High-Impact, Low-Weight, Eco-Friendly: IPS Delivers Standout 3D Prints for the V&A
The Brief
In the lead-up to Friday Late: On / Off at the V&A Museum, artist Sam Wilde reached out to IPS with an urgent, high-stake brief: to produce five large-scale printed boards for an evolving mural installation titled ‘Equi-II’. The event, hosted on 27th June 2025, invited visitors to disconnect from digital noise and reconnect through tactile, collaborative experiences; making the quality, texture, and visual impact of the artwork central to its success. Sam’s request included five 200cm x 120cm custom CNC-cut boards with a matte finish, exceptional print quality, and absolutely no risk of bending, warping, or creasing – all while being light enough to hang from the ceiling. Initially considering 5mm Foamex, Sam was open to suggestions for a better-performing, more sustainable material.
The Process
Following consultation, IPS recommended using 10mm Xanita board — a lightweight, rigid, and fully recyclable fibreboard that delivers premium print quality without the drawbacks of traditional foamboard. With its smooth bright-white surface and strong Kraft-core structure, Xanita met all performance requirements while aligning with the eco-conscious spirit of the installation. To enhance the tactile quality of the frogs in the mural, IPS proposed adding dimensional texture using a braille-style print technique. A sample was produced on the Signracer HD UV printer, using a layered ink build-up (excluding white) to create a raised print effect that Sam quickly approved. Once the artwork was finalised, each piece was precision-cut on the VeloBlade Nexus flatbed cutter, followed by thorough quality checks. Packaging was just as crucial as the print: IPS provided secure, flat-packed delivery to ensure the pieces arrived at the V&A in perfect condition – ready to be suspended as part of Sam’s collaborative mural experience.
The Results
The finished prints were a standout success – visually striking, structurally sound, and museum-ready. Sam Wilde was thrilled with the final result, describing it as “the part I’m most excited about” and praising the colour vibrancy, 3D texture, and eco credentials of the materials used. “Thank you times a million... I'm so impressed with everything, colour, material, the fact it is eco-friendly, the 3D effect, how precise everything is. Such a blessing to have found you, I'm so grateful, I dread to think how lacklustre they would look in foamboard by comparison!” The materials not only met the artistic and structural demands of the installation but complemented other organic elements in the space, elevating the visual and conceptual coherence of the exhibit. As a final vote of confidence, even the V&A team asked to keep one of the frog prints for their office, a testament to the impact and craftsmanship behind the project. This case illustrates IPS’s ability to deliver on tight deadlines, collaborate with artists, and elevate creative visions through expert material selection, technical execution, and sustainable print innovation. Also, thanks to V&A team members for making this all a reality: Curator: Kristian Volsing, Producers: Adonis Fuyana and Faunsia Tucker.
