Multigraphics

Please note Multigraphics will be closing for the holidays at 5 pm on December 22nd, 2022 (Thursday) and will reopen at 8:30 am on January 3rd, 2022 (Tuesday). Happy Holidays!

The Art of Wrapping Utility Boxes

The Art of Wrapping Utility Boxes

You probably haven’t given a second thought, but chances are you have come across these utility boxes once and went “Why do they do this?” or “How did they do this?”. Well, wonder no more. As a large format printing specialist, Multigraphics has wrapped many utility boxes around the city of Vancouver and today we will briefly explain the hows and whys behind it.

 

What are Utility Boxes?

Utility boxes are metallic structures installed on street corners and sidewalks, holding all the valuable equipment that keeps our city running smoothly. They help run infrastructure like traffic lights, cable and phone connections, streetlights, transit shelters, electric transformers, and much more. Their respective cities own most utility boxes, however, some are owned and operated by private organizations.

Why do we wrap Utility Boxes with vinyl graphics?

No matter who owns them, there are thousands of them throughout the city. It’s one of those essential infrastructures that you need in public spaces, but don’t want the public to see. So how do you justify erecting them everywhere while avoiding making them an eye sore? Simple. You cover them up. Either by wrapping them in graphics or painting over them.

Of course, there is an option of not doing either, however, without any graphics, utility boxes are just flat, metallic canvas for taggers  to add their graffiti markings. 

Up till the late 2000s, this was a major issue faced by cities around the world. Luckily, around the same time, the vinyl wrap boom was taking place. With better printing technologies and materials, large format printing industry had the solution. Their solution could not only deter taggers from marking on utility boxes, but also allow the owners to virtually place any image on the boxes. This pool of untapped potential led to various benefits that wrapped utility boxes provided over the years since.

Benefits of Wrapping Utility Boxes

  • Provides a platform or an opportunity for local artist (e.g. city of vancouver art call) to showcase their talent in the form of public art.
  • Eliminates or prevent vandalism by disallowing graffiti markings on the boxes (as the graphics are covered with anti-graffiti laminate).
  • Helps beautify the city by creatively merging the metal infrastructures with their surrounding landscapes.
  • The graphics are long lasting (upward of 5+ years) and can easily be replaced, providing an economically feasible solution for the city.
  • Can be a form of major tourist attraction if done right. Having a creative image can lead to the up rise of Instagramers popularizing the art.
  • Fun Fact: Wrapped utility boxes are one of the most popular forms of Pokestops in the popular mobile game Pokemon Go.

How are Utility Box Wraps Produced?

Like most prints, producing utility box graphics go through the following stages:

  1. We visit the site to get precise measurements of the utility boxes and any irregularities that we might encounter during installation.
  2. We draw a rough mockup on paper to go with the order for production.
  3. At Prepress stage, each utility box is subdivided into individual panels in relation to how they will be printed and cut.
  4. This is forwarded to client for final approval before proceeding with the prints.
  5. The graphics are printed on highly durable 3M Conformable Vinyl and laminated with either Gloss or Anti-Graffiti Laminate.
  6. The last step involves the actual installation which will bring all the element of design and mockups together to bring the visual to life.

Custom Printed Box Wraps

Contact Us

Have a question about wrapping a utility box or would like to get a quote? Leave us a message below or call us at +1 604.437.8444.



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American Spirit Graphics for a Private Event

American Spirit Graphics for a Private Event

Our Work

  • 24 Panels of Self Adhesive Vinyl prints for the Main Bars
  • 6 Panels of Self Adhesive Vinyl prints for the DJ booth
  • 5 Directional Arrows
  • 4 Panels of Privacy Screen
  • 50 small decals, installed throughout the location
  • 2 washroom murals
  • 6 washroom stall door decals
  • 4 Foamboard wall panels
  • 3 Banners for the entrance
The beautiful, rustic design goes to show why it isn’t necessary to print on wood for an authentic old-school look. Good design and quality prints can help achieve that at a fraction of the cost.

Gallery

LIKE ANYTHING YOU SEE ABOVE?

Visit our Retail Signs page for more info or ask us directly on how we can help you with your graphical needs.

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New Office Graphics at Ariix Vancouver

New Office Graphics at Ariix Vancouver

ARIIX is a global network marketing company that provides health, wellness, beauty, and weight-loss products and supplements. With over 10 locations around the world, they recently expanded into the Canadian market with their first office in Vancouver.

As a company that sets high quality standards for their own products, they expected nothing less for the graphics that were to be put up at their new office. With a simple, yet creative design, they wanted their brand color Gold (color) to be the highlight – from the diagonally-patterned wall decals to their 3D logo and letters.

