ER2 Image Wraps University of Chicago’s Glass-Domed Reading Room

The culturally rich and ethnically diverse University of Chicago is known for its esteemed research, high-caliber professional schools and stunning architecture. Among the university’s uniquely designed buildings are its libraries, including the main library which features a large glass-domed reading room. When the university contacted ER2 Image Group about creatively promoting a traveling art exhibition within the space, ER2 went the distance.

With a motto to make branding bigger, the full-service grand format printing company — which specializes in the design, creation, and installation of large-scale graphics projects — designed and installed graphics across the glass dome to reflect the featured artist’s work. A key priority of the project was to maintain the sunlight coming through the windows yet soften it with necessary illumination. To achieve this, ER2 used a printing technique on its EFI Vutek GS3250LxPro printer that encompassed UV-curable ink and a 3-layer print process. ER2’s media of choice was Mactac’s IMAGin Simply Sustainable Crystal Cling.

“This printing technique is best for back-lighting applications, so it worked perfectly for keeping the printed image strong while allowing light to pass through,” says ER2 vice president and partner Mark Schellerer. “Also, we decided to go with Mactac’s polyester Crystal Cling film because it is optically clear and can be butt-seamed to ensure the passage of light while eliminating possible shrinkage or expansion.”

The wet installation was completed in roughly five days by four installers who primarily worked in the evenings when there was lighter library foot traffic. The team used a lift with an extension arm to access hard-to-reach installation areas and maneuver around the limited floor space.

Crystal Cling (SS299) is a 4.0-mil pure clear gloss polyester film designed for UV digital printing. Featuring a unique polymer technology, it is coated on one side with a removable, clear acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and protected with a 3.0-mil polyester traction-back release liner. It is intended for short to medium-term advertising on glass surfaces such as glass windows, displays, and signboards.