From uniforms and vinyl banners to signs in the bleachers, sports and visual communication go hand in hand. At the core of this relationship, there are three key characteristics shared by sports and large-format graphics. Come with us as we take a closer look at the sports industry and discover why and how sports graphics inspire fans.
Here, inspiration is a concept that is worth keeping in mind. Most brands aspire not only to communicate but to inspire. Inspiration builds loyalty and creates unique relationships. And while other types of companies bend over backwards to inspire their audience, athletes and teams achieve this goal easily, in large part thanks to the power of visual communication.
What Are Sports Graphics?
Sports graphics are all forms of printed advertising designed to promote sporting events, brands, teams, and athletes. The association between modern sports and visual communication is long-standing and well-established. Teams have always used colors and patterns to differentiate themselves on the field. Fans, on the other hand, use signs to show their team pride and to underscore the intensity of their rivalry with opposing teams.
Some of the businesses and institutions that use sports graphics include:
- Sports teams
- Leagues of all categories, from amateur to pro
- Venues
- Apparel brands
- Sports TV channels and streaming services
- Video game/tech companies
Whether it’s football basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, soccer, or volleyball, America is in love with sports, and experts believe that 2021 will be a watershed moment for the sports industry. Today more than ever, teams and brands related to sports must find ways to drive fan engagement and cement their position in a highly competitive market.
In this unique landscape, no other medium is better equipped than large format printing to convey the electrifying power of sports. Below we explore the reasons why sports graphics inspire fans and outline some of the best visual solutions for teams, athletes, and brands.
Sports Graphics Are Exciting
At the end of the day, we love sports because they are exciting. Storylines are established, rivalries are formed, and idols capture our collective imagination. Sports graphics are able to match this level of excitement with a set of constantly evolving visual solutions that keep fans at the edge of their seats. Just like we need new games and roster changes to keep our interest levels high, the world of digital printing constantly comes up with new visual solutions that surprise and entertain fans. These are some examples of how sports graphics underscore the excitement of sports:
- Imposing building wraps.
- High-impact billboards and out-of-home advertising.
- Floor graphics and wall graphics that create a total visual experience.
- Window graphics that bring the exhilaration of sports to unlikely surfaces, including ticket windows and glass doors.
- Vehicle wraps that turn cars, buses, and other vehicles into unique visual statements.
- Environments and experiential design that offer fans unique ways to interact with their team and its history.
Sports Graphics Are Impressive
Another reason we love sports is that they represent more than a game. Many teams embody the pride of an entire city or state. We often see ourselves reflected in the struggles and victories of the athletes we admire. In short, sports matter to us. They are entertaining but also important in a way that we are not always able to articulate with words. However, the greatness of sports becomes immediately clear when expressed through graphics and images. This is how teams and brands use graphics to convey the importance and gravitas of sports:
- Indoor banners that honor a team and its legends.
- Flags that communicate a sense of both celebration and dignity.
- Wall murals that display a timeline with the achievements and history of a team.
- Outsize outdoor banners placed in public spaces to celebrate important victories.
- Different types of graphics used in combination to underscore the solemnity of ceremonies such as hall of fame inductions and number retirement ceremonies.
Sports Graphics Can Be Used Everywhere
It’s no secret that sports fans love to see their team everywhere they go, from a poster in their room to street pole banners in the perimeter of the stadium. The love for one’s team is something to be consumed, worn, and lived every day. Digital format printing offers the versatility to express this all-encompassing passion in all its intensity. These are some examples of how large format printing can super-charge any space or surface with the thrill of sports:
- Vehicles of all types, including Zambonis and motorcycles
- Barricades for sports venues and parades
- Outdoor and indoor signs
- Banners of all types (flagpole banners, street pole banners, self-adhesive banners, step-and-repeat banners, etc.)
- Event signage
- Wayfinding signage
- POP/POS stands to promote merchandise
Sports Graphics: Key Takeaways
Sports are popular because they are exciting, important to us, and we feel the need to experience them constantly and everywhere.
These three key characteristics of sports are shared by sports graphics and large format printing. With its constant evolution, graphics can be as exciting as any football game. At the same time, they are able to convey the full depth of what sports mean to millions of people with the versatility that teams and venues need to keep fans interested and engaged.
Large format printing offers a full kit of visual solutions to communicate the excitement of sports. Some of the most common types of sports graphics include banners, signs, wall graphics, window graphics, floor graphics, vehicle wraps, and building wraps.
CR&A Custom: High-Quality Visual Solutions in Sports Graphics
CR&A Custom is a Los-Angeles-based large format printing company proudly serving customers of all types and sizes in the United States and abroad.
When you choose CR&A Custom for your sports graphics project, you get all the benefits that come with working with a leader in the large format printing industry: fast turnaround times, comprehensive expertise, certifications, and a solid track record of success.
Contact us today by telephone (213-749-4440), email (info@cracustom.com), or social media (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn) for a free quote or to learn more about our wide range of visual solutions.