Our Work

  • Various Avery Gold vinyl cut patterns, installed across 3 walls
  • Avery Gold vinyl cut letters
  • Eleven image frames
  • One 3D logo and letters (65″ x 15″)
  • Two full wall murals – one at 148″ x 102″ and the other at 174″ x 102″
  • Two frosted privacy window film with a cut out logo. Each at 72″ x 36″
We loved the bold design that goes against the norm. The gold really makes the wall pop and further instills Ariix’s high quality standards. Check out the finished result below.

Gallery

LIKE ANYTHING YOU SEE ABOVE?

Visit our Office Improvements page for more info or ask us directly on how we can help you with your graphical needs.

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Wayfinding Signs at University of the Fraser Valley

Exterior Wayfinding Signage at the University of The Fraser Valley

Multigraphics was recently requested to help print and install Identification and Directional signage for UFV at their Abbotsford campus. This is one of those projects where a picture speaks a thousand words. The need was straight-forward, the solution, however, slightly challenging. 

The double sided aluminum sign holder extrusions had to be ordered in from the States, while the prints were done and assembled  in-house. Since all the wayfinding signs were outdoor, factors such as wind, rain, snow, and other elements that could damage the sign had to be accounted for as well. Despite the freight and installation challenges, it was rewarding to see the hard work of our team come to fruition and the client being very happy with the end result.

Our Work

  • 6 double sided Pylon Signs – 48″W x 80″H each
  • 7 double sided Pylon Signs – 24″W x 112″H each
  • 1 double sided Pylon Sign  – 24″W x 68″H
  • 1 Four-sided Pylon Sign – 40″W x 80″H
  • 30 Blade Signs with Poles – 24″W x 6″H each
All signs were printed on 3M permanent self adhesive vinyl applied onto a 1 mm Poly-carbonated film which was then inserted into the frames.

Gallery

LIKE ANYTHING YOU SEE ABOVE?

Visit our Wayfinding Signage page for more info or ask us directly on how we can help you with your graphical needs.

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Office Environmental Graphics in Victoria & Vancouver | Phase 1 of 3

Environmental Graphics in Victoria, Bc (Phase 1 of 3)

Multigraphics was ecstatic to help print and install the beautifully designed environmental graphics at two locations – Victoria and Vancouver, BC. The project in Victoria spanned across five floors where each was distinguished by different colors that complimented the interior design of the space while creating a consistent tone across the facility. The project in Vancouver was more focused on capturing the essence of the brand and creating a motivating environment for the employees.

The entire project will be completed in three phases, spread over 2 years. To see the remaining phases, click the link below:

Meanwhile, details and finished pictures of phase 1 can be viewed below.

Wall Graphics

  • 15 walls covered in 3M Long Life Wall Vinyl with Matte Laminate
  • Over 500 linear feet of media printed, laminated, and installed

Glass Covering

Privacy Film

  • 430 panels of printed and non printed 3M Dusted Crystal Vinyl
  • Over 1200 linear feet of media printed and installed across 5 floors

Kiss Cut Letters

  • 136 Locations | 122 Numbers | 14 Names
  • Kiss cut and weeded from 3M Matte White Vinyl

Gallery

LIKE ANYTHING YOU SEE ABOVE?

Visit our Office Graphics page for more info or ask us directly on how we can help you with your graphical needs.

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Google Cloud Relay Canada 2018

Custom ACP Signs for Google Relay Canada (2018)

8 Cities | 1000 Developers | 5 Time Zones | 1 Challenge | 1 Day

St. John's Quebec City Montreal Toronto Vancouver Calgary Ottawa Winnipeg

The Google Cloud Relay is one of Google’s most ambitious collaborative events where a coding challenge takes place simultaneously in 8 different cities across Canada. In the challenge, more than 1,000 of the country’s top developers team up with peers in their province to build a complete working solution using the Google Cloud Platform. 

The event’s graphical design was created and overseen by Unit 11 who approached Multigraphics to assist with all the printing and fabrication. The idea was to create a backdrop stage at each venue that reflects the one-day, one-challenge vibe. A simple solution in theory, but challenging in practice. The various heptagons needed to be bent, printed, wrapped, and aligned to form the patterned required. To make it more challenging, they also needed to be transported to eight different cities without getting damaged.

The bright minds at Unit 11, 3DS, and Multigraphics went through several ideas and prototypes before finalizing on bent aluminums with wrapped graphics. This solution provided a light, cheap, and durable product that was “a real hit with all cities”, according to Unit 11’s Penny.

