At PressOn, we’ve had the pleasure of working with an assortment of prestigious and recognisable clients, and sometimes, the positive professional relationships we form with these clients lead to ongoing partnerships.
Over the past year, one of these such clients has been real estate investment trust Intu – an iconic brand renowned for their management of many of the UK’s most recognisable retail malls and shopping centres.
PressOn have produced a wide range of large format print work, including some of our most exciting retail projects to date – Intu remain one of PressOn’s most valued clients, and this summary provides an insight into this exciting collaboration.
Who are Intu?
Following an extensive and inventive rebrand, Intu Properties was officially formed in 2013. The company owns the real estate for a total of 17 of the UK’s largest and most successful shopping centres, providing a platform that brings together the best brands in the country.
Their properties include The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Manchester Arndale, and the range of Intu centres such as Intu Milton Keynes and Intu Lakeside.
When did PressOn start working with Intu?
PressOn’s first project with Intu took place in November 2017, when we worked on a large floor graphic for their Lakeside center.
What have PressOn produced for Intu?
Intu have continued to contract PressOn for a wide range of projects, involving a variety of different printed solutions for a number of their retail property clients.
PressOn have produced everything from escalator wraps and balustrade decals to pillar vinyl wraps and huge retail banners for Intu. Having produced exceptional results together, PressOn and Intu have also worked on a few more unusual installations:
Project highlight – Fabric Frame cubes
In 2018, PressOn were contracted by Intu to produce a series of unique products for one of their most prestigious advertising clients. Using their innovative tension fabric frame systems, PressOn printed the graphics onto fabric that was then fitted into a 3D cuboid, and constructed on-site. Once complete, the frame was hoisted and suspended high above shoppers.
These fabric frames were installed into four Intu centres across the country: Intu’s Trafford Centre, Metro Centre, Merryhill, and Braehead shopping malls. The graphics were printed onto Vortex Blockout, fitted with Silicone Kaedar edges, and the frame was made from aluminium.
Why did Intu choose PressOn?
With many print supplier available in the UK, Intu had a lot of choice when it came to their choice of partner, but there were a few things about PressOn that made us stand out – and a lot of this this was down to our comprehensive ability to take full responsibility and ownership of a project, as required.
With so many centres to manage, and countless departments and moving parts to organise, Intu needed a print supplier who were able to manage an entirely project completely smoothly.
PressOn don’t just print graphics, we manage the project from start to finish. From initial site surveys, we also offer consultation on the best choice of materials, and we manage the printing, installation, and removal of all of our products. We work to make our clients’ lives as easy as possible, and this is why Intu chose – and continue to choose – PressOn’s services.
Challenges – and solutions
With any ambitious projects, occasionally a few hurdles can crop up. When it comes to products and services we print and install regularly, there are very rarely any issues – the real challenge is working on something new and unique, such as the fabric frames mentioned above.
As the frames were due to be lifted and suspended above shoppers passing underneath, planning the installation was a unique challenge. The frames had to be fitted, then lifted into place, and the technical aspects of installation were fairly tricky.
PressOn worked with two excellent partners – KD Decorative and MK Illuminations, to arrange and finalise the rigging requirements, and ensure the frames were fitted safely and securely. It is this spirit of collaboration that makes PressOn’s partnerships with all of our clients, including Intu, so positive and productive.
A bright future
PressOn and Intu are continuing to work together following the success of their working relationship to date, with a high concentration of work taking place across the various Intu sites throughout the UK.
Stay tuned to our social media channels, including Twitter and Instagram, for up to date information on what we’ve been working on!
