The British Channel Seen from the Dorsetshire Cliffs (detail) 1871

Wide Format Print Research Projects

Research relating to Wide Format Print is disseminated at national and international research conferences, symposia, workshops, curated exhibitions, publications and databases.

In the past 10 years the CFPR has collaborated with Hewlett Packard to disseminate knowledge to schools in the UK and Europe. Knowledge transfer programmes have also been taken place in partnership with companies such as John Purcell Papers, Cranfield Colours and Ringway Signs.

Current partnerships with Roland DG have equpped the studios with state of the art wideformat LEC 300A Versa UV, Versa Cam VS-840 and Soljet printers for Beta testing and future research. For a full list of our facilities visit the Facilities page

The Wallpaper Project:

the use of printable UV, thermo and solar receptive pigments for wallpaper and textiles

Awarding body: UWE/SouthWest Regional Development Agency Knowledge Fellowship
Awarded to: Dr Carinna Parraman
Researcher participants: Paul Laidler
industrial partner:Roland DG

Project details:
The objective of the Wallpaper Project, in collaboration with Roland DG (UK) Ltd and with support from European Research Development Funding (ERDF), was to develop a range of printed materials and surfaces that could be developed as print on paper, textiles and applied to walls, which could adapt to changes in the environment and be interactive with the user. The project explored contemporary approaches to wallpaper design that combines craft, design, cutting-edge fabrication and novel printing technologies. New printing technologies are now being used to print onto a range of materials (plastics, metal, wood, uncoated papers) and can be used to trial new inks and methods of printing (UV hardening, metallic colours, ceramic, three-dimensional, non standard colour).

Read more on the Wallpaper Project pages

Methodologies for the integration of fine art practice and wide format digital printing

funding:Arts and Humanities Research Council in association with HP
Awarded to: Professor Stephen Hoskins
Researcher participants: Dr Paul Thirkell, Carinna Parraman, Paul Laidler
INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATORS: Hewlett Packard
project duration: 2003 - 2007

Project details:
For the fine artist, wide format digital printing promises new potential for the creation of print based artwork. However, although some common ground exists between the industry led function of this technology and aesthetic concerns of the printmaker, to date little has been done to define how it may be effectively employed to incorporate qualities which have become unique to the domain of fine art print.

Download a Summary of the project as a .PDF (3.9 Mb)

To develop bespoke profiles for wide format printing using artists paper, TCS Scheme in association with John Purcell Paper, London, Awarded January 2001