After the initial prototype that was approved by the client, Multigraphics assembled, constructed, wrapped and packaged 120 Heptagons using:

  • 238 units of 3mm Alupanel (24″x 24″), trimmed to beveled edges
  • 119 units of 3mm Alupanel (74″x 3″), trimmed to beveled edges
  • 119 strips of printed graphics on 3M Vinyl (32″x30″), trimmed to unique shape
  • 125 strips of blank 3M vinyl (75″x1.5″), trimmed to size

Gallery

INTERESTED IN EVENTS SIGNAGE?

Visit our Events Signage page for more info or ask us directly on how we can help you with your graphical needs.

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First Light Exhibition Graphics | Seattle

First Light Exhibition Graphics in Seattle, WA

Westbank has announced its first residential tower in Seattle dubbed “First Light“. The elegant tower will add style and grace to the 
Seattle skyline – as well as a floating pool offering one of the best sunset-watching vantage points in the Pacific Northwest. the tower is set to start constructing in summer of 2019 with an estimated completion date of summer 2022. It will be comprised of:

  • A screening lounge
  • A sky pool
  • A residential gallery with custom Fazioli Piano
  • A secret garden
  • A wellness centre, and
  • A bike clubhouse

Having partnered with Westbank on many of their Vancouver projects, Multigraphics was more than delighted to be a part of their first venture down south. With a tight timeline and logistic planning, Multigraphics was up for the challenge.

The first part of the project involved a ginormous wall mural with an image of the first light at dawn. The entire side of the building stretched 106 feet wide by 85 feet high covered in brick tiling and concrete ridges.

Our Work:

  • Printed and laminated 15 bundles of 3M Conformable vinyl
  • Packed and shipped to Seattle
  • Rented three Swing Stages for the installation of the wall mural
  • A crane to lift the Swing Stages and electrical output to the Rooftop of the building
  • All completed withing two weeks

The second part of the project consisted of a Presentation Centre that highlighted the condos, amenities, architects, vision, and the soul of the project. 

Our Work:

  • Printed and installed 10 Mesh Hoarding Banners (142″W x 69″H each)
  • Entrance monument sign made up of 1/2″ White Crezone + 3mm Alupanel with printed vinyl and anti-graffiti laminate. All signs had 4’x4′ vertical posts in concrete footings and 2’x4′ horizontal stringers.
  • 1″ thick Komacel wayfinding signage
  • 3mm Alupanel exhibition labels of various sizes
  • Printed and installed four exterior wall murals (approximately 35’W x 11’H each)
  • Various cut vinyl lettering installed all over the presentation centre
  • 5mm white acrylic prints installed with Mustang side grips and floor to ceiling cable mounts
  • Interior wall mural of Westbank’s timeline (22’W x 10’H)

Gallery

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The Living City’s Sales Centre | Oakridge Centre

Sales Centre Graphics at The Living City

The largest development in Vancouver’s history is all set to begin construction by the end of 2019 for an estimated full completion in 2027. Located at the corner of 41st Avenue and Cambie Street, the 28.5 acre project, dubbed “The Living City” will redefine the meaning of modern city living. Oakridge Centre will be a crossroads for living, working, connecting, learning, creating and exploring – a cultural hub that will pay homage to experiences in all forms. The Living City will be comprised of:

  • 2600 homes for approximately 6000 residents
  • Workspace for 3000 creative professionals
  • More than 300 retail stores
  • Vancouver’s second largest library
  • A 10-acre park made up of six integrated smaller parks
  • Home to the world-renowned GOH Ballet Performing Arts Academy
  • Variety of Live Music Venues
  • One of Vancouver’s largest community centres

A project of such magnitude required a grand exhibit, as impressive as its subject. So once again, Multigraphics teamed up with Westbank to tackle the challenge. After the massively successful “Fight for Beauty” exhibit last year, expectations were higher than ever. The Unwritten Exhibition was designed to showcase and highlight the eight pillars of The Living City that will define the new Oakridge Centre. Our job was to bring this design to life.

The Living City - Stunningly Ambitious

Music | Food | Wellness | Mobility | Retail | Fashion | Architecture | Forest

Unwritten Exhibition

Our Work

Wellness

“What does it mean to be healthy? Wellness is a dynamic process of growth that leads to complete well-being – physically, mentally, and socially.” The Oakridge Living City will rebuild the concept of wellness from the ground up.

Our Work:

  • Reverse printed 1/2″ Plexi
  • Welded on-site to create a four-sided column
  • Installed with aircraft cables

Music

“When music transcends a melody – adding instruments, voices and layers of harmonies – it becomes three-dimensional. At the Oakridge Centre, music is a living thing that imbibes feeling and transforms space.”

