Wall print for the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge
In mid-March, for the special exhibition "Designing for Berlin – Design from the Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weißensee," we had the opportunity to print a large-format illustration directly onto a wall at the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge. The design—measuring approximately three meters in width and two meters in height—was applied to the plastered wall surface within a single day using our wall printer.
The special exhibition is dedicated to design from the Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weißensee. As part of the exhibition, a large illustration designed by Polly Härle was to be applied directly to a museum wall. The design and the final print files were provided by the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge.
The design is a so-called "busy picture" (or *Wimmelbild*). These are highly detailed illustrations in which numerous figures, objects, and individual scenes are combined into a single, large composition. They invite the viewer to study the image at length, continually discovering new details and connections.
Within the exhibition, the wall print serves as a purely artistic design element. Due to its size and direct connection to the wall, the illustration becomes an integral part of the spatial staging.
The task
- Transport of the mobile wall printer to the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge
- On-site setup and professional installation of the wall printer
- Precise alignment of the rail system with the designated wall surface
- Setup and calibration of the printer according to the position and size of the design.
- Direct printing of the 'hidden object' image onto the plastered wall.
- Dismantling and removal of the wall printer upon completion of the work.
Material and printing technique
Printing was carried out using UV direct printing with a mobile wall printer. A computer-controlled print head moves along a pre-aligned rail system, transferring the design onto the wall step by step.
The UV inks used are cured immediately during the printing process, resulting in a precise, highly detailed image directly on the substrate. An additional white underprint was not required for this project, as the work was carried out on a light-colored, plastered wall.
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Material Summary:
- Printed area: approximately 3 × 2 meters
- Substrate: light-colored, plastered wall
- Printing method: Direct UV printing
- Printing system: mobile wall printer with rail system
- Printing inks: UV-curing inks
- No additional white underprint
- No film, wallpaper, or printed panel used as the base material.
- Digital illustration by Polly Härle as a print design
With a "hidden object" style image in particular, the crisp reproduction of numerous small elements is crucial. Digital printing technology makes it possible to display even complex illustrations—featuring fine lines, varied color tones, and intricate details—on a wall in large format.
The execution
The implementation was carried out within a single day. After the wall printer was transported to the museum, the rail system was set up in front of the designated wall area. Subsequently, the rails had to be precisely aligned, and the printer adjusted to match the position and size of the design.
This step is crucial for the final print result. Even slight alignment deviations can result in the design appearing crooked on the wall or failing to meet the intended positioning precisely. Consequently, setting up and configuring the system requires experience in operating the wall printer and a thorough understanding of the technical processes involved.
Following calibration, the design could be printed directly onto the plastered wall. Afterward, the wall printer was dismantled and removed. No additional work—such as applying film, mounting, or installation—was required on the wall.
