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Print hits right note for Eurovision and Liverpool

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Some of the vibrant branding to be seen around the city
Some of the vibrant branding to be seen around the city

Liverpool is awash with print as the city gears up for the Eurovision Song Contest grand final this weekend.

A number of local businesses have benefited from the huge amount of printed collateral and event branding required for the music extravaganza, which is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors to the city over the course of the celebrations.

The UK is hosting the competition on behalf of last year’s winners, Ukraine. 

Service Graphics, which has its northern base in nearby Skelmersdale, won a near-£50,000 contract for welcome and wayfinding graphics, and has also produced other work related to the plethora of associated activities that have taken place during the run-up to tomorrow’s final, which include a two-week cultural festival.

Account director Ivan Sherrington told Printweek: “Service Graphics were delighted after a successful competitive bid process to able to assist a variety of stakeholders including Liverpool City Council, ACC Liverpool and The National Lottery to deliver branding at ESC23 in Liverpool. 

“Highlights included the branding for the Euro Village in Liverpool in addition to providing branding for the turquoise carpet which included the supply & installation of almost 1,000sqm of eco-friendly carpet that will be recycled into new carpets. This is only a part of the story as venue branding was produced and installed at the Arena in addition.”

Service Graphics managing director Mike Holyoake added: “Our social feeds have gone ultra responsive off the back of the work and the fantastic visuals at the ESC.”

Click the gallery to see the images

Printweek news editor and Eurovision superfan Richard Stuart-Turner is in Liverpool and has been impressed by the whole experience.

He said: “Hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, Liverpool has made a huge effort to celebrate the country’s culture – from art exhibitions featuring the work of Ukrainian artists, to sound systems in train stations playing the music of Ukrainian buskers that have lost their performing spots at home. There have been many Ukrainian musicians performing across the city too.

“Eurovision is a celebration of music, unity, diversity, and fun, and this has been evident in spades in Liverpool, not just from the live shows and the many side events going on around the city, but the atmosphere has been enhanced by the way everything has been dressed, with visitors keen to get pictures in front of the many brilliant installations.”

Stuart-Turner said the event branding had worked particularly well. 

“The vibrant yellow and light blue of the Ukrainian flag combined with a pink and navy blue colour scheme chosen by show organisers at the BBC has lent itself well to a raft of vibrant, eye-catching print of all kinds across the city that has really helped to bring the experience alive.”

Local business LiverPrint won a £40,000-plus contract for branded uniforms for Culture Liverpool, BBC staff and volunteers. The Knowsley firm specialises in workwear, uniforms and embroidery. 

Click the gallery to see the images

Creative agency Wordscape, based in Jamaica Street L1, handled the design and content for the 144pp+cover official programme. 

Partner Andrew Beattie said: “We are absolutely thrilled. It’s been great to see so many people around the city and a real privilege to work on this.”

The programme was printed by Zenith Print.

A raft of other merchandise is available including t-shirts, hats, and a €55 (£47.85) vinyl record set featuring all 37 songs.

Printing was also required for the 12 inflatable Soloveiko Songbird sculptures that form part of the EuroFestival. The Soloveiko is the national bird of Ukraine and a symbol of song and happiness.

And the EuroLearn project includes a display of seven giant Pysanka Eggs – inspired Ukrainian and Eastern European tradition of egg painting – and designed by children from across the Liverpool City Region and the Ukrainian community.

Today (12 May), Visit Liverpool is running a competition featuring a lifesize printed cut-out standee of Liverpool singer Sonia, who came second in Eurovision 1993. 

Visitors have to follow clues to #SpotSonia in four different locations, then tag their pictures on social media to be in with a chance of taking part in a further task to win tickets for tomorrow’s grand final.

Sweden is currently the bookies’ favourite, while Stuart-Turner has tipped Finland, and believes Belgium could make the top ten. 

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