Can You See Me Now?

Large Format Digital (LFD) in Madison, WI, has taken technology originally developed for wrapping vehicles and developed a unique specialty application: Urban Camouflage. LFD wraps cell-phone antennas to match an already existing structure, helping them to blend in with their surroundings. The resultant graphic not only protects a neighborhood's historical and architectural character, but also allows the highly sensitive equipment it masks to work to its maximum effectiveness-it produces less than 0.03 dB interference.

To produce an Urban Camouflage graphic, LFD first executes a site survey to locate the placement of the antenna and takes a high-res photo of a 2 x 2-ft detail area of the antenna at 300 dpi. The company also takes a 35mm negative (often with a disposable camera). These images are used to measure architectural elements within the photographed area-such as brick size. The shop might also garner from the client a paint, grout, or brick chip for color reference-this can be as small as the size of a dime.

The second step is color matching and/or correction. If a color sample is provided, LFD will produce a proof matched to the sample and submit it for client approval. If a sample is unavailable, LFD will print a variance chart with differences in hue and contrast; LFD or the client/site manager will make the decision on the closest match.

Finally, LFD outputs according to the cell company's specifications onto Avery Dennison MPI 1005 Cast White Vinyl using its Mutoh Toucan or EFI Vutek UltraVu 3360 printer, with Triangle Digital INX ink.

Each antenna measures approximately 108-in. high x 26-in. wide and requires 19.5 sq ft of printed material and 20 min of printing time to camouflage it from the world. Once the output phase is complete, LFD adds a custom matte topcoat using an Orca III laminator. Installation requires two installers 3 hr to complete.

LARGE FORMAT DIGITAL

www.largeformatdigital.com