By Melissa Donovan
Part 1 of 3
2023’s Application of the Year awards was one of our most buzzed about contests since it began ten years ago. The number of entries was astounding and the caliber of the projects was equally impressive.
While you can read all about the first place winner, Art City Wraps, in the August issue of Digital Output—here is the place to learn more about the second, third, and honorable mention honorees.
Bright, Light, and Airy
AMI Graphics, Inc., based in Strafford, NH, won second place with its work for Now & There Inc. Artist Yenny Hernandez, part of Now & There, designed a colorful, gigantic display titled Ponle Vuelo A Tus Sueños/Let Your Dreams Take Flight for the Prudential Center in Boston, MA.
The project, which included printing 3,000 square feet of various sized, cut-to-shape, adhesive graphics and then installing them all overnight, is a great example of AMI Graphics’ capabilities.
In business since 2006, the print service provider (PSP) has 90 employees working out of two locations—NH and FL. The combined square footage of its production facilities is 80,000 square feet. The company services professional sports teams and leagues, collegiate athletics, corporations and small businesses alike, resellers, and special events nationwide.
Working with Hernandez, a Latinx award-winning graphic designer and muralist, was special for a number of reasons but perhaps the biggest was the ability to make a vision come to life. “What’s unique about this project is the fact that an inspirational artist was able to display her work across an area that is far from her usual applications—painted wall murals. The ability to say ‘yes to a request like this and make this vision come to life is what makes our industry so special,” explains Aaron Radbill, marketing director, AMI Graphics.
AMI Graphics was awarded the job through a partner referral from BRM Production Management. When the team met with Hernandez their goal was to figure out how to display her Ponle Vuelo A Tus Sueños/Let Your Dreams Take Flight artwork on the glass entrance of the Prudential Center and capture the bright colors as well as nostalgic imagery in Hernandez’s art.
To achieve this, AMI Graphics worked with 3M Controltac Graphic Film with Comply v3 Adhesive and 3M Scotchcal Luster Overlaminate 8519. “It was selected as the optimal solution for cutting graphics to shape, allowing natural light to shine from the outside in and color pop,” explains Radbill.
Graphics were printed using an Epson SureColor R5070L roll-to-roll resin printer with a water-based ink before being cut to size with AMI’s Summa S2 T160 cutting machine. Over 90 panels were prepped and cut before the final install.
Installation happened over one night, with the help of an 80-foot articulating boom lift. Masked adhesive panels were applied directly to the glass. “Lining up over 90 panels to accomplish the finished artwork was challenging. With the various angles and gaps in the glass, applying these graphics was not a simple process,” notes Radbill.
The entire project, from being awarded the job to print, cut, and final install took one month to complete. Hernandez and the entire Now & There team were thrilled with the final result. The graphics were in place for three months and then properly removed.
“With the combination of Yenny’s various colors, tropical foliage, and nostalgic imagery as well as the 3M media, the appearance of the artwork was bright and vibrant,” shares Radbill.
Plans in Place
AMI Graphics continues to grow in size and scope thanks in part to high-profile projects like the one for Now & There at the Prudential Center. Radbill credits hard work, dedication, and great people to making all of the company’s successes happen.
As the team look toward the future, they are keeping their eyes on a few big trends in technology and applications. The PSP recently acquired a Durst P5 TEX iSUB for dye-sublimation work and with it hopes to capitalize on the continued growth in this segment of the market.
In addition, it remains up to date about advancements in workflow automation. “The software continues to make the production process more efficient, allowing for greater volume while still delivering the highest quality products with fast turnaround times to our customer base,” explains Radbill.
Finally, wall graphics and wallcoverings is an application set that AMI Graphics believes has staying power in terms of opportunity. “Extending brand profile and messaging is becoming more and more important whether in the office with employees or out in the market. Empty/blank wall spaces provide a tremendous opportunity to not only liven up a space, but create and engage with branded content. There are a number of economical adhesive solutions, silicone edge graphics, and other products that can be applied providing options for companies and brands of any size and budget,” concludes Radbill.
We can’t wait to see what AMI Graphics does next!
The second article in this series spotlights the third place winner of this year’s Application of the Year awards, Turner Signs of Barnsley, U.K.
Aug23, Digital Output
