'special projects' ....

Tate & Lyle - London
Solar Graphics were contacted by Tate & Lyle to
replicate a tin of their famous Golden Syrup.

The tin was to be fixed to the side of the Tate & Lyle
building in Silvertown London, England.

 


 

Solar Graphics took over the project from initial designs of the
internal structure and how to replicate the different parts of the
tins' exterior, through to manufacture and finally delivery and installation.

The finished structure has been featured in a
nationwide industry magazine 'Sign Link' , Seen to the right  ........

'The Tin' has also currently been featured on the BBC News
website, celebrating Tate & Lyles 125th Year.
'Click Here' for the news feature.

'Sign Link' article ( 'Sweet Success' July 2007 ) ..........

When Solar Graphics were asked to produce a bespoke sign for Tate and Lyle, they
ended up building a show stopping sign that has since seen them get repeat
business from the client.

As a relatively small sign company based in Essex, Solar Graphics has been called
upon many times to produce bespoke signs. Adrian Neill, Senior Graphic Technician
and Marketing Manager explains: "Most of our previous projects paled into insignificance
when we had a phone call from a local company Zipp Ltd passing on an enquiry from
one of their clients Tate and Lyle".

The brief was explained over the phone and the company was tasked with replicating
a tin of Tate and Lyle syrup. It was to be approximately four metres tall and fixed to the
side of their building in Silvertown, London.

The first job was to attend the site and survey the building before the team sat down
to  work out how best to overcome any on-site problems that could be associated with
such a one-off project. "A rough plan was decided upon which allowed us to quote for
the job, which was accepted." explains Adrian.

The next step was to decide how best to replicate the tin and also how to create an
internal structure that would be strong and safe enough to withstand the elements
and also practical enough to assemble, transport and finally install. It was decided
that the internal structure would be created using steel box section formed to the correct
diameter and braced with further steel box section to create a skeleton frame. The frame
would be clad with 3mm thick aluminium composite sheets, with a mixture of cut vinyl and
digital prints to replicate the various finishes.

The skeleton frame was designed in-house but the job of creating the frame was
out-sourced to a local company, Reeves Engineering, who frequently produce steel
structures for Solar Graphics. The frame was designed to allow it to be delivered to the
company in 'kit' form to enable the team to assemble it outside their premises as it was
too big to be assembled inside.

The aluminium composite panels were laid out flat in separate premises and laminated
in 'Tate and Lyle green'. The vinyls were then cut and printed in-house and applied in
layers. Special attention was given to make sure they replicated the finishes as close as
possible to the original design, such as the polished silver rim and the brushed gold arc.
Once the panels were completed they were fixed to the assembled frame ready for the
journey to London.

A local haulage company helped with the transportation of the tin where it was safely
delivered ready for Solar Graphics fitters to install. Metal brackets had already been
installed into the side of the building allowing them to fix the frame via steel straps and
finally, the base was added.

"We all agreed that it was great to be involved in a project that pushed the boundaries
of sign making and created a team atmosphere by pulling in all the different strengths
from all the staff here at Solar Graphics," adds Adrian.

words by Verity Gough - Sign Link Features Editor