In a city like London, where space is limited and attention is valuable, construction sites cannot afford to blend into the background. For developers, a building site is not just a work zone — it is a long-term marketing opportunity. This is where well-designed, professionally installed hoarding graphics play a crucial role.
Project Print Management was recently commissioned to design, produce, and install printed hoarding graphics for a high-profile development site on Wigmore Street, London. The objective was clear: create a visually striking perimeter that promoted premium retail and restaurant opportunities while keeping the local community informed throughout a two-year redevelopment programme.
What appeared straightforward at first quickly became a technically complex installation that required close collaboration, careful planning, and on-site problem-solving.
Why Hoarding Graphics Matter for Developers
Hoarding graphics are one of the most effective and cost-efficient marketing tools available to property developers. Unlike temporary advertising formats such as billboards or bus shelters, construction hoardings offer:
- Continuous, long-term visibility
- Direct engagement with the local audience
- Large-format branding at street level
- A professional, well-managed site appearance
For developments in central London, hoarding graphics also serve an important community function. They help explain what is happening behind the barrier, reduce frustration caused by disruption, and demonstrate that the project is organised and considered.
On Wigmore Street — a busy central London location surrounded by retail, hospitality, and office space — this was particularly important.
The Wigmore Street Development: Setting the Scene
The Wigmore Street project involved the early stages of a significant redevelopment in a prime West End location. Construction had only just begun, meaning the hoarding would be in place for approximately two years.
From a developer’s perspective, this made early installation of the hoarding graphics essential. Every day without printed hoardings was a missed opportunity to:
- Promote available retail and restaurant units
- Reinforce the prestige of the location
- Create anticipation around the completed scheme
The brief was to wrap the entire perimeter of the site with hoarding graphics that communicated availability, location, and quality — without looking cluttered or temporary.
A Complex Hoarding Structure
Unlike many construction sites where hoardings follow a single straight line, this project presented a number of physical challenges.
The hoarding was divided across 14 separate elevations, each with different heights and ground levels. This was due to the steel structure that was temporarily supporting the retained building façade — a common approach on constrained London sites but one that complicates graphic alignment.
Key challenges included:
- Variable hoarding heights across elevations
- Uneven ground levels
- Structural steel elements interrupting sightlines
- Artwork designed to flow continuously around the site
From a distance, hoarding graphics are expected to read as one continuous design. Achieving that effect when the physical structure is inconsistent requires experience and flexibility.
Working with the Developer’s Design Team
The developer’s in-house graphic designer had already created and signed off a strong visual concept before installation planning began. The artwork was designed to flow seamlessly from one elevation to the next — something that works well on paper, but can be difficult to achieve on site.
At Project Print Management, we regularly bridge the gap between creative design and physical reality. In this case, it was essential to work closely with the designer to explain how variable hoarding heights would affect panel alignment.
Rather than redesigning the concept entirely, we proposed strategic artwork adjustments that preserved the original design intent while allowing flexibility during installation.
Printed Hoarding Graphics: Materials and Finish
For this project, the hoarding graphics were digitally printed onto 3mm aluminium composite panels in standard sheet sizes of 1220mm x 2440mm (8ft x 4ft).
This material was chosen for several important reasons:
- Excellent print quality and colour consistency
- A rigid, flat surface that prevents warping
- Strong resistance to weather and impact
- A professional finish suitable for central London
Each panel was then over-laminated with a clear anti-graffiti film, adding protection against vandalism and general wear. In busy urban areas, this additional layer significantly extends the lifespan of hoarding graphics and keeps them looking clean and sharp.
Managing Alignment Across Variable Levels
One of the most challenging aspects of hoarding graphics installation is alignment. Even a small inconsistency in height becomes highly visible when artwork spans dozens of metres.
On this project, the changing hoarding levels made it impossible to align all panels perfectly across elevations. To solve this, we introduced header panels and kickers — design elements that visually frame the main artwork and conceal variations in height.
These additions allowed us to:
- Hide uneven hoarding levels
- Maintain visual continuity
- Protect the main graphic areas from ground-level damage
The result was a clean, professional appearance that masked the underlying complexity of the structure.
Installation in a Live Urban Environment
Installing hoarding graphics in central London is never just about fixing panels to timber. Wigmore Street is a busy area with constant pedestrian traffic, deliveries, and neighbouring businesses that must remain operational.
Our installation team worked efficiently and safely to minimise disruption, coordinating closely with the site manager and other trades. Despite the complexity of the hoarding layout, the entire installation — totalling 60 linear metres — was completed in just two days.
This speed was critical for the developer, allowing them to begin marketing the site immediately.
The Finished Result
Once installed, the hoarding graphics completely transformed the site perimeter. What had been a fragmented construction boundary became a cohesive, visually engaging marketing surface that clearly communicated:
- The prestige of the Wigmore Street location
- Availability of retail and restaurant space
- The professionalism of the development team
Importantly, the hoardings also improved the experience of the surrounding area. Instead of bare timber panels, passers-by encountered a considered, high-quality presentation that reflected the future potential of the site.
Hoarding Graphics as Long-Term Marketing Assets
One of the greatest advantages of hoarding graphics is their longevity. Unlike temporary advertising formats, hoardings remain in place for the duration of construction — often several years.
For developers, this offers flexibility:
- Graphics can be refreshed as the project evolves
- Messaging can change as units are let or sold
- The hoarding can promote future phases or developments
In cost terms, hoarding graphics offer exceptional value when compared with traditional outdoor advertising, particularly in high-footfall areas.
Why Choose Project Print Management for Hoarding Graphics?
This Wigmore Street project demonstrates what sets Project Print Management apart:
- Real-world experience with complex hoarding structures
- Close collaboration with designers and marketing teams
- High-quality print production and finishing
- Efficient, professional installation in live environments
We understand that hoarding graphics are not just decoration — they are a vital part of a development’s public presence.
Planning Hoarding Graphics for Your Development?
If you are a developer or contractor planning a construction project in London or beyond, Project Print Management can support you from concept through to installation.
We offer:
- Consultation on hoarding layout and materials
- Print-ready artwork checks and adjustments
- High-quality printed hoarding graphics
- Anti-graffiti and durability solutions
- Fast, reliable installation
Get in touch with our team to discuss how hoarding graphics can work harder for your development — from day one of construction.
Project Print Management
Practical print solutions for complex construction environments.
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