Protective screen print an Innovative, Low-Disruption Alternative to Scaffolding
At Project Print Management, some of our most rewarding projects come from situations where conventional solutions simply don’t work. When access is limited, disruption must be minimised, and safety is paramount, creative thinking becomes just as important as print quality.
This was exactly the case when we were approached to develop a protective screen print system for lift shaft maintenance at BNP Paribas. What initially appeared to be a complex and costly challenge became one of our most innovative and efficient print solutions to date.
The Challenge: Lift Maintenance During Working Hours
Guideline Lift Services contacted Project Print Management while tendering for a major lift maintenance contract at BNP Paribas. The brief was clear but demanding: provide a protective screen print solution that would allow essential lift servicing to be carried out during normal office hours, without compromising safety, access, or the working environment.
The building featured two large lift shafts:
- One extending over seven floors, measuring approximately 28 metres high
- A second lift shaft spanning five floors, measuring around 17 metres high
Both shafts were fully operational, located within a busy corporate office environment where disruption needed to be kept to an absolute minimum.
Why a Protective Screen Print Was Needed
When lift maintenance is carried out in occupied buildings, safety and perception are equally important. Open lift shafts present obvious risks, but they can also cause concern for staff and visitors if not properly concealed.
The client required a solution that would:
- Provide full visual screening of the lift shafts
- Act as a physical safety barrier
- Be fire retardant and compliant with regulations
- Be installed quickly, with minimal downtime
- Avoid large-scale construction work such as scaffolding
This is where a protective screen print offered a clear advantage.
Rethinking the Traditional Approach and why a Protective screen print is needed
Several other print and access contractors proposed a traditional method: erect scaffolding inside the lift shaft and wrap it with PVC banners. While technically possible, this approach presented significant drawbacks:
- Installation would take up to six weekends
- Extensive disruption to building operations
- Increased health and safety risk during scaffold erection
- A projected cost increase of £40,000
- Long lead times and complex logistics
It was clear that scaffolding was not the right answer.
An Innovative Protective Screen Print Solution
Instead of building structure inside the lift shaft, Project Print Management proposed an entirely different approach.
We designed a cable-suspended protective screen print system, using the lift shaft itself as the framework.
How the System Worked
- Steel cables were carefully dropped down the full height of the lift shaft
- These cables created a precise perimeter template
- The cables were fixed directly to the maintenance cradle track in the ceiling
- A fire-retardant printed screen was wrapped and tensioned around the cable system
This approach eliminated the need for scaffolding entirely.
Benefits of the Protective Screen Print System
The advantages of this solution were immediate and compelling:
- No scaffolding required
- Significantly reduced installation time
- Minimal disruption to building occupants
- Lower cost compared to traditional methods
- Improved safety during maintenance
- Cleaner, more professional appearance
As a result, Guideline Lift Services won the tender—largely due to the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and innovation of the proposed protective screen print solution.
Material Selection: Fire Retardant PVC
Safety was a critical factor for this project. The protective screen print was produced using a fire-retardant PVC material, fully compliant with building and safety regulations.
The material was selected for its:
- Flame-retardant properties
- Strength and durability
- Flexibility for tensioning
- Excellent print quality
- Lightweight nature, ideal for suspension systems
This ensured the protective screen functioned as both a safety barrier and a visual screen.
Creating the Artwork: Trompe l’Oeil Design for the Protective screen print
While functionality was essential, appearance also mattered. BNP Paribas wanted the lift shafts to feel discreet and considered, not industrial or temporary.
Project Print Management developed a Trompe l’oeil design—a visual illusion that creates depth and architectural interest. Working closely with BNP Paribas’ in-house designers, we produced artwork that felt refined, professional, and sympathetic to the building’s interior.
This approach transformed the protective screen print from a purely functional safety feature into a visually engaging design element.
Installation: Precision and Planning
The installation of the 28-metre-high front lift shaft was a carefully planned operation.
Installation Timeline
- Saturday: Rope access specialists installed the cable system
- Sunday: The protective screen print was lowered, wrapped, and tensioned into place
All work was carried out over a single weekend to ensure zero disruption to weekday operations.
Due to the height and confined nature of the lift shaft, the installation was completed by a specialist rope access team experienced in complex internal environments.
Results: A Seamless Protective Solution
Once installed, the protective screen print delivered exactly what the client needed:
- Full visual concealment of the lift shaft
- A safe, fire-compliant working environment
- A clean, professional appearance
- No disruption to staff or visitors
- A faster and more economical solution than competitors
The success of the front lift shaft installation led to the approval of the second phase, with the rear lift shaft scheduled for installation in September.
Why This Protective screen print Project Stands Out
This project remains one of our favourite achievements at Project Print Management, not because of its size, but because of the problem-solving involved.
It demonstrates how:
- Print can replace construction
- Creativity can reduce cost
- Experience can eliminate unnecessary disruption
- Innovation can win tenders
The protective screen print solution delivered here was not just a printed product—it was a strategic advantage.
Applications for Protective Screen Print Solutions
While this project focused on lift shafts, protective screen print systems can be applied in many environments, including:
- Internal atriums
- Escalator refurbishments
- Stairwells
- Service voids
- Temporary safety barriers
- Maintenance zones in occupied buildings
Anywhere traditional access solutions are expensive or disruptive, a protective screen print may offer a smarter alternative.
Why Choose Project Print Management?
Project Print Management specialises in complex, unconventional print applications. Our strength lies not just in producing high-quality print, but in understanding how print can solve real-world challenges.
We offer:
- Creative problem-solving
- Technical design expertise
- Fire-retardant and compliant materials
- Rope access and specialist installation teams
- Collaborative project management
- Cost-effective alternatives to traditional methods
Our experience gives clients a genuine competitive edge.
This protective screen print project for BNP Paribas is a perfect example of how innovation, experience, and creative thinking can redefine what print is capable of.
By replacing scaffolding with a suspended protective screen, we delivered a solution that was safer, faster, less disruptive, and significantly more cost-effective—helping our client secure a major contract in the process.
If you’re facing a challenging environment where traditional access or protection methods don’t make sense, Project Print Management can help you rethink what’s possible with print.
The rear lift shaft are due to be done in September. Update: link here is the blog on the rear screen.
For more information on this project please visit our large format print projects page. Or for our latest print projects visit our blog page.
