South Africa’s SignMax used Drytac’s Polar Grip and ReTac Textures to create a series of stunning wall graphics applications for a range of clients.
South African signage and branding business SignMax recently used Drytac’s Polar Grip white polymeric self-adhesive vinyl and ReTac Textures embossed wallcovering film to complete several striking interior wall graphics projects for various clients across the country.
Established in 1987, SignMax began with just a single vinyl cutter, but has grown over the years to become a leading provider of signage and branding. Offering services such as digital printing, sign-making, and vehicle wrapping, the company counts AECI Mining, Life Healthcare Group and Trollope Mining among its customers.
SignMax partners with its clients on all manner of projects, with wall graphics proving to be one of its most sought-after services. For much of this work, the company uses Drytac materials, having first been introduced to the solutions by Midcomp, Drytac’s exclusive dealer in South Africa, in 2019.
“Over the last few years, we have been getting more requests for custom printed wall murals,” said NJ Vermaak, Managing Director of SignMax. “As we started doing more of these, we saw a gap in the local market and explored all the options available to us.
“When we started to work with Midcomp in 2019, we were introduced to Drytac. We tested a wall in our reception using Polar Grip, and ever since, Drytac has been our go-to product range when doing these kinds of projects.”
Among its most recent wall graphics projects was a collaboration with Fish & Chip Co., where it used Polar Grip to produce an eye-catching installation depicting the company’s famous ‘Fresh, Hot And A Lot’ brand message.
“We chose to advise the client on Polar Grip due to the wall not being very smooth,” NJ said. “The previous wallpapers were also lifting in corners and where panels were joined. The client wanted a product where something like this will not happen again, so Polar Grip was the obvious choice.”
SignMax also used Polar Grip to create a set of stunning, graffiti-style wall graphics for its own reception. The graphics were designed to mimic actual graffiti, with the final piece appearing as if graffiti had been spray-painted onto the reception wall.
A polymeric self-adhesive PVC film, Polar Grip offers up to seven years of durability on both interior and exterior jobs when paired with a matching laminate. The film’s high bond adhesive allows users to permanently apply graphics to a range of surfaces such as metal, plastic, wood, glass and brick.
Alongside this, SignMax made use of Drytac’s ReTac Textures product to create striking wall graphics for New Life Church, electing for a canvas finish to achieve the desired effect on the interior wall. In addition, SignMax used Polar Grip at the same location to create striking and colourful wall décor.
“Our client wanted a softer look and feel, which is why we opted to offer them the canvas finish,” NJ said. “It gives the feeling of traditional wallpapers with a faster, cleaner and odour-free install.”
Another polymeric self-adhesive vinyl, ReTac Textures features ReTac’s ultra-removable adhesive, meaning it can be easily removed and repositioned time and time again. For further flexibility, the product is also available in sand and linen finishes. Offering five-year durability both indoors and outdoors, the film is printable with eco-solvent, latex/resin, and UV machines.
In each project, SignMax carried out all printing in-house using its two HP Latex 335 printers. On this, NJ said the combination of Drytac materials and HP printing technology is the “perfect” solution.
“Our HP Latex printers and Drytac is a perfect combination,” NJ said. “The colours from the printers and the quality of Drytac vinyls ensure we have a winning combination with nothing but happy customers and problem free installs!”
Related: Ask Agency collaborates to install school graphic project