News

Kieran Storey: Favourite Things

June 10, 2025 by Ben Schofield

Kieran is our most recent employee, he started in February this year and has been busy learning about all our different products and their special abilities. We asked him about his favourite and why:

FAVOURITE PRODUCT

SKINZ – This material is great because it has no adhesive but sticks fantastically well to smooth surfaces. It can be applied outdoors if required, as it isn’t affected by the wind or rain. There is also a blockout OPAQUE version which is used by electronics companies on screens, or to cover up existing graphics.

The extra grip-strength of SKINZ means it can take being laminated, which increases the types of applications and effects.

Gloss Laminate – creates a white board effect
Matt Laminate – protects the ink from scratching and gives a premium look and feel
Anti Slip Laminate – This means it can be applied to floors without fear of slipping. SKINZ FLOOR has been applied where floor graphics have not previously been allowed and installed easily by store or event staff.

CLEAR SKINZ – The clear version works slightly differently but has the same high-grip zero-sticky principle, and the amazing aspect is that it’s optically clear! For window displays this means elaborate designs can be applied with clear spaces that look just like the window.

We have so many great samples I’ve been testing that we can post out if you want to try.

Hotel branding – A Luxury Suite of Exclusive Products

April 16, 2025 by Ben Schofield

Whether you need hotel branding for an event, permanent display or employee engagement, we have the perfect solution. We have been working with hotels and event venues all over the world for the last 20 years, providing them and their guests with our unique products and exceptional services. Whether that is for an event at Westminster Park Plaza, in room signage at Marriott Hotels or a custom large format lenticular transported to a German hotel’s foyer. Below is a selection of images from hotel branding and event projects.

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS – Ideal for short-run and large-format applications, CLINGS can be printed up to 1.3m wide, by any length and then ‘tiled’ to create much larger displays. CLINGS have been used to transform hotels, museums and conference centres without the need for expert installation teams. Staff love how easily they apply!!

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT – CLINGS are perfect for use in hotel rooms because they can be applied to whatever surface creates the most impact! Hotels have used our products to engage with guests and offer links to online activities. easyHotel designed selfie-CLINGS and used QR codes and hashtags to create online engagement.

HOTEL BRANDING AND DECORATION – We have longer lasting products too that have dressed windows at Renaissance Manchester and branded elevator doors at Birmingham Hilton.

SITE SURVEYS & INSTALLATIONS – We can survey areas suitable for branding and suggest the ideal product or material for the job. We also have nationwide teams of professional installers where required. We can measure up, resize artwork and create bespoke branding guides. Some hotels pass on these guides to visiting Event organisers.

BESPOKE BUILDS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS – We enjoy creating new products and specials builds based on the specific needs of a project. Whether that is free-standing displays that need to be erected on site, or fabric media that requires fixed installation at the venue we are happy to help.

Below is an example of a custom build for an event at a hotel in Germany. This was built on site from flat-pack so we took it with us rather than risking shipping to local installer. You can see more images and find out more here.

We were challenged to create two images that swap as your point of view changes. Like a 3D “flip” lenticular but a much bigger scale. This 3D image flip display was being used at a conference overseas so it had to be packed flat, then assembled on site.

This challenge gave us the opportunity to create a template for this type of large format lenticular display. We tested the application in our office, and created a guide during the design process. By breaking down the two images into sections we created this clever print solution. This specific application used flat colour backgrounds and text but would work for more complex designs and images too.

A great example of how we used multiple products in one project was when we were asked to provide a variety of printed graphics for the Open Text Innovation Tour at the O2 Intercontinental Hotel in London. The graphics were to be used on numerous different surfaces including walls, windows, lift doors, wooden doors, escalators and floors. The Hotel Branding needed to be easy to apply and easy to remove at the end of the event, as well as 100% damage free.

CLINGZ – extremely easy to apply and is one of the most versatile print products as it can stick to a wide variety of surfaces without tape, tacks or adhesives. CLINGZ was used on the walls and windows.

