Supporting Scotland’s Creative Economy with Specialist Print Innovation

When the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) needed a specialist print partner for their new Rural Lab centre in Scotland’s Highlands, they turned to Wallace Print for expertise in bespoke acrylic printing. With over 100 panels required — each with unique specifications — the project demanded precision, problem-solving, and a collaborative approach to innovation.

GSA’s Rural Lab initiative, launched at its Highlands & Islands campus near Forres, is a world-leading hub for research, innovation and enterprise across rural economies. Wallace Print was proud to support this vision with a visually engaging installation tailored to the centre’s creative and educational mission.

About the Client (The Glasgow School of Art [GSA])

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is one of Europe’s leading higher education institutions for the visual creative disciplines, with a global reputation for art, design, architecture and innovation. In 2023, GSA launched Rural Lab — a new interdisciplinary research centre based at its Highlands & Islands campus near Forres, Scotland. Rural Lab explores the intersections between design, sustainability, enterprise and rural innovation. The centre supports forward-thinking research across areas such as biosciences, femtech, craft economies, and ecological design — all with the aim of enabling sustainable economic growth and cultural transformation in rural communities.

As a globally connected institution with a commitment to place-based research, GSA required a visual installation for Rural Lab that could match the centre’s ambition, communicate its purpose, and stand up to high visitor engagement. That’s where Wallace Print was brought in to deliver a specialist print solution.

The Brief / Challenge

The client brief involved producing over 110 bespoke acrylic panels — varying in size and containing complex visuals including photography, text, and colour overlays. Each panel had to be clear, precise, and able to withstand public interaction in a gallery-style environment. The panels needed to be printed directly onto 3mm clear extruded acrylic, with certain elements rendered in matt finish and others left writable. Logistical planning was essential, given the panels had to be securely transported from Kent to the Highlands.

From the outset, the scope presented both creative and logistical challenges:

• 110+ mixed-size panels
• Printed on 3mm clear extruded acrylic
• Double-hit CMYK + spot/flood white applications
• Cut to spec with router finishing
• One side of the panels needed to be matt finished and writable

We began with a detailed telephone consultation to understand the project objectives and pain points from past experiences. Acrylic can be a challenging substrate to work with, particularly in relation to ink adhesion, cutting tolerances, and transportation without surface damage.

Our Solution

To ensure quality from the start, we produced a series of large format test samples at our Kent facility using our Direct to Media Printing capabilities, which allow us to print directly onto rigid materials like acrylic with exceptional clarity and durability. These test panels were sent to GSA’s team in Glasgow for hands-on review and approval.

One key technical challenge was delivering a writable surface on one side of the panel while retaining the graphic image on the reverse. Our production team modified the print sequence, applying a matt protective layer with dry-wipe compatibility to one side, while using a flood white and spot white underlay beneath the image on the reverse. This allowed for clear, crisp visuals while maintaining functionality for workshops and educational use.

Production involved:

• Printing with double-hit CMYK for strong colour density
• Flood white to enhance image clarity on clear substrates
• Spot white layering to make text and graphical elements “pop”
• CNC router cutting for panel shaping
• Quality-checked print finishing to ensure consistent edges and surface protection

With over 100 individual panels of varying sizes, layout and transport required strategic planning. We collaborated closely with the client to ensure all panels were securely packed and palletised for safe transport from Kent to the north of Scotland — a logistical distance of over 600 miles.

The Results

The finished panels were successfully delivered and installed at GSA Rural Lab, forming part of a key visual display that complemented the lab’s modern rural design aesthetic. The combination of text, images, writable surfaces, and layered finishes gave each panel both artistic impact and educational functionality. The installation played a vital role in the visual storytelling of GSA’s research pillars and was featured in press coverage during the official launch. Our ability to balance high-spec production with adaptable logistics made us a trusted partner for this flagship academic project.

The installation played a vital role in the visual storytelling of GSA’s research pillars and was featured in press coverage during the official launch. Our ability to balance high-spec production with adaptable logistics made us a trusted partner for this flagship academic project.

“The Wallace Print team made the impossible feel effortless. From the initial call to final installation, they were proactive, transparent and completely reliable. The graphics exceeded expectations, and the entire process was smooth despite the challenges on site. We’ll continue to use Wallace Print for all future installations.“Wallace Print quickly understood our needs and guided us through every stage of production. The test samples gave us total confidence in the finish, and the final installation was exceptional. The panels look stunning and are already being used across the Rural Lab. We’re looking forward to working with Wallace Print again.”

Why Wallace Print?

Need help with bespoke acrylic printing or a large-scale creative project? Wallace Print provides nationwide support for specialist printing, including consultation, production and delivery. Contact us today to request a quote or speak with a project expert.