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Fineline Signs Graphic Studio uses trompe l'oeil to tout its floor-graphics capabilities

By Steve Aust

Fineline Signs Graphic Studio (Denver) produces a broad, digital-graphic portfolio. The official graphics provider for the NFL’s Denver Broncos, the shop produces wall murals, banners and related projects for various Colorado institutions and municipalities.

John Miller, Fineline’s special-projects manager, says floor graphics represent approximately 5% of the company’s portfolio. He noted that event-marketing and management companies that promote one-time events represent most of the company’s customers.

“When we complete a site survey, it’s important to understand the surface texture to which the graphics will be applied,” he said. “It’s also important to consider how much moisture an area will receive. If an area will experience heavy exposure to foot traffic that carries rain or snow, we have to be prepared to take the additional steps required to seal the graphic’s edges, to prevent lifting from moisture.”

For a recent in-shop open house, Fineline executed various applications to tout its graphic capabilities. To catch visitors off-guard, the shop generated a gaping, round hole in the floor – of the inkjet-printed variety. Ben Schley, a Fineline designer, developed the graphic using Adobe Photoshop.

Miller said, “It was important to use an image that demonstrated depth, an overhead view and such details as the ladder and skeletal remains. The abundance of stock-art websites made this job much easier.”
The shop produced the graphics on 3M’s IJ40 temporary floor vinyl with 8509 luster-finish overlaminate. Using Caldera’s V8 RIP, the shop output the graphic on its HP Scitex LX800 latex-ink printer.