July 13, 2020

Dover based Harbourprint transforms the port’s cruise terminal with some nautically themed and decorative graphics…

Harbourprint Signs & Graphics Ltd., is based in the heart of the western docks area at Dover. More a second city than a port, the operation controlled there by the Dover Harbour Board moves people and goods through the channel port in truly huge volumes. The Harbour Board itself was originally established in 1606 to administer and maintain the port. As might be imagined, there have been a few changes since.

Among the most recent changes at the port, was a decorative refresh of its cruise terminal. The job fell to Harbourprint where Stuart Divito and the team were invited to submit some ideas. They responded with a theme contrasting the look and feel from the deck of a cruise ship at sea and nautical rope, coiled Bristol-Fashion of course. The Harbour Board liked what was proposed and Harbourprint set about its production.

Stuart Divito is a committed fan of Harbour Print’s Roland XC 540 printer. This hand assembled printer did a wonderful job, dealing with the need for panel-to-panel colour consistency in the finished result where any drift would be impossible to conceal. So did the Metamark MD-WA Artisan material Harbourprint used for the job. Where there was once a blank expanse of painted wall, now an inviting view to sea, from an imagined deck, dominates the view. It gives the whole area an inviting feel that’s totally themed to the business the venue conducts.

Printed and laminated Metamark MD5 has been used to transform the tables in the area adjacent to the hall’s bar. They look sensational. Coiled rope pictorial elements continue the nautical theme established in the wall graphics and again reflect a top quality print and application job by Harbourprint. Other surfaces have been decorated with printed graphics too, giving the once sterile hall a sense of real occasion and ensuring that for the port’s visitors, the holiday begins ‘here.’

Picture of the old Port of Dover areas are used to add interest and a nice contrast on the hall’s walls. They were printed on Metamark Poster Paper framed and hung after the installation of the applied elements of the transformation.

Harbourprint prides itself on its versatility as a signs and graphics producers. Its work is widely seen in East Kent and includes vehicle livery, exhibition graphics, retail signage and much more. Given the job it’s completed for The Harbour Board, Harbourprint would be well justified in adding “interior design and fit” to its growing repertoire.