Silverglate's Creative Use of a Wide-Format Printer

One of the most creative and energetic photographer/artists I know is Kat Silverglate. Using a variety of inkjet-printable materials and inventive finishing techniques, Kat has been creating her own one-of-a-kind large-format works of art since 2002 when she bought her first 42-in. HP Designjet 5000 PS UV. She is a private-commission artist creating works for private collectors, public entities and commercial vendors.

Because she’s a passionate believer in sharing ideas, Kat has agreed to write an illustrated column for this blog demonstrating some of the unique projects she has created for various clients. To learn more about Kat and view other examples of her work, visit www.PhotosByKat.net.

How'd She Do That?

Elegant Photo Centerpieces for a Recognition Banquet

By Kat Silverglate

The Challenge: The challenge was simple. Create 20 one-of-a-kind, photo-based centerpieces for an elaborate event celebrating the life of a famous dean at the University of Miami. The setting? An elegant 1920’s ballroom in the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL.

The Theme?: “I want the guests to know the life of this woman simply by viewing the centerpieces.”

The Solution: Design and produce artistic, two-sided, cotton fabric, tabletop banners depicting significant roles in the honoree’s life–-wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, scholar, dean, etc. So that guests could enjoy the “story” banners while sitting or standing, each banner rose 5 ft. above the tabletop, leaving a 2 ft. clearance at the bottom for seated guests.

Equipment and Materials
-A large-format printer (24-in. or wider)
-Two rolls of HP Fabric Cotton Matte
-Banner tape (from sign-supply store)
-3/16-in. foamboard strips
-Eyehooks
-Banner stands

Banner tape is a strong, double-sided tape that can be purchased from sign-supply companies such as Sign Supply USA or from large format finishing suppliers like LexJet.

Although banner stands are readily available in a variety of models, I chose to have the banner stands custom made by In The Woods because the customer wanted an elegant rosewood base that would eliminate the need for any other table decoration. Once a customer understands that artistic banner stands can support countless future events by simply replacing the artwork, it is easy to include them as part of your final quote. (As a bonus, you will be the logical choice to create new banners for the next event!)

STEP 1: Create a template for the prints that presents a theme for the event. Because the room was old-fashioned, I chose an elegant type font and sepia roses. The honoree’s name was at the top of each banner. Roses were on the bottom.

The center was intentionally left blank. I then had only two steps to recreate each unique banner -- add a picture and a title. Each finished piece was 36 x 12.5 in.

STEP 2: Print and dry the banners in accordance with the media manufacturer’s guidelines. Because the HP Cotton Matte comes in 36-in. rolls, I printed each banner on the landscape setting. This maximized the use of the material and made cutting much easier. I also allowed 1-in. of material at the top for mounting the banner to the banner strip. Otherwise, you do not need any space between the prints or below them. All unprinted material will be cut away and discarded.

STEP 3: Cut away all unprinted material. I used professional sewing shears to prevent fraying at the edges.

STEP 4: Cut 1 x 12-in. strips from a 3/16-in. thick foamboard. If you don’t have a cutting table, an Exacto knife and straight edge work great!

STEP 5: Place a 12-in. strip of banner tape on both sides of the foamboard strip. (Banner tape is double-sided tape typically used to hem vinyl banners.) Do not peel the backer from the tape yet!

STEP 6: Place the banner, print-side down, on a flat surface. Peel the banner tape from one side of the foamboard strip.

STEP 7: With the print side down, place the sticky side of the foamboard strip on the top of the banner. Banner tape is extremely sticky, so make sure you have it flush with the top of the banner. Once it sticks, it is permanent!

STEP 8: Peel the backer from the other side of the strip to expose the adhesive. Fold the strip over so that it is sandwiched between the fabric. This leaves a nice, clean, straight line at the top of the banner so that it hangs straight.

STEP 9: Find the centerpoint at the top of the banner and screw one eyehook through the fabric into the foam strip.

STEP 10: Hang one banner on each side of the banner stand. To prevent the banners from moving, place a small piece of Velcro or banner tape at the base of the banner and adhere it to the stand.

Finishing Touches: To add elegance to the display, a florist added a vine of sepia roses to the exposed copper base pole of the banner stand.

Voila! From a photo album to a memorable centerpiece!