13 Digitally Printed Wallcoverings

It’s tough to pin down a pattern in the realm of digitally printed wall décor: Increasingly, the trend is that almost anyone – designers and artists, digital print shops, and analog printers who decide to make the switch – can do just about anything. As machines and media become simpler to operate and install, there’s a fear that the role of the print shop middleman may decline. Some experts and manufacturers say wallcoverings are destined to meet the same commoditized fate as billboards and vehicle wraps, while others argue that the premium placed on customized décor is as limitless as the provider’s imagination.

So, what can PSPs do to stay present and profitable in this sector? You’ll find a variety of strategies in the following pages: Some shops have expanded their in-house design services while others have befriended interior designers, architects, and local artists. Some market themselves as a friend to small businesses and home decorators while others take on high-profile office buildings and hotels. There are shops that have searched for ways to save the client a buck, providing self-installable graphics or offering less costly media, while others take the opposite approach and stock one-of-a-kind substrates with special effects that enrich the printed design. A handful of customers will prioritize eco-friendliness when looking for a vendor; others can’t spare the extra dollar.

And it’s no secret that textiles are all the rage – InfoTrends predicted last year a 34 percent CAGR for digital textile printing through 2019 – but vinyl films will always have their place. You’ll see a wealth of latex printing, but neither UV nor solvent technologies have lost their footing in this market.

The choices are nearly infinite, so it may be easy to overwhelm yourself with inventory and equipment that doesn’t fit your capabilities or your customers. Big Picture is the first to applaud expansion and diversification, but do so strategically. Pick the right technologies for your shop, craft an identity around their potential, and see where they take you. One thing is for certain in this sector: Be ready to crank up the creativity.

Wallcoverings Preserve History at The Shirt Corner

Style Meets Industry for Hotel Wall Décor

Wall Graphics Transform 'Inception' Set into Office Building

Print Brings Color into Accounting Firm

Wallcoverings and Small Business: A Perfect Pairing

Wall Heroes Saves the Day with Rustic Graphics

Local Kids Bring Community to Wall Graphics

Tiny Mammoth Graphics Finds Success on the Walls

Meeks Group Delivers Wall Wrap with Two-Day Turnaround

Wall Graphics Create Cheerful Hospital Environment

Printed Wall Art Completes Man Cave

Northwestern Brewery Gains Presence Through Wall Mural

Interior Design Show Sees Printing in Pink

For more, check out “3 Wallcovering Hacks” or browse content from our April 2016 “Inspired Interiors” issue.