Our Services
Print By Media*
The Right Substrate. Every Time*
The medium is the message*
The substrate is where the story begins.
Print by media gives you full control over the surface your message lives on. From rigid boards to flexible vinyl, every material brings its own characteristics - durability, finish, weight and application - and choosing the right one is what turns a good graphic into a great one.
At MDR, we print direct to a wide range of media for businesses across Cheshire, Manchester and the UK. Our team advises on the right substrate for your environment, budget and lifespan, then produces graphics that look sharp, perform reliably and last.
Whether you need a single Foamex panel for a meeting room or a full building of acrylic signage, we make sure the medium is as considered as the message.
Understanding Print By Media
What is print by media?
Print by media refers to direct-to-substrate printing - producing graphics straight onto the material they will be displayed on, rather than onto paper that is then mounted.
This approach delivers vibrant, durable, edge-to-edge graphics across rigid and flexible substrates, each chosen for its intended use.
Print by media is commonly used for:
- Retail signage
- Exhibition panels
- Office and reception signage
- Wayfinding systems
- Point of sale displays
- Hoarding and construction graphics
- Window and wall graphics
- Vehicle and floor graphics
Our Media
Six media we print day in, day out*
Every project has an ideal substrate. We print direct to six core media - chosen for their range, performance and versatility across indoor, outdoor, short-term and built-to-last applications.
Foamex Printing
Rigid, lightweight PVC foam board printed direct for smooth, vibrant graphics. Foamex is the go-to rigid substrate for indoor signage and display - flat, easy to cut to shape and available in a range of thicknesses.
- Point of sale displays
- Exhibition panels
- Directional signage
- Menu boards
- Display boards
- Shaped cut-outs
Dibond Printing
Composite aluminium panels for premium, ultra-flat, weather-resistant signage. Dibond combines two thin aluminium sheets with a polyethylene core, making it rigid, durable and ideal for long-term indoor and outdoor graphics.
- Building signage
- Fascia panels
- Long-term outdoor signage
- Exhibition backdrops
- Architectural graphics
- Premium directional signage
Acrylic Printing
Crystal-clear acrylic for high-end, dimensional prints and reverse-mounted graphics. Acrylic delivers a premium glass-like finish that elevates corporate, reception and display environments.
- Perspex prints
- Reverse-mounted graphics
- Stand-off mounted panels
- Corporate signage
- Reception features
- Display panels
Vinyl Printing
Self-adhesive vinyl printed and cut for windows, walls, vehicles and floors. Vinyl is the most versatile flexible medium - conforming to glass, walls and vehicles for full-colour branding anywhere.
- Window graphics
- Wall graphics
- Vehicle wraps
- Floor graphics
- Cut vinyl lettering
- Frosted & etched vinyl
Foamboard Printing
Lightweight foam-centred board for cost-effective, short-term display graphics. Foamboard is the light, economical choice for presentations, concepts and temporary point of sale.
- Presentation boards
- Point of sale
- Retail displays
- Temporary signage
- Model making
- Concept visuals
Magnetic Printing
Magnetic-receptive and magnet-printed media for changeable, reusable display systems. Magnetic media lets you swap graphics in seconds without tools - ideal for vehicles, retail and changeable display systems.
- Magnetic signage
- Changeable display panels
- Vehicle magnetics
- Magnetic wall systems
- Retail POS
- Removable graphics
Industries We Serve
Print by media for every industry*
Retail & Point of Sale
Retail relies on graphics that change quickly and look premium. Print by media gives retailers rigid displays, vinyl window campaigns and magnetic changeable systems in one place.
- Window campaigns
- Shelf-edge graphics
- Free-standing displays
- Stand-off panels
- Changeable POS
- Promotional signage
Exhibitions & Events
Exhibitions demand lightweight, portable, high-impact graphics. Foamex, Dibond and printed vinyl deliver sharp, repeatable results across every show.
- Exhibition panels
- Pop-up graphics
- Backdrop walls
- Counters
- Hanging signage
- Floor decals
Corporate & Office
Modern workplaces use printed media to reinforce brand and guide visitors. Acrylic stand-offs, Foamex wayfinding and vinyl wall graphics bring corporate interiors to life.
- Reception signage
- Stand-off acrylic
- Wayfinding
- Vision and values walls
- Glass manifestation
- Brand environment graphics
Construction & Property
Developments and fit-outs need durable, professional graphics. Dibond and Foamex hoardings, plus printed vinyl, keep sites and marketing suites looking the part.
- Hoarding graphics
- Site signage
- Marketing suite displays
- Development signage
- Health and safety graphics
- Directional signage
Hospitality & Leisure
Hotels, restaurants and venues use printed media to set tone and guide guests - from acrylic reception features to frosted vinyl privacy graphics.
- Reception features
- Menu boards
- Wayfinding
- Glass manifestation
- Event signage
- Themed graphics
Education & Public Sector
Schools, colleges and public spaces use durable printed media to communicate, educate and create engaging environments for students and visitors.
- Educational graphics
- Wayfinding
- Reception signage
- Directional signage
- Display panels
- Heritage interpretation
Our Print By Media Process
From consultation to installation*
Consultation & Material Advice
We discuss objectives, location, lifespan and budget, then recommend the right medium for the job.
Design & Artwork
Our creative team prepares artwork optimised for direct-to-substrate printing at the required scale.
Substrate Selection
We confirm the precise material and finish - Foamex, Dibond, acrylic, vinyl, foamboard or magnetic.
Print & Finishing
Graphics are printed direct to substrate, then cut, shaped, laminated or mounted as required.
Delivery or Installation
We deliver ready to install, or handle installation on site where required.
Why Choose MDR
Why choose MDR for print by media*
Substrate Expertise
We know which medium works where - and recommend the right one for every environment.
Premium Print Quality
Direct-to-substrate printing delivers vibrant, durable, edge-to-edge graphics.
Six Core Media
Foamex, Dibond, acrylic, vinyl, foamboard and magnetic - specified to suit the job.
Creative + Technical
Design and production in one place means artwork is built to print, every time.
One Trusted Partner
Design, print, finishing and installation support from a single studio.
Responsive Turnaround
Clear communication and reliable delivery, from single panels to multi-site rollouts.
Designed in Cheshire. Delivered nationwide*
Based in Knutsford, Cheshire, MDR works with businesses throughout Manchester, Liverpool, the North West and across the UK. Whatever the surface - rigid, flexible, indoor or out - our print by media service helps your message land with clarity and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Print by media questions*
Print by media is direct-to-substrate printing - producing graphics straight onto materials such as Foamex, Dibond, acrylic, vinyl, foamboard and magnetic media, rather than onto paper that is then mounted.
Print it on the right media*
The right substrate turns a good graphic into a great one.
Foamex, Dibond, acrylic, vinyl, foamboard or magnetic - whatever your environment demands, MDR will advise on the right medium and produce graphics that perform. Speak to our team today.
LET'S PARTNER*
Ready to create something extraordinary? Tell us about your project and we'll craft the perfect solution. Email is the fastest way to reach us - your message lands straight with the studio team.
