Newspapers

This is where it all started, in 1986, when John and Paul, ever innovative, bought a colour photocopier. It was one of the first in the country. The combination of a type-setting machine, the colour photocopier and a bottle of Tipp-Ex (!) meant productions could suddenly get customised newspapers at a reasonable cost, on newsprint. This was revolutionary at the time. These days, most printers still won't touch newsprint as it's so tricky to get it through the printers, but Data can churn out - at speed - colour newspapers on newsprint, magazines on a luxury gloss and they also have a supply of that special pink newsprint for the Financial Times. 

If you need a paper mocked up in a hurry, then they have a large stock of clearable templates, photos and also an archive of original newspapers going back to the 1600s.

Graphics Props

They don't stop at printing on paper though! That would be boring! John loves a challenge and is always looking for new techniques that can be used to create that perfect finish, for 100% convincing graphic props. They now have a specialist cutting machine to cut out boxes and packaging of all types and sizes, such as pizza boxes, cigarette boxes, cereal packets etc. No more sore fingers from the scapel blade! They do a lot of packaging for period productions and have an archive of old packets ready to print and make. 

Paper, Plastic Bags and Papyrus

Data have always been film and TV-friendly and ready to 'have a go at anything', which is music to crew's ears when there is an unusual director / designer request to fulfill in limited time! They now have flatbed printers that can print on 3d objects, and will attempt anything from fabrics to papyrus, using some clever techniques used to trick the printer sensors into accepting strange materials. Paul says they can also print on book-binding cloth, fabric, plastic bags and really thin papers like onion skin. "We've also  printed on glacine, which is horrible, like that old toilet paper," he says. Of course, it's not all oldey worldy printing. They regularly produce super-slick concept prints at large scale, mounted on Foamex boards, for studios. They can print up to 1500mm wide at any length (great for wallpaper!).

Transformations - Vinyl Signage and Vehicles 

"We can do any kind of vinyl signs and application," says Paul. "One day we'll be covering the inside of an ambulance; the next day we're branding up a dustbin lorry." For the Apple series Ted Lasso, we "wrapped a white football coach in red cast vinyl - a cheaper and more reversible option than respraying. On top of that came the graphics."

Data's installations can be transformative to a set; "We don't just do little signs" says Paul, "We've turned parts of Croydon into China Town, the Excel Centre into an airport and numerous office buildings into hospitals." These huge installations are often completed in incredibly tight turnarounds. "After the graphic department have sent us the approved designs, we print and prep everything and often do a super quick install overnight on location, ready for the shoot crew in the morning." 

Data also have a portfolio of signs with special finishes, such as fake enamel 1930s police or railway signs and dimensional lettering for official seals of state.

A Wealth of Knowledge

We had a fantastic time exploring at Data, delving into their archives and extensive collection of types of papers and clearable graphics and photos. We were particularly surprised at the extent of textures and finishes that Data can accomplish. We spotted bullseye glass, credits cards with raised lettering and convincing chips, a book binding press for whole books, clearable passports with perfectly stitched binding and fake etched pub windows. But most of all, we were reminded that Paul and John and the team have a wealth of knowledge that comes in handy when you're suddenly expected to be an expert in the 1950s / 1890s / ancient Egypt (that papyrus again) or 2049, depending on the job! Who knew that pre-WW1 newspapers were made with rag based paper, not wood pulp paper?! Well now you do, and luckily, we know a reprographics company that can print those newspapers for you, on exactly the right paper!