Our Work:

  • Direct print on 0.25″ Acrylic with frosted backing
  • Printed and installed floor graphics with anti-slip laminate
  • Printed and installed wall mural with matte laminate

Food

“Travel the world, following scents and flavours. Discover new culinary favourites you never knew existed. Or didn’t actually exist until someone decided to cook them up. Gather round and indulge yourself.” Welcome to the Kitchen at The Living City.

Our Work:

  • Direct print on 0.25″ Acrylic with frosted backing
  • Double density white print on brushed alupanel
  • Printed and installed double-sided backlit fabric graphic

Architecture

“A beginning of beginnings. Westbank is going to rethink the architecture of your world and ask what it means for the heart of a city to beat in time with its people.”

Our Work:

  • Double side print on 3/8″ Acrylic installed with cleats
  • Printed custom wallpaper with contour cut printed acrylic installed on top
  • Custom cut and installed 3D logo

Mobility

“If it’s true that we are what we drive, then in the future we can be whoever we want to be. Free to go wherever we want and however we want to get there.”

Our Work:

  • Direct print on 0.25″ Acrylic with frosted backing
  • Printed and installed floor graphics with anti-slip laminate

Forest

“Oakridge is to coexist with nature, not compete with it. Symbolizing our efforts to change the way we impact the world around us, we will replant all of the original 1,440 trees.”

Our Work:

  • Cut vinyl applied to stained plywood, displayed in a metal stand
  • Custom fabricated 3D signs made out of multiple layers of plywood glued together and hung with aircraft cables

Fashion

“Consider a new caliber of fashion curation. Crafted to the highest quality, customized to the most delicate detail. Conveniently collected in one extraordinary place.”

Our Work:

  • Direct print on 0.25″ Acrylic with frosted backing
  • Reverse cut letters installed on the back of glass
  • Wall mural printed on wallpaper

Gallery

Other items at the Unwritten Exhibit:

  • Printed graphics and installed on exterior windows (100 ft wide x 12 feet high)
  • Entrance wall mural printed on conformable vinyl (38 ft wide x 7 ft high)
  • 6mm Komacel 3D letters installed with pins
  • Custom fabricated illuminated channel letters
  • Printed Signwhite Acrylic faced with black komatex cut logo
  • Custom fabricated lightboxes with fabric print

Exhibit Details:

Address:

Oakridge Centre 
650 West 41st Avenue 
Vancouver, BC V5Z 2M9 

 

Opening Hours:

Monday: 9:30am – 7:00pm 
Tuesday: 9:30am – 7:00pm 
Wednesday: 9:30am – 9:00pm 
Thursday: 9:30am – 9:00pm 
Friday: 9:30am – 9:00pm 
Saturday: 9:30am – 7:00pm 
Sunday: 11:00am – 6:00pm 

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Hoarding Graphics | YVR Airport

Retail Store Hoarding at the Vancouver International Airport

For 9 years in a row YVR has won the SKYTRAX award for one of the Best Airports in North America. This is the world’s largest independent airport customer satisfaction survey that measures 39 elements in the airport travel experience ranging from check-in, baggage handling and security & border clearance processes, to passenger amenities, signage, and terminal ambience and design.

In terms of ambience and design, anyone who has been through YVR will have immediately noticed the outstanding collection of First Nations Art that is on display throughout the facility promoting the themes of British Columbia’s land, sea, and sky as a first impression to those arriving and a last impression to those who are leaving.

Equally thoughtful is how the airport has decided to cover up the hoardings of various construction projects going on within the terminal. In the most recent example they chose to highlight every airport in the world that YVR has direct flights to in a postcard style image that people could stand beside and have their photo taken.

This was a 175 ft wide by 12 ft high hoarding printed and installed by Multigraphics Team.

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Interior Design and Printed Graphics | Sneeki Tiki

Custom Wall and Ceiling Graphics at Sneeki Tiki Restaurant

Have you had a chance to visit downtown’s first ever Tiki bar? This southern-pacific themed bar and restaurant brings a slice of tropical paradise right to you in the heart of Vancouver. Immerse yourself in the tropical vibe as you sip on exotic cocktails, traditional pacific treats, and live music.

Before their grand opening on Granville Street, Sneeki Tiki teamed up with Multigraphics to design and print all their interior graphics. This included, wall muralswindow coverings, and ceiling decals. It is safe to say that the unique, fun-filled essence of the Southern Pacific, Polynesian, and Hawaiian vibes were beautifully captured in the finished work.

The most challenging part of the project was undoubtedly measuring and installing graphics on the multi-layered, curved ceiling that consisted of Map Decals, Stars, Bamboos, Flowers, and Grass all put together to create single unique pattern.

If you are interested in seeing our finished work or looking to satiate your tropical thirst, then pay Sneeki Tiki a visit.

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