Discover how we supported retailing giant Marks & Spencer to create stunning fabric graphic displays for their newest store opening in Stevenage.
Marks and Spencer (M&S) opened a new 75,000 sq ft store in Stevenage’s Roaring Meg retail park in April 22. The new store spans two floors and houses clothing, childrenswear, beauty departments, an opticians and a cafe.
The Brief
Cestrian produces around 300 campaigns a year for Marks and Spencer focusing on tension fabric graphics, so we were pleased to be asked to support them on their newest concept store in Stevenage. The brief was to produce over 175 soft signage graphics across womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, homeware, beauty, lingerie and window displays; and deliver in time for installation before the store opening.
Challenge
The tension fabric graphics within the store consisted of varying widths and heights and varying frontlit frames and backlight boxes. For the 175 graphics required, there were 175 individual pieces of artwork to be checked and produced.
Solution
In order to get the artwork turned around efficiently we use our automated print management software: itsapproved which is ideal for dealing with hundreds of artwork variations within a single campaign. Once artwork is uploaded into itsapproved (link to), the software automates the pre-flight process within minutes making it ready for client approval and then into production. Following a quality-controlled production process of dye-sublimation fabric printing, heat pressing, trimming and sewing, M&S have a point-of-sale print product that has colour depth, a quality finish and fits a range of frames and lightboxes across hundreds of stores. The data management, packing, labelling and logistics management ensures a quick turnaround, correct products sent to each store/department or distribution centre and that the campaign is in-store on time.
Results
Cestrian adhere to M&S’s turnaround times for all printing and delivery, with any unexpected challenges immediately dealt with by a stellar account team. The final instore product is of high quality and is fits perfectly into the allocated frames.
