Brewery taproom graphics
Taprooms are rarely built as bars. They are working breweries with a few tables, often behind a shutter on an industrial estate, and your graphics have to suit that.
First, get found.
Many taprooms trade only a few days a week, in places with no passing footfall. The shutter is down from Monday to Thursday, and the unit looks like every other unit. On a Saturday, the first-time visitor is on foot, reading a map on a phone and wondering if this is the right way.
- Hang a large PVC banner high on the unit, where it can be seen from the end of the road, and where the landlord allows it.
- Add a simple arrow sign at the last junction, if you have permission. Our directional sign notes will help.
- Print your opening days on something outside. People do come on the wrong day.
Match the graphic to the surface
Self-adhesive vinyl needs smooth, clean, dry surfaces. A taproom rarely has many of those.
| Surface | What happens | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Rough or painted brick | Vinyl will not bond to the texture | Mounted boards, or a banner on a frame or hanging bar |
| Damp railway arch walls | Moisture attacks adhesives and boards | Hang graphics clear of the wall, with air behind them |
| Stainless steel tanks | Cold, curved and wet with condensation | Ask us. Vinyl needs a dry, stable surface. Many stainless steels are not magnetic, so test first |
| Roller shutter | Slats move and crack a printed film | A banner above it, or a sign on the wall beside it |
| Bar front | Kicked, splashed and leaned on | Print on Dibond with sealed edges |
| Toilets and corridors | Smooth enough, and often overlooked | A cheap place for a bit of humour |
The beer list
Your line-up may change weekly, so nothing printed should fix it. A common answer is a smart printed frame with the logo and headings, and a replaceable area in the middle for chalk, a screen or printed strips. Keep each beer on its own strip, showing name, style, strength and price. Strength and allergens should be up to date, and any statement about alcohol needs care. Check the Portman Group's code and your licence conditions, and ask your licensing officer what you need to display.
Using your can art
Your best artwork may already exist on your labels. A big wall of can designs looks great, but label files are built small, so a logo sized for a 440ml can may not stretch to two metres. Ask your designer for the original vector files. Logos that print well large explains what we need.
Tell the brewing story at the right time
Visitors stand and look through to the kit. Short panels near the viewing point can explain the mash tun or fermenters. Keep them laminated, because hoses and wash-downs are never far away.
Floors
Wet concrete floors are not a place for vinyl. A graphic can be slippery, and water gets under the edges. Paint is usually the better option there.
Long walls above the seating.
Your questions.
Can we put a banner on the street outside for an event?
Only with permission. Fix it to your own premises if you can, and check with your landlord and the council before putting anything on railings or fences you do not control.
Can you print a mural onto brick?
Not directly. Printing onto a board or banner and fixing that to the wall is the usual way. For a true painted look on brick, a sign writer may be a better fit.
Do you print beer mats or labels?
Those are not on our price list. We focus on large format print, so ask us if you are not sure.