PHLEX – used on the lift doors, wooden doors and inside the lifts at the event, where higher adhesion qualities were required due to the constant opening and closing of the doors throughout the day by visitors. PHLEX has a special adhesive to keep it in place, but it is completely damage free on removal.

Ultra Clear SKINZ – recommended for use on the glass mezzanine and on the glass escalator panels. SKINZ is made from a unique substrate that literally ‘sucks’ on to smooth surfaces, it is easy to use and damage free.

Floor SKINZ – used for branding the tiled floors of the event. They have an anti-slip laminate for grip.

“I worked personally with Think Ambient from the start of my project right to the end. Throughout, Think Ambient were exceptionally diligent and patient with our demands and changes and always with a pleasant manner and sense of humour. Our success was always at the forefront of Think Ambients’ delivery.”

See the latest project images on our Instagram.

Sticky and Tricky: fret cut vinyl, frames and fixings

March 11, 2025 by Ben Schofield

Did you know that we can install long-term and permanent displays, like fret cut vinyl or frames for fabric displays and lightboxes? Our core products have always been damage-free materials, which are easy to apply and do not leave any sticky residue when removed. Materials such as CLINGS and ADTAC are so easy to install that most people do it themselves, and then remove a few days later with no fuss.

We do however often get asked for solutions that require something more long lasting and so we have built up a range of solutions that… require fixings, can be tricky to install, and are not so easy to remove!

Below are some examples:

FRET CUT VINYL

This needs to have a strong adhesive to apply properly. It comes on release paper so the design needs to grip better to the surface than the application tape. It can be fiddly, and if you apply it wrong then it is often easier to start anew. When applied properly it looks tremendous! We have professional installation teams that apply these easily, so you don’t have to fret! Below are some pictures from a recent retail example:

LIGHT-BOXES & FABRIC FRAMES

These need to be installed professionally once, then you or your staff can apply any replacement graphics easily yourselves. They look spectacular and ensure consistency and continuity. We can fix these into walls, or in windows and we even have free standing structures for use at events!

OUTDOORS AND CONCRETE FLOORS

We have many solutions for outdoor signage, like FABRIC flags, Eyeletted banners or high footfall floor graphics made from aluminium! We tend to provide these in response to specific requests, but we have plenty of example images, so please get in touch to find out more.

Perfect Postable Products

March 10, 2025 by Ben Schofield

Our perfect postable products have been sent out by Retailers, FMCG brands, Emergency Services, Charities, Local Authorities and Agencies for a variety of reasons. More than likely you will have received a sample pack of CLINGS at some point during the last 20 years, as that is the way we like to introduce ourselves.

CLINGS are perfect for posting, as they can be placed anywhere around your home, shop or office desk, such as on a glass partition, a plaster wall or even on the coffee machine!!! We love sending people our other materials too, like ADTAC or SKINZ, depending on the application you have in mind. Testing larger ADTAC samples on your windows demonstrates their ease of application or using SKINZ FLOOR on your flooring enables you to be sure it grips and doesn’t peel off. Below are some examples of how Product, Place and Purpose combine:

CLINGS

County Council Waste Schedules. Do you know where your waste guide is? Me neither, but I have a Cheshire West and Chester Council CLINGS sample stuck to my fridge.

“Initially we had planned to either include a fridge magnet in the pack or attach a strip to the top. It was at this point that I discovered CLINGS which offered the perfect solution for the quick start guide. They offered residents greater flexibility and were comparable in price to a magnetic alternative. When focus groups tested the CLINGS they received universal praise when compared to all other options.” Cheshire West and Chester Council

SKINZ

We often send out POS packs for electrical goods for use on soundbars, TVs, and Microwaves; SKINZ works perfectly on smooth surfaces. Easy to apply and damage free. We can even add a non-slip laminate to create our adhesive-free floor graphic!

ADTAC

Police and Local Authorities have used ADTAC for neighbourhood-watch-type applications. ADTAC applies perfectly flat without bubbles, so it is ideal for people applying to dry windows. You can even remove and replace when you need to clean the glass, and it won’t leave any residue. All this helps to increase compliance.

GRIP

Charity fundraising packs are the perfect mailer. Everybody loves a balloon or badge, but there is only so much information you can cram onto a button. GRIP has been used to display helpful information to people where they might need it most, like in their showers! GRIP is waterproof and adheres to smooth surfaces for long periods without causing damage or leaving residue. We have plenty of samples, so please ask if you want to know how to properly “Check your chest”!

The Opportunity for Commercial Waste Recycling: A Legal and Sustainable Imperative

November 28, 2024 by Ben Schofield

In today’s environmentally conscious business landscape, effective waste management is no longer just a strategic opportunity; it’s a legal and sustainable imperative. Businesses have a legal obligation to ensure that their waste is removed and recycled responsibly. By optimising robust recycling practices, commercial businesses like retailers can significantly reduce their environmental footprint, increasing recycling rates, lower operational costs, decrease landfill and fulfil their regulatory obligations.

Understanding the Three Primary Waste Streams – To maximize recycling efforts, it’s essential to understand the three primary waste streams typically found in commercial and retail settings:

1. Paper & Cardboard: This category encompasses a wide range of paper-based materials, including all forms of printed marketing activations, cardboard boxes, price tickets, hanging or header panels and window posters or graphics. By segregating these items, commercial businesses can significantly increase the volume of recyclable materials. The chance here is you will achieve a 100% recycling rate with these types of materials.

2. Mixed Recycling: This stream includes a diverse range of recyclable materials such as plastic based marketing activation, multi-material displays, and certain types of plastic packaging. Proper sorting and cleaning of these materials are crucial for efficient segregating & effective recycling. This is slightly more complex, but you are giving the material every chance to be successfully recycled.

3. General Waste: This category is reserved for non-recyclable materials that cannot be processed or reused, multi-materials marketing activations and certain types of more complex plastics. Unfortunately, these materials are destined for landfill at worst or incineration at best.

The Power of Simplified Material Streams and Staff Education

To achieve optimal recycling rates, businesses should focus on two key strategies:

· Simplified Material Streams: By limiting the number of waste bins and clearly labelling each one, businesses can reduce confusion and encourage effective waste recycling. A streamlined approach makes it easier for employees to identify the correct recycling bin for each material type.

· Staff Education and Training: Regular training sessions can significantly improve recycling rates. By educating employees about the importance of recycling, the types of materials that can be recycled, and the proper disposal techniques, businesses can empower their workforce to make informed choices.

By implementing these strategies, commercial and retail premises can not only reduce their environmental impact but also lower their landfill costs & increase their recycling rates.

Remember, responsible waste management is not just a choice; it’s a legal obligation. By understanding the three primary waste streams and implementing effective recycling practices, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Castle Fine Art: A carefully curated collection of display graphics

September 25, 2024 by Ben Schofield

We provide a variety of display graphics for special events. All our materials have been tested on the different surfaces within their galleries, and several locations have been surveyed to determine what materials work best, plus whether they can be installed themselves and what will make the most impact.

A recent project we did was for a Steve Winterburn launch, which proves the perfect example. A combination of EPIC, ADTAC, EASIFLOOR, Fret-cut vinyl and lightbox FABRIC were used to create this incredible display. Large wall displays, tiled together from several overlapping drops, often require professional installation but Castle Fine Art regularly install displays themselves and replace their lightbox material.

The artwork can define the material too. Some window displays for example have lots of transparent sections, so we use an optically clear material like SKINZ. Below are some examples of different Castle Fine Art displays using a variety of our materials.

For more details on which materials we have used, or to request free samples of any of our materials please get in touch

+44 (0) 1625 251 049

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