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By Mark Folkard, General Manager – Wallace Print (With operational insight from John Lidbury)
Every ambitious print project, from a multi-site rollout to a landmark building wrap, involves dozens of critical details. Getting them all right is the difference between a seamless launch and a costly setback. At Wallace Print, our role isn’t just to print; it’s to act as a second set of expert eyes, safeguarding your project from the common pitfalls that can derail a campaign before it even starts.
A perfect example of this happened recently with a leading property developer we support. They supplied artwork for a series of large-scale hoarding graphics for a new site. While the designs looked fantastic, our studio team spotted something during our pre-press checks that a client could easily miss: across ten different artwork files, the company logo on one graphic was positioned just a few millimetres lower than on all the others.
Instead of just printing it as-is, we immediately flagged it with their marketing team. Was this subtle difference intentional, or an easy-to-make design oversight? It was the latter. By working with them to quickly align the artwork, we ensured perfect consistency across the whole site perimeter. Our clients know they have a second pair of expert eyes on every file, acting as a final quality check before anything goes to print.
This article breaks down the common pressure points in a print project and explains the robust processes we use to navigate them. If you’re commissioning large-format print, here’s how we work with you to guarantee success from the very beginning.
Low-resolution images, incorrect colour profiles, missing bleed, and poor file setup are the fastest ways to derail a job. We’ve had artwork submitted in PowerPoint and even screenshots from phones. The result? Delays, reproofs, or worse, prints that don’t meet the brief.
When files aren’t prepared correctly, it doesn’t just affect the print, it throws off the entire schedule. Reprints take time, machine slots are missed, and deliveries slip.
Our studio checks every file thoroughly before sign-off. We also provide detailed file setup guides, templates, and a prepress review service for high-value jobs.
As John Lidbury explains: Artwork is either production-ready or it’s not. There’s no in-between. The earlier we review it, the more we can protect the project.
Choosing the wrong substrate for the environment can ruin a print. We’ve seen indoor boards swell outdoors and adhesive vinyls fail to grip textured walls. Sometimes the problem isn’t even the material; it’s assuming all vinyls, boards, or fabrics perform the same.
For example, we’ve had clients request Foamex for outdoor hoarding, unaware that weatherproof alternatives like Dibond are far more suited. Or selecting a high-tack vinyl that damages interior paintwork. These aren’t technical faults; they’re missed details.
We advise based on environment, usage, and budget. Our team keeps extensive material samples in-house for testing and regularly trials new options to expand what’s available to clients. A single consultation can prevent a costly and time-consuming reprint.
A successful print project is about more than great artwork. It relies on detailed briefs and thoughtful planning at every step. The issues we encounter most often don’t show up in the press. They are usually found in small details. These are the things that can slip through early in the process, for example, access codes, installation instructions, or timing for each site in a large rollout.
When we prepared a nationwide campaign for over fifty locations, our account manager made sure every installation detail was clear before we began production. We used our logistics pre-flight checklist, which starts before anything gets printed, to review each site’s instructions. We updated contact names and double-checked that every detail matched what was required on the ground.
By asking the right questions at the start, we ensure that installers are fully prepared. When your graphics arrive, the teams have the correct names, phone numbers, and the right access times for each site. This proactive approach means clients receive a smooth launch that supports their brand without unwanted surprises or delays.
From the first quote, we request complete specifications and bring our production and installation specialists into the conversation immediately. This early involvement helps us spot and resolve any unclear points before print files are approved. We do not simply process what is given to us. We review every brief carefully to make sure your investment is protected from day one.
Speed is possible, but not at the expense of accuracy. We’ve rescued more than a few campaigns where another supplier overpromised on timing. Rushing a job without a process means errors sneak in.
If you need full retail graphics kits or a site-wide signage rollout turned around in days, that timeline has to work backwards. We build schedules based on real-world production needs, accounting for drying times, complex finishing, packaging, national dispatch, and install coordination. That’s how we keep fast-moving projects on track without sacrificing quality.
We offer clear lead times, even under pressure. Our team optimises press and finishing schedules for every job and assigns project managers to keep communication live. If the deadline’s tight, the spec must be tighter.
Finishing is where a print project becomes reality. It’s the precise cutting, the protective laminating, and the complex logistics of packing, bundling, and labelling. This final stage requires as much diligence as the print itself, because this is where a project’s success is ultimately delivered.
We see this often with multi-site rollouts. For a recent campaign for a national retail brand, the dispatch required hundreds of unique POS packs to be bundled for individual stores. A simple spreadsheet error from the client’s side had swapped the delivery codes for two entire regions. A printer focused only on output would have followed the instructions blindly, leading to costly chaos in distribution.
Our logistics team, however, has a mandatory cross-referencing stage built into their process. They checked the postcodes against the store regions, immediately spotted the discrepancy, and flagged it with the client. We were able to get the data corrected before a single box was mislabelled. This is what we mean by end-to-end project ownership.
The same rigour applies to installation. “Print failure isn’t always on the press,” says Mark Folkard, our General Manager. “It’s in the gaps between steps—a loose spec here, a missed detail there. It’s why we pre-flight the logistics of an install just as thoroughly as we pre-flight the artwork.” We confirm site access times, loading bay restrictions, and on-site contacts days in advance, ensuring our install teams arrive prepared and on schedule. Our process is designed to find and close those gaps before they become problems.
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Mark Folkard is Wallace Print’s General Manager. With decades of experience overseeing complex production schedules and project roll outs, his expertise is central to our operational success. He has an expert eye for the details that ensure a project runs smoothly, guaranteeing every job meets the high standards of quality and reliability our clients expect.
With insight from John Lidbury
John works directly with clients to align project goals with production reality. His approach ensures no detail is missed from quote to install.
For more information about large format print and to discuss your next project, please contact us on 01634 724 772 or email us at sales@wallaceprint.com
Get in touch via our contact form to find out more about how Wallace Print can help you transform your print project. Our expert account managers are on hand to provide advice, quotes, and assistance – however, and wherever you need it.
Get in touch via our contact form to find out more about how Wallace Print can help you transform your print project.
