Planting the Seed

In June, Cushing completed a job for Syngenta, a global company that produces agrochemicals and seeds, based in Basel, Switzerland. The business opened a Global and North America Seeds office in Downers Grove, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago and a major US corn and soy growing region. The new location required wall and window graphics that spread their brand’s message in a corporate, professional way. Seems simple enough, but the project ended up requiring some out-of-the-box thinking from Cushing’s finishing department. “The customer was intent on the graphics working together in the space, but also adding an extra element of texture,” says Julia Kaufman, color production supervisor at Cushing. 

StagHill, a UK-based graphic design agency, assisted with the artwork. After some long-distance calls and a few suggestions from Kaufman, the team was ready to go. Fifteen to 20 printed pieces of Magic GFCVM Satin Canvas were wrapped around wooden stretcher bars in multiple depths to create an overall visual mural once put together. Ten to 15 wall graphics and window graphics were printed on the shop’s Epson SureColor S80600 onto 3M Controltac Graphic Film IJ180. Because of the request for texture, Cushing used 3M Décor Overlaminate 8600 with a riverbed finish and its Seal 65 Pro laminator.

“We’re very comfortable with laminating,” Kaufman says about her team’s daily use of the process. The textured wall graphic and frosted, privacy film – 3M Crystal Dusted and Frosted window film that was contour cut with the shop’s Zund G3 digital cutter – together gave the office extra depth.

Cushing clients typically ask for a canvas wall with one layer. “While multiple depths is a unique application request, we’re familiar with this process,” Kaufman adds. “It brings an interesting twist to the overall artwork elevation, and while it’s a more complicated post-production process, the graphic needs to be consistent. The materials and message all must line up in the end, allowing the artwork or text to line up, flow, and make for an easy install. It’s a nice challenge we don’t see frequently and it paid off in the final product.” Once the project was completed, “they were thrilled,” says Kaufman about her overseas client.