Shop refit hoardings

What the panels should tell customers

People ask three questions about a closed shop: what is happening, when will it reopen and where can I go meanwhile. Answer those in large type, and resist adding a long brand story. A web address or QR code can point to online ordering or a nearby store. Test any QR code at full size and from the likely viewing distance. If the reopening date might slip, say a season rather than a day, or print the date on a small replaceable panel.

Centre rules and the shopfitter's programme

Shopping centres often have design manuals covering hoarding height, finishes, approvals and access doors. Get those before artwork starts, as approval can take longer than printing. Your shopfitter will know the build programme and what the structure is made from, so ask for a drawing with door positions and panel joins. Fire performance may also be specified, particularly inside a mall, so check the requirement with the centre or your contractor. We can then talk through suitable hoarding graphics for the job.

Designing across doors and joins

Site doors, vents and panel joins can cut straight through a headline. Work from the drawing and position text so that it does not straddle an opening. Shop refit hoardings inside a mall are often viewed very close, so image quality matters more than on a street-side site. Treat the space as a preview of your new look, using the same colours as the refit. Printed foamex panels are one route, while self-adhesive vinyl may suit a painted surface, depending on how it was prepared.

Related topics

• Construction site signs
• Property developer hoardings