Case Study: Large-Scale Banner Frame Installation at a Premiership Football Club Training Facility

Introduction

Project Print Management (PPM) was commissioned to design, engineer, and install a large scale banner frame system at a world-renowned Premiership football club near Newcastle. The project involved the installation of a striking black-and-white mural depicting the club’s supporters, mounted on the side of a large tent structure that houses one of the club’s indoor training pitches.

This case study explores the end-to-end process, from client brief and engineering challenges to structural design, installation, and final delivery. It highlights the technical expertise, logistical planning, and safety-first approach required to complete a project of this complexity within strict deadlines.

Client Brief for Large Scale Banner Frame

The client, a leading Premiership football club, wanted to enhance the appearance of its training facility with a bold, large-format graphic that celebrated the passion of its fanbase. The mural would serve not only as an aesthetic upgrade but also as a motivational feature for players and staff entering the training ground.

The brief included the following requirements:

High-impact graphic installation: The mural had to be visually striking and in keeping with the club’s brand identity, focusing on black-and-white imagery to reflect the club’s iconic colours.
Durable and safe frame system: Given the large size of the mural and the fact that it would be mounted on a large tent structure, the subframe needed to be engineered with precision to withstand wind loadings and environmental stresses.
Minimal disruption: The training ground is a busy and secure environment. Work had to be carefully planned to minimise disruption to the club’s day-to-day operations.
Compliance with structural regulations: The subframe and banner installation required structural and wind load calculations to ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations.

Site Conditions and Challenges for the Large Scale Banner Frame

The installation site presented a unique set of challenges:

Large Tent structure: Unlike traditional brick or concrete walls, the banner was to be fixed to a tensile fabric building. This meant the installation team could not simply drill directly into the surface. Instead, a bespoke subframe had to be engineered to attach securely without compromising the integrity of the building.
Wind load considerations: The training ground is in an exposed location in the North East of England, where wind conditions can be severe. A banner of this scale acts as a “sail,” catching wind forces that must be safely transferred through the frame into the structure. Detailed engineering and wind load calculations were therefore required.
Logistical access: The installation site ran along a narrow pathway between the tent and perimeter fencing, with limited space for equipment, tools, and personnel. Careful planning was required to ensure the work could be completed safely and efficiently within these constraints.
Security protocols: As this was a Premiership football club facility, strict security protocols were in place. All contractors had to undergo checks and were required to work within designated times to avoid interfering with training schedules.

Engineering and Design Phase

The most critical element of the project was the design of the subframe. Project Print Management engaged structural engineers to create a bespoke solution that would:

Distribute loads evenly across the tent structure, avoiding any risk of damage to the tensile material.
Accommodate the large format of the mural, ensuring that the banner could be stretched taut without sagging.
Withstand environmental conditions, particularly high winds, by integrating wind loading calculations into the design.

The final design involved a steel subframe fixed to the structural elements of the tent. Horizontal and vertical crossbars created a rigid lattice capable of supporting both the banner and the stresses placed upon it by the wind.

Steel frame for banner prints

Wind Load Calculations

Specialist engineers carried out wind load assessments in line with Eurocodes. The calculations took into account:

The banner’s surface area.
Prevailing wind speeds for the North East region.
The height and orientation of the structure.
Safety factors to cover extreme weather scenarios.

This analysis determined the required thickness of the steel sections, the number and spacing of fixings, and the anchoring methods used to secure the frame.

Fabrication and Materials for the Large Scale Banner Frame

Once the engineering design was approved, fabrication of the steel subframe commenced. Key materials included:

Galvanised steel sections: Chosen for strength and corrosion resistance, ensuring long-term durability even in harsh weather conditions.
Heavy-duty fixings and brackets: Engineered to attach to the tent’s frame without damaging the tensile fabric.
PVC mesh banner material: The mural was printed on a high-quality black backed PVC to ensure no ‘show though’ of the frame could be seen.

The graphic itself was produced using UV-stable inks to prevent fading over time, ensuring the mural would remain a high-impact feature for years to come.

Installation Phase

The installation was completed in several key stages:

1. Site Preparation

The installation team conducted a site survey to confirm access routes, measure final dimensions, and check anchor points. Health and safety protocols were reviewed, and a risk assessment was carried out.

2. Frame Assembly

The galvanised steel subframe was delivered to site in prefabricated sections. These were lifted into place and bolted together along the side of the tent. Precise alignment was essential to ensure the mural would sit perfectly flush.

3. Fixing to Tent Structure

Specialist fixings and brackets were used to secure the frame to the tent’s supporting elements. These connections were carefully checked and torque-tested to guarantee structural integrity.

4. Banner Installation

Once the frame was in place, the PVC mesh banner was unrolled and carefully positioned. A tensioning system was used to stretch the banner taut across the frame, eliminating creases and ensuring a clean, professional finish.

5. Final Checks

The team carried out a final inspection, checking alignment, fixings, and tensioning. All safety protocols were signed off, and the site was cleared of equipment.

Outcome of the Large Scale Banner Frame

The completed installation transformed the appearance of the training facility. The bold black-and-white mural not only enhanced the visual appeal of the structure but also reinforced the club’s identity, celebrating its passionate fanbase.

From a technical perspective, the project demonstrated Project Print Management’s ability to deliver large-scale, complex installations that balance creative ambition with engineering rigour. The subframe and banner were designed and installed to the highest standards of safety and durability, with full compliance to structural regulations.

The client expressed satisfaction with the result, noting the mural’s impact on both visitors and players using the training ground.

Key Success Factors

Several factors contributed to the successful delivery of this project:

Collaborative approach: Close communication between PPM, structural engineers, and the client ensured all requirements were met.
Technical expertise: Detailed wind load calculations and bespoke frame design enabled the safe installation of a banner on a non-traditional structure.
Material quality: The use of galvanised steel and high-grade PVC mesh guaranteed durability and visual quality.
Efficient project management: Careful planning minimised disruption at the busy training facility, ensuring the project was delivered on schedule.

Lessons Learned

As with any complex project, this installation offered valuable insights:

Early engineering input is critical: Involving structural engineers at the concept stage helped avoid design issues later in the process.
Use experienced suppliers with a proven track record: Selecting partners who have successfully delivered similar large-scale projects reduces risk and ensures the highest standards of quality and safety.
Teamwork across all stakeholders is essential: Close collaboration between the client, engineers, contractors, and Project Print Management ensured smooth progress and alignment on objectives.

This project at a Premiership football club near Newcastle demonstrates Project Print Management’s capability to deliver high-profile, technically demanding installations. By combining engineering expertise with creative vision, PPM successfully transformed a functional tent structure into a striking visual landmark that reflects the pride and passion of one of the UK’s most famous football clubs.

The case study stands as a testament to the company’s reputation for innovation, precision, and quality in large-format graphics and specialist installations. For our latest project please visit our blog page.

Large-Scale Banner Frame Installation at a Premiership Football Club