Application Spotlight: Hockey Tape Mural

Source One Digital participated in the Grand Opening of new NHL Chicago Blackhawks fan store on Michigan Avenue, Chicago in October 2014. The project involved a variety of styles of in-­‐store graphics, including backlits, window graphics, display signage, and more.

This endeavor also came with a perplexing challenge – “Can you print hockey tape?” Hockey tape traditionally comes in white and black with few color choices. The concept the client wanted to achieve was a giant Blackhawks logo that greeted guests as they entered the store made from hockey stick shafts with the tip of the stick wrapped with custom printed colored hockey tape. This mural of tape-­‐wrapped hockey sticks would  create the much sought-­‐after “wow” display guests would remember.

The unique colors of the Chicago Blackhawks logo would require precise and dynamic color. "We achieved this look by applying the hockey tape to a release liner and creating custom profiles for each color in the logo," said Randy Crow, owner, Source One Digital. "Our G7 Master color specialist hit the target with remarkable color printing on one of Source One Digital flatbed digital printers."

Once printed, we rolled the release liner with printed hockey tape by color. The hockey tape-­‐printing project was over 1,432 feet of hockey tape. The breakdown of each color consisted of 152 feet of orange hockey tape, 200 feet of red, 352 feet of yellow, 224 feet of green, 504 feet of gold. All printed in 8 foot sections. The finished product was breathtaking. The success of the Michigan Avenue store logo lead to another request to recreate yet a second version of the hockey stick tape mural creation.

The crowds who lined up for the Grand Opening Chicago Blackhawks store was amazed to discover the team logo made out of hockey sticks and tape and continues to amaze visitors. "Source One Digital was proud to partner with Custom Sign Consultants and the Chicago Blackhawks organization to deliver all of their signage for the new store and first of its one-­‐ of-­‐a-­‐kind, custom request. Can we print on hockey tape? The only answer for our client -­‐ “Yes we can!” and yes we did," said Crow.