At Project Print Management, we often say that the most rewarding projects are the ones that initially seem the most difficult. Shipping containers are a perfect example. Built to survive harsh marine environments, stacked six high on cargo ships, and designed with strength over aesthetics in mind, they are not exactly friendly surfaces for branding or graphics.
This project in Wimbledon, Greater London, challenged us to think beyond traditional vinyl wrapping techniques and deliver a solution that was durable, visually striking, and completely non-invasive to the structure itself. The result was a Printed Dibond cabin wrap that transformed a corrugated steel shipping container into a polished, professional coffee kiosk.
The Brief: Branding a Converted Shipping Container
The client had converted a standard shipping container into a fully functioning coffee kiosk. The structure itself was complete, weather-tight, and newly finished, and the last piece of the puzzle was branding.
The brief was clear:
- The container must be fully branded externally
- No drilling, screwing, or piercing of the steel container
- A clean, high-end finish suitable for a customer-facing business
- Resistance to vandalism and general wear
- A fast turnaround to allow the kiosk to open on schedule
On paper, it sounds simple. In practice, shipping containers are one of the most difficult surfaces to brand effectively.
Why Shipping Containers Are So Challenging to Wrap
Shipping containers are engineered for strength and durability, not signage. Their most distinctive feature — deep corrugated steel sides — is also their biggest obstacle when it comes to graphics.
Traditional solutions quickly fall short:
Vinyl Wrapping Issues
While digitally printed self-adhesive vinyl is often used for vehicle wraps and flat surfaces, shipping containers present several problems:
- Deep corrugations prevent vinyl from stretching evenly
- Forcing vinyl into the grooves causes distortion of printed graphics
- Excessive stretching reduces adhesive life
- Applying vinyl in and out of each corrugation would take days and dramatically increase labour costs
In addition, vinyl applied directly to steel containers is more susceptible to failure due to temperature fluctuations and expansion of the metal.
Fixing Directly to the Container for Printed Dibond cabin wrap
Drilling or screwing panels directly into the container was not an option. The client quite rightly wanted to preserve the container’s structural integrity and weatherproofing.
This ruled out many standard signage installation methods and pushed us toward a more engineered solution.
The Solution: Printed Dibond Cabin Wrap
After surveying the container and assessing the limitations, we recommended a Printed Dibond cabin wrap using 3mm aluminium composite panels (ACM), also commonly referred to as Dibond.
This approach offered several key advantages:
- Panels bridge over corrugations, creating a smooth visual surface
- No distortion of printed graphics
- No penetration of the steel container
- High durability and long service life
- Premium appearance suitable for retail use
Rather than wrapping the container itself, we effectively created a secondary skin — a clean, flat, branded façade fixed securely to the container without causing any damage.
Why Dibond / ACM Is Ideal for Container Wrapping
Aluminium composite material consists of two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a polyethylene core. This construction makes it lightweight, rigid, and extremely stable.
For this project, Dibond offered the perfect balance between strength and flexibility:
- Rigid enough to span corrugations without bending
- Lightweight, keeping overall load on the container minimal
- Weather resistant, ideal for outdoor installations
- Smooth surface, allowing high-resolution digital printing
The panels were digitally printed using high-quality large-format printers to ensure colour accuracy, sharp detail, and a professional finish.
Anti-Graffiti Protection for Real-World Use for Printed Dibond cabin wrap
Because the coffee kiosk would be located in a public environment, vandalism was a real concern. While no material can completely prevent graffiti, it can certainly make cleaning easier and protect the underlying print.
We applied a specialist anti-graffiti laminate to the printed panels. This clear protective layer allows most spray paint and marker ink to be wiped off without damaging the print beneath.
For businesses operating in public spaces, this added layer of protection can significantly extend the lifespan of the branding and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Fixing Without Drilling: 3M VHB Tape
One of the most critical requirements was avoiding any holes in the container. To achieve this, we used 3M VHB tape, an industrial-grade double-sided bonding system.
VHB (Very High Bond) tape is widely used in construction, transport, and signage industries and offers several advantages over traditional fixings:
- Bond strength comparable — and often superior — to screws or rivets
- Even load distribution across the panel
- No risk of water ingress
- Clean, invisible fixing method
Each Dibond panel was carefully positioned and bonded to the container using VHB tape, ensuring a secure attachment while preserving the container’s weatherproof shell.
Precision Installation on an Irregular Surface
Although the Dibond panels create a flat visual surface, careful planning was still required to accommodate:
- Door openings
- Service hatches
- Corners and edges
- Slight variations in container geometry
Panels were cut precisely to size and dry-fitted before final installation to ensure perfect alignment. Attention to detail at this stage is critical — even small inconsistencies can become noticeable once the full wrap is complete.
Despite the complexity of the structure, the installation process was efficient and controlled.
Fast Turnaround, High Impact for Printed Dibond cabin wrap
From initial setup to final installation, the entire project was completed in just two days.
This rapid turnaround allowed the client to proceed with their opening schedule without delays — something that is particularly important for pop-up retail and hospitality businesses, where timing directly affects revenue.
Once complete, the container was completely transformed. What had once looked like an industrial steel box now presented as a purpose-built, professionally branded coffee kiosk.
The Client’s Reaction
The client was fully aware of the challenges involved in branding a corrugated shipping container and had realistic expectations going into the project. However, once the installation was complete, their feedback was extremely positive.
They commented that the finished result exceeded expectations, particularly given the irregular shape of the container and the limitations imposed by not drilling or wrapping directly onto the steel.
From a distance, the container no longer read as a shipping unit at all — instead, it looked like a permanent, thoughtfully designed retail structure.
Where Printed Dibond Cabin Wraps Work Best
This type of solution is not limited to coffee kiosks. A Printed Dibond cabin wrap is ideal for a wide range of applications, including:
- Site offices and marketing cabins
- Pop-up retail units
- Event kiosks and bars
- Security cabins
- Portable classrooms or welfare units
- Exhibition and promotional containers
Any structure with uneven surfaces or restrictions on fixings can benefit from this approach.
Why Choose Project Print Management for your Printed Dibond cabin wrap?
This project demonstrates what sets Project Print Management apart: we don’t force standard solutions onto non-standard problems.
Instead, we assess each project individually and engineer a solution that balances:
- Visual quality
- Structural integrity
- Installation constraints
- Longevity and maintenance
With extensive experience in large-format printing, aluminium composite systems, and specialist installation techniques, we deliver results that work in the real world — not just on paper.
Thinking About a Printed Dibond cabin wrap?
If you’re planning to brand a shipping container, portable cabin, or modular structure and want a solution that looks professional, lasts longer, and avoids damage to the base unit, a Printed Dibond cabin wrap could be the ideal answer.
Project Print Management offers:
- Expert consultation and site surveys
- High-resolution digital printing
- Anti-graffiti protection options
- Non-invasive fixing solutions
- Nationwide installation
Get in touch today to discuss your project and discover how we can help turn a challenging structure into a standout branded asset.
For more information on cabin and container wraps please click here or please contact us. For our latest print projects please visit our blog page.
