasted WallpaperSol Persomural substrate using a Mimaki JV33 printer. The sections were then cut to size by hand.

What challenges were overcome?

Allen Signs faced tight installation deadlines due to being required to install the wallpaper across two days just before the opening of the new facility. Other challenges faced by Allen Signs’ two-man team included limited working space and the necessity of working around various ducts, sockets and extrusions in the cycle studio. 

Double Red Print general manager Matt Ryder added: “With wallpaper you’ve also got to make sure you align everything the best that you can to ensure it lines up exactly, especially when lots of small text is being used.”

What was the feedback?

The new studio was unveiled at the launch of the 2016 Lincoln Festival of Cycling in front of guests including professional cyclists and NKDC leader Marion Brighton.

NKDC leisure and client services manager Mike Lock said: “From start to finish it was a pleasure to work with Phil and, through him, Double Red Print, to achieve a very special and unique atmosphere within the cycling studio, which the users themselves tell us inspires